Borara POV

After Perripi and I were bandaged, we moved away from the scene of the bloodbath. I left Garo and Urfa there to salvage whatever they could. We were just about a couple dozen steps away from them that in case Kuma detected any beasts in the vicinity, we could quickly regroup and get into formation. Anyway, we didn’t have much time since the scent of the blood was bound to attack more beasts so I asked them to hurry it up. Meanwhile, we started our introductions.

"I am the one they call Borara. At present, I serve as the leader of this party. As their representative, I would like to convey my gratitude to you for pulling us out of the situation where it was unlikely that any of us would have survived."

I took the initiative and spoke in as formal a tone as my inexperienced self could manage. The man who had appeared to our defense was apparently the same human who had caused a huge commotion in our village not long ago, just by existing. Contrary to what I had heard though, he was incredibly powerful and I had to tread on this very carefully.

"There's no way he would've understood any of it."

Perripi interrupted before I could introduce the others. Before I could ask what she meant, the woman who had arrived with the human spoke up.

"What do you think I'm here for, girl?"

"Girl!? I'm 18!"

Perripi snapped at the woman's condescending tone.

"So? I'm 20."

She gave a superior smirk to the Perripi.

"You don't need to worry about my Satoshi. He'll soon be perfectly fluent in the language, thanks to my teaching."

"Where do you go about calling him yours, you slut!"

(What the hell is this girl doing!? Does she want to get us all killed!)

"Wha wha wha wha.. how dare you call me a slut! I'm his wife! W.I.F.E. Wife!"

"He doesn't even know what that means... You slut."

Kuma grabbed my shoulder from behind, his hands trembling.

(I need to stop this idiot!)

"You called me that again!? And what's your relation with him anyway? He didn't even remember your stupid name. What was it again? Poop? Poop pie? Poopie pie?"

"It's Perripi! And what the hell is Feriana? Are you a ferret!?"

Right as I was going to jump at Perripi to shut her trap...

"Umm.. yes?"

"... what?"

"I'm a ferret sub-species. You got any problem with ferrets?"

(Please don’t have any problem! Oh lord!)

"No.. I mean.. My apologies. I've never encountered other sub-species so I am not aware of what they look like."

(Huh?)

"Ah, that's alright. I can't really blame you if that's the case. Mind if I inquire as to how you met Satoshi prior to today?"

I rubbed my eyes and scratched my ears. This was too fast and too nonsensical to keep track of.

"Ah well.. According to father, he found Mr. Satoshi severely wounded next to a dead badasaur. He then rushed him back to our village where we have a very good healer. But there was nothing he could do about the leg."

"So that's how Satoshi lost his leg. I always wondered what kind of powerful beast could possibly injure him. Though I don't know what kind of beast a badasaur is."

(Okay, things seem to be better I suppose?)

"If it was a badasaur, then he's lucky to even be alive. They are the second most powerful creatures in these forests and many of our people have fallen prey to these massive beasts, or so I'm told."

"You've never seen a badasaur?"

"We're strictly told by my father to not go into their territory."

"They must really be strong."

The woman called Feriana shook her head, probably imagining something.

"Anyways, so what happened after the healing?"

"Ah yes, then Satoshi stayed in our home for 3 days. At that time he gave no indication of being this amazing and crawled through the place on his hands and one leg. It was a pitiful sight, to be honest. He couldn't speak our language either. I didn't really interact with him at all. No one did, except for dad and my younger sister. She's 3 years old, if you're wondering. Then one morning he just.. disappeared."

"Disappeared?"

"Yup. His bedroom window was open and he was nowhere to be found. It was a huge commotion. We even suspected that someone may have kidnapped him, but now I guess I understand how he escaped."

Everyone followed Perripi’s line of sight to the human’s feet. He floating a few inches from the ground.

"I understand."

Feriana nodded in understanding.

"So where were we before I started telling the story?"

(Oh shit…)

"I think we were trying to insult each other."

"Uh yeah…. Sorry about calling you a slut.."

(I’m sorry what?)

"Well, it was incredibly rude of you to call me that but I guess I can forgive you. Also, sorry for calling you a girl. As I can see, you're a proper warrior."

"Thanks for that."

(Praise the lord!!!!!)

"..."

"..."

"Would you like to continue insulting each other later?"

"I'd love to!"

(WHAT THE HELLLLLLL!!!!!?????????)

The two women nodded at each other as they seemed to reach an understanding. The men were all quiet and were giving them weird looks. The weird looks, apart from that of Mister Satoshi, who didn’t seem to be following the conversation, also included feelings of humiliation for belonging to the same intelligent species as these crazy creatures.

"Ahem.."

I finally decided to put a break to their charade.

“Miss Feriana. As I understand, mister Satoshi is not fluent in our tongue?”

“Borara, right?”

“Yes miss Feriana.”

“You don’t need to be so stiff. Relax.. Take a deep breath.. I know you guys just had a near-death experience but now it’s all alright. Anyways, I am pretty sure I’m younger than you, so please use casual speech.”

I had had near-death experiences before but never did I really have a potentially deadly cause of death stand in front of me staring into my eyes. As for her nonchalant expression of the recent incident, I don’t think I can follow this woman my common sense.

“Got it, Feriana.”

“That’s better!”, she said with a clap, “and as for your earlier question. You’re right. Satoshi is not thorough with our beastkin language. I assume what he speaks is the human language since well, he is a human, duh. Though I haven’t met a human other than him, and from the story earlier, neither have you.”

“Indeed you are right, Feriana. In fact, this is the first time I am meeting him. I had known of his existence in the village since it was a very big deal for a human to appear here but I had not had the opportunity to see him at the time. The security was strengthened many folds, and to some extent, still is.”

I couldn’t help but still maintain some semblance of formal speech. As a great wolfman once said, let the sleeping Fenrir lie.

“I see. Due to him not being able to convey himself properly, even I’m not completely sure how he came to you. Well, it’s actually pretty obvious; he must’ve flown. He can go very fast if he wants. I wouldn’t be surprised if he just covered a few thousand kilometres just like that.”

“Wow.”

The one who gave that sound of admiration was Urfa. He just came back with Garo from looting the beasts.

“Ah, I’m sorry. I shall introduce the rest of us. Though if you don't mind, shall we do it while walking to the village? I do assume that mister Satoshi didn't just come all the way here to save our asses from some wild beasts, however deadly they may be."

"I suppose so. He knew exactly where to go after.. some things happened. From what I understand of Perripi's story, I think his intention would have been to meet her family who saved him first."

As everyone turned their gazes to the all-powerful human in the group who'd been staying quiet till now, he took it as the cue to speak.

"Smirnie."

"So he is here to meet dad! Then follow me, people!"

She announced that even though we were still walking and the direction was still the same.

(Did the near-death experience mess up her head? Or is it something to do with the human?)

I shook my head. There was no need thinking about this.

"Let me introduce everyone. This is Urfangio. He’s the youngest and is training to be a hunter. We usually take one of the kids like him for a few months for them to get used to the woods till they can handle themselves and can go into the easier parts of the forest with another team.”

“Ohhhhh… So you’re teaching the future generation in your ways…”

“I guess you can put it that way. And this is Kamudatou. He’s our ranger.”

Kuma stiffly waved back at the excitedly waving Feriana.

“And this short and bulky guy here is Garoudu. He’s supposed to be our tank.”

“Hello miss Feriana. As leader Bora has already said, thank you for saving us.”

I was shocked at Garo acting so respectfully. We always teased him for being a bit of a musclehead, but it turns out he could be tactful when needed. The things a man has to do for survival.

“And you already know the last member, Perripi. If you could kindly tell me why you and mister Satoshi decided to make your way back here?”

I quickly changed the topic before any kind of conversation could start between Feriana and Perripi again.

“Umm..”

Feriana had a despondent look for a second before she spoke again.

“I’m not exactly sure. Satoshi brought me here and as his obedient wife, I don’t really doubt his motives. It must be to thank Smirnie?”

That's what I wanted to believe too. But the human was too powerful and potentially dangerous to bring back to the village. If something happens, it'll be on my head. Though that wasn’t really as big a problem as the village disappearing because I was gullible enough to believe them when I shouldn’t be.

"Any chance you can confirm with him right now? It'll just make it easier to introduce him when we arrive at the village."

"Satoshi."

I stiffened up as soon as I realised his attention was on us.

"Why do you want to meet 'Smirnie'?

"Thank him. Save my life."

(PRAISE THE LORRRRDDDDD!!!!!)

I somehow managed to contain my inner excitement.

"Thank the lords he's not going to destroy the bloody village."

"..." "..." "..."

The rest of us looked at the musclehead. For a moment earlier I'd thought he could be sensible when needed. Boy had I been so wrong.

"Hahahahaha.. No way he'd do anything like that unless you antagonise him! Hahahaha.."

Thankfully Feriana laughed it off, though the contents of her speech were somewhat troubling.

"Don't joke like that, Garo.. hahaha..haha..ha"

"Ouch, boss.. what the hell ya doing!"

I pinched him in the side in hopes he'd take the hint.

"Perripi. We can make it to the village by ourselves. You go to the village ahead of time and inform your father of the situation. I believe he would require to talk to the village head as well regarding this. Be sure to mention mister Satoshi's intentions and.. his extent of powers, in whatever way feasible per your judgement."

Perripi had to go since the matter concerned her family.

"Kamu, you go with her."

But she was acting weird so better Kamu be there to prevent any disasters.

"Also take Garo with you."

Also to prevent the disaster occurring here.

"But what if some danger appears, boss?"

"I think we'll be fine, since mister Satoshi is here. Could we count on him, Feriana?"

"Umm.. sure?"

I was a little apprehensive at her questionable affirmative.

"And anyways you also need a sizable battle strength with you in case you encounter any beasts on the way. We can manage here with me and mister Satoshi."

I did not believe my own words for a second but that wasn't the point. It was important to send a messenger beforehand to gather up a force for potential retaliation. Though it'd be best if it didn't come to that, since I couldn't see us taking him down without losing a considerable number of our combatants, if at all possible. I remembered that scene. He had somehow gotten precisely the climbertooths and that too simultaneously. I had never seen magic, other than healing magic but I had heard stories. Never, though I'd heard of a magic you couldn't see, or hear, or smell, or feel, yet so powerful. You might not even know, and you'd be dead the next instant.

I shook my head.

"Go."

I ordered them. Perripi had a pout but relented and the three sped up.

Kamu looked back right before they disappeared and I shared him a nod. I'm sure he'll be able to handle things over there.

"I'm sure they will patiently await your arrival with excitement."

I said to our to-be guests.

"Hmm.. I look forward to it as well."

I looked at the flying human. He had relentlessly maintained his flight, and if I were to believe Feriana's earlier words, this was nothing compared to what he was actually capable of.

(Lord save our people.)