𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟐𝟎: 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐤𝐢𝐧 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐞
No matter what kind of trouble it is, you can’t determine right or wrong, good or evil, just by listening to one side’s argument.
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Currently, all we know is the Akashil’s version of events. It’s too easy to assume that the Morug is at fault.
However, the Morug must have their own side of the story.
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“Is that how it is? Mom.”
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While leisurely strolling down the road, Asuka tilts her head in confusion.
In this case, she’s the daughter I need to hold firmly. She’s straightforward and struggles with complex thoughts.
She probably sees the Morug as the one-sided villain right now.
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“That’s how it is. Nobody wants to talk about inconvenient things.”
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I shrug my shoulders in response.
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I’m not saying Dortl is lying.
But he’s probably not telling the whole truth either. There must be one or two things he intentionally chose not to mention.
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“In this case, it’s likely that Dortl was strongly against their marriage.”
“Eh? How can you tell something like that?”
“Well, Dortl wasn’t in the position of bringing a son-in-law into the family but rather giving away his daughter. If he thought his beloved daughter was being taken by a beastkin, of course, he wouldn’t be impartial.”
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On the other hand, the beastkin side could make it look as good as they want.
They could claim Nina as a concubine and establish a separate legal wife. It’s not exactly an honest approach, but it’s an option.
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So, the direction of the beastkins’ anger could also be, “If you hadn’t opposed back then, this wouldn’t have happened.”
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“But the Weretigers were also against it, right?”
“That’s what the humans claim.”
“Ah! So that’s why we need to hear both sides?!”
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Asuka’s face lights up, perhaps understanding.
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The claim that the beastkin were against the marriage is just information we got from Dortl. We don’t know if it’s true, and even if it is, we have no idea of the extent.
Opposition could range from, “Umm, I’m not too keen on it,” to “Absolutely not!” It varies.
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“Well done. Good job, Asuka.”
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I pat her head in praise.
She grins happily, but the other members look discontent.
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“I understood that much, of course.”
“I had understood as well. Yet only Asuka is being praised.”
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“Neldan-san is soft on Asuka.”
“Discrimina~tion.”
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Even Meg and Salieri join in.
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What’s with this situation?
I give a wry smile and pat everyone’s heads.
It’s moments like these that probably define a teacher’s state of mind, I think to myself.
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The village of Morug turned out to be more established than I had imagined.
It boasted stone walls and gates, surpassing Akashil’s inn by far.
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“I vaguely thought it would be more like a settlement.”
“Me too.”
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Exchanging glances with Salieri, who chuckled that preconceptions can be misleading, I also let out a small laugh.
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Judging by the size of the walls, the population is probably around 3,000.
In that case, the chief would be a prominent figure.
It’s easy to imagine that he might not readily approve of his son’s inter-species marriage.
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I approached the tiger-headed soldier standing guard at the village gate.
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“I am Lionel from the adventurer clan [Hope]. I wish to meet with Chief Rasil. Can you arrange it?”
“Understood.”
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As I confidently introduced myself and stated my intentions, the soldier nodded solemnly.
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They must have heard about yesterday’s incident, and my false reputation of defeating 40,000 of the Lintrite Royal Army with a force of 1,000 comes in handy at times like these.
In reality, the Royal Army fell apart on its own, intimidated by the Flare Tick Explosion spell. I didn’t actually do anything on the battlefield.
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While one of the soldiers kept his spear pointed at us, another ran into the village and disappeared.
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He was quite swift.
The one who stayed also seemed quite strong. Asuka subtly positioned herself to protect me.
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This recent positioning of hers slightly hurts my feelings.
Sure, the hero Asuka is much stronger than me by now.
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But I also take pride in being a skilled swordsman.
Maybe I should train some more.
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Also, I feel that the Flame Cut doesn’t suit my fighting style. I might be fundamentally using it wrong.
So I sometimes think it would be better to go back to its origin, Landsfero, and learn how to use it properly.
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No genius can do what they have not learned. Especially an average person like me.
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While lost in thought, the soldier from earlier returned.
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“You may meet him. This way, please.”
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He guided us.
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As we passed by, the soldier who had been on guard until now visibly sighed in relief.
Well, he had been in a staring contest with the Battle God Asuka.
He must have had his mental strength heavily drained. My condolences.
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We walked inside the village led by the soldier.
Whispers of “Battle God Asuka,” “Great Sage Miliaria,” “Saint Meisha” came from here and there.
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It seems we attracted quite a lot of attention, which was quite something.
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But there were no voices mentioning “Strategist Lionel” or “Great Runner Meg” or “Brave Salieri.” Can’t be helped. There’s a difference in fame.
Especially Salieri and Meg, they deliberately highlight the three girls and calculate to not stand out themselves.
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Eventually, we arrived at an especially large mansion.
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And in front of the door, as expected, stood a particularly large weretiger.
Most likely, this person is Rasil.
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