Wolf’s remark gathered a large wave of uneasiness from the members .

   ‘And I’m stuck in the middle of it all!’ I muttered in my heart .

   The village had minimal contact with the outside world, only engaging with other members of the same tribe . For those that had lived with these rules all their lives, a foreign ent.i.ty such as myself would surely be deemed an outcast, or even worse, an eyesore . The general consensus for me to be their next chief’s bride was outrageously low already, but to propose that I become their master? That’s overstepping the line by a mile . No one would’ve ever suggested this, not even as a joke .

   There were many confused arguments over this ‘scandal’ and what not . It got so bad that they had to take an intermission to the meeting .

   Naturally, I was to be detained until further notice .

   I was separated from Wolf and was guided towards the main house .

   The room was about eight tatami mats in size with stone walls and a window located high out of my reach . It was furnished with a simple table, a chair, and a bed . It looked nothing like a prison .

“Please use this room . ”

   Since it’s the chief’s guide himself that brought me here, there shouldn’t be any problems, but I still had my doubts .

   Wasn’t I supposed to be detained?

“Um… Is it really okay if I use this room?”

   The chief let out a sigh at my confusion .

“We won’t be putting you in prison since you’re a princess . However, this was decided so that we can protect ourselves . Don’t mistake this as a welcoming gesture . ”

“Yes!”

   I stretched my back straight and answered him diligently as he glared sharply at me .

“I’ll appoint someone to take care of you, so if you have anything you need, just ask her . Come here, Lily . ”

   When the Chief called out, a small girl walked in . I think she was about my age or maybe a year younger . Her dark grey, shoulder-length hair contained no frayed edges . Her slightly upturned eyes were the colour of honey and she had dark skin . But her body was so slim it looked borderline unhealthy .

   Her facial expression changed somewhat as she walked in . The Kua Clan tribal clothing she wore looked very similar to a kimono . She reminded me of a j.a.panese doll, but obviously, all the colours were different .

   The chief pa.s.sed on some instructions to Lily and left . Since I didn’t know what to do next, I just silently stood still on the spot . Lily stood facing the entrance and the room became dead silent .

“Um… Lily?”

“Yes?”

   I shakily called out to her and Lily turned towards me . Her Noh mask expression dealt some serious damage to my mental health . I continued talking as if treading on thin gla.s.s .

“Do you know where Wolf is?”

“He’s currently being held in prison . ”

   Lily said so without any emotion .

“Prison!?”

   I thought he might be somewhere else, but a prison of all places . Although I was surprised, it might be inevitable after what he had done . He dared to bring an outsider into the village and even proposed her to be their new master . Yeah, that might’ve broken some rules alright .

“About that, do you think it’s possible if I could see him-”

   She immediately shook her head .  Of course not, huh~

   I couldn’t calm down while standing so I finally sat down on the edge of the bed . I glanced towards Lily, but she still hadn’t budged an inch from where she was .  I’d like to ask you lots of things and gather information, so can you please talk to me even if for a little bit?

“If you don’t need anything else, then I shall excuse myself . ”

“Eh?”

“I’ll be outside . If you need anything please knock on the door . ”

   Even though she spoke in a calm and serene voice without las.h.i.+ng at me, I still couldn’t help but keep my mouth shut .

   This is bad . She’ll leave me at this rate!

“Goodbye . ”

“Ah! Um! Can you please tell me something?”

   When I abruptly called for her, Lily immediately stopped moving . After a few seconds, she finally nodded . Unlike her poker-faces from before, I could see her eyebrows lifting up slightly in protest of how much of a pain this was .

   But if I backed down here, I would lose her forever . In that case, I won’t hold back . I hadn’t decided what I wanted to do from here on out, but I did know that being locked up in this room wouldn’t solve anything .

“If you don’t mind, the chair over there…”

“No thank you . So, what did you want to hear?”

   Ugh, so distant .

   I may be little discouraged now, but I won’t lose . I won’t lose, alright!

“I would like you to tell me about the Kua Clan . ”

   The air immediately froze . Nevermind the annoyed eyebrow look from before, she was full-on getting angrier by the second . She held a sharp glare and bit her lips . It was clear that she had already recognised me as her enemy .

“Of course, I don’t want to hear anything regarding your medicines and the recipes that you keep secret from the rest of the outside world . It’s not that at all… More like…”

“Of course, I don’t want to hear anything regarding your medicines and the recipes that you keep secret from the rest of the outside world . It’s not that at all… More like…”

   My voice gradually became smaller . That’s because I had just realised something fundamental . Since the village in its entirety was hidden, any other details would still be prohibited to share to strangers, no matter how small . Especially if one had been marked as an enemy . I won’t have a chance to find their weaknesses like this!

“…We will explain everything as we guide you through the village tomorrow . So please wait until then . ”

“I knew it, it’s no use after all… Eh?” I vigorously raised up my drooping face .

“Chief’s decision . He would like you to comply . ”

   She didn’t look like she agreed with him though, but Lily said so anyway .

“Is it alright for me to walk around the village?”

   And with a guide no less! What is this? A sightseeing trip!?

   Lily said ‘That’s how it was decided . ’ with the same unconvinced face as I was still stunned beyond belief . I didn’t understand any of this . This wasn’t happening because of her, but rather, it was decided by the chief .

   But that same chief also said that he wasn’t welcoming me . What’s the meaning of this?

   While I was confused out of my head, Lily left the room . I could lay down on the bed and stretch to my heart’s content now that I was alone . Although it’s bad manners, I couldn’t care less since no one was watching .

“I wonder if there are any problems with the Kua Clan…”

   A doubt formed in my mind .

   I couldn’t keep up with the developments so far because I had always been kept on my toes, but now that that’s over, various questions kept flooding in . First of all, why did Wolf want me to be their new master?

   He talked to me about how thieves would be out to hunt them down for medicines and their people for profit . But was that really all there is to it?

   It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that he chose a dangerous plan this time around . Even if he met me by chance, there was a limit to how rough his plan was .

   If he hadn’t been careful and ended up having to take responsibility for his actions, he wouldn’t be able to become the next chief .

“We have great skills and knowledge, but what’s the point in keeping all of it to ourselves? I absolutely refuse to stay in these backwater mountains for the rest of my life, content with doing nothing and saving no one . I won’t let them drive my life down into destruction like that . ”

“We have great skills and knowledge, but what’s the point in keeping all of it to ourselves? I absolutely refuse to stay in these backwater mountains for the rest of my life, content with doing nothing and saving no one . I won’t let them drive my life down into destruction like that . ”

   Wolf’s words from when we were in the cave came to mind .

   Come to think of it, he did say something about ‘destruction . ’ At first, I thought he was referring to the thieves, but that’s not it . Since he talked about not being able to do anything while being in these mountains, the thieves shouldn’t be related .

   Rather, wasn’t the whole point of being reclusive to prevent criminals from finding them in the first place? If so, then what was this ‘destruction’ he talked about?

“… . The more I think about this, the less I understand . ”

   I held my hand over my forehead and shut my eyelids . I was so tired I couldn’t think properly .

   The sensation of something being stuck in my throat kept testing my patience .  If they give me a proper explanation tomorrow, would this annoying feeling go away?

“…Ouch!”

   Something struck my forehead and I bounced up in pain .

   While looking around and rubbing the strike zone, I saw a tree nut in the shape of an acorn rolling on the bed sheet .  What’s this?

   I wonder if it’s from the tree nearby .

   Thinking so, I looked out the window where my eyes fell upon a black bird .

“…Ah . ”

   What is a bird doing here…?

   I was only confused for a few seconds before I noticed the piece of paper that was tied to one of its legs .

   It’s one of his—Crowe’s—birds!

   I rushed up to it and stretched out my hand .

   I wonder if it’s naturally friendly to humans or just trained? The bird stayed still and didn’t try to escape . With some difficulty, I undid the knot on the letter and opened it with one hand .

 .

 .

   Wolf’s remark gathered a large wave of uneasiness from the members    ‘And I’m stuck in the middle of it all!’ I muttered in my heart

   The village had minimal contact with the outside world, only engaging with other members of the same tribe . For those that had lived with these rules all their lives, a foreign ent.i.ty such as myself would surely be deemed an outcast, or even worse, an eyesore . The general consensus for me to be their next chief’s bride was outrageously low already, but to propose that I become their master? That’s overstepping the line by a mile . No one would’ve ever suggested this, not even as a joke

   There were many confused arguments over this ‘scandal’ and what not . It got so bad that they had to take an intermission to the meeting    Naturally, I was to be detained until further notice

   I was separated from Wolf and was guided towards the main house    The room was about eight tatami mats in size with stone walls and a window located high out of my reach . It was furnished with a simple table, a chair, and a bed . It looked nothing like a prison

“Please use this room . ”.

   Since it’s the chief’s guide himself that brought me here, there shouldn’t be any problems, but I still had my doubts    Wasn’t I supposed to be detained?.

“Um… Is it really okay if I use this room?”.

   The chief let out a sigh at my confusion

“We won’t be putting you in prison since you’re a princess . However, this was decided so that we can protect ourselves . Don’t mistake this as a welcoming gesture . ”.

“Yes!”.

   I stretched my back straight and answered him diligently as he glared sharply at me

“I’ll appoint someone to take care of you, so if you have anything you need, just ask her . Come here, Lily . ”.

   When the Chief called out, a small girl walked in . I think she was about my age or maybe a year younger . Her dark grey, shoulder-length hair contained no frayed edges . Her slightly upturned eyes were the colour of honey and she had dark skin . But her body was so slim it looked borderline unhealthy    Her facial expression changed somewhat as she walked in . The Kua Clan tribal clothing she wore looked very similar to a kimono . She reminded me of a j.a.panese doll, but obviously, all the colours were different

   The chief pa.s.sed on some instructions to Lily and left . Since I didn’t know what to do next, I just silently stood still on the spot . Lily stood facing the entrance and the room became dead silent

“Um… Lily?”.

“Yes?”.

   I shakily called out to her and Lily turned towards me . Her Noh mask expression dealt some serious damage to my mental health . I continued talking as if treading on thin gla.s.s

“Do you know where Wolf is?”.

“He’s currently being held in prison . ”.

   Lily said so without any emotion

“Prison!?”.

   I thought he might be somewhere else, but a prison of all places . Although I was surprised, it might be inevitable after what he had done . He dared to bring an outsider into the village and even proposed her to be their new master . Yeah, that might’ve broken some rules alright

“About that, do you think it’s possible if I could see him-”.

   She immediately shook her head .  Of course not, huh~.

   I couldn’t calm down while standing so I finally sat down on the edge of the bed . I glanced towards Lily, but she still hadn’t budged an inch from where she was .  I’d like to ask you lots of things and gather information, so can you please talk to me even if for a little bit?.

“If you don’t need anything else, then I shall excuse myself . ”.

“Eh?”.

“I’ll be outside . If you need anything please knock on the door . ”.

   Even though she spoke in a calm and serene voice without las.h.i.+ng at me, I still couldn’t help but keep my mouth shut    This is bad . She’ll leave me at this rate!.

“Goodbye . ”.

“Ah! Um! Can you please tell me something?”.

   When I abruptly called for her, Lily immediately stopped moving . After a few seconds, she finally nodded . Unlike her poker-faces from before, I could see her eyebrows lifting up slightly in protest of how much of a pain this was    But if I backed down here, I would lose her forever . In that case, I won’t hold back . I hadn’t decided what I wanted to do from here on out, but I did know that being locked up in this room wouldn’t solve anything

“If you don’t mind, the chair over there…”.

“No thank you . So, what did you want to hear?”.

   Ugh, so distant    I may be little discouraged now, but I won’t lose . I won’t lose, alright!.

“I would like you to tell me about the Kua Clan . ”.

   The air immediately froze . Nevermind the annoyed eyebrow look from before, she was full-on getting angrier by the second . She held a sharp glare and bit her lips . It was clear that she had already recognised me as her enemy

“Of course, I don’t want to hear anything regarding your medicines and the recipes that you keep secret from the rest of the outside world . It’s not that at all… More like…”.

   My voice gradually became smaller . That’s because I had just realised something fundamental . Since the village in its entirety was hidden, any other details would still be prohibited to share to strangers, no matter how small . Especially if one had been marked as an enemy . I won’t have a chance to find their weaknesses like this!.

“…We will explain everything as we guide you through the village tomorrow . So please wait until then . ”.

“I knew it, it’s no use after all… Eh?” I vigorously raised up my drooping face

“Chief’s decision . He would like you to comply . ”.

   She didn’t look like she agreed with him though, but Lily said so anyway

“Is it alright for me to walk around the village?”.

   And with a guide no less! What is this? A sightseeing trip!?.    Lily said ‘That’s how it was decided . ’ with the same unconvinced face as I was still stunned beyond belief . I didn’t understand any of this . This wasn’t happening because of her, but rather, it was decided by the chief    But that same chief also said that he wasn’t welcoming me . What’s the meaning of this?.

   While I was confused out of my head, Lily left the room . I could lay down on the bed and stretch to my heart’s content now that I was alone . Although it’s bad manners, I couldn’t care less since no one was watching

“I wonder if there are any problems with the Kua Clan…”.

   A doubt formed in my mind    I couldn’t keep up with the developments so far because I had always been kept on my toes, but now that that’s over, various questions kept flooding in . First of all, why did Wolf want me to be their new master?.

   He talked to me about how thieves would be out to hunt them down for medicines and their people for profit . But was that really all there is to it?.    It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that he chose a dangerous plan this time around . Even if he met me by chance, there was a limit to how rough his plan was    If he hadn’t been careful and ended up having to take responsibility for his actions, he wouldn’t be able to become the next chief

“We have great skills and knowledge, but what’s the point in keeping all of it to ourselves? I absolutely refuse to stay in these backwater mountains for the rest of my life, content with doing nothing and saving no one . I won’t let them drive my life down into destruction like that . ”.

   Wolf’s words from when we were in the cave came to mind    Come to think of it, he did say something about ‘destruction . ’ At first, I thought he was referring to the thieves, but that’s not it . Since he talked about not being able to do anything while being in these mountains, the thieves shouldn’t be related    Rather, wasn’t the whole point of being reclusive to prevent criminals from finding them in the first place? If so, then what was this ‘destruction’ he talked about?.

“… . The more I think about this, the less I understand . ”.

   I held my hand over my forehead and shut my eyelids . I was so tired I couldn’t think properly    The sensation of something being stuck in my throat kept testing my patience .  If they give me a proper explanation tomorrow, would this annoying feeling go away?.

“…Ouch!”.

   Something struck my forehead and I bounced up in pain    While looking around and rubbing the strike zone, I saw a tree nut in the shape of an acorn rolling on the bed sheet .  What’s this?.

   I wonder if it’s from the tree nearby    Thinking so, I looked out the window where my eyes fell upon a black bird

“…Ah . ”.

   What is a bird doing here…?.    I was only confused for a few seconds before I noticed the piece of paper that was tied to one of its legs    It’s one of his—Crowe’s—birds!.

   I rushed up to it and stretched out my hand    I wonder if it’s naturally friendly to humans or just trained? The bird stayed still and didn’t try to escape . With some difficulty, I undid the knot on the letter and opened it with one hand