Usually, a stranger offering kindness without payment would be suspicious as hell to me. He should have the ability to defeat those monster by himself, why would he want to repay me? Even though that I'm a beastmen that will endanger his position in this place? What kind of nonsense is that? He could be working with the oncoming group and try to deceive me.

But maybe the fact I'm in a strange land with everything potentially hostile to me, or the strange dream I had before, or my instinct, or my tired mind and drained nerve, made me threw out all those thoughts and decided to trust this strange man, at least for now. If this potion really worked as he said, then this would be a great asset for me. I waited for a moment, then tasteless green liquid I downed has worked with wonder.

As if an illusion has been cast on me, my ears replaced with human one and my tail have disappeared. My hair changed into brown and I think my eyes color changed too. Surprisingly, I didn't feel anything when the transformation happens, just a tingling sensation in my stomach moving around my body and that's it. A whole different kind of transformation potion that I had read on books, which involve a very painful experience that people won't love for.

I stared at the empty small bottle in fascination, although I want to question the ash-haired man more, the group of people that have been drawing closer has arrived before us, the man stood in front of me, as if protecting me from those people. I watched and observed the group of humans silently.

They are wearing steel armor with two insignias etched in front of their breastplate, the Jordg Kingdom symbol with another one I didn't recognize. One of them stepped forward, this man was wearing a slightly fancier armor than the other and he was glaring at us with his distrustful brown eyes. Another person stepped forward, a woman with blonde wavy hair, her eyes are striking blue, her beautiful face was twisted with anger and directed to us.

"You!! Don't think just because you know my father, I can tolerate your disrespect behavior any longer!! How dare you leave me alone at the gate!" The woman was fuming and pointing her finger at the ash-haired man.

This woman..., uh oh, she is that person before, shit, I should just run away after all...

"I'm sorry." the man apologized, even though his voice didn't feel a little bit sorry at all. The woman seems didn't satisfied with his apology. And worse, she noticed me and observed me for a second. After my face registered with her mind, her eyes widened in shock.

"That brat!! He is that beastman I met before!! Guard, grab that child!!" She immediately ordered the soldier around her to capture me. Of course, that order was met with confusion, since the child in their eyes should be just a harmless human child.

"My lady." The soldier with fancier armor before bowed slightly to the woman. "Forgive me, but I didn't see any beastmen child around here..." He glanced and looked at me from head to toe.

"That child is a beastmen!! He must have used illusion magic to conceal his beast ears and tail!" She was pointing her finger at me, then she glared at the ash-haired man fiercely. "...You, you should have recognized that brat, what do you think you are doing? Hiding a collarless beastmen is a crime!"

"...What are you saying? I don't see any beastmen here, I think you mistook him as someone else. You must be tired from the ordeal before, I think you need some rest, lady Marinl." The man shrugs off her proclamation. The woman has flabbergasted face, shocked by the man lies. She was flapping her mouth open and close without producing any sound.

"...How about this, lady Marinl, I will bring this child to the poacher, they should be able to discern this child true identity clearly." The soldier before suggested to the shocked woman. She comes to her sense immediately and closed her opened mouth.

"Yes, that should bring the truth out to the light, I will go back now, I will leave this matter to you, Captain Tress. Make sure to punish them the moment they are proven guilty." She glared at us one last time before turned her body and walked away. Four soldiers followed her, leaving the captain and one soldier with us.

"Now." The captain squinted his eyes at us. "You two will follow me and don't even think to ran away, if you dare to do anything funny.... you can count yourself dead."

The soldier urged us to move, my heart was anxious with this development. Since I used a transformation potion and not an illusion magic, it should not be that easy to be detected. I raised my head and stared at the ash-haired man, if they managed to discern my true race, then this man would be judged as criminal. The man seems to have noticed my stare and looked at me.

"Don't worry, we will be fine." He patted my head to assure me, although I didn't feel fine at all. Hanging my fate on another person didn't bode well with me.

We were walking toward the city and passed the gate without a fuss. And the first thing I do was holding my breath, literally, because the stench was overwhelming me. I let my eyes take in the scenery around me, the paved road was unmaintained, with holes and crack everywhere. A lot of beggars was scurrying beside the street and alleys. Only a few people were walking on the street, most of them were peeking through their house window, watching us closely.

"...This city has three gates, this place is for the poor civilian, the poacher place should be slightly east from here." The man whispered to me, I nodded my head and continue to look at this forsaken place.

We walked for a while, until we entered an area that was slightly better than that place before, although not by much, at least the smell was gone and the road was maintained properly. My eyes latched at the biggest building we were heading, it was three stories and colored in black, the building gave an ominous feeling. We entered and the door ringed, a bell was attached at the upper side of the door.

"Good afternoon, welcome Captain Tress, how rare for you to came here without the lord, how may I help you?" A fat middle-aged man came and greeted us, he was dressed in colorful clothes with fancy decoration everywhere. Gold ring and necklace adorned his finger and neck, speaking full well of his wealth.

"Issen, bring one of your poachers out. This child has been placed suspicion to be a beastmen and I need one your men." The captain pointed at me. The fat man, Issen, moved his gaze to me, his crescent eyes stared at me from head to toe, making me extremely uncomfortable.

"Aah, of course, of course, will do, please wait in the room we readied while I bring my men here." He clasped his hand together and smiled widely. Soon a servant came and escorted us to a room, we waited for a while, before Issen came back with another person in tow. The moment the new person came into my vision, I immediately noticed.

This guy is a mage

He was wearing a dark brown cloak, in his hand was a staff with a red crystal attached. His eyes darted around the room, until it settled on me.

"...this is the child?" He asked and was confirmed by the captain with a nod. He walked until he was in front of me, his staff was raised and the crystal started glowing, infused with Mana.

"Don't move." Then he chanted a few spells that were foreign to my ear. After a few minutes passed, the crystal stopped glowing and turned into normal red. He put down the staff he raised and turned his body toward the captain.

"He is a human. I can't detect any illusion magic or any abnormalities in his body with my spell." He reported his finding with a flat tone, seemingly uninterested with the ongoing event.

"...Are you sure?" The captain squinted his eyes at the mage.

"Yes, I'm sure of it." The mage stared at the Captain unblinkingly. "Even if you called another person to check on him, you likely will get the same result as well."

"I see..." The captain seems in deep thought. The mage was dismissed by Issen, then the silent ash-haired man finally spoke, breaking the silence.

"If you are done, can we go now? I still have job to do." The man sighed and stared at the captain. The captain in turn glared at him, then his gaze moved to me.

"Wait, answer me this question first. Why would a defenseless child go into the forest? What is your purpose at there?" He was staring at me intently, watching my every movement I made.

"...Actually, I was playing dare with my friends and I slipped outside when the guards aren't watching, I'm sorry." I spoke sheepishly and tilted my head down, looking like a guilty child. The captain was silent, while I was hoping that he will bite this lie without a fuss. Hopefully.

The captain sighed. "Fine, both of you are dismissed." He glanced at us one last time before walked away. We too, walked outside since we don't have any reason to stay at this creepy place. I sighed in relief. Crisis avoided, I guess?

"My name is Ambrose, what is yours?" The man suddenly spoke and I raised my head to look at him. He was looking at the retreating back of the soldier before.

Ambrose huh? What a girly name.

"Hiiro. And thanks for helping me there." I uttered my gratitude at him. Although I didn't know his reason or motive, this man had helped me even though it put him in danger. At least he wasn't someone that wished me harm.

"Hiiro, what is your plan after this?" He tilted his head down and stared at me, while I was thinking about his question seriously.

"Uhm, my first priority is getting out of this kingdom, I guess? Although I didn't know where I should go exactly." I tilted my head at him. He sighed then scratched his head in frustration, he looks at the sky as if he was conflicted with something in his mind.

"Hah..., you are really troublesome, follow me." He walked away without explaining more and I followed right behind him.

We walked to a more crowded area, this place was brimming with shop and food stands. We turned and entered an alley. The alley was dirty and littered with trash, we turned to the left, then left again, right and left, after the numerous turn, the man finally stopped walking. In front of him was a wooden door, he raised his hand and turned the doorknob.

I peeked inside, it was clean and has this roomy feel to it, unlike the dirty alley and cracked wall we passed before. I followed the man and looked around the room. Two table and four chairs on the right side of the room, a stair was placed behind on the left. In front of me is an old wooden counter.

The wooden floor slightly creaked as I walk. Suddenly, the door behind the counter opened, a woman with a simple grey dress walked into our vision. She stopped her movement went she noticed us.

"Welcome back, Amb. How rare, it seems you have brought a guest?" The woman smiled and stared at me.

She has droopy sunset colored eyes. Her light brown hair was tied low and flowing down from her shoulder to her chest. She put down the blanket she held on the counter and slowly walked to my direction. She crouched down and her eyes meet mine.

"You are really cute, what is your name?" Her voice was soft and mellow. She patted my head and squished my cheek. I take a step back, a bit uncomfortable with her sudden touch. But my retreat has failed by her hug.

"Aah, smooth and fluffy, you are like a doll, …let me hug you." She was scrubbing her face onto mine, her thin arm was surprisingly strong.

"???" I was shaken by this strange woman unrestrained action. I raised my head and look at the man, demanding an explanation.

"This woman here is Vivian, the innkeeper of this place." Ambrose pointed at Vivian and introduced themselves, but made no indication to help me.

"Err, my name is Hiiro, nice to meet you Vivian, so... this place is an inn?" I pushed Vivian away, making sure that I didn't do it too forcefully. Ambrose nodded his head.

"Vi, he is going to stay at here for a while." Ambrose explained shortly. I was surprised by his declaration.

Was he going to let me stay at his place?

"My, how wonderful, welcome to the Greenyard Inn. Are you hungry? Let me whip up some food for you." Vivian clapped her hands together and beamed a smile at me. She stood up and walk back to the door before.

The woman has gone as quickly as she comes and silent cascaded for a while. Ambrose walked to a nearby chair and sat on it. He put his two short swords on the table and staring at the window wordlessly.

"Sir Ambrose."

"Ambrose is enough." He stifled a yawn. His eyes still latched on the window.

"Uhm, I want to ask you... why would do this far for me? Hiding a collarless beastman should be dangerous to you." I stared at the man, curious with his motive for helping me. So far, in this short time we are together, I was pretty sure he isn't someone who was wishing me harm. Instead, sometimes his eyes which were hidden behind his long bang, contained a sort of longing when looked at me.

"…On the point huh? Well, how should I explain this…" He ruffled his own hair. His light grey colored eyes fully revealed for a moment, deep into his own memories, before his attention back to reality. He turned his head and stared at me for a while.

"In the past, I have a friend, she was the same race as you. Looking at you just reminded me of her, so I helped you out of nostalgia and that's it." Ambrose rummaged one of his pouches on his belt, while I was in deep thought.

I don't think that is all of the stories.... but I guess that's fine. If he wants to help me, I don't have any reason to refuse him, I need every help and information I can get. I didn't sense any ill intent from him too and this place will serve as a nice temporary base before I can get out from this kingdom. The problem is...

Where should I go?

I don't really have any strong reason to go back to the Eschaton town. I'm pretty sure the Nierheart siblings and Llna was out of the teleportation spells. And actually, I planned to leave that town and explore this world either way, although that plan is for a few years more....

"Here, take this." Ambrose put five small bottles at the table and pushed it at me. Each bottle was four inch long and one inch wide, inside the bottle was the same liquid I downed before, my eyes immediately widened, the transformation potion!

"One potion only last for one day, so make sure you drink this before the transformation effect disappeared. Also, you better fill your stomach up with food first before you downed this, and ..." He droned on and on, explained what I have to do and don't before using this potion, information about this town rules and this inn. I stared at him silently, despite his sharp eyes and distant aura around him, he was quite a caring person.

"You are a very kind person, aren't you?" I spoke my thought out loud and he stopped his long explanation, his mouth was agape and I'm pretty sure he was looking at me like with a disbelief expression.

"Wha, what the hell are you saying?!" His voice raised and his reaction was a bit unexpected.

"Hmm? Saying a fact? That city lord daughter must have called that group of soldiers to capture me. And you know it and came to me first, helped a person you have never met before, giving him a place to stay and hide his race from other people, moreover you did all of this without rewards. What else should I describe you?" I tilted my head and look straight at him. His ears are a bit red... huh? Is he embarrassed?

"You..... never mind, just take these potions already, I don't have any left so you better take care of it. Don't blame me if you got taken away by the poacher got it?!" He was speaking quickly and his calm demeanor before is gone. His flustered state has amused me and didn't suit his cool appearance at all.

I see, so he is the type who can't handle praise? Then how about this...

"Ah, I want to ask this since a while ago, since only you two lived at here, is Vivian your lover?"

"No, why would you think that?!" He was waving his hand swiftly, denied my proclamation at their relationship.

"Hmm, of course, you have an above average face and Vivian is quite pretty too, both of you have lived in this house together for a long time, normally people will assume you guys are a couple.... Hey, what do you think of her, appearance-wise?" I inched closer to Ambrose and he was taken aback, he was confused by my barrage of questions and his ears was getting redder. In my mind, I was grinning like a Cheshire cat right now. My bad habit with teasing people has surfaced.

"What, do I think of her?" He became silent for a while, before he realized what I mean.

"I don't have any reason to tell you, we just met today, and what with you?! Stop asking these strange questions!" He stood up from his chair and slammed his right hand on the table like a hot-blooded person. Aah, he definitely blushing right now

"What question?"

"Wahh?!" Ambrose jumped from surprise and immediately turned his body. Behind him was Vivian, which was holding a tray with two plates of food. She was looking at Ambrose with her innocent eyes.

"Hmm, what question? What question, Amb?" She repeated the word like a parrot and inched closer to Ambrose until they could feel each other breath. Ambrose was moving backward until his back hit the wall, he was really flustered right now.

"We were talking about what he thinks about your appearance." I answered her question instead of Ambrose, and he was staring at me with shock.

"My appearance?" Vivian tilted her head and I nodded. Then she moved away and walk toward the table, Ambrose was sighing in relief, freed from her grasp.

She put down the tray she was holding on the table. She turned her body and faced Ambrose, raising the hem of her simple grey dress, she twirls slowly for two times, her dress flutter as she spins. Then she looked back again at Ambrose, this time with an expectant face. "What do you think?"

"Huh?" uttered Ambrose. He was still standing with his back on the wall.

"My appearance, do you like it?" She asked for the second time. Ambrose was stunned by the question.

"...why are you like this too..." He ruffled his hair in annoyance and his eyes stared at the ground beside him.

"So, you hate it?" Her face saddened like a wounded puppy. Currently, Ambrose has a conflicted expression on his face, I'm sure he was too embarrassed to put what he thought into words, but as a caring person like him, he doesn't want to hurt her feeling. And here I am, watching their drama at the sidelines.

"...I don't hate it, I guess..." He was speaking in a very soft voice, his eyes still looking at elsewhere, while scratching at his hair awkwardly. Vivian smiled brightly, she takes his hand and pulling him to the table.

"Here, I made some food for you too, Amb. Hiiro eats it too before its get cold." She placed the plates of food in front of us. Then she gets herself a chair and sat at the same table.

She was smiling happily while watching us eat, Ambrose clearly looked uncomfortable by her stare, I was enjoying my food while feeling amused with this whole situation. Putting a chunk of meat in my mouth, my mind wanders to what going to happen in the future.