Note:
" Speech." = Regular Conversation.
' Speech.' = Internal Monologue.
[ Techniques ] = Magic / Arts / Mystic Arts
{ Skills } = Common / Extra / Intrinsic / Unique / Ultimate Skills
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Mika POV
Jura Great Forest
"Hey now there is no need to do that." I hesitantly looked at the sight ahead of me.
Demi-humans and monster kneeling in front of me, tears streaming down their faces, as they thanked me for saving them.
Gozu, Mezu, Elves, Rabbit folk, Goblins, etc all huddled together, fortunately none were merfolk.
"No this is the least we can do, young one." One of the elderly elf said, as he stepped forward bowing his head.
"*Sigh* You all are not going to stop are you." I leaned on the tree behind me as I pointed at Beru, flying around making sure to keep an eye on the surrounding. "Besides, You all should be thanking him rather than me. If not for him, I wouldn't have noticed you all."
Several Demi-humans and monster, believing my words went near Beru while some hesitated, clearly afraid of him.
'I guess that is natural.' I looked towards the hesitant mass. 'Being saved by the things that has been ingrained in your mind as an "enemy", must be something absurd.'
Most in the Great Jura Forest would killed Beru had they found him in the position I had found him in.
Not wanting to take the risk of the wasp turning on them.
Most were clearly afraid yet some stepped forward, scared but motivated, something that surprised Beru.
Slowly but surely more and more moved forward, expressing their gratitude to their saviour.
The insect turned towards me, clearly taken back by their action.
'It's okay.' I gestured to him that it's fine, as Beru sat down on the large stone.
'Now then.' I overlooked the former enslaved Demi-Humans and Monsters, some of whom he surmised didn't have any place to return to. 'What to do?'
I did intervene and save them, but what now?
While a lot were captured, it didn't seem like they raided one village and captured everyone.
Rather they must have captured those that ventured too far from their settlements and the exiled ones living far from proper settlements.
While some might have been exiled for valid reasons, it wouldn't be fair to paint all the possible exiled ones with the same brush.
Perhaps some were exiled just because they went against the status co or had some "radical" ideas.
'That's probably it, those humans weren't that strong to have fought entire groups of Demi-humans and Monsters.'
Though deep in my mind, a question persisted.
What should he bother? He had already did them a favour and saved them.
He didn't need to bother with theirs further moving on, especially those who were possibly exiled for a good reason.
My thoughts came to a halt a I felt someone pulling my garment.
I looked at the one pulling my garb, to find a young elf girl with blonde hair and bright blue eyes, the elf that I saved.
Ever since I intervened and saved her, she had basically started tailing me. Not once leaving me, and only speaking up when asked about her name.
'She's a strange one, I for sure would hesitate to approach after seeing someone slaughter those people? Not to mention this fast as this…..'
"What's wrong?" The elven girl tightened her grip on my garment, clearly not wanting to let go.
"Will you leave?" Tears threatening to slip out her eyes.
I opened my mouth to answer, to say I have to yet no words came out.
I hated lying, I didn't want to crush the hope in her eyes. Or the fact seeing her face and tears was also reinforcing my desire to leave.
The sight of seeing the active encroachment of human in the forest, and the lack of a guardian like dryads south of the river.
This whole debacle had strengthened mine resolve to go to the Dwelling of the Spirits, to grow stronger so that the next time the ones being captured wouldn't be those I had grown up with.
Not for some far gone heroic ideals, but just a regular desire to protect those near me.
To make sure the next time, it's not us being enslaved.
Not just humans, other monsters and Demi-humans as well.
'*Sigh* It's such a pain.'
"Do forgive her, she is probably shaken a bit by that incident." The elder elf spoke, seeing my prolonged silence. "Not to mention she lost her only family, her father, before all that."
And there was factor that as well.
Truthfully I pitied the poor girl, her sole family died right infront of her and then had to go through that experience at the hand of humans.
Even if I managed to intervene, those events must have left a scar on her mind.
Perhaps, if he had been there earlier her family wouldn't have…
Hmm?
Family?
Couldn't I just do that?
"I am sorry, I have to leave." She turned her head downward, tears most likely running down her face. "I can't stay, not for long. Neither can I take you."
"But Ryuu." Hearing her name being called out, she peeked up, if only slightly. "But what do you say about staying with my Grandpa?"
She fully turned her head upward, staring at my face, her eyes seemingly gaining some hope.
"You can stay with my grandfather, he is the one who raised me by himself, and when I do return I will be there."
" You don't have to, youn-" I raised my hand, stopping him.
"It alright, I doubt grandfather will be bothered." I turned towards the young elven girl, patting her head. "Besides he always wanted a granddaughter."
"Grandpa?" He nodded his head, as he wiped her tears.
"You will return?"
"I will."
Personally I didn't want to be dealing with a child, gramps having experience could raise her. And in the future she could potentially help boost cooperation between Merfolks and the Elves, the two sprites species this side of the river.
Besides my actions of saving so many from varying species and tribes, may even help foster good relations.
Thinking optimistically, maybe they could form a Confederation of sorts. Atleast in aspect to mutual defense and trade, seeing as all those on this side of river are excluded from dryads's influence.
A reason as to why humans would be so bold as to dare enter the forest with intention of enslavement.
If Drayads's won't help, they would have to help themselves.
But that was being too hopeful…
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Some time later
Third Pov
"So he was angry then?" Beru nodded his tiny head, in response.
"I can imagine his anger subsided after understanding Ryuu would stay." The army wasp once again nodded his head.
"From here towards the Kusha Mountains." He traced his fingers across the map, from their position near Demon Lord Milim's territory towards the Tengu Mountain range.
While heading toward the mountain range, they would avoid the Orc Kingdom Orbic. From there he could use the costal route towards the Republic.
Mika seriously wanted to avoid any and all interaction with Demon Lords until Ramiris, he seriously didn't want to become another Orc Lord.
Then again Ramiris could be vastly different compared to what he knew of her from fiction.
There was a lot he didn't know, and what he did know itself could change before he could realize it.
Or maybe the wort of them all, what he did claim to know was just false.
Once a fiction was now his reality.
He would have to carefully approach the Spirit Queen, and move forward accordingly.
If all things worked out, and Ramiris was truly "good". He could try to convince her to make the entire north of Great Ameld River her territory.
Which, once again was being too hopeful…
"We should be able to cover that in two days, right?" Beru, perched upon Mika's had fluttered his wing.
"You don't think we can cover that in two da-"
Both of them, the duo of Sprite and Insect turned around to see a dragon headed toward them.
Judging from the size and the magicule he could sense from the creature, he doubted the dragon was an Arch-Dragon.
'Most likely just a Medium Dragon.' He mused immediately drawing his sword, Beru also becoming active.
"Never a dull moment."
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An: Do Drop some Stones and Reviews.
So then, going by what I know and understand the story to be. Most of whatever species slavers capture must come from north of Ameld river. We have seen an example through the elves captured by Cerberus.
And then do share your opinion, gives dopamine to go on.