V2 Chapter 181

Hmmm……

This person……

Looking at the human-like youth who said to have saved her daughter, the middle-aged Harpy with dark blue hair narrowed her avian-like eyes.

—Strong.

Even though the person wasn't showing any aggression towards them, the dark blue-haired Harpy’s instincts had reflexively responded by placing her in high alert.

His attitude was casual and chic, but his brisk footsteps and posture when standing didn't leave any weakness to be exploited. Evidently, he was mentally prepared to do battle at any given moment. And there was little to no weak spots that can be seen from him.

At a glance, those firm muscles packed within his body under his black clothes would have told of unimaginable years of training, especially for those who had lived in this land. However, what made her somewhat feel weird was the fact that his body was absolutely perfect as if molded by hand to make the most ideal proportion.

Men who had trained in their whole lives, battle, and fought every day, would have their bodies expanded. Muscles like stones, they would be proud to display it, even if they get an unnatural build or appearance.

For them, having a larger build full of rock-like muscles was proof of their strength and masculinity.

And yet this youth has such feminine physique—so slender and thin, making him look extremely weak. However, to her, she knows better than to underestimate this youth.

Just by the body parts alone that were sometimes revealed under his clothing, one can’t help but marvel the perfectness of his muscles and physique. They might not be oversized like most men have; still, they are compact, full to the brim but not overflowing.

It’s as if his muscles are innately structured, not done by rigorous training like most warriors have.

As for the most obvious thing that felt amiss----

--was the fact that he lacked the Domineering aura that would usually surround such figures.

Prowess obtained from adhering to a strict regime of training and fighting experience tends to surround a person in the form of a Domineering Aura. Just from the regal airs given off from this person, it should have overwhelmed them, especially the weaker harpies with awe and fear without having to move an inch.

However this man before them- this harmless-looking fox youth have completely concealed his Domineering Aura very well.

She had never doubted his strength.

She can feel the smell of extreme danger coming from him, that even she herself felt as if she was standing in front of a mountain. No one might not be able to feel this, but she could.

If he's hiding it in out of consideration for us, it would be fairly impressive.

For someone with such natural movements to be repressing his Aura to this extent is definitely a rare sight.

“Is it alright for us to address you as Sir Cian?”

Cornelia started after making her consideration.

… …

Cian stared at her with a scrutinizing gaze.

She was the one talking, so perhaps she has better diplomatic skills than the others?

In fact, even her wordings and attitude, though clumsy, but somewhat polite.

And here I thought they would act like barbarians or at least, act like bird-brain idiots…

Cian somewhat thought rudely.

That said, she looked to be in her mid-twenties at absolute oldest.

With the aroma wafting toward him, he might have accepted that she was in her thirties, but with the youthful skin despite the dirt on her face, she could have passed for a teenager. Her wavy dark blue hair was worn up and a single tuft of beautiful hair hung down over one eye like an accent.

Her eyes were somewhat slanted, but that did not give her a harsh look at all. The corners of her eyes hung lovingly down, so she looked more affectionate than anything. Her almost transparently white skin looked like porcelain and contrasted her dark blue hair and blue feathers. Yet her lips were femininely plump and Cian could not keep his eyes off of their never-ending smile. The small mole by her mouth was extremely sexy and he felt his body heating up after looking at it for just a few seconds.

“Is something the matter?”

“———! No, it’s nothing. Don’t worry about it…"

Cornelia noticed his gaze and tilted her head.

The gesture seemed entirely natural instead of intentionally cutesy, so she apparently really did not know why Cian was looking at her. He responded with a smile, his handsome face not leaking any perverted thoughts he was currently having. His poker face was still as strong as ever.

Game face on.

Cool and in control, Cian smiled.

No one could faze him.

Not even that deliciously dangling boobs in front of him.

Not knowing about Cian’s impolite thoughts, Cornelia continued with a polite smile; “… Let me introduce myself. I am Cornelia, the current acting chief of the Sordan Tribe. I can’t thank you enough for helping Roma and her friends out of the predicament… As a mother and the chief of my tribe, I wish to express my sincerest gratitude,”

Cornelia, who introduced herself as the chief of the Sordan Tribe, immediately bows to him.

Behind her, the other Harpies did the same. And for some reason, the rest of the werebeasts did as well. It seems like they have quite a close relationship. Still—

Mother… is she that little harpy’s mother?

What a young mother…

Or is this something like an innate thing with their species?

Always young-looking…?

Roma… Cian recalled the last Harpy that was almost caught and was desperately struggling, and also the one who was clinging to him desperately during their way here.

So that was why… during that battle, the Harpy named Roma despite seemingly the weakest among them was able to last long because the other Harpies were desperately protecting her and trying to let her escape. It’s because she was the daughter of their tribe chief…

I guess it’s a good thing that I save them.

“Well, please raise your head. But still, didn’t you trust me too easily. Despite all the reasons given, I’m just a stranger to you all. Even if I did lend you a hand in your darkest hours, I might have done that due to having some ulterior motives towards you and your people. Ill-intentions, you would surely find unpleasant.”

“Haha, please don’t jest. What does Sir want to a small village like us? We are just but a very small village facing a very dangerous situation at the moment. We have nothing to offer instead of our lives.” She replied with a self-deprecating laugh.

Cian was somewhat baffled, not understanding what she meant.

Nothing to offer?

What about their bodies?

I sure like to take one!

However, after listening to them a bit and understanding their situation, it seems like he had truly underestimated life in this forest.

Here, the strong eat the weak is the norm.

In fact, every day, every small village was facing utter destruction. Whether they can survive the next day was doubtful.

Even food was scarce due to the powerful monsters roaming around the area.

So that’s why the condition of this village was quite… pitiful.

Harpies have better chances of hunting food due to their flight ability but sadly, they were wyverns flying in the sky. And what’s even worse, was that they were the favorite diet for the Wyverns. Hence, if a tribe wanted to invade another tribe, they would choose better villages.

Still, the ones that will try to hunt them were carnivorous monsters like Grakilis who wanted to eat them and use them as breeding tools.

And at this moment, that’s what they are facing!

Grakilis seemed to be like those Goblins and Orcs in many stories back on Earth. Though, Cian barely saw any Goblins and Orcs that were doing such a thing. perhaps, because he had not seen Goblins and Orcs nearby human villages, or that perhaps, Goblins and Orcs in this world are treated as lesser demons and have some intelligence more than one could imagine.

Still Grakilis, huh…

Although they are immoral monsters, the way they use human weapons, and perhaps even create them themselves… it seems like those monsters are not so simple.

While listening to their situation, the Harpies led Cian and the Manticore to the Beastman village. It’s not like they cannot let him enter their own, it's just that they are all living at the top of the trees with their nests. Welcoming guests there is nigh impossible.

“Roma, stop clinging on Sir Cian, it's impolite!”

Cornelia’s brows knitted together like they were going to touch one another as she stared at her rude daughter clinging at Cian’s back as if it was the most natural thing on the world.

Fortunately, the fox youth doesn’t seem to care and even still be able to walk like it was natural.

How strong was he…?

“It, i‘t’s fine… I, I like it…”

While saying that, Roma burrowed her face on Cian’s hair shyly and muttered with a soft voice.

Cornelia still wants to say something, but Cian just shrugs and said ‘it was fine,’ though, he doesn’t know why perhaps he thinks nothing of it because he doesn’t feel any hostility from her. Or perhaps, she was still scared and was trying to comfort herself using him.

Well, whatever the case, it sure was unusual for him to ignore it. But our protagonist didn’t notice anything. In fact, he was feeling somewhat good due to the humble orbs pressing against his back. Even though they were small, what’s soft is soft…

He looks back at Roma and found that she was looking back at him. Her eyes which were full of curiosity and undisguised hope and admiration made him somewhat uncomfortable sometimes. But Cian was truly fond of her and found her mannerisms to be cute.

Cornelia saw Cian’s calm expression and felt her impression on him rose higher. Although she was actually somewhat wary and worried about bringing the youth here, still, since her naïve daughter had already brought him back, there’s nothing she could do.

Chasing him away would also be rude…and besides…

Cornelia stared at Cian’s side face and felt her resolve strengthening.

If it was him…perhaps…

… …