After he left the sword in the house, Cain and Beil spent the noon walking around the village. He tried to talk to the moasrahns that curiously watching every movement of him. Unfortunately, they couldn't speak Vikr tongue. Also, wherever Cain went, some sharp gazes followed, hiding on the trees. The hidden gazes that kept eyeing and following him while keeping their distance. But Cain just walking casually, he just thought maybe they were the sentries tasked to keep an eye on him.

When he found a market, he was greeted by the merchants there after the aghast expression of the merchants faded. Also, some of them could speak Vikr tongue a little. Cain’s eye caught a red crystal claw necklace on one of the merchant’s goods, it sparkled beautifully when a glimpse of sunlight from the leaves gap kissed the crystal.

The turtle moasrahn, one of the merchants, realized Cain’s interest, he asked if Cain wanted to buy it and told him about how expensive the necklace was as it was a rare thing, but when Cain showed him a couple of the diamonds, the turtle surprised that Cain also had a rare goods, he happily parted with the necklace in exchange for a couple of the diamonds.

The crystal claw was small, no larger than Cain’s thumb, when he asked about its origin, the turtle said it was from a Moonblind Honey Badger, an exotic rare beast that no longer walked the land since hundreds years ago. Cain’s eyes lit up as he knew the beast from the Book, he was grateful to have the remnant of the extinct honey badger that had crystal-bound bones.

Cain’s diamonds made other merchants also offered their goods with high enthusiasm. After an hour, Cain finally left the market with a necklace, a high quality leather coat folded at his left hand, a sword sheath with straps, and a small bright yellow bandana with leaf patterns tied at Beil’s neck. “So he won't be mistaken as a wild animal,” said the rabbit merchant.

When the evening came, Rugo invited him to join the bonfire feast. Of course Cain never had any second thought about declining.

The village at night was also stunning, rather than using lumines crystal or fire as their light source, they used Heldelicht Fireflies. They were bigger than normal fireflies, and the light they produced almost rivaled lumines crystal. The fireflies weren't locked up in some container, but the moasrahn just let them flew everywhere around the village, in case of emergency, the fireflies could just fly away to hid the village in the darkness, this was thanks to moasrahn’s animal tongue ability.

The bonfire was huge, it was burning in the open area. The area was crowded with moasrahns, Rugo took Cain to where the elders sat. Koghr and Bilvrast greeted Cain when they saw him, Geam was busy talking with other moasrahns, and Fizol was playing with moasrahn kids. The face Fizol made when he was around the kids was totally different when he talked to him earlier, he was more approachable. Cain couldn't help smiled lightly looking at Fizol.

The feast began after the elders announced the new guardian for Hoarts. The public gave Argen great applause, the guardian job wasn't easy, but the higher the responsible was, the more respect he got from the public.

Even though Rugo just lost that honorable position, he couldn't help but smile, after all, he believed his brother would do better than him.

“How are you doing?” Cain asked Rugo. They were watching Argen that got all the attention. Beil was sleeping on Cain’s leg.

“Huh? Me? I’m good, I guess,” Rugo paused for a moment. “Ahh… I never thought I’ll leave this forest,” he said.

“You never go out from this forest?”

“Never, besides our rules to live in seclusion, my duty kept me busy," said Rugo in answer.

“But now, you’re banished, where will you go?”

“Heh, other forest? Rugo chuckled, “just like what the elders told me about finding another forest to live in. I heard there is a moasrahn settlement in the forest near Nerezorth Kingdom.”

“What does that mean exactly?”

“What do you mean?”

“Another forest?”

“Another forest? Literally find another forest as in find another settlement of moasrahn to live there.”

“Ah, I see… though, isn't that boring? You know, you just jump from a forest to another,” said Cain.

“We have our rules.”

“True, but, can't you just go wherever you want?”

Rugo sighed. “Yeah, I actually want to explore the life outside the forest,” said Rugo.

“Maybe it’s a good time to do that, then,” said Cain.

“Adventurer’s life, huh? Tempting, but rules are rules, I must avoid contact with other races as much as possible,” responded Rugo.

“I see, quite straight to the rules type, aren't you?” sneered Cain.

Rugo just laughed. “What makes you wander around, if I may ask?”

“First, it’s my dream to see everything the world has to offer with my own eyes, second, I’m also banished like you,” he spoke in a low voice at the second reason.

“Dream, eh? Nice,” said Rugo. “By the way, you should not whisper around moasrahns, we have stronger hearing sense than you humans, well, ‘stronger’ doesn't do justice, super is the word.”

“Oh, snap! Seriously!?”

“Nah, not really, their attention is too focused on Argen right now, but our moasrahn warriors most likely heard that.”

“I’ll be careful next time!”

…

In the morning, Cain was invited to the house of elders before leaving the village. Cain wore the leather coat he bought, with Varestaz hung on his hip, partially hidden beneath the coat.

In the house, Rugo was standing in front of the elders, he did not bring much, only a crossbow, and two curved long knives on his hips.

The four elders sat in front of him. Argen stood behind them, Hoarts also sat near them. Bilvrast invited Cain to step forward with Rugo, then he cleared his throat.

“Well then, you are free to go, Rugo, son of Gias, may our ancestor spirits bless you on your journey to find another forest,” said Bilvrast.

Rugo kneeled with eyes closed. “I’ll do my best, Elders, thank you for your wisdom of mercy,” said he.

Hoarts got up and walked towards Rugo, he rubbed his head at Rugo’s face.

“I’ll miss you too, Hoarts,” Rugo hugged Hoarts for a moment, then he stood up straight.

Even though Cain could see him smiling, he knew at heart Rugo was reluctant to leave his home, like how he felt when Aunt Germi hugged and saw him off at Aroum.

Hoarts also walked towards Cain. Cain kneeled on one leg and stroked the Clastival Wolf’s head. Beil jumped at Hoarts leg and rubbed his head at the wolf’s leg, Hoarts licked Beil’s head in response.

“Tell me, Cain, what are you going to do with your knowledge about this moasrahn village?” asked Koghr.

“Hmm…” Cain stood up and shrugged, “nothing I guess, you like your privacy I see, I have no reason to disturb this peaceful village,” said Cain in answer.

Koghr nodded with satisfaction. “Thank you, Cain, I pray for your safety, and may you be given strength by your Goddess to endure the hardships should you cross them on your path.”

“Thank you, elder, though I may trouble you now with what I’m about to ask,” said Cain.

“Hoo? Ask away, this should be good,” Bilvrast intrigued by Cain’s words.

“Okay, I know your people strictly live with the rules, new or old. So can you make an exception this time? Could you release Rugo from the rule that forced him to live in seclusion? Let him explore the world, interact with humans and the land you used to walk.”

“What!? What are talking about, Cain!?” Rugo was aghast.

Bilvrast on the other hand burst into laughter.

“You really trouble us with that, Cain.” said Koghr while smiling.

Fizol just stared at Cain, but he bounced his tail left and right without touching the floor.

Geam just rubbed her chin, thinking.

“Oh boy, that’s really amusing!” exclaimed Bilvrast. “Now, what are going to do with our Kralv savior’s request, elders?” Bilvast looked at the elders.

“I think it’s worth to consider about it seriously,” said Geam.

“Indeed, it’s interesting,” said Koghr.

“Wh-what do you mean!? Are you seriously considering Cain’s request??” gasped Rugo.

Argen couldn't say anything, aside from Cain’s request, and the fact the the elders were considering the rules for his brother made him jaw-dropped.

“I have an idea,” said Fizol. His tail was as calm as water in a pond now.

“Let’s hear it!” said Bilvrast.

Everyone there had their attention at Fizol.

“Let’s think it is as the first move for our reappearance to the world. You, Rugo, you can go anywhere you want, but in return, you will regularly write us about the outside world, how the condition and how advanced the technology and magic these days.” said Fizol.

“... You mean, you want Rugo as an agent for this so called moasrahn reappearance?” asked Bilvrast.

“Yes, if what Cain said is true that this is a peaceful time, maybe this is the best time for us to announce that we are not extinct yet,” said Fizol.

“I see, I think this is the time to finally heed the words of our ancestors, to get along nicely with other races,” said Bilvrast.

“Interesting,” said Koghr.

“I may have another input to support it,” said Geam, “If you meet another moasrahn or even find another unknown moasrahn settlement, you must help them at your utmost ability, and tell about our settlement to them or theirs to us.”

The elders looked at each other and slowly nodded one by one.

“Then it settled!” said Koghr. “Rugo! We appoint you to become our agent of exploration as of now! But remember, your banishment remains in effect, you understand?”

“... Understood, Elder Koghr, and thank you, elders, for letting me explore the world,” said Koghr. He bowed his head.

Cain glanced at Rugo, he had a better smile now.

“Thank you for granting my request,” said Cain with a smile.

“No problem, Cain. Your name will go down as a part of our history when we succeed to establish ourselves again in the society and live among your kind,” said Koghr.

“It’s an honor, thank you,” responded Cain.

“Now go both of you, and good luck!” said Bilvrast.

After said his farewell to his baffled brother, Rugo and Cain finally stepped out from the village.

…

“Now that I’ve become an agent of exploration, I’m confused where to start,” said Rugo. They were walking in the forest, to the main road direction.

“Hmm… You can always come with me,” said Cain, “if you don't mind a company of a human and an otter that is.”

“Traveling with you a human right off the bat? Sounds interesting!” exclaimed Rugo, but he suddenly stopped and alerted. “Did you hear that?”

Cain also stopped, then he tried to hear the sound Rugo mentioned. All he could hear was just birds chirping and leaves rustling by some breeze.

“Nothing, I didn't hear anything,” said Cain.

“This way!” Rugo ran towards a direction.

“Uh-oh,” Cain picked Beil from the ground and started to run.

After a ten minutes run, They stopped at a tree.

“What did you find?” asked Cain.

“Look at that,” said Rugo

Cain looked at the direction Rugo pointed. But even without looking to the direction, Cain finally knew what it was from the vibration on the ground.

“It’s a beast horde,” said Cain, “so this is the moasrahn’s super hearing sense… impressive, you can hear that sound from that far?” Cain continued.

“I’m the one who’s impressed, you did a ten minutes full run without gasping for air. What’s more, moasrahn has a faster speed than human, and yet, you were consistently on my tail without losing a momentum, that’s something for a human, right?” said Rugo while observing the beasts.

“You did some research on human, I see.”

“Information is also a weapon, born from a warrior family, I was taught to always have a step ahead, no matter how small it is,” responded Rugo.

“Damn right. Now, what do we do about this horde beast?”

“Weird, I’ve never seen those kind of beasts before… Hmm… I’m sure they came from outside, we’re just twenty minutes away from the last tree of Balrth after all,” said Rugo.

“Hey, look! A Clastival Wolf!” exclaimed Cain.

“What!? Oh, damn!”

The beast horde was moving at a slow pace. Among the beasts, a Clastival Wolf walked elegantly, guarded by two Redtusk Warthogs. The horde was small, unlike the hordes Cain saw at Kuni Steppe, this horde size was less than half of the last beast horde he saw. That’s why Cain only realized what it was when they were near, the vibration they produced on the ground when the beasts walking far smaller than the Horde Brawl produced.

“This is bad, that beast horde will clash with this forest beast horde!” said Rugo.

“Wait, that Clastival is also a Kralv then?” asked Cain

“Not really, a Clastival Wolf is a Kralv, but not every forest has a Clastival Wolf as its Kralv, it could be any other beasts. But if there’s a Clastival Wolf in the forest, then that wolf is the Kralv. But, in case there are two Clastival Wolves in one forest, the beasts under respective Clastival Wolf will fight to the death to make sure their leader is the one who’ll have the forest. Now the next question is, how come there are two Clastival Wolves? They can only breed in a forest, and this one is absolutely came from outside the forest… ah! Could it be!?”

“Twins,” said Cain. “A Clastival Wolf can only mate with a normal forest wolf, then when the Clastival Wolf’s cub is born, the Clastival parent will die, leaving its mate to take care the cub and passing its responsibility to its newborn cub. In rare cases where the newborn has a twin, one of them will be kicked out of the forest. If somehow the kicked one survives, it will look for a forest to live and mate, if it finds the forest that already have a Clastival Wolf, it will aggressively attack the Kralv,” he read the complete description of the Clastival Wolf from the Book of Gomara.

“That book has something like that??” Rugo took a look at the book on Cain’s hand. But all he could see was an empty page, not even a single letter in it.

“What the heck are you reading??” Rugo was confused.

“Some of this book contents are only visible to me,” said Cain.

That was another Book of Gomara’s protective feature. All contents except techniques and magic were actually invisible to other than Cain, the one who unlocked the first hidden page of the book. All information about rare beasts, potion making or world knowledge wouldn't disappear even after Cain memorized it unlike the techniques and magic pages that disappeared after Cain mastered it. So Cain could reread it in case he forgot, but there was also a catch, Cain couldn't make a copy of the those contents of the book to share it with others. He tried to write a page about a rare beast at another book, but that rare beast content in the Book of Gomara suddenly disappeared, when he tried to make another copy from the first one, the words on the first copy also immediately disappeared, Cain realized he couldn’t duplicate anything from the Book, but it still worked verbally, though it still disappeared when Lexa and Higa tried to write what Cain told them from the book. Knowing it worked only with verbal, Cain became lazy to share it because he had to talk so much, so he just told them when the time was right to relate the knowledge.

“A magical book, huh? Interesting as it has the knowledge from my kind. You can't read our language, right? That means it’s in Vikr tongue, what a weird book, moasrahns never write their knowledge in a foreign tongue,” said Rugo.

“Yeah, It belonged to an ancient mysterious hero called Gomara.”

“Gomara? I’ve heard that name before, but we should talk later, I have to do something about this beast horde,” said Rugo

“What are you going to do?”

“I’m gonna do my last duty as the guardian of Barlth’s Kralv; eliminate the threat pointed at Hoarts,” said Rugo as he unsheathed the inwardly curved knife with his right hand and the barreled crossbow on his left hand.

“Alright, let me lend you a hand,” said Cain.

“You shouldn't, this is my duty.”

“You’re not the guardian anymore, besides, I’ve been wanting to try your father’s sword!” Cain unsheathed Varestaz.

“Huh, suit yourself, human, my father sword will serve you well,” said Rugo.

“We’ll see about that! Stay where you are, Beil,” said Cain.

“Meip!”

Cain and Rugo walked casually to the beast horde with weapons in hands, just with their presence alone, they successfully took the horde's attention.