Chapter 463 - Chapter 6: The Wolf Man Settlement
I wonder how far we have to go to reach the destination...
The Fox Man was in the lead, followed by the Wolf Men centered around the leader.
The speed at which the beastmen advanced was extraordinary; they dashed through the trees as if flying. I couldn't keep up at all, so from the middle... or rather, almost from the beginning, I was carried on the leader's back, but just watching from behind, the trees were approaching at a terrifying speed. It was like being on a horse.
I wonder if we ran for over an hour.
The sound of water was heard, and we arrived below a waterfall.
"We'll take a break here. Bishop, are you alright?"
Even though I wasn't running myself, to be honest, I was exhausted.
"P-Please wait a moment. I'll catch my breath."
Saying so, I cast Refresh to calm myself down.
I put down the staff and supply bag I had carried tied to my back in a borrowed leather bag and decided to drink some honey wine from my canteen.
Since they were staring, I handed it over for them to drink.
"D-Delicious, isn't it."
"Yes. It's honey wine I brewed myself. Although I look like this, it's been well-received by various people."
It was also well-received by the Earth Dragon. I'm exchanging cider with Serena, and Violet is drinking it too. Spirits have various different tastes, so I can't say for sure.
After everyone drank a little and I received a round of compliments, I received a brief explanation about the Wolf Man settlement we planned to visit.
"We are, so to speak, existences given the abilities of carnivorous beasts. That's why we hunt and catch prey. Since we go all over the place, in the case of wolves, we have territories in pack units, and in the case of foxes, in family units."
Hmm, hmm.
I recall hearing from Godwynn-sama that herbivorous beastmen are on the inside, carnivorous beastmen are on the outside, and beastmen with omnivorous abilities are in the middle, forming settlements as if drawing a circle. The Fox Man seems to play a role like a scout on the outermost side. If so, I suppose the Bear Man would be light infantry and the Boar Man would be heavy infantry.
"The place we're going now is my pack's settlement. There are everyone from children to the elderly. I heard about handling children from the Fox. The problem is the elderly. The elderly might want a prayer to mourn the dead at the graveyard from you, the Bishop. What will you do then?"
"If they wish, I will offer a prayer. But my method will be the human style; is that alright?"
"Yeah, I don't mind. You believe in the Goddess, right? Then it's the same as us."
"Ah, is that so?"
I said it involuntarily. This makes me a failure as a Bishop.
"What. Is it bad that it's the same?"
As expected, he says it in a displeased tone.
"E-No, um, one of the beastmen I know wasn't particularly interested in religion."
I use Violet as an example as an excuse.
"A beastman you know?"
"Yes. An Arachne."
"Y-You're an acquaintance of an Arachne?"
"Yes. There was a bit of a trigger. But it's a secret."
"I see. That's why you weren't afraid of us from the start. To become an acquaintance of that Arachne. Arachne are among the high-ranking Insect Men even among beastmen, so they're a bit different from us. However, among what humans call beastmen, they are the strongest class along with Dragonewts."
Which means Dragonewts are as strong as Demon Race executives. If I try to enter illegally like this time, I might be killed.
"Do you have any dealings with Dragonewts?"
Maybe I can get a lead on the Dragonewts of the Central Mountain Range.
"A long time ago. Now, I don't even know if they're alive or dead."
"I see."
The leader seems to want to ask something, but without pursuing the talk further, he stood up.
"Well, let's go soon. We're going to climb the cliff next to this waterfall. Hold on tight."
"T-The waterfall!"
When I looked up at the waterfall pouring down abundant water with a roar, it looked impossibly high...
Usually, I'm riding in a bowl, so it's a waterfall climb while splashing water on each other. You're telling me to go up that on my own. I just stare blankly.
"It looks like it would be better to tie you to my back."
I nodded vigorously at the Fox Man's words.
I was wrapped up and became like luggage, but the worry of falling disappeared.
While listening to the roaring sound of water, we scrambled up to the top of the waterfall in an instant.
"Bishop, magic is fine, but wouldn't it be better to train a bit more?"
I don't want to be compared to someone who runs at the same speed as a horse.
"Usually, I only use Flight Magic."
"I see. Humans, because they rely only on magic and technology like that, don't they get weaker with each generation?"
"T-That might be so. But since we were originally weak existences, maybe we had no choice but to gather together and use our wits to survive."
"I see. Well, that ingenuity has borne fruit, and you've developed quite a bit."
I recall being told something similar by an Elf.
As we climbed along the mountain stream that was the source of the waterfall, I could look down and see a slightly flat forest in the gap of the valley. Since it's surrounded by high mountains, the altitude must be high, so it might be closed off by snow in winter. The surrounding trees are mostly conifers.
"This is our settlement. Since we don't live gathered together like humans, there aren't many of us, but it's big for us."
He says so, and there are over twenty people. It's quite a settlement.
"That's it over there."
The place the leader points to is thickly covered with trees. At a glance, it's indistinguishable from the surroundings. Since it's all similar scenery, I can't tell which is which. Maybe it's hidden by magic.
"It's no use trying to find it from the sky with that Flight Magic. We have strong magic power. Unlike your acquaintance the Arachne, we use status-effect and attribute types. Camouflage is our specialty. Beasts living in the forest are good at covert action."
"You're good at wind too, aren't you."
"Yeah, that's why you'll surely learn Flight Magic quickly. Though, I suppose that's why Godwynn thought it could be used as negotiation material."
As expected. That's why they couldn't contact the beastmen in the Royal Capital area either.
As I was guided into the forest, a single Wolf Man appeared soundlessly from the shadow of a tree, likely a lookout. He's still young. In his early twenties, I'd say.
"Yo, good work on your duty!"
"Boss, is it a human guest?"
He stares as if to say, 'What are you?' He's an unwelcome guest, I see.
"Yes. It's Bishop Jeanne. She uses light magic."
"L-Light... then, she really existed..."
"Yes. She's the real thing. Gather everyone."
"Y-Yes!"
Perhaps he's flustered, or it's his true nature, as he ran off on all fours.
"He's quite flustered. Isn't he half-scared out of his wits?"
"Tch, that guy. Making a fool of himself, I'll have to discipline him later."
The leader spat at the Fox Man's mocking tone.
The Wolf Man's house is the same as the Fox Man's, made by digging a hole in a small cliff in the forest. The entrance is a wooden door, but it was cleverly hidden by intertwining vines. I didn't notice it at all, but I figured it out because a child was half-opening it and peeking. Though, they immediately closed the door and went inside.
Everyone is gathered under a single tree with a somewhat fearful look. About twenty people. Since there are no child-like ones, they must be adults or older in age. Some have many white hairs and white eyebrows. They must be the Elders of the village. Among them, the one in the middle has almost completely white hair, not just eyebrows. He must be the Elder.
The Elder-class is in front of me. Behind him, the men are stepping forward, and the women are hiding behind the men and trees. They are afraid of me. No wonder; if I released an Over-Flow, everyone gathered would receive corresponding damage.
"Everyone, listen!"
The leader raised his voice while looking around at everyone.
"This human's name is Bishop Jeanne. She came from Sertoria. At a glance, she's just a plain human girl, but..."
Leave me alone! Sorry for being plain.
"Don't be surprised when you hear this. She's a person with the title of Dragon Killer and the user of the legendary light magic!"
He spread his arms and howled toward everyone.
The audience, who fell silent for a moment, all at once raised voices of surprise and bewilderment.
"L-Light magic user... she finally came to our settlement..."
"I thought there were no more humans who could use it."
The ones talking noisily are the relatively young Wolf Men.
"I heard you came from Sertoria. If I recall, the first king of that country could also use it. Could it be you carry that blood?"
"Umu. At that time, I heard the folks far to the east took care of them. Have you finally come to our place too?"
The older ones knew the first king. No, they just heard about him? Since he said 'far to the east,' it might be near the border with the Western Plains. As expected, he must have breached the wall that should be in this area and reached the altar.
"That's not all! This Bishop Jeanne seems to have breached three trials before coming here. Furthermore, she says she'll teach us a method that's extremely effective for securing food for our wintering and for bear hunting!"
"Food for wintering? Is it true!"
"A-A method effective for bear hunting? If there's such a thing, I'd definitely like to be taught."
"Yay! As expected of the light magic user!"
It's quite a lively scene, but the last shout was the Fox Man. Did he get something? He's become a complete shill.
After actually showing the light magic and getting lively for a while, simple food and a drink like fruit wine were served, and it became a banquet. They said they would welcome me.
With the Fox Man as a guide, Wolf Men and Wolf Women of the settlement, regardless of age, came to greet me. There were about ten children too.
In order, I do the 'nice to meet you' greetings.
The children were grabbing their mothers' sleeves and hiding half their bodies, but after I gave each of them one Highway Cookie, they seemed to let their guard down and brought me return gifts... beautiful stones they found, necklaces made of bone, hair ornaments made by carving wood, and handed them to me. I said thank you and patted their heads, and they looked happy.
In that case, I brought out dried meat and made it into a pot, and it became a banquet while everyone picked at it. When I fed the children who came near with pieces of dried meat that had been boiled soft and cooled down by blowing on them, they started calling me by name, Jeanne, Jeanne.
Since the leaders had the bear's leg, everyone made a bonfire and roasted it, and until it was cooked through, we ate the dried fish the mothers brought out.
When the banquet, which served as our self-introductions, was over, an older person stood up and said, "Come with me." He seems to be the Elder. When I was led by that Elder to the back of the settlement, we came to a place where round stones were lined up. All the residents followed behind.
"If you are a Bishop, you should be able to offer prayers to mourn the dead. Won't you mourn and comfort the spirits of our ancestors?"
An immediate request. After confirming that the human style was fine and offering a prayer, everyone began to howl, perhaps intending it as a chant.
I heard later that usually the Elder takes the lead in conducting ceremonies for births, marriages, and deaths. Then, why is a human Bishop necessary?
"We are so-called monsters. That's why we aren't allowed to offer prayers ourselves. If we do, we end up taking damage."
"Is that so..."
The leader's words sound somewhat sad.
"A long time ago, when we lived together with humans, the lost souls would safely ascend through human prayers. That's why it's a help to have a Bishop like you who shows understanding toward us."
"Is that so..."
Now, they don't live together with humans. That's why, despite believing in the same Goddess, they can't even offer funeral prayers.
I felt frustrated with myself for only being able to return the same words to the Elder.
When the prayer was over and I said goodbye to the children for a moment and went further back, there was a bit of a slope. When the leader thrust his hand into the bushes on the slope, a cave entrance that had opened up like a door appeared with a clatter.
As I was guided inside, there was a Teleportation Circle. When we all jumped together, there was a passage. I can see light shining in from what seems to be a hole in the ceiling further back.
"Do you know what that is? Bishop Jeanne."
The Elder asked.
"No, I don't know. Is the ceiling of the hole collapsing or something?"
"Hahahaha! You say quite interesting things. I wouldn't guide you to a dangerous place that might collapse."
"My apologies..."
I don't know because I've never been here.
We proceed through the unlit passage, relying on the light from the back. The ground has a moist, soft feel. It must be moss. In other words, people don't usually enter.
If I were to slip, the precious moss would be scraped off and ruined. While I was walking slowly and quietly, the Elder in front stopped.
"What's wrong? Bishop. Are you anxious because it's dark underfoot?"
"No, actually..."
When I conveyed that I was being considerate in my own way, the leader crouched down and carried me on his back.
"My apologies."
"It's fine. But you truly are a person just like the legends."
"What do you mean by that?"
When I asked, instead of the leader, one of the Elder-class told me the outline of the legend.
A long time ago, a single human Priestess visited this place.
The Priestess brought metal weapons to the settlement and gave pasture seeds to the herbivorous beastmen. Pasture becomes winter feed if harvested. The herbivorous beastmen obtained winter food, and the carnivorous beastmen obtained hunting tools. The Priestess tried to have humans and beastmen join hands to oppose the Demon Race and achieved certain results. She mourned those who died in battle and sent them off with prayers.
"We and humans are fundamentally different. Despite both being given life in this world by the Goddess. The Priestess said that very difference leads to strength and guided us, who had no means to oppose the Demon Race. And that Priestess used light magic..."
Could it be...
"Could it be that the time that Priestess was in this land was about five thousand years ago?"
"Yes. You figured it out well."
"There's a similar legend among humans. Five Priestesses called the Ancient Priestesses who defeated powerful Demon Race... likely the Demon Lord. I've heard that one lived with the Water Dragon in Finis in the north, one lived with spirits like the Dryad in Sertoria, and one lived with low-level Demon Race in Primordia."
"And one lived with us beastmen in this land."
As we approached the sunny spot, I could see a round stone placed in its center.
"Then, that round stone in the sunny spot is..."
"Yes. It's the grave of the Priestess who lived with our ancestors."
One was in this land...
"The Priestess appealed for coexistence and moved to this land to promote exchange between beastmen and humans, exchanging the forest's blessings we obtained for things made by humans, bringing great changes to our lives."
It was also the Priestess who brought religion, so to speak, so as not to forget the feeling of gratitude toward the Goddess who protects the island from various calamities.
"Bishop Jeanne. I heard from that guy, but it seems you are an acquaintance of an Arachne."
"Yes. I'm allowed to be friends with her."
"Did you hear that? Bishop Jeanne has an Arachne friend."
The leader turns back to me and says, "Amazing," in a word.
"Bishop Jeanne. Your way of thinking resembles the Priestess who is said to have lived with us in this land long ago. Surely the Priestess brought you and us together."
At the feet of the Elder who said so, a round stone identical to the one I saw in the settlement was placed.