Chapter 99 The Verma

“Vandread…he won’t die that easily. Trust me–he’s still there,” he said.

The utter belief in these words lacked any trace of a lie or exaggeration, causing the fluffy, red tail sprouting behind the tan-skinned man’s back to wag.

“Interesting. You’re a magic man, aren’t you?” Alekkai asked.

“A mage, yes.”

“Are you a capable warrior?” Alekkai asked further.

“…I’d like to think so,” he nodded.

Alekkai stared at him for a moment before glancing back, yelling something to the outside, “Vigalla for zhawma!”

This command prompted a minute later, a younger, silver-haired tribesman to walk in, carrying the boy’s scabbard and staff, carefully setting it down beside the boy.

“–!” He was surprised to have his gear back, but didn’t waste any time returning it to his belt and back.

Alekkai watched him, “We will launch an attack on the Outrider village when the sun falls tomorrow. My scouts are out right now, tracking them as we speak.”

“You don’t have–”

“Don’t be mistaken. This assault has been planned for a long time now–our people have been in conflict for even longer. I am doing this for my people. If it aligns with you, I will gladly accept your strength. The Outriders have brought ruin to my people for decades now–it’s time to settle this. A magic man will be just what is needed,” Alekkai told him.

There was a certain contempt in the beast warrior’s tone each time the ‘Outriders’ were mentioned. By what he experienced and came to know so far, he understood what kind of existence they were.

Vandread saved me earlier. I’ll repay the favor, he thought.

“I see…I’ll help, then,” he resolved.

Alekkai smiled, “Then come. For now, make yourself at home.”

It felt like a large responsibility was now saddled on his back, but he was relieved to find himself not in the hands of cannibals.

In fact, it was quite the opposite of what he expected–as he ventured outside, following the champion of the tribe, he found a peaceful community of wolf demi-humans; children played outside and young men trained with wooden weapons.

Even the young members of the tribe moved fiercely, hopping around and moving with animalistic agility–swinging wildly and not holding much back in their sparring. It was clear to him just what sort of natural physical abilities were inherent to demi-humans, or rather this clan specifically.

It wasn’t surprising, looking at the build of Alekkai, who in his own thoughts, would put Mr. Olympia’s to shame.

Seriously, this world doesn’t have protein powder, does it? You’d easily think this guy is juiced up! He thought.

The soil had been turned to soft mud in the light rainfall that scattered downward through the surrounding tree’s leaves.

“…A community of demi-humans in Milligarde?” He said in astonishment.

The houses were unique in shape too, resembling igloos formed of wood and grass, mostly tucked against tall, wide trees.

Alekkai looked back at him, “Many of my kind are brought to this land as slaves. The worst of it was many decades ago; demi-humans have integrated with this land. It may be small, but this forest was given to us by the King for our aid in the Great War–it is a piece of Yulagsdra.”

‘Yulagsdra’, huh? I think that’s the continent where demi-humans come from, he remembered.

“Really? We were just in Elsia, and demi-humans seemed perfectly integrated–they were living in the city, I mean. Not like this,” he said.

“Do you think this is a lesser way of living, Emilio?” Alekkai asked.

“No, not at all,” he smiled, “It seems nice around here. To me, as long as you can eat your fill and play beneath the sun, you have a good home.”

Alekkai held a surprised expression for a moment before smiling, “I agree. But, Tseurilia is not just the home of my clan. There are many within her territory. but the Verma clan has served as its guardians since we all migrated here. I’m sure you’ll find other clans within the forest to be more like the human villages you’re used to.”

“Really, I don’t have a problem,” he laughed.

“Do you understand why we must wipe out the Outriders? Look around you,” Alekkai asked.

What the champion of the clan was referring to was the peaceful state of the village; the carefree children and the warm, friendly community of demi-human people.

“They seek to destroy this way of life. The Outriders believe in culling the weak at birth and conquering the great forest to expand their own strength. Whether it’s my people or yours, they will capture and consume them like mindless beasts. They’re a plague to this land; it’s my duty to stop them,” Alekkai said with conviction.

“I know. I’ll help you do that,” he smiled.

Alekkai looked down at him before nodding, “Thank you, child—no, Emilio.”

Something like this wasn’t a concept he’d read in books pertaining to Milligarde’s history, but he knew there was a whole world of knowledge out there beyond his scope.

“Are you hungry?” Alekkai asked.

“…Yeah, I could eat,” he nodded.

“Come. My wife makes food that’ll make your stomach sing,” Alekkai smiled.

He followed the benevolent champion of the tribe through the village, passing by playing children and elderly tribespeople that tended to isolated farms, who kindly waved at him, and he returned the favor.

The abode of Alekkai was placed in the middle of a grand tree, led up by a rickety staircase that he carefully ascended.

An unsteady bridge like the one beneath his boots kept him hugging the ropes that kept it suspended; this unstable path was further worsened by the wood being slick by the rainfall.

It was quite a ways up, at that, though he knew that heights didn’t pose the same threat to him as they once did, it didn’t stop the archaic parts of his brain from still fearing them all the same.

“It is rare to see one of your youth coming through this forest,” Alekkai said.

He nodded, “I’m on my way to Vasmoria.”

“Vasmoria? Hmm,” Alekkai looked forward.

The two marched up the winding bridge together; Alekkai rubbed his chin as if trying to remember what ‘Vasmoria’ was.

“That place. I’ve heard of it from other passing travelers. A ‘Magic Land’,” Alekkai said.

“Yeah. I’m going there for the world-adventurer trial,” he smiled.

“Hm. Adventure around the world?” Alekkai said quietly.

“Yeah,” he nodded.

“We’re here.”

Their conversation was cut short as he arrived at the destination that the tribe champion had guided him to: the house of Alekkai.