BXBX NOVEL Chapter 234: Beastman Town
Chapter 234: Beastman Town
The elves walked as if avoiding me. At this rate, rumors about me will probably spread throughout the elf town.
The wall that separates the town where elves live and the town where beastmen live came into view.
『It’s much lower than the Great Wall.』
[Still, it’s at least as tall as the outer wall of the Royal Capital Seyfert.]
『So the height of the wall represents the gap between elves and beastmen?』
As I walked along the wall, the gatekeepers came into view.
I can tell from his physical appearance that he is a strong elf soldier. But, even those soldiers flinched when they saw me.
『It’s not like I’m going to eat you. Please move away from there.』The soldiers were even more surprised to hear Greed’s voice.
[W, was that a talking sword!?]
[This is specially made. Besides, could you please let me through? I’m sure you have Georg’s permission already?]
[Kuh…]
Reluctantly, the elf soldier let me through.
It seems that even in the world of elves, a talking sword has never been seen.
At first, Cecilia was as surprised as the soldiers. She was curious and kept asking Greed questions. I remember well that Greed was fed up with it.
By releasing the fifth-tier, Greed was able to speak without using mind reading skills. Originally, before he met me… when he was with Kairos, he was able to speak, so it can be said that he regained his functions.
Since coming to Louise Island, I have been unable to use any skills other than the Gluttony skill. Greed, who was able to speak freely without the need for mind-reading skills, was a great help to me as well.
When I stepped into the city of beastmen, I could immediately tell the difference. Because there are no more cobblestone streets.
Was it raining on the street earlier today? I didn’t notice.
The road, which was supposed to be solidly made of earth, was a little muddy.
Perhaps it’s time to harvest the crops, and many beastmen are busy in the fields. Even the children were out to help, so it was like the whole family came out.
『Even though there was a reincarnation ceremony yesterday, I feel calm.』
[Cecilia said that Georg performs reincarnation ceremonies on a daily basis.]
『Does that mean they got used to it? That’s not good.』
[That’s how much they’re afraid of Georg.]
『So the elves hold absolute control here?』
[Even if we are a different species, we humans also do something similar.]
『The haves and the have-nots?』
[Yeah, although it’s more complicated here with the Great Wall, spirits, and races involved.]
Even among the same people, there was a huge disparity between those who had and those who had not. That unbridgeable gap led to great discrimination.
More than that, on Louise Island, racial differences come into play. There seems to be more severe discrimination than the world I came from.
『Fate! Just now, the beastmen are eyeing you.』
[Yesterday, Georg took me to participate in the reincarnation ceremony. I don’t have a very good impression of it though.]
The beastmen stopped harvesting and looked at me. Their eyes were dyed with a suspicious color.
Even so, it seems that the young children couldn’t control their interest in me.
[Mom, he looks like an elf, but not an elf.]
[His ears are short. His legs are short too!]
The legs part was superfluous. I was wondering if I was that much shorter than elves, but I was surrounded in no time.
[Big bro, you’re not an elf, are you?]
[Who are you?]
[Hey, I’m here first.]
The beastmen kids asked me a question while moving their ears and tail vigorously.
At first there were only two children. But, the number gradually increased. Before I knew it, there were over ten people and I couldn’t move.
『So popular, aren’t you?』
[Does it look like that to you?]
When Greed spoke, the children all ran away.
Apparently, they were just as surprised as the other elves.
[Greed is the other way around it seems.]
『Shaddap! Oh wait, I think I got myself a fan here.』
Hearing that, I looked behind me.
A small boy was wagging his tail. His eyes were shining brightly.
[Amazing!]
『This guy seems to know how great I am.』
[You’re saying what you want to believe. Even though it’s broken.]
『I’m starting to want to go back to normal as soon as possible. Please, Fate』
[I’ll do my best.]
The boy’s interest shifted from Greed to me.
[Big bro, you’re not an elf, right? Because your ears are short.]
[That’s right. I’m not an elf.]
[I knew it! It’s just as what mom and dad said!]
When I was a little confused by the excited boy, two people who appeared to be his parents approached me in a hurry.
[We’re very sorry.]
[Don’t scare us like that… Joshua.]
[It’s okay. This person is not an elf.]
Joshua looked smug, and his parents seemed at a loss as to what to do.
It would be better for me to speak up here.
[As this kid says, I’m not an elf. Therefore, there’s no need to respect me, and there’s no need to be afraid either.]
[See, Dad!]
[Oh no, Joshua. You’re getting too carried away.]
I explained myself to Joshua’s parents again. Perhaps the difference in perception towards me has been resolved a little.
I told them about how I was washed ashore on Louise Island and was rescued by Cecilia. I then talked about how I had been guided into the Great Wall by her.
[From the outside world…it’s hard to believe, but…]
[Yes… but.]
They were deep in thought. For beastmen who cannot even go outside the Great Wall, the existence of humans who have come across the ocean may be beyond their comprehension.
Greed and I inquired about Joshua’s parents.
[What’s going on?]
『No idea』
Then, the father said with a determined look on his face.
[There’s someone I’d like you to meet. Can you come with me?]
What will you do? I had a little discussion with Greed.
From that look on their face, I felt like they had some kind of information. However, if I acted like I was supporting the beastmen now, there is a possibility that it would irritate Georg.
Hmm, it won’t be a problem if we just meet. It’s supposed to be just seeing the town of beastmen, but I feel like I’m going too far into it…
[…]
Just to be sure, I looked around cautiously. It’s far away from the wall where we enter the elf town, so it doesn’t feel like I’m being watched.
[Alright.]
[Ah… that’s good. I was afraid you’d refuse.]
A look of relief appeared. It seemed like he was extremely nervous.
From their point of view, my answer may have been a gamble. Maybe he was thinking that if he was rejected, I would probably tell the elf. If that’s the case, is this something they don’t want the elves to know?
[Then, please follow me.]
It looks like the father will be showing me around. Joshua seemed to want to follow, but his mother pulled him by the hand and returned to work on the farm.
『Hee~, it’s getting interesting, isn’t it?』
[It’ll be good to be able to hear stories from the beastman side rather than just hearing from the elf side.]
『I hope the search for Roxy doesn’t take long.』
I walk behind him. On the way, I heard that the beastmen were looking for an opportunity to contact me.
When I asked him if it was an act when all the kids surrounded me all at once, he replied with a wry smile that it was just a coincidence. In any case, it seems like I was spotted walking alone in the beastman town and they were trying to think up a way to call out to me somewhere.
[Who do you want me to meet?]
[It’s my father. There are many different tribes of beastmen, and each tribe has a person who is in charge, called the chief. My father is the chief of the dog tribe. If possible, I would like you to meet the chiefs of each tribe… but the elves are watching.]
It is said that the majority of the beastmen are the dog tribe and the cat tribe. Maybe he’s the chief of the dog tribe, one of the two major races…I don’t know what he wants to talk to me about, but he’s the perfect beastman to ask about the current situation with elves.