Why We Were Called
As we stood there stunned, one of the wolves snapped at the Alraune, shouting, “This isn’t what we were told.”
The Alraune retorted, “I told you I would call for help,” looking directly at the wolf.
Did that wolf just speak? And it walks on two legs?
When the Alraune called me over, I approached with Brother Gerald and Captain Kyle.
The wolf that had been arguing with the Alraune had the face of a wolf and was covered in fur down to the tips of its fingers, though the hands resembled human ones. Its legs were larger and more bestial than a regular wolf’s, and it was barefoot.
Its clothes were torn in many places, with bare arms exposed and its whole body covered in wounds.
“These people fled from the Beastkin country. They’re wounded and have no food. Please, help them.” The Alraune pleaded.
There were a lot of things I wanted to ask, but treating the injured and feeding them came first. If they hadn’t eaten much, soup would be best to start.
“Understood. We’ll hear the full story later. First, let’s take care of the injured and prepare some food.”
“Will you really help us?” The wolf-like person asked.
“We’ll do what we can here. Tell us who among your group is most seriously injured.” Said Brother Gerald.
We left the seriously ill to knights skilled in healing magic, and I looked after those with lighter injuries. Rather than treating wounds, I focused on restoring their strength, assuming they were emaciated and physically and mentally exhausted.
The other knights handled patrols, setting up tents, and making soup.
Once the initial treatment was complete, we distributed the soup.
As they handed it out, the knights said things like, “There might not be enough for everyone, but don’t eat it all at once. Chew thoroughly. If it doesn’t make you feel sick, we’ll give you more later.”
The wolf-like person who had argued with the Alraune earlier also seemed better after receiving treatment.
Brother Gerald handed him a bowl of soup. “Eat first, then we’ll talk.”
The wolf-like man accepted the soup and began eating.
“Thank you… You saved us.” He said, still wary, but he bowed his head to us after receiving our aid.
“The World Tree and the Alraune called us here for help. Since they trust you, we’ll trust you too. Just tell us what you can about your situation.” Brother Gerald said.
The wolf-like man’s name was Raul. He’s a beastkin.
But he said he’s what they call a “reversion” type—an atavistic beastkin.
He said “Raul” was fine, so we called him that.
Most beastkin in their country have animal ears and tails but are otherwise human-like. Those here, however, are more beast-like in form, and are so despised they are even abandoned by their own parents, forced to live at the lowest levels of society.
They’re restricted to designated residential zones—areas closest to the Great Forest, where ferocious monsters are common.
They’re considered a national disgrace, so they’re never sent on diplomatic missions. But when it comes to brutal work like mine development, they are. All in exchange for a meager supply of food.
Even so, they endured it to survive the winters, until rumors began to circulate that the king was planning to wipe them out.
Then a woman from another world appeared in the Beastkin country—a saint.
Upon learning of their existence, she condemned the king and others, and declared that she would leave the country with them.
This only made them more hated throughout the land. They were denied even salt and food in exchange.
A noble girl managing the residential zone was secretly helping them, and they’d heard the rumors from her.
They were then asked: would they risk everything and cross the Great Forest, or stay and accept their fate?
They chose to come here.
The noble girl gave them as much food as she could fit into a magic bag.
And since winter is when monsters are less active, it was their best shot at survival.
They traveled through the forest and reached the World Tree—but only about a third of them made it.
There are people like this in every world—those ostracized simply for being different in appearance or form.
It’s not like they chose to be born this way.
But reality is harsh.
They really did well to make it through the Great Forest.
“We can’t decide this on our own. We’ll need to consult with the one who manages this land.
But I don’t think it will turn out badly for you.” Said Brother Gerald.
“All we want is to live peacefully and quietly. That’s our only wish.”
“We’ll leave you with the food and tents you need. For now, rest and recover. The World Tree will protect you.”
“If possible… could you spare some water, too?”
When asked if none of them could use water magic, they replied they didn’t even know if they had magic blessings.
I asked if beastkin couldn’t use magic, and they said they could, but they were never allowed to go to the church.
We had someone use earth magic to create a large water jar, and I gave them two of the water magic stones from the Skeleton Flower.
One to place in the jar, the other as a spare.
The Beastkin country doesn’t like conflict, but they’re known to be strong and undefeated even when war is brought upon them.
That’s about all I know.
Although they are technically a neighboring country separated only by the Great Forest, a direct route would still require crossing several nations.
But maybe their internal situation isn’t so different from other countries after all.
After speaking with Raul, we told him to rest and parted ways. Then we went over to the Alraune.
“I’d like to bring our father, the one who manages this land, here. We can’t make decisions on our own.” I told the Alraune.
Since this time we were the ones making the request, she said it should be fine.
When I asked if the beastkin had arrived here by coincidence, she said the World Tree had sensed them wandering the forest and guided them here.
So it should be safe to trust them.
Apparently, the reason we couldn’t see the beastkin at first was due to the World Tree’s power. Its true power is returning.
It seems only those acknowledged by the World Tree can reach this place.
When I checked on the spare magic stones from the Skeleton Flowers, we had two of each left.
The Alraune asked to share them, so I gave her six in total—three of each.
The next day, after leaving the World Tree, I asked Brother Gerald what would happen to them.
“I believe Father will agree to protect them. But I couldn’t say anything earlier since we can’t decide on our own. Let’s return to the estate and report everything today.”
What do you think about this chapter?
