CH 29

“It’s harsh for the present-day demibeasts, but in a way, it was a very finite price compared to that big wish.”

“The present…?”

“All demibeasts, including wolves, cannot maintain their human form after a certain period of time.”

“Ah…?”

“It’s said that this is why demibeasts have to periodically return to their animal-form.”

When I heard about the origin of demibeasts, I felt a bit strange.

‘Usually, when it comes to folktales, since they are passed down from mouth to mouth, the transformation is severe and the probability is low.’

But this tale… 

“It sounds very plausible. Isn’t this a true story?”

“Well. There are many people who believe that it’s a true story, probably because it’s connected to the reality of demibeasts now.”

“If that is true, the demibeasts will resent the Wulf family. They’re paying the price together because of the black wolf.”

“Well, even so, there’s no proof that it’s real, right? I don’t think there will be a demibeast who seriously resents them because of this story.”

Having been quiet for most parts of the story, Hanu opened his mouth after Iprus shrugged lightly.

“Still, it’s rumored that the black wolf, who made a direct contract with the devil, paid a slightly higher price than the other demibeasts.”

“What is that?”

“I don’t know the specifics, but if the story is real, maybe there are restrictions on humanization…”

Iprus glanced at her brother and openly scoffed.

“Pfft. If you don’t know it well, you shouldn’t have brought it up. I guess you wanted to pretend to know something?”

Then, the eyebrows of the hesitantly talking Hanu raised immediately.

“You seemed very proud to have shared something anyone who lives on the continent would know.”

“If you explained it, it would have been boring. A muscle pig who only knows how to wield a sword!”

“You’re always looking for a guy with a lot of muscles, what… a muscular pig? You flirtatious vixen!”

“What’s wrong with you? Even if your mouth is crooked, you should speak right! I’ve never cheated on anyone before?!”

“Don’t you date someone else right after you break up?”

“Hmph, that’s better than someone who’s at your age and has never met a girl!”

“Still, rather than starting a relationship when I don’t know whether it’s love or friendship, I…!”

Here we go again.

Today, too, I laughed at the close siblings.

⋆﹥━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━﹤⋆

Shortly after hearing all about the origins of demibeasts, we arrived at our destination.

Arriving at a shantytown, we got off the carriage and passed between alleys. The houses were so close together that it felt dark even in the daytime.

As I looked around the seemingly same paths, I asked Iprus.

“You know where it is, right?”

“Don’t worry. I don’t know anything else, but my memory is great.”

Well, if her memory was not good, she wouldn’t be able to remember so many relationships clearly.

I relieved my worries of the hour and looked ahead.

How long did we walk down the alleys? We stopped in front of a rundown bar.

The exterior was old, but the business seemed to be going well; there was a lot of chatter inside the bar.

Before entering the bar, Iprus held her index finger to her lips and said,

“I will take care of everything from here to the information guild, so please stay calm.”

“Okay.”

“I’m going to lie a little, but this is because the information guild doesn’t like outsiders. Doing so will make it easier to get in.”

“Yes, yes.”

After I nodded and gave confirmation, Iprus quickly turned her head and raised a fist at Hanu.

“I won’t let you go if you mess things up for nothing.”

“Just don’t do anything that gets in the way of my escort mission.”

“You think I’ll put the lady in danger? I’ll throw you as bait and run away.”

“I’ll be grateful if Lady Lia is protected well.”

“If you keep your mouth open…”

After this light scuffle, Iprus took the lead and entered the bar.

Ding, ding.

As the bell hanging on the door swayed, the owner’s hearty voice came flying.

“Welcome! What would you like to drink…!”

The man, who was very tall and had a shaggy beard, took one glance at Iprus’ face and froze like ice.

Ignoring his ghostly reaction, she strode forward and spoke arrogantly.

“What are you looking at? Shouldn’t you take orders? What did your boss teach you?”

At the word ‘boss’, he shivered and hurriedly took care of his surprised expression.

“…Since you’re a regular customer, you don’t need to place an order. I will direct you to your seat.”

Perhaps ordering a certain food or drink was the password to contact the information guild.

Like, ‘Add 2 ice cubes to warm iced hot chocolate without chocolate.’

A complicated and special order that’s not on the menu in this way.

Oh, of course, I didn’t know anything about this password, that’s just a rough example.

I had no idea how the actual password was constructed.

‘By the way, you’re a regular customer.’

It seemed that Iprus hadn’t been here just once or twice.

The place where we went following the guide was a warehouse for storing alcohol.

Oak barrels full of liquor were stacked on top of each other, filling the warehouse.

“This area is off-limits. Please wait here until she comes out.”

“These are my servants.”

Iprus liked to dress up. She was currently wearing a gorgeous dress with a lot of lace.

Compared to that, I was wearing rather plain clothes, so it didn’t look particularly suspicious to the employee.

Rather, it was Hanu that reacted to Iprus’ lies. The hot-headed brother glared at his sister.

I secretly elbowed him in the side.

Then, he, who was tactless but obedient to my order, quickly loosened his expression.

Although Iprus asked to take us, the man flatly refused.

“It wouldn’t work.”

“The treatment has changed a lot from before. Did Jack tell you to ignore me?”

“Oh, no. How much does he still love Miss Iprus…”

While sweating profusely and making excuses, the man sighed and explained what had happened.

“They’ll be denied entry because I have already reported that only Miss Iprus will be going down.”

“Then it’s your fault.”

“…I don’t know what will happen to those people.”

The man moved the stacked oak barrels to one side and put his hand in a gap in the wooden floor that looked like nothing.

He pulled something out of a line and jerked it, and the wooden floor, which seemed ordinary, was lifted.

Beneath it was a series of stairs, without a single light coming through.

“Follow me.”

Taking a lantern, the man led the way down.

Slowly, we followed him down the stairs, relying on the light of the lantern.

Maybe because of the atmosphere, I felt a sense of perversion, as if I was doing something illegal.

Perhaps it was because the siblings were in front and behind me, but fun took precedence over fear.

I whispered as I tugged on Iprus’ sleeve.

“Iprus, I’m a little excited right now.”

She smiled softly, as if I was cute.

“I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”

“But isn’t this place a bit dangerous?”

“In case of emergency, the black bull who is obsessed with knight play will protect you.”

…She’s not saying it’s not dangerous.

I quietly took out the necklace I had hidden inside my clothes.

I hung the ring that Suradel had given me before on a chain to make it look like a necklace. I didn’t want to look like a couple with him, but I also wanted to keep myself safe, so I chose this method.

My steps continued as I clutched and fiddled with it.

The dark underground seemed difficult to memorize because the roads were intertwined like a maze.

It was then.

Without a chance to even block with my hands, something sharp flew in front of my neck in an instant.

By the time I actually registered that something flew at me, a loud sound hit my ears.

Swhik-!

It was the sound of metal colliding.

I blinked blankly, trying to figure out the situation.

Before I knew it, Hanu, who had been behind me, was pointing his sword at someone wearing a mask.

Without taking his eyes off the masked man, Hanu confirmed my safety.

“Lady Lia, are you okay?”

“Am I still alive?”

“…I’m glad you weren’t hurt.”

After he was certain of my safety, Hanu warned the stranger in a bleak voice.

“Put down your sword right now.”

“…To draw a sword and block mine in that short moment. Your swordsmanship skills are amazing.”

“Ever since I heard we were going to be denied entry, I thought there would be some friction.”

Iprus raised her voice, as if upset by the sudden turn of events.

“What is this?”

The man who guided us spoke calmly, like he knew this would happen.

“Well, didn’t I tell you in advance that all but Miss Iprus would be denied entry?”

It was the moment when the excitement evaporated as though it had been washed away, and anger started to fill up.

Shrugging his shoulders, the guide sanctioned the masked man.

“Put down the sword. They’re the guest’s companion.”

“Didn’t you say that only one person would come down?”

“That’s how it was going to be, but somehow this happened. I will speak well to Master, so go inside.”

“…….”

The masked man did not say anything more and quietly disappeared into the darkness.

Iprus ran up to me and checked my face here and there.

“My lady, are you okay?”

I responded in a tight voice, hoping that Iprus would get angry instead.

“Yes… My heart is beating like crazy, I feel nauseous, and I feel like I’m about to collapse because my legs are weak, but it’s okay.”

“Lady Lia…!”