A Side - There's Something to See (7)

I could feel my mind grind to a halt as I came to the realization. Beastmen: vicious, violent creatures masquerading around as people. The type of monster that would kill you for simply looking at them the wrong way. A grim reaper primed for slaughter.

So, I did not move.

I did not speak.

"Hmm? Come on? Don't just sit there."

I just remained completely still, even as she pulled on my arm.

...

...

...

"Welp, I'll just leave then."

"H-huh?" She surprised me once again. I was going to live, and it such an anti-climatic fashion. Actually, looking around, it seemed all my knights were still alive, though a bit bruised and battered. Completely different from the stories I grew up with. "Um, wait!"

"Hurry up then," she sighed. "I'll at least escort you to the Adventurer's Guild. They'll find a way to get you back home... or wherever you're going."

As she turned around, her back stretched over the entire alleyway, as if defending everyone from harm. A hallucination, no doubt. But it gave rise to something burning deep within me. A desire I could never put out, not after seeing such a performance, not after imagining could be.

She was a woman who could control her mana to take down elite, trained knights. A likely adventurer that would solo a mid-ranked beast with ease. There was no doubt she could protect Todd without breaking a sweat.

And for those reasons...

I want her.

So, I tagged along, trying to gather whatever information I could. A name, her past, where she was headed -- any clue to convince her to join me.

"...um, what's your name?"

"Hmm, what is my name?"

However, no matter what I asked, she would either answer my question with a muse of her own.

"Well, where are you from then?"

"Somewhere far away."

Or her responses were so vague they bordered on unhelpful.

The most I learned was that she had no fashion sense.

That was it.

Why does this woman have to be so... frustrating!?!

Even by the time we reached a main street, she divulged nothing else. With the Adventurer's Guild only a few minutes away, it wasn't long before we would part. No, it's much too soon. I have to get something, anything at all.

Unfortunately, I wouldn't get the chance.

"WHY DO YOU KEEP IGNORNING MEEEE?!?" In an instant, another adventurer pulled me away from the woman, surrounding me in a defensive formation. They levied their weapons, standing their ground, but I could see the fear clear on their faces. The thoughts running through their heads was obvious: She's a beastman. Who knows what damage she'll cause.

"Did you need something?" And yet, the woman barely reacted, only twisting to escape the man's grasp. She treated the encounter as if it were an everyday occurrence, keeping the sword she stole from my knight captain loosely hanging by her side.

"Yeah, what's a beast like you doing with a little kid?!?"

"Beast?"

With that single world, the air suddenly changed into something more hostile. Although her expression remained the same, the woman's eyes glowed silver, suppressing an overwhelming amount of rage.

The adventurers took on step back. I couldn't help but do the same.

"How dare you call me a beast?"

Still, even with her overwhelming pressure, the adventurer didn't back down. "B-but you are one! I can tell from your eyes!"

"My eyes?" The woman touched her face, slightly surprised. She didn't her mask had fallen off, or more likely, was too busy to think about it. Her anger dissipated at once. Instead, a sense of resignation took hold. And it wasn't long before the crowd exploited that feeling.

"It's a beastman!"

"How can she be so callous as to walk in the street?"

"Someone call the guards!"

"That damn beast, scaring all the kids."

"She's not going to eat us, right?"

Every word they spoke demeaned her. Each jeer was an insult. In their eyes, by existing, she was a criminal.

After all, why wouldn't they think that? Beastmen were abominations: a mix between person and beast. Although fear was the prevailing emotion, at times like this, their lingering hatred took over, leading to such a disparaging scene.

But instead of responding, the woman just walked away without looking back. She didn't engage, nor did she recognize their slander. Even the guards trying to falsely accuse her were left in disbelief as she slipped away, unimpeded.

It was terrifying, yet at the same time, it was ethereal. A savior hated by the people. A tragic adventurer.

And the perfect candidate for a hero.

So what happened? I still don't understand. I had followed her out from the gate, trailing behind just out of sight. Eventually, my knights had recovered enough to join me, helping to give our reunion a more mystical atmosphere. And it should've worked. Her mind was clearly worn down as she slumped against a tree. A ray of hope was all she should've needed. Something I would be the one provide.

And yet...

"Lady Adeline, your orders?" the knight captain asked. Although he had the worse injuries of the four, he still carried out his duty impeccably. "Should we pursue?" He also understood how much I wanted to recruit her.

"...no. We'll return to Edith for now." I knew my priorities. Banking on an impossibility was not worth losing another ten or twenty so-called "heroes" for our cause. Luckily, she was heading south, meaning that, other than one or two villages, the next major town would be Todd, my home.

It seemed like fate. I just had to wrap her in it.

And to make this miracle happen... "Find out everything you can about that woman, from where she stayed to the work she'd done for the Adventurer's Guild. It's likely she hasn't been in the city for long, so find out where she came from and repeat. I want a report in one week by the time we're ready to leave for Todd."

""""Yes, ma'am!"""" My knights responded in unison, slamming their fists against their chests.

Now, I have to focus back on the task at hand. However, no matter what, I will never forget you, beastman.

You will be mine. I'll make sure of it.