"Do you have any discomforts?"

The Deathbringer felt burdened by the person trailing after him and assisting his every move. To make matters worse, the one assigned to him was the direct aide of the Priestess, making it feel even more burdensome.

Furthermore, he was the only one enjoying this luxury. It was because the Berserker had left after dropping an absurd line about how 'warriors converse with their bodies,' and the blockhead was meditating in their assigned building.

He had only come out because he didn't want to stay alone in the room with the Temple's prude, figuring he could take a walk, look around, and maybe get some rare poison... Had he known this would happen, he wouldn't have come out at all.

He was grateful for the meticulous care, but it was truly burdensome.

"Um, I can walk around on my own."

"Not allowed. Priestess's orders. I must assist you without lacking anything."

If this had an intention other than helping, he could have rather accepted it. For instance, surveillance, or management.

However, no matter how he looked at it, it seemed to be assistance born out of pure goodwill.

He eventually decided to speak frankly. Asking why they were acting so soft, when the people of the Great Forest were said to be hostile to outsiders.

"We were saved. By the Black Snake Warrior."

"Pardon?"

"Wanted to repay the favor. Everyone did. But the warrior left. He said he was going to help the Bigabol tribe with an urgent matter."

But somehow, it sounded like a story about someone he knew. The Deathbringer's expression became subtle.

[The geographical condition between Zatab and Bigabol has repeatedly hindered our connection. Is that not so?]

Meanwhile, White Wind sat face-to-face with the Chief of Serhang. Tea leaves that were common in the Great Forest but more precious than gold outside of it were brewing in abundance before her.

[However, during this Katina, someone positive toward outside interaction is expected to emerge. And if he becomes the Great Chief...]

[Our connection will be fully established.]

Yet, what was even more precious were the words being exchanged.

[Of course, for him to become the Great Chief, a bit of... help will be needed. There are many in this forest who cannot simply abandon the attitudes they have long adhered to all at once.]

Though he was young, he wasn't bad. White Wind felt satisfied rather than offended by the transparently intentional words. It was difficult to make a deal if the other party was too stupid, after all.

[Then we could do this...]

[I am grateful for the offer, but that is a bit...]

White Wind fiercely discussed the future with the Serhang Chief. Although she had come aiming for the mana-eating snakes, she couldn't miss the opportunity to open up more trade with the Great Forest.

Anyway, the Archmage and the Demon Knight were handling the former well—and it would be a long time before the research results arrived from the Magic Tower—so there was nothing much to worry about.

[I did not expect to communicate so well with the Master of the Magic Tower. I hope an opportunity like this comes again next time.]

[If you invite me, I'll gladly accept, you know?]

On a separate note, she did have a curiosity. White Wind wondered why Serhang had become so generous toward outsiders.

They weren't originally harsh toward outsiders, but they weren't this favorable or eager for interaction either. There had to be something.

[... Ah, the reason.]

She couldn't hold back her curiosity. It wasn't something she needed to be considerate about anyway, so White Wind asked the question outright.

The face of the Chief, who had been responding with gentle composure, briefly flushed red like that of an ordinary boy.

[... An outsider warrior harboring two colors in his hair bestowed a great grace upon our tribe before leaving.]

'It's the Demon Knight.' White Wind immediately came to an answer without needing to hear the full story. As far as White Wind knew, there were exactly two people in the world who harbored two colors in their hair.

[Of course, we are not trying to repay the debt we owe him through you instead. However...]

The boy quickly returned to the face of a Chief. His calmly inhaling face soon regained its original complexion.

[I only realized that such a strong person could exist after seeing him. And the fact that if he were to point his weapon at this forest, we would have no choice but to be helplessly defeated. However, the people of the outside would be different. Because knowing is no different from having time to prepare.]

Hmm. In truth, the Demon Knight was someone who deviated far too much from the average, so he wasn't the kind you could prepare for just by knowing... but White Wind didn't bother mentioning that fact.

If they mistook the Demon Knight for the outside's average and opened up interaction with the outside to prepare against him, wouldn't it be beneficial for the Magic Tower anyway?

[Of course, change will alter many things for us. There will come moments when it feels destructive. However, if you think about it, this forest we serve, and the Mountain Lord as well, are continuously changing, albeit slowly. Therefore, I too wish to no longer be afraid and try to adapt to the change.]

[And it's also the perfect timing for the Great Chief to change, right?]

[Yes.]

[Then shall we dispatch some people to you?]

[I am grateful for the offer, but it is fine. Sudden change causes backlash. Just as it did with the Bigabol tribe. So I... want to change slowly, exactly like we are now. And in that process, we intend to select the things we absolutely must protect.]

Was it an attitude of only accepting incoming guests little by little, since outsiders residing in the village could cause discomfort?

It was a dreadfully slow method, but it might actually be better. It would be better to tame them over several occasions than to see them get preemptively terrified by unfamiliar culture and hide back inside their shells like turtles.

[Hmm. Thank you for your kind words.]

White Wind settled her questions with that. Now, there was exactly one last thing left to find out.

The character of the Bigabol Chief, whom that boy Chief was pushing for and whom the Archmage had inevitably decided to help.

Regardless of his reformist tendencies, depending on what policies he implemented as the Great Chief, opening up interaction could turn into an even worse situation.

"Have you finished your conversation?"

"Yeah. What did you find out?"

"... I heard a strange story."

"Hmm?"

"You know there's a Mage from Bigabol who naturalized into the Magic Tower, right? According to what they passed on..."

And in White Wind's eyes, the Bigabol Chief was not quite it.

"This complicates things."

No matter how perfect they appeared, a person who wielded violence against their family and lovers could not be trusted.

Indeed, how much would those who raised their hands even against their most precious connections look down on others?

[You may use this place during your stay.]

[Oh my. I am not sure if we should be allowed to enjoy such a nice place.]

Perhaps it was because we had made a tremendous contribution to saving people, despite being invited as guests—though it was closer to an employment arrangement since we knew a rebellion would happen and had been promised a reward.

The Archmage and I received luxurious treatment. We were assigned the best house after the Chief's own home.

[Did you not help eliminate the wicked things left behind by the traitors, on top of dealing with those who dared to threaten the Chief?]

For reference, it wasn't that the Archmage was enjoying luxury on my coattails.

Given the Archmage's nature as someone who wielded magic, her true value was revealed after the suppression. Things like breaking barriers, removing magical devices, and partially rebuilding collapsed structures.

[Furthermore, even though it must have been a hassle, you graciously created plenty of temporary seals... so please do not decline and use this place to your heart's content.]

With every single Priestess having participated in the treason, her value was even more precious. Help utilizing magic was one thing, but she was the only one capable of sealing them, as fellow magic users.

[I am truly grateful for your consideration. However, we are not in a position to stay for very long. When might we receive what we were promised...]

Of course, even if the treatment was good, it had nothing to do with us. Having a comfortable bed and good meals was certainly a welcome thing, but given our situation, it was what it was.

Somehow we ended up deciding the future of a tribe—since the people in power would have changed had the rebellion succeeded—but this was not our original purpose.

We were people who had come to meet the Mountain Lord.

We were here to find out whether that entity was a demon or not, and furthermore, to discover the principles of a mana-predating creature.

Because of that, I wished they would just show us the Mountain Lord quickly rather than giving us luxurious treatment right now.

I didn't want to stay here any longer because it felt like we'd have to meddle in selecting the Great Chief for Katina or whatever it was. I loathed political battles instead of fights with a clear line between good and evil.

[I am sorry. I do not think I can carelessly answer that part. I will pass it on to the Chief instead.]

[That is sufficient.]

[I will ensure the answer is brought alongside your meal. Please wait just a little while.]

I glanced at the person who had guided us here as they left, then leaned back against the wall and sat down. I casually laid the two-hander from my back down beside me.

"They're bringing a meal. It seems we just have to wait a little."

I wondered what they were talking about so much, but it was just about food.

True, we hadn't eaten well while moving, and we hadn't had time to eat since arriving here. Even if it was far from a standard mealtime, we needed to put something in our mouths.

"It seems the group White Wind is leading will be late. Just as we experienced on our way here, Zatab is blocking the path, making it difficult for them to move recklessly."

I checked my satiety level and half-listened to what the Archmage was saying.

The personnel White Wind was bringing were for the investigation; they wouldn't actually reduce my workload, so I didn't care much.

"Hmm? They've also sent a warning."

Then, the Archmage, who was checking the communication device, slightly furrowed her brow.

"Is there some problem with the Bigabol tribe...?"

THUMP, THUMP.

A dull knocking sound came from the door of the building we were staying in. The Archmage took her eyes off the communication device and cleared her throat.

[Ahem. You may enter.]

The voice that came out after clearing her throat felt somewhat subdued.

[I have brought dinner.]

However, her murmuring momentarily ceased at the mention of bringing food.

Soon, wooden bowls filled with food were brought in one after another. There were so many that, no matter how I thought about it, it wasn't an amount the two of us could finish.

[... This seems like too much. I am grateful for the goodwill, but the amount is too...]

Even if they were treating their benefactors to the best of their abilities, a rebellion had just happened, so was it okay to do this? Did it mean the food storage was fine so they could do this?

[The Chief gave orders to ensure there was absolutely no shortage in treating our benefactors.]

[Hmm...]

I felt doubtful but firmly swallowed my silence for now.

The Archmage would handle it. It was the classic 'passing it onto someone else' that inevitably appeared in the despair-inducing group projects.

[Ah, I also brought a reply regarding the matter you asked about. The Chief said that the Mountain Lord is an entity communally served by all tribes, and because it happens to be the Katina period, it is difficult to easily obtain an opportunity for an audience. He said he will make an effort to keep his promise, but asked that you please understand that it will take time.]

But well, the Archmage was originally good at this sort of thing, right? Just as I took the lead in physical tasks.

So wouldn't it be fine? Of course, a good person should never do that.

[If that is the case, it cannot be helped.]

[Thank you for your understanding.]

I blankly let their conversation pass through my ears while inspecting the various foods. There was... a lot of very sweet fruit and meat. Total bummer.

[──!]

[──ra!]

Anyway, it seemed the conversation had ended, as the people retreated one by one. It was a bit fascinating how they backed away without showing their backs.

[It's a bit noisy outside. Is something going on?]

[It is nothing much. They are merely preparing for the execution of the rebellion's ringleaders.]

[... For that, it sounds like I hear a child's voice.]

[Ah... That is because in the event of a rebellion, all three generations of the ringleader's family are subject to execution.]

So could I eat now? But the Archmage hadn't sat down in front of the dining table yet.

Even if my concept was about elder abuse rather than elder respect, I at least wanted to let the elderly eat first when it came to meals.

[Ah! If by any chance you wish to watch...]

[I will absolutely decline.]

Meanwhile, was the Archmage's foul expression for real? It was my first time seeing her make a face like that.

[... Yes. Still, if you change your mind, please let us know at any time. We will prepare seats for you.]

[Thank you for your goodwill.]

There was nothing as scary as someone getting angry when they usually never did.

I crossed my arms and closed my eyes, hiding my intimidated inner thoughts. Grrrrbl. My stomach growled so that only I could hear it.

"I forgot that this is a closed-off place."

Fortunately, the Archmage sat down before long. I naturally opened my eyes and glanced sideways, wondering when I should pick up my spoon.

"A rebellion may be a grave crime, but exterminating three generations is a practice that was forbidden ages ago..."

Wait, what did she say?

"... They say they're executing the rebellion ringleaders and their families, but do you have any intention of going to watch?"

Are you crazy?!!?

"I figured as much. You aren't the type to go watch that."

When I unknowingly responded with my expression, the Archmage nodded to herself. I was currently losing my mind at the mention of exterminating three generations, but she was the only one who went 'Tsk, tsk' and returned to being calm.

Only I, only I was once again abandoned in this barbaric era.

"Ah, right. This is something I don't really need to warn you about, but be careful. It turns out the Bigabol Chief wields violence against his family. They say his younger sibling ran away to another tribe because of the abuse. He may look gentle on the outside, but inside..."

However, the terrible news didn't end with just one.

Wielding violence against his family or abusing his younger sibling to the point of running away meant he was a domestic abuser, and didn't that mean I had just helped a bastard like that?

Murder was actually better! Because this was a worldview where you died if you didn't kill! But domestic violence? Domestic viioolence??

And in a world with no police to report to and no public authority?

I feel like I'm going to lose my mind. I really feel like I'm going to lose my mind.

TAP, TAP.

At that moment, the sound of a polite knock rang out through my dazed mind. It was a light, cheerful sound that didn't match my ruined mental state.

"I heard you declined to watch the execution, so I came to ask again. You don't intend to go watch? Really?"

Following that, the door swung wide open without even a word asking for permission. Considering the other party's rank, it was an awkward thing to protest, but it was undoubtedly a rude action.

"There wouldn't be any harm in watching."

From behind him, the crying sound of a child rang out chillingly high.