- Temia -

Got back from that guest house.

At least it seems that no member of our delegation got mistreated, for now.

Especially not John.

So whatever these creatures have planned doesn't seem to involve getting us killed, yet.

Still, I am not stupid enough to trust them.

They burrowed under the provincial capital and somehow managed to charm the lord.

And now they're asking for several people and pretend to want friendly relations?

One look at these monsters is enough to confirm how fitted they are for killing.

This all seems far too simple.

And then this Erys.

Either she's completely clueless or unbelievably cunning.

I cannot believe that she does "that".

The simple thought churns my stomach.

Sigh, at least for now it seems as if everyone is safe.

If there would just be anything of interest at this courtyard.

Yet it's not as if there would be anything to do.

Truly, this courtyard is completely secluded.

Aside from passing by insect monsters nothing ever happens here.

And apart from a few special individuals no one understands what I'm saying.

It's not like we are confined here, but leaving this place would be bad.

While I can walk past the exit I need to be careful not to lose my way.

And this is rather difficult as it's not too bright in this underworld and all these tunnels look the same.

Suddenly some larger insects rush past me.

What is it now?

I walk a little past them, but they are too fast to keep up with them comfortably and I don't feel like running at top speed right now.

Another troop comes and again splits up.

Should I return?

But then I notice some movement.

Next to me is a small crack in a tunnel and in there is...

A boy!

"Who are you? What are you doing in there?" (Te)

"Pssht! They will find me like this." (To)

I remember that one.

He was on the carriage I boarded to this place.

"You are that boy from that family. What are you doing here?" (Te)

"I'm playing hide and seek with the big ones. Also, I'm mapping out this place'" (To)

Sigh, and I already thought there would be some kind of emergency.

"You know, those things didn't look as if they were playing." (Te)

"Ahem, maybe I snuck away. They are okay. But since that one thing with mum happened they won't even let me leave my sister's place." (To)

"Your sister? Wait, you mean Erys, right? And she really is your sister?" (Te)

Hard to believe.

The insect wings are obviously no family feature.

"Sure." (To)

"It's just that... Well are you really sure? She appears to be more like them." (Te)

In a very physiological way.

"Totally! Right now she's an overprotective tyrant, but she's still my sister! Don't say such weird things." (To)

"Doesn't she look odd? I mean, the wings and such." (Te)

"They're cool, right? I haven't seen her use them but I'm sure she can fly." (To)

"That's not what I had in mind." (Te)

At this moment another of these four-legged insects approaches.

"Ah, hide me! Or they will take me back to that boring hall." (To)

Sigh. I don't really want to get involved in that way.

But I guess there's no real risk for me even if I get caught and this boy seems to have some information.

At least I can't deny that he must have a special relationship with Erys.

So I place my body in front of the gap and cover it like that until the drone passes by.

"Thank you, miss." (To)

Miss!?

Such insolence could net you a beating from less liberal nobles.

"Well, fine. I wouldn't want to get caught by these things either. But it's Lady Lorata!" (Te)

"Lady? Is that title? Are you something like a knight or such?" (To)

"You could say so, yes. See? Here is my sword." (Te)

It might be a little discourtesy towards my ancestors if I use my family heirloom to impress a boy.

But this should still be within the limits.

And also, it's an impressive weapon.

There aren't many weapons made from alloys based on monsters.

This one was crafted by using the bodies of a certain kind of lizard whose blood chills what it comes into contact with and which are only encountered in the far northern mountains.

No place where anyone should send expeditions to.

Yet it's worth it, as a strike chills any wound it causes and numbs the opponent.

"So you really are a knight? Wow." (To)

I somehow can't tell him that my territory is so remote that we barely ever partook in a conflict.

"Yes, these monsters won't stand a chance if they try something." (Te)

"Hey, no! Don't hurt them! They're nice!" (To)

Nice!? These things?

"Did you even look at them!? They are without a doubt killer! Their bodies are made for this!" (Te)

"And? They're still nice." (To)

"Ridiculous." (Te)

"Fine, I'll show you." (To)

What does he want to show me?

He slips out of the corner and walks the way back to the courtyard.

Since I had nothing to do, to begin with, I follow behind.

And it's not too far in the first place.

When we pass them, the insects obviously react with a strong jolt directed at the boy.

"Yes, yes. I'm back." (To)

He waves them off.

Apparently, they only had the order to bring him back.

Now that he returned there's nothing else to do.

Then he turns in something like an alley, proceeds a little on the way, and stops at... a pen.

And in there are these things!

I've seen them when I came here.

They're the worst.

Small little critters, thoroughly equipped with spikes and claws.

And this boy jumps right in there!!!

"Wha- Are you crazy?" (Te)

These things are albeit small nearly as big as him.

If they want they could tear him apart.

And all I get is a confused look.

"What's wrong?" (To)

Now he pets those abominations full of thorns.

And they just nuzzle against his hands.

This kid is crazy!

"You-You're touching them!? Coming this close!? Get out there!" (Te)

I want to grab him but before I can get near enough these things are blocking my way.

"Skcccchhhhh"

They make it very clear that I shouldn't put my hand inside that pen.

Which means I cannot get that boy out.

"You're scaring them!" (To)

"I do what?! Have you seen the spikes their mouths consist of? They're ravenous!" (Te)

"Just because they have these mouths? That's not fair to them!" (To)

"Fair!?" (Te)

"Yes fair! Did they do anything to you?" (To)

"They just now hissed at me!" (Te)

"Because you're threatening them. Even now you're holding your sword." (To)

I look down at myself and realize that my other hand is truly clutching the hilt tightly, ready to slash out.

It's a conditioned reflex.

I barely noticed.

"They didn't do anything else and stay in there even if they could always leave. I'm just keeping them some company. Are they really that bad?" (To)

"I..." (Te)

"Yes?" (To)

Honestly, I don't know.

It's obvious that this earthen barrier, that not even reaches till my waist, couldn't stop them from escaping.

And the boy is still in one piece.

Maybe I'm overthinking this.

"Fine. You win. But please come out there. It's making me nervous to see that." (Te)

And now he grins at me with the smile of a little devil that is up to no good.

"Under one condition." (To)

What is he planning now?

"Yeah?" (Te)

"Hold your hand out." (To)

Into the pen!?

"Sorry, but I don't intend to get my hand mangled." (Te)

"I promise nothing will happen. They were told to hurt no one." (To)

Logically it makes sense.

The same reason that makes that they stay in there should prevent them from attacking any guests, which wouldn't make the best impression.

But still.

"Now come. You just shouldn't act hostile." (To)

Sigh, whatever.

It's unbecoming of a knight to act so timidly.

With pressed lips and tense muscles, ready to pull away in an instant I reach my hand inside. Just not too close to these things.

Yet this doesn't help as one is approaching and puts its head beneath it.

What are you? A dog?

The smooth, solid surface feels far too weird for my taste so that I fidget a little.

But the monster stays calm.

Then I remember where or more who they come from and pull hurriedly away.

"See? What did I tell you?" (To)

"I've done my part. Now you." (Te)

"Okay. Goodbye everyone!" (To)

He waves them and climbs over the fence.

The monsters look... sad.

Stop! Don't get sympathetic.

They're still monsters.

I'll just get away from here.

"But did you see? They aren't bad!" (To)

"Just because these monsters are too dumb to trick me I'm not going to trust all of them." (Te)

"What is so bad with them? They've been nothing but friendly." (To)

"And I shall take that? As if that isn't suspicious." (Te)

"My sister was the whole time here and says it's fine." (To)

Yes, sure.

"How did she even end up here?" (Te)

"When we were attacked, I saw how my sister engaged the soldiers to save us. She told us that she got caught after that. And then the insects helped her out." (To)

Considering her physical state she obviously left some parts out.

"And you trust her that she's herself?" (Te)

For all I know, she could be brainwashed in some way.

"You know, she may be a long sleeper, grumpy, and totally acting weird recently. But she's still the same. I know her and that's my sister. She cares and wouldn't want that anything bad happens to us. So I trust her." (To)

"God. Okay." (Te)

Guess I'll have to take that.

It's not as if I know her better than her family.

"But that she does even allow you to play with these little monsters." (Te)

"Oh, she doesn't. She says I shall stay as far away from them as possible." (To)

"What!?" (Te)

"But I don't listen. They're all friendly. I really don't understand why I shouldn't visit them." (To)

Probably because she knows where they come from!

God, learning about this should totally distress her.

I start to get an understanding of Erys.