Author: Thank you for reading

2 out of 3 today.

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After some simple interrogation to grease the lips on this trio of elves, my group learned of the happenings that took place since Puerial was taken away. It would have been a lot easier for these three if they’d have just cooperated outright. But with a broken bone here and there along with a proper threat toward their man parts from Puerial for added measure, their lips strung out all sorts of things.

Fortunate for them that's all that happened. If they were the more despised sort of people I dislike, I wouldn’t have been so lenient in their treatment. They are only guilty so far of having high pride. Something that I learned can lead to ones undoing. I won't say I don't have pride in myself, but I know when something is out of my league. I just had the fortune to eventually overcome such things with diligence.

From what they said went on after Puerial was taken away, the Arma tribe went all out exterminating any outsiders they came across. The other tribes at first were against bringing trouble upon themselves. But as the only tribe that practices spacial magic in this area, conventional methods to confront them weren’t possible. It can be said that the Arma tribe is the most powerful among the tribes even if the don't have the most numbers.

Not wanting to make enemies with them, most tribes either joined them as they despised other races, or just ignored the matter and didn't’ interfere. These three are from one of the tribes along the fringes and mostly care about surviving. Though they are supposedly allied with the Arma tribe explaining their actions.

They planned to relay our presence to more members and planned to assault us later with an ambush. I can’t help think the three as idiots as they didn’t do a good job being discrete about their hostility. It would have been easier for them to pull off such a thing if they simply pretended to be hospitable in order to get away. Instead they drew us into a confrontation with their unreasonable actions.

Regardless, I now have some information about the current situation concerning the elves in this forest. Basically, their mostly hostile.

Getting Puerial to her family may be more complicated than I thought. But right now my main concern is…

“Oi! Your an elf aren't you, why are you listening to these guys!” (Ulrick)

“Help us out! You say you're from here yet you treat us in such a way.” (Howell)

“You won't get away with this, when the others find out you're here forget about leaving.” (Bann)

Since the interrogation ended the three have been acting up again. I can't say whether these three are arrogant or just stupid, perhaps both. Plus for whatever reason, they keep trying to appeal to Puerial’s heritage as if she didn’t propose destroying their identity as men. The leader of the group also just incessantly makes threats.

“Hey can we take care of these guys already. Their getting really annoying.” (Belle)

“Noisy.” (Shiro)

“Puerial, since this is something involving your home, it's your call.” (Kuro)

“Hmm, these guys don't seem to understand their situation too well. I think some education is in order. What about shaving of their hair and leaving them bound and dangling from the trees with sticks shoved up their butts, that should teach them some subtlety. Whether they are saved or not later doesn’t really matter though.” (Puerial)

Wow, that should be quite the scene. I think I really influenced Puerial a lot over the years, she’s become rather inventive when it comes to punishing people. This one isn’t too excessive compared to some of the things she’s thought of before, but it hits their dignity pretty hard. The three stooges have also completely silenced themselves with shock. Too late to regret their behavior now though.

…

“*Sob* You bastards, you know how long I take treating my hair every morning. It’s all been wasted!” (Ulrick)

“Ahh! Get it out, get it out! My ass! Ahh!” (Howell)

“You won't get away with this! Ahh!” (Bann)

I can't say this isn’t comical, but it's better we don't waste any more time here. The others have also grown tired of these three too and their screams will attract predators.

“Let’s go.” (Kuro)

“Hey! Get back here you bastards!” (Bann)

Moving away, there screams were drowned out by our growing distance. I had nothing against them, but they wished us harm. They can blame themselves for letting their intentions slip. Not killing them can be seen as a mercy instead. Though I can't say they can stand with pride in their village anymore.

After making significant distance from where we left the elven trio, we grabbed some herbs to cover the scent of blood lingering from our battle with those reptilian apes. Our clothes may automatically remove blood over time with the repair function, but the smell on our hair and body is distracting and it’s near impossible to find time to bathe in this situation.

Weaving through the forest, we avoided a few patrols as we made way toward the alleged location of the Arma tribe. The only thing really bothering us was how quiet the surroundings are. It’s extremely unnatural for it to be so desolate in forests. It can be said that we refrained from making too much noise as well in order to avoid detection adding to the stress of the situation.

Throughout the extension of our travels, the amount of wildlife we encountered didn’t amount to much, not including the small number of predators. The only substantial danger we’ve encountered was when we first entered the forest.

“We’ve only been here for a few days, and I’m already sick of it here.” (Belle)

“Sorry, even if I’m from here, I can't help but agree.” (Puerial)

“It’s alright.” (Shiro)

“It won't be long till we reach the Arma tribe, so enduring the silence a little longer isn’t that big of a deal.” (Kuro)

Moving further and further in made Puerial more depressed as the rest of us became more tense. She noted how the place doesn’t have the abundance of flowers and luscious sceneries like she remembered. She isn’t lying as we’ve found many places with signs of upheaval all over the ground. A few cliff faces also seemed to formerly have water pass through it.

Whatever is happening in this forest is far from good. The elves should be highly protective of their home and would naturally preserve it. But why all the signs of destruction. It doesn’t make sense, and they don't even seem to be doing anything about it. I can't help feel it's deliberate, but it goes against what they would normally do.

The only way to get answers is to get it from the elves. But exposing ourselves isn’t ideal at this point so we can only endure the questions nagging at us. Does it have something to do with that organization, or is it something concerning the elves themselves?

“Puerial, whatever is going on, we’ll deal with it and see about fixing it.” (Kuro)

“Thanks Kuro, I just can't help feel sad seeing the forest like this. It used to have so many flowers and natural springs with all sorts of animals...it was beautiful. I wanted you all to see it like that...not like this.” (Puerial)

Tch, what the hell are those elves even doing. If I find out they let things become like this I’ll take that pride of theirs and shove it up their-

“Kuro, I smell people up ahead.” (Shiro)

“...Let’s check them out then. If it's just another scout group we’ll just avoid them like usual.” (Kuro)

“You were thinking of doing something bad weren’t you.” (Belle)

“...Let’s stay focused.” (Kuro)

“Pfft, you naughty fellow.” (Puerial)

Moving along the darker paths of the forest, we conceal ourselves within the shrubbery as we take a look at another group of elves.

Contrary to the others we encountered, this group is more heavily armed and appears to be escorting an elf somewhere.

“Tell me again why I have to meet with the Arma tribe again. The silence of the forest is something I can barely tolerate.” (Elf being escorted)

“It can't be helped since they called for the tribes to send representatives. As an intermediary for our tribe please endure it.” (Escort leader)

“I know that, but there were others who could have gone besides me. Why send someone of 'my' status.” (Elf being escorted)

“It would be disrespectful to send anyone lower, the chief is dealing with the beastkin so he can only send you in his stead as their is no one else worthy for this task.” (Escort leader)

“There indeed isn’t anyone who can match me, fufu. Let’s try to get this charade over with then.” (Elf being escorted)

Besides me wanting to punch that smug guy in the face, this information is troublesome. Puerial's tribe called for a gathering, this makes getting close to her tribe more complicated with the additional security. Moving away from the escort group my team tries to figure out whether to wait out the meeting or not.

“That guy obviously wanted to be praised. It’s disgusting how smug he looked.” (Belle)

“Smelled bad too.” (Shiro)

“That aside, it seems the Arma tribe will be packed with more guards with this gathering. Should we infiltrate to get information or wait it out to avoid trouble and make it easier to get Puerial to her family.” (Kuro)

“Actually, I think we shouldn’t let this chance slip by at all.” (Puerial)

“Care to elaborate, you can get in serious trouble with your tribe if you're discovered spying on them with us.” (Kuro)

“There is something going on in the forest and I’m positive I won't get a straight answer if I ask directly. I’ve been gone for too long, and I don't know if they would readily tell me anything with the way things are now. Plus they don't seem to take too well to outsiders so you guys would be in danger. It would be better to understand more about the situation here.” (Puerial)

Good, I can't help feel proud of Puerial. I remember when she never questioned anything she was told. Such a mindset as a child leaves a person extremely susceptible to manipulation. It’s better now that she tries to see things from all angles.

“Let’s find that group again then and follow them. We’ll figure out how to infiltrate the village when we get there.” (Kuro)

Finding the escorts wasn’t hard since they didn’t get too far. After two days of following them and listening to the person being escorted find ways to be praised of his status. We eventually approached our destination.

It was a good thing too since Belle was on the verge of ripping that guy to shreds. She really hates such pretentious people.

Now than, based on the chatter mouth, the meeting should start tomorrow at noon. Hmm...how will we infiltrate this gathering. Looking around there are a lot more heavily armed guards around. Most of them are so heavily armored their faces can't be seen. Well...there is always ‘that’ method. We just have to do it properly.

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A/N: It’s not hard to figure out what method he’s talking about. One more to go.