“I had already thought about this before but… he was really a strange human…” Sarete muttered.

“I can feel no prejudice against our kind… though I hope I wasn’t just imagining it or that it would never change…”

She had hoped to be accepted by other race… and this hope concentrated on Rain’s existence. She wanted to expect something again… although it was only Rain, one insignificant human and it wouldn’t really change anything but still it was only for self-satisfaction.

Despite that, she felt like she didn't mind.

At the very least, there would be one human in this world that would really accept them and love them despite their differences.

“Of course, he wouldn’t…” Lafetti who standing beside her and was listening to her words spoke. Her voice expressed firm determination and unwavering trust. Her eyes narrowed but anyone could feel the affection hiding from within. “He loves me, he cares for me and he would never betray me… he’s mine and will always be mine…”

Words filled with steel-like determination were spoken. Her lips curled into a smile, but this smile had a tinged of gentle and love. She wasn’t the type to utter these words, especially in front of him but Lafetti felt once in a while wasn’t that bad…

She wanted him… and that would never change. Even if he wanted it, she would never let him go…

In that sense, Rain seemed to have unknowingly poked a sleeping dragon and awakened it.

Unaware of how Sarete and Lafetti felt, Rain continued his time with the children. Because his knowledge of the world was imperfect, the children became more talkative.

At this moment,

“You seemed to be enjoying your time,” A voice interrupted the group.

In fact, Lafetti and Sarete weren’t the only ones watching Rain and the children… Zarda was one of them.

Rain had heard it and was already familiar with this voice so he wasn’t a bit surprised. He turned around and saw Zarda with her usual group, Drova and Stagna walking towards them.

“Hey, Chief,” Rain greeted with a faint smile.

The children bowed one by one as soon as they saw her.

“You seemed to have a good time,” Zarda said with a smile. Then her gaze somewhat softened as she cast the children a glance, though not really that noticeable. “Are you living comfortably?”

Rain nodded his head and replied, “Yup, people here are kind and I find no fault in the way they treat me. Although some were still a bit afraid or avoiding me for some unknown reasons, I can understand them.”

“I won’t give reasons nor would I pretend like I wasn’t responsible for what my kind has done… I’m still a human… of course, I wouldn’t try and justify my ancestors and fellow human’s actions either, but at least I can somewhat alleviate the pain and mistakes they had made by my own actions… that’s the least I can do for my kind…”

Rain gently muttered as he strokes Starl’s hair who was still sitting in his lap.

The children who saw Starl’s pleased expression were somewhat envious. They slithered slowly towards Rain’s side, trying to get even closer.

Hearing Rain’s words, Zarda’s expression turned even gentler and her impression on him somewhat increased by quite a number. Truthfully, she wasn’t that prejudiced against humans or other races, whatever they had done to her kind…

It was natural… this was the way of the world.

Domination by the superior and obedience by those inferior.

The law of the jungle.

Although she felt hate and despised those who had acted against them, Zarda believed that was the real way of the world.

A wolf isn’t evil just because it devours sheep. Wolves are meant to eat sheeps.

Fighting for survival, for supremacy, that was the most basic instinct for all living things. Them being hunted and hated, that was only natural since they came from different kinds.

That is why she doesn’t really hate Rain but that is another matter.

“I’m glad to hear that,” Zarda responded with a gentle tone. “If what you said came from your own feelings then, I won’t feel bad in making you a slave anymore.”

“Did you really?” Rain grins. “Then, I felt honored for causing you some discomfort from my circumstances…”

Zarda chuckled.

Lafetti frowned the moment Zarda and her guards appeared. Along with Sarete who was following behind her, Lafetti slowly walked towards them, prepared to do anything if something happened.

And yet, in contrast to Lafetti’s complex emotions and guard, Rain and Zarda were care freely chatting away, with no tense atmosphere whatsoever…

“… Though, I would prefer if you took away the slave status.” Rain smiled bitterly. “Even though it doesn’t really mean anything to me right now but that name still hanging above my head was still quite uncomfortable.”

Zarda smiled. “No, you are this tribe’s possession now…”

“But I am not a thing…”

“No means No, or what, do you prefer if I made you act like a slave for real?” A strange glint flashed across her eyes. Rain felt that she was probably joking but he doesn’t want to push buttons and might push a detonator by mistake… so he refused.

“No thank you, I prefer it this way,” Rain sighed. Then he noticed Lafetti and his face immediately beamed.

Of course, Zarda noticed her too. She turned around and looked at Lafetti, “Actually I was looking for you, Lafetti, we need you.”

Lafetti frowned as she brushed past her, totally ignoring her. She walked straight towards Rain, took Starl from his lap and dusted his clothes from dirt. Her expressions serious and affectionate, like a small little wife.

“You can go without me,” She muttered as she fixed Rain’s clothes and pants, pulling him upwards. “Let’s go,” she said towards Rain.

Rain scratches the back of his head awkwardly. He looked at the children and waved his hand. “Let’s meet again, tomorrow~”

“Hm!” The children bid him happily.

“Lafetti, you can’t do this. We need your strength.” Drova frowned.

But Lafetti ignored them and started dragging Rain away.

“Lafetti!” Stagna also called out to her. “Just what are you doing? This is your duty!”

Rain saw Lafetti still ignoring them and couldn’t help but stopped. “Lafetti, I think-”

But before he could finish his words, Lafetti shoots a sharp look at him filled with killing intent as if saying ‘Talk and I’ll beat you up!’, but he merely smiles and shrugs his shoulders, unaffected.

“- I really think you should go with them, really. They needed you, this is your tribe, your family… what happened to me, is not really that bad…” Rain softly explained.

Lafetti frowned from Rain'swords and thought for a moment. Indeed, if Drova and Stagna weren't enough and even needed her, did something bad happened...?

Lafetti stared at Rain or a while which the latter responded with a faint smile. At this moment, her anger subsided and she let out a sighed. She released Rain’s hands and turned towards Zarda and others. In fact, she would really want to go since this was still her family but she was just angry about what they made Rain to do and planning to do…

Zarda didn’t mind their short squirmish and replied, “Tolants had appeared not so far away from here. I think it’s best to clean them immediately or else if their numbers become larger, they might attack us…”

“Tolants?”

[ If I’m not wrong they should be giants ants, master… ]

“A monster Colony that is extremely greedy and will take everything and anything to give to their queen. They are extremely dangerous and if they are not stopped immediately they would increase in numbers and become extremely terrifying.” Zarda explained at Rain.

“Hm,” Rain nodded in understanding. He then turned towards Lafetti but before he could say anything he was cut off with a ‘No!’

“But I didn’t say anything!” Rain retorted.

“But I know what you’re going to say and NO!” Lafetti angrily replied. Her eyes narrowed and her voice firm.

“Going with us is extremely dangerous, so NO!”

“When did you become a psychic?” Rain scowled. “But I want to go. I can protect myself; I can even kill 3 Bone Eaters alone now! I can help!”

“Killing those mindless beasts isn’t something to boast about! These are Tolants! They are much stronger than Bone Eaters!”

“I’m not just some little kid, Lafetti!” This was the first time Rain had raised his voice towards Lafetti. And as expected, Lafetti was taken aback.

He was thankful that she cared about him, but Rain realized that there were more obstacles in his way precisely because of that.

“I am a man! I need to become stronger to protect you!”

“But I don’t need someone to protect me! I can protect myself and I don’t need you to do that for me!” Lafetti scowled. What's with this gender equality!!?

What's with this gender equality!!?

Unfair!! We wome- no, men have rights too!! Say No to discrimination!!

“No, I have to do this! No matter what you want to say!” Rain replied with a stronger tone. “I’m sick of it, having to stay weak while trying to calm myself with the logic that there’s nothing I can do - that it’s only natural… always waiting and become stronger slowly! And I’m sick of it!!”

He knows he was weak, extremely weak compared to the people here but despite that, he didn’t step back. Rather than confidence in his ability, he had the conviction that he had to do this right now!

This time I’m going to the front lines… this time I will run and not just walk beside you!

“I’m not a vegetarian!”

Lafetti was stunned by Rain’s firm determination. She wanted to say something but before she could...