After paying the friendship fee, I followed the Beastman Man I had known for three years and soon entered the residential area.
Though hidden by the trees, I could faintly hear the scent of blood and the pained groans of suffering not far off.
‘They are still on alert, after all.’
It seemed a little off-putting to pass by the injured people bleeding fresh blood with the Vampires around, so they intentionally kept their distance.
Well, that’s how friends bought with money are.
I can’t be sure since I had no friends in my previous life, but it’s probably true.
‘Well, it’s only natural to be cautious.’
The rules of the forest are merely post-fact prescriptions and do not prevent actual attacks.
If a hungry Vampire were to catch the scent of fresh blood and go after the injured Beastmen, it wouldn’t be a zero percent chance of happening.
‘By the way, this place is a tent village too.’
I hadn’t really expected anything, but seeing it was a bit disappointing.
The fact that there are tents lined up like a place where nomads stay means there isn’t much difference between where the Vampires live and where the Beastmen live.
At this point, I start to suspect rationally that tents might actually be a very popular and historically rich lifestyle—or architecture—in this world.
I know in my head that it’s not the case since I’ve lived in a village of Humans, but seeing just this keeps shaking my values.
Of course, it’s only natural that I can’t cut down trees in the Elves’ forest to build a house, or make brick houses, but still.
There are differences compared to the place where the Vampires live.
For example, while the Vampires’ tents vary in shape, size, and installation site, this place has small tents of a single type that are placed closely together in a certain pattern, except where there are trees.
‘It feels just like a military campground, doesn’t it?’
This was my impression of the exemption.
But unlike the Vampires who came to the Mist Labyrinth for survival, the Beastmen here are originally the resistance fighting against Humans, right?
Saying it feels like a military campground is actually a pretty accurate analogy, I guess.
Yet, it seems that the Beastmen couldn’t help setting up small tents consistently right up to the Chief’s barracks.
Maybe that’s why the place we stopped was the only large tent nearby.
After receiving the friendship fee, it seemed the Beastman Man started to get nervous about bringing me to their leader.
However, dragging out the few steps of distance wouldn’t change the future.
It seemed they had already noticed my presence from inside, and the Beastman Friend, bowing to capitalism, closed his eyes and accepted his fate.
“Chief! A guest from the Vampire side has come!”
“…Let them in.”
As soon as the report was made, a calm voice returned. At that moment, a shiver ran up my spine, instinctively stirring my guard.
Nothing had happened. I hadn’t been ambushed.
I merely heard the invitation to enter.
That single word wasn’t even said in a tone that intentionally carried weight to threaten. It was just a plain, calm sentence that was necessary.
Yet, the presence behind those words felt immensely formidable, despite not putting themselves forward.
Compared to some of the power Martini had shown me, it was like a drop in the bucket, but that’s a mischaracterization. This was definitely an aura belonging to a true strong individual, not like someone petty like Ludrik.
Maybe it’s on the level of the knight from Pahera who had ripped off one of my arms with a thrown spear.
I couldn’t compare the two unless I had tasted blood on both sides, but guessing from their scent alone was impossible.
‘Honestly, I didn’t expect them to be this powerful.’
At this rate, it was a good thing I didn’t opt for Plan A. If it turned into a battle outside the forest, I wouldn’t be sure if I could win.
…No, I don’t genuinely want to acknowledge it, but for now, I have to assume they are above me.
I hadn’t thought to be careless, but it seemed that seeing Ludrik had made me unconsciously lower my expectations for the residents here.
The leader of the resistance couldn’t possibly be on the same level as a coward who can only bully wandering Vampires.
Once inside the tent, the word “warrior” fit perfectly for the Wolf Beastman who greeted our party.
Wow, look at that broad shoulder. It must definitely be over double mine.
Is that a person or a tank? If I bump into that, I’ll surely fracture something.
My sense of caution doubled instantly. I had noticed he was stronger than me from the start, but those log-like arms exuded something that demanded respect.
“Hey, Palmer. How much did you get this time?”
“Yes, here it is!”
After just asking how much he received, the Beastman Man who guided us spat out the friendship fee, going from a three-year friend back to just acquaintances.
The speed of cutting ties was supersonic.
But I didn’t miss the fact that the pocket that had just appeared was noticeably lighter than the moment it left Lowell’s hand.
If I was going to give it all away anyway, I wondered why I bothered with such a hassle, but it seemed he was experienced at this. I was slightly impressed.
“Well then, you can leave now. Just don’t forget to eat something moderately.”
“Yes! Thank you!”
Aha, these guys were accomplices from the start, huh?
It didn’t seem like they were working together scheming at such a level, but it looked like they were intentionally turning a blind eye. What a novel way to earn foreign currency.
Yet, if I could buy opportunities with money, it wasn’t a bad transaction after all.
I never expected the day would come when I, who once felt the burden of hospital bills in my previous life, would say such a thing, but in the current situation, money was basically limitless for me.
The money I received from Martini was still far from spent. Being in the Vampire stronghold meant I couldn’t make good use of it, but just in terms of amounts, I could live lavishly for six months without a problem.
And that wasn’t all. If I took the opportunity to farm while hunting in Pahera, I’d say the money would multiply.
“So, you were… a errand boy for the Security Maintenance Force? And not alone, what brings you here?”
“Thank you for your time, Commander Deivalt. Actually, today it’s not me, but this person who wants to discuss something, so I’m taking the liberty to come see you.”
“Hmm.”
Currently, I was the one here to negotiate, so it would be courteous to at least show my face.
I pulled off my hood and swept the hem of my clothing that had crept up to my nose.
For the first time, a change appeared on the usually indifferent expression of the Wolf Beastman.
“Isn’t the strongest Vampire on your side Marquis Ludrik Marcus?”
His gaze sharpened as though he found something unexpected, scrutinizing me. However, the look he gave wasn’t the ordinary kind where one judged appearance.
He was measuring how strong I might be. And if he could beat me in a fight.
I couldn’t tell if this was an expression of hostility or merely a habitual act, but I realized once again that he wasn’t an opponent who would be fooled by mere appearances.
“I arrived the day before yesterday. I’m Scarlet. This one here is Eleonora.”
Suddenly, an unspoken pressure prickled down my spine.
Had I annoyed him by not adopting a submissive posture?
Noting the bulging muscles that seemed like a dump truck, I felt the etiquette previously sealed within my veins stirring to life, but I didn’t cower and stood my ground to face him.
‘I can’t bow to someone weaker than Martini.’
The strongest Vampire, Martini Sahelrn, had bowed her head to me and showed me the proper etiquette.
If it truly came down to a situation where I had to, then it can’t be helped, but if I cower without reason anytime, it would tarnish her honor.
Honestly, I’m still not sure if I’m worth that. But for now, if the head of my only ally in this world wished for such, I had an obligation to maintain my dignity.
There was a silent showdown that lasted about five seconds.
As my heartbeat began to quicken seriously, I was relieved that they had at least backed down first.
“I’m the leader of the resistance, Commander Kanak Deivalt. So, what brings you to seek me out?”
Thank goodness. If it was delayed any longer, I might have slightly falter.
I survived because the opponent was the kind that values substance over form.
Nor did I intend to prolong this warfare of nerves; I spoke directly about my purpose.
“I’d like to purchase one serving of food daily.”
“…Food, you say?”
His voice sounded almost like a growl. Something must have agitated him, as I felt a prickling menace.
Instinctively, tension wrapped over me.
I hadn’t said anything strange. What was the problem?
The leader of the resistance wouldn’t abandon the residents of the Mist Labyrinth to attack me, but to gain a favorable position in case of anything, I slightly moved to the left.
“Regardless of the lack of supplies, do you think I would sell our kin as prey for Vampire’s food?”
“Wait. Not that food. I’m talking about grains or meat that you consume.”
As I hurried to correct what seemed to be a major misunderstanding, Kanak paused. I felt the tension in him dissipate and slowly exhaled the breath I had been holding.
A moment of awkward silence trickled through.
Did you really think I came to buy Beastman blood from you?
There’s a sense of morality, after all. Just how crazy do you think I am?
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