by Chuuni Suki
As he said it, he showed him Orcus' ring. Having seen the symbol carved into the ring, Alfrerick eyes were wide opened. And he start to breath slowly to control to his emotion.
"Indeed... ... certainly, you have reached Oscar Orkus' hideout. Even though there are other think I want to ask... ... alright. For now it's okay for you to come to Faea Belgaen. Aah, of course Haulia too."
Having heard Alfrerick's words, not only the surrounding demi-humans but also Kam and his Haulia tribe was surprised. Led by the tiger-like demi-human, they started to protest furiously. Well, that's only natural. One of it was because of humans were invited into the Faeea Belgaen.
"They must be treated as guest. Well they are qualified for that. Also, this is one of the rule that's been decided by the one with elder's seat."
Alfrerick calmed the surrounding with his stern look. However, this time Hajime was the one who protested.
"Wait. Why the hell did you decided my schedule? I am going to the Great Tree, also I have no interest on Faea Belgaen. If there are no others questions, then I'll go to the Great Tree now."
"Well, did you know. That is impossible."
"What did you say?"
In the end, are you going to interfere? is what Hajime thought, but it make Alfrerick look perplexed.
"The fog around the Great Tree is especially thick, even demi-human will be lost there. But there are cycle when the fog become thinner, that's why you should go there at that time. The next time you can go will be in 10 days. ... ... even though it was supposed to be known by all of the demi-humans..."
Alfrerick was looking at Hajime saying, "To go there in such time, what were you think?" then Kam the guide was seen. Hajime who heard this fact finally understood and just like Alfrerick stared at Kam. Speaking of Kam...
"Ah"
Exactly, he looks like he just remember it. A vein appear on Hajime.
"Kam?"
"Ah, well, what can I say... ... look, a lot has happened, I just forgot about it... I've only been there when I was a child, so I was not aware about the cycle..."
Kam who desperately tried to find an excuses start to become flustered, because they can't take it Hajime and Yue stared at him intently and they became blame the others.
"Eei, Shia, the others too! Why, you are telling us the way! You know about the cycle right!"
"Wh, father, that's misplaced anger! I was, because father was so confidence, so I thought the cycle must be near... ... in other words, it's father's fault~!"
"That's right, even we, Huh? Isn't that weird? think that, but the chief was so confident about it, so we thought it was our that wrong..."
"Chief, it was because you're to excited about a random thing..."
Kam who was blamed by Shia who also blamed, while the other RabbitMans try to avert their eyes and casually push the responsibility to other.
"Y-you lot! Is that how family is! This, that, that is! Joint responsibility! Hajime-dono, not only me but please punish all of us!"
"Ah, how dirty! Father is dirty~! Because it's scary to be punished alone, you tried to drag others!"
"Chief! Please don't involve us!"
"Idiot! On our way, you're already see how Hajime-dono is. I absolutely don't want to be punished alone!"
"You, how can you call yourself a chief!"
RabbitMan tribe was known to have the greatest affection compared to other demi-humans. They are noisily tried to push the responsibility to the other. Just where did their affection go... ... as expected of Shia's family. All of them were shameless rabbits.
With a vein appear, Hajime muttered a word.
".... ... Yue"
"N"
Having heard Hajime, Yue take a step forward then hold out her right hand. Having noticed that the Haulia tribe's expression cramped.
"Wa, please wait, Yue-san! If you want to do it just take it to father!"
"Ha Ha ha, we'll always be together!"
"The hell with together!"
"Yue-dono, please only hit the chief!"
"It's not my fault, it's not my fault, the one at fault was the chief!"
To the Haulia tribe who was in chaos, Yue quietly muttered.
"'Storm Emperor'"
—— Agh——!!!
Those rabbit-ears were flown to the sky. Their screams echoes in the Sea of Trees. Even though their brethren was attacked, Alfrerick and the surrounding demi-humans weren't mad at all. In fact, they looked at the sky with amazement. From their expression, it seems Haulia tribe's shamelessness was widely known.
* * *
Thank you for always reading.
Thank you for the impressions, opinions, and typo reports
Chapter 34: Elders' Conference
They advance in the dense fog guided by Gil, the tiger-like demi-human.
Their destination is Faea Bergaen. They have walked for an hour with Hajime, Yue, Haulia tribe, and Alfrerick surrounded by the other demi-humans. Apparently, Zam the messenger was using a lot of instant movement.
After walking for a while, they suddenly arrived at a place where the fog was cleared up. Although not all of the fog cleared up, it formed a road that resembled a tunnel inside the fog. If you looked closely, crystals as big as fists were buried at the side of the road that give of blue light. It seems to have the ability to ward off the fog.
Alfrerick who noticed Hajime was focused on the blue crystals starts to explain.
"That was something called Faeadrain crystal. Even though we don't know the reason, fog and demonic beasts won't come near it. It was also used to surround Faea Belgaen and its surrounding villages. Well, it was "relatives" for the demonic beasts."
"I see. Well, it'll be depressing to be inside the fog all the time. At the very least I would want to dispel the place where I live."
It seems there won't be any fog in the town inside the Sea of Trees. It was a good news because they had to wait for ten days inside the Sea of Trees. Yue, who feels the fog is depressing, seems happy after hearing the conversation of the two.
In the meantime, before their eyes a huge gate can be seen. It was made by thick trees intertwined forming an arch, while a pair of wooden doors were placed at a span of 10 meters. The natural wall of trees were there at the minimum height of 30 meters. It gave off the magnificence suitable for demi-human's "country".
Gil gave the signal to the demi-humans who seems to be the gatekeepers then the gate opened slightly with heavy sound. From the top of surrounding trees, piercing glances were directed at Hajime and the others. It seems they can't hide their agitation for the fact that humans were coming. Without Alfrerick, they'll surely get into trouble with only Gil's assistance. Perhaps, the Elder came out by himself after predicting that this would happen.
After passing through the gate, there was a different world. There are lot of huge trees with diameter of tens meter, inside the tree was the dwelling and from opened space of tree trunk that looks like windows was overflowed with light of lamps. Dozens of people can be seen walking on the corridors made of thick intertwined branches of trees. On the big vines of trees, there are elevator-like things using the pulley also there huge wooden waterway that set up to hang between trees. The trees itself has the height around 20 stories.
Hajime and Yue were mesmerized with open mouth, fascinated by the beautiful cityscape, the sound of cough "gohon" were heard. Apparently, they didn't notice that they are stopping Alfrerick tried to bring back their consciousness.
"Fufu, it seems you've taken a liking to our hometown, Faea Belgaen."
Alfrerick loosened his expression in joy. The surrounding demi-humans including Haulia tribe looked somehow proud of it. Hajime who saw their appearance, honestly praised the city.
"Aa, it's my first time to see such beautiful town. The atmosphere is good, truly a town which splendidly harmonizes with nature."
"N... ... beautiful"
Having heard such straightforward praised without any falsehood, as expected, it made the demi-h
umans a little surprised. However, having their hometown praised surely made them happy, all of them, tried to avert their face with a "hmpf" while their beast-ears and tails were vigorously moves.
The residents of Faea Belgaen were looking at Hajime and his party with curiosity and avoidance, there are various gazes filled with hatred or perplexity, while they continued to go toward the place that Alfrerick had prepared.
* * *
"... ... I see, trial to gain age of gods magic, also about the gods' game..."
Currently, Hajime and Yue are talking to Alfrerick. The topics were about "Liberators" and the age of gods magic that Hajime heard from Oscar Orcus, also about how he was from different world and is trying to complete the Seven Great Dungeon so that he can get the age of gods magic that able to return him to his world.
Having heard about this world's gods, there is no change in Alferick's expression. Hajime who thinks it was strange then asked "This world doesn't treat demi-humans well, even now" was the answer he heard. It seems even if the gods didn't got mad, the treatment to demi-humans wouldn't have changed at all. This place weren't under the influence of the church neither they have any faith. There is only the appreciation of nature.
After Hajime's stories were finished, Alfrerick start to talk about laws of the Elder position of Faea Belgaen. It was an oral tradition that is if someone who bore the crest of Seven Great Dungeons appeared then don't be hostile to them, and if that person were liked then take them to their destination.
The creator of Great Dungeon of "Haltina Sea of Trees" were called Luluo Haltina, the existence who called herself as "Liberators" (she didn't told them what kind of beings "Liberators" was) also she told them the name of her comrades. It was endlessly told the one tribe that lived before this country was named Faea Belgaen. They must not be hostile because it was advised they must know that those who passed the trial of Great Dungeon are someone who have extraordinary abilities.
Also, Alrerick was able to reacted to the crest of Orcus' ring because there is a stone monument in which seven crests were carved at the root of the Great Tree where he saw the same crest as that one.
"That means, I've passed the qualification..."
From Alfrerick's explanation, the reason to invite human into the stronghold of demi-humans has been understood. However, not all of the demi-humans knows of this story, so it was necessary to tell them in the future.
When Hajime and Alfrerick tried to end their talk, somehow it became noisy downstair. Hajime and the others were currently on the top floor, while Shia and the Haulia tribe were downstair. Apparently, they are arguing against someone. Hajime and Alfrerick looked at each other then stood up at the same time.
Downstair, there were a big bear-like demi-human, a tiger-like demi-human, a fox-like demi-human, a demi-human with wings growing out of their back, and a hairy dwarf-like demi-human who looked insecure were glaring at Haulia tribe. In the corner of the room, Kam was desperately covering Shia. It seems they've already been hit because Shia and Kam cheeks were swollen.
Hajime and Yue who have came downstair sent sharp glare to all of them. The bear-like demi-humans began to speak with an insecure voice.
"Alfrerick... ... you bastard, what's the meaning of this. Why did you invite those humans? Those RabbitMan tribe too. To have the taboo child come here... ... according to your answer, I will strip you of your seat in the Elders conference."
He seems to desperately restrain his fury. His fists that clasped were trembling. As expected, for demi-humans, humans were their nemesis. Moreover, to invited the Haulia tribe who bore crime of sheltering the taboo child. Not only the bear-like demi-humans, the other demi-humans are staring at Alfrerick."
However, Alfrerick only think that as wind blowing.
"What, I just followed the tradition. All of you are also Elders of various tribes, shouldn't you able to understand the circumstance?"
"The hell with tradition! Aren't those kind of things fake? Even after Faea Belgaen was founded, not even once that happened!"
"Therefore, this time is the first time. That's all. If you are Elders then followed the tradition. That's the law. We are the one who have the Elder seat so why would we disregard the law."
"Then, are you saying that those human youngsters are qualified! The one who so strong that we shouldn't be hostile with!"
"That's so"
Alfrerick only answered in indifferent. The bear-like demi-humans can't believe Alfrerick's words, then stare at Hajime.
In Faea Belgaen, those who become the Elder of various tribes are those who have high ability, and it seems the Elders Conference were council system used to decide the policy of this country where the Elders performs judgement in trial-like manner. Currently, those demi-humans who gathered here were apparently the current Elders. However, there seems to be a difference in the way they see the tradition.
Although Alfrerick was the type that took the importance of tradition, the other elders might be a little different. Alfrerick was from the Forest tribe, even among demi-humans they have longer lifespan. According to Hajime memory, their average lifespan were around 200 years. If that is so, there is a very large age difference between Alfrerick and the Elders in front of him, in effect, there might also be a difference in their sense of value. By the way, the average lifespan of demi-humans were 100 years.
Because of it, the other Elders beside Alfrerick were unable to endure having humans and criminals in this place.
"... ... then, right now, let me test you!"
Having finished his word, the bear-like demi-human suddenly rushed toward Hajime. Because of the suddenness, the others can't react. Alfrerick too, who didn't think he'll attack suddenly, was widen his eyes in surprise.
And in an instant he get in his range, the man who was 2 and half meter with great arms made of lump of muscle, swung his arm toward Hajime.
Even among demi-humans, Bearman tribe were superior in physical and endurance. That great arm was able to break a big tree into two, this destructiveness was the clear distinction that made him the representative of his tribe. Aside from Haulia tribe and Yue, the others were visioning there'd be nothing left of Hajime except lump of flesh.
However, in the next moment, they are frozen because of the impossible spectacle.
ZUDONn!
The fist that swung down and produced a sound of impact were easily grabbed and stopped by Hajime's left arm.
"... ... what a lukewarm fist. However, there was killing intent. So, you've prepared, right?"
While saying so, Hajime manipulate his artificial arm using magic to increase his grip. The sound of bear-like demi-human's bones cracking can be heard. Sensing his crisis although he was still surprised, the bear-like demi-human desperately tried to distance himself.
"Guuu! Let go!"
Even though he desperately tried to pull his arm, Hajime who was around half big as him didn't move an inch. Actually, at that time, Hajime transmute metal plate on his shoes into spike that drilled into the floor to secure his position, the bear-like demi-human who didn't know that only can feel Hajime was like an immovable big tree.
Hajime silently pour his magic, then the grip of his artificial arm increased at once.
BAKI!
"Gh!?"
Sound of something broken come from the arm of the bear-like demihuman. Even so there is no scream that can be heard just as expected of an Elder. However, Hajime didn't missed him became stiffen in pain and astonishment.