Chapter 365 - Returning To Dojo

After Reiji ordered the Werewolves to get dressed, they have decided to spend the night here at their settlement and visit the Bhibra Village in the morning.

During their stay, Reiji learned that they were just like normal people in their human forms. This is quite surprising since he thought that they are isolated here and didn't advance their civilization. 

But looking at it now, they seem to have learned how to act human. They even have books and kitchen utensils!

They are completely different from what he imagined. 

'Hmm… They're not savages just like what I heard about. Ugh, I shouldn't judge them by their appearance… Anyway, can they also learn swordsmanship?' Reiji mused but didn't think too much of it.

He's just curious how would they protect themselves while they are in their human form. However, since he saw how muscular their bodies are, Reiji guessed that they can probably wrestle and have good punching power.

He then checked their information using his guide.

[ Name: Slave Four ] 

[ Spiritual Energy: 95 ] 

[ Status: Healthy, Increased Moon Affinity, Increased Sword Affinity ]

[ Name: Slave Five ] 

[ Spiritual Energy: 90 ] 

[ Status: Healthy, Increased Moon Affinity, Increased Sword Affinity ]

Reiji confirmed that all 26 Werewolves have Spiritual Energy that ranges from about 80 to 95. The highest Spiritual Energy is Jacob which is quite expected since he's the strongest among them. 

Just with the number, they might be seen as strong as Fourth-Class Arcanists. However, the body of the Werewolves wasn't relying on their Spiritual Energy but on their incredible physique capable of ignoring most magic. 

They are considered the best soldiers that could go in the front lines during battles.

'What's the Moon Affinity?' 

Reiji was curious as he then asked one of the older werewolves.

"Moon Affinity? That is our connection to that goddess who has blessed us, Master. There was a story passed on to us by the earlier generations. Before the world became peaceful, the world was chaotic and without order. It was said that Mood Goddess descended on this world and blessed Ancestors to survive and obtain incredible power during the night, especially in the full moon…"

Slave Ten started telling the story about the first Werewolves… It is quite an interesting one but Reiji has no way of determining whether it's true or not. 

However, he somehow felt that the Moon Deity is actually 'friendly' to the Sword Deity since it increased the Moon Affinity of these werewolves after he Marked them as his Sword Slave!

'Ugh… Marking them as slaves might be a bad idea.' Reiji felt a bit awkward since he knows that he shouldn't harm the Blessed of another Deity unless they're the enemies of the Sword Deity.

'Well, it already happened. I'll just make sure to keep them alive as much as I can.'

Reiji thought as he listened to the story.

After a while, Reiji felt satisfied and decided to chat with Shiori for a moment to get updated about the things that have happened while he was captured.

***

It started raining when Reiji and others left the Werewolves' settlement to visit the village.

It is quite a good thing as they could avoid being tracked by some Evil Beasts. Anyway, the werewolves shouldn't get sick by a mere rain shower so he wasn't worried about that as well.

'Ahhh… There's another problem.' Reiji suddenly realized that bringing a lot of servants has issues as well.

They have to think about how they will survive. They are requiring food after all, unlike Szaaz and him who can just live using their Energy and Durability, they needed something that would go to their stomach to stay healthy and strong.

Because of this, they have to constantly hunt for food or gather edible fruits they could find along the way.

Luckily, they at least have Reiji's Void Slash so he can store the food inside and it wouldn't rot at all.

The journey to the village only lasted for a couple of hours. Their group was welcomed by the villagers.

As soon as they saw Shiori, many of them immediately kneeled after recognizing their teacher. 

"Teacher!"

"Swordmaster Shiori!"

They suddenly called as they let them inside the village. The elders had of course come prepared since they were already notified by the Stasis and the others about their plan.

"Lady Shiori, I heard that you have plans to enter the Enetha Empire… Although it wasn't much, we've prepared three carriages for your group."

Shiori appears to have many titles. Well, it depends on who was talking to her so she didn't really mind it at all.

Reiji then looked at the carriages they'd prepared and noticed that they aren't horse-drawn at all…

"What are they?" Shiori had never seen these creatures before. 

Its shape is like a bipedal bear with a mix of a lizard head but it is not made of flesh as it seems.

"They're golems, Lady Shiori. They are only found at the Northeastern Gorge so you've never seen them before. They can never be tired and wouldn't die unless you destroy their core inside their head. They're really useful."

One of the elders answered. This is also Reiji's first time seeing them so he felt quite curious.

"I see… Thank you. We didn't expect this… Right, we have brought some friends with us. I hope you can accommodate us." Shiori replied. 

She seems to have the best communication ability as well so Reiji felt great that she was the one who remained alive among his old slaves.

After chatting with the Elders, Shiori returned to the Dojo at the central part of the village while the other slaves were sent to some wooden houses to have a rest.

"Hmm… You're right… They really took care of our Dojo." Reiji smiled after seeing the familiar Dojo. It remained clean and the style remained the same. 

It is the Japanese Dojo where he's extremely familiar. He knows that it was destroyed during the Beast Wave when the Wyverns and Gryphons managed to enter the village. 

So seeing it in a great condition again made Reiji grateful to these Half-Imps…