As soon as I stepped out, the merry atmosphere in the air instantly became cold and awkward as their eyes all went to me, looking at my entire existence suspiciously.
"Intruder!" The bandits bellowed, and immediately, everyone turned into chaos as they all unsheathed their weapons, aiming those sharp steels at me.
My lips twisted into a wry smile. Here we go again with the meat-heads who think with their muscle and fat. Being surrounded with a bunch of brutes, it only made me smile sweetly, feeling some kind of deja vu with this situation.
I'm not gonna lie; I don't really mind fighting them; I'm even looking forward to unleashing the caged beast in my heart. But I decided to remain calm as I roam my eyes on everyone. My actions might also implicate Bakunawa and Ynez, so I need to resolve this peacefully.
At that, I plastered a business-like expression on my face, looking neither distant or friendly; just plain formal.
"State your business, why did you come here?" The dwarven man in front of me questioned with his rough voice.
'Good, there is still someone who uses their head here,' I thought as I stared at the dwarven man with the orange hair and beard.
"If you don't answer, you will be confined in the underground prison cage," said the orange haired dwarf in a warning tone.
I remained calm as I replied, "I'm here to take back a certain blue bunny woman, her name is Ynez; she was forcefully taken by this group of bandits."
The orange haired dwarf glanced at the bandits. "Is what the intruder said true? Did all of you kidnap someone again?"
'Again?'
So it seems that these guys have already kidnapped someone in the past then. My eyes narrowed at this.
On the other hand, the bandits averted their gaze as they whistled, acting like a fool.
The orange haired dwarf narrowed his eyes on the bandits. "What's the situation?"
"It was all Athena's plan; she said that the bunny girl is her relative," someone among the bandits voluntarily explained like a confession to their sin.
'Relative?'
"May I speak with this person named Athena?" I inquired.
The orange haired dwarf sighed. "No, you're still an intruder, we can't let you in. But don't worry, I'll ask someone to get Athena over here with that bunny girl that you're looking for. Afterwards, we will know if you're speaking the truth or lying," he said, narrowing his eyes at me with doubtful eyes.
I nodded understandably.
"Ethan, go summon Athena here at this instance, and make Athena bring that bunny girl with her. Tell her that it's an order from the Chief tribe," said the orange haired dwarf to the dwarven man standing next to him.
"As you command, Chief Roy," said Ethan as he left immediately.
It turns out that this orange haired dwarf is the leader here; no wonder he is more level headed and calm than the others.
"You don't mind waiting, right?" Chief Roy said as he glanced at me with a probing smile.
"I don't mind," I replied, unbothered.
I don't care what they feel or think of me. No matter how much they glare at me with suspicious eyes; I remain at ease. I only feel indifferent with this heated situation.
My goal here is to probe if Ynez is here, and that has already been achieved, so my next task is to make sure that Ynez is fine. If Ynez is not harmed, I'll let this pass peacefully, and if not, then I'll have to make sure to pay back that debt a hundredfold.
When that time comes, we'll know by then who should really cower in fear.
Anyway, I feel confident from the bottom of my bone marrow. I mean, who wouldn't feel confident with a serpent watching your back, right?
After a while, a commotion started from one of the tents of a certain camp, and a woman stepped outside, gritting her teeth as she came out, carrying the sleeping Ynez in her arms in a princess carry.
The woman was the same bandit woman who attacked me out of nowhere in the Willow Forest.
"Athena," Chief Roy called to the woman, carrying Ynez.
Athena looked visibly upset but still complied as she stood in front of Chief Roy. "Chief, you summon me?"
Chief Roy nodded. "Yes, this person…pardon, I haven't asked your name?"
"Nasrin," I replied.
Athena glared at me, while Chief Roy nodded.
"Then Nasrin, this is Athena; the leader of the platoon you call bandits," Chief Roy stated.
"Oh," I mumbled as I glanced at Athena. "So it turns out that you're a platoon leader. My apologies for misunderstanding."
Athena didn't respond as she only glared hatefully.
"Athena, do you have evidence that would prove that this bunny girl is your relative?" Chief Roy questioned.
I don't know whether to laugh or not whenever they call Ynez a bunny girl. Regardless of my thoughts, I didn't interrupt the flow of the conversation.
Meanwhile, Athena nodded firmly, looking very seriously at Chief Roy. "There is a locket in my pocket…"
"Pfft."
For some reason, that sentence made me chuckle, and I snorted silently, but Athena still seemed to hear my silent snort as she glanced at me menacingly.
"Ahem, forgive me…please continue," I mumbled, coughing awkwardly.
Athena clicked her tongue as she continued, "there is a locket in my pocket…"
I held my breath, trying to suppress my laugh, but I only made it worse as I burst out laughing.
Athena's veins in her temple head bulged from anger.
I instantly shut my mouth. "Ahem, sorry…"
Athena gritted her teeth as she opened her mouth and said, "there is a locket in my…"
"Enough," Chief Roy interrupted. "Ethan, get the locket."
"Yes Chief," Ethan responded, taking the locket.
Afterwards, Ethan handed it to Chief Roy, and Chief Roy took it, opening the locket.
"Hmm, I see…" Chief Roy mumbled as he glanced at the sleeping blue bunny at Athena's arms.
"Is this your sister?" Chief Roy asked, looking at Athena.
The bandit woman nodded. "Yes, she and I got separated when we were young. It's just that so much has changed in her body," Athena stated, looking at the bunny ears of Ynez.
"I see." Chief Roy nodded, then he glanced at me. "This is Athena's sister in the picture, please take a look."
I took the locket from Chief Roy's hand and stared at the picture on the small oval frame in the pendant.
"Except for the hair and the bunny ears, Ynez really resembles the woman here," I mumbled, looking at the woman and at Ynez back and forth.
It seems that the two are indeed relatives. It's just that Ynez doesn't look anything like Athena.
After all, Athena has purple hair, while Ynez has blue hair. To be honest, only their eyes resemble each other, but other than that, no one would be able to tell that they are relatives.
"See now? She is my only family left. My father and mother both passed away when we were young. I got separated by my sister when I lost my way here in the Forbidden Mountains," Athena said.
I glanced at Athena. "So you think that Ynez is your sister?" I asked.
"That's right. What about you? Why is my sister with you?" Athena muttered suspiciously.
"I think Ynez is not your sister though," I stated in a calm tone.
Athena glared at me. "You're only trying to refute my words, so you could take my sister away from me!"
I didn't respond and only glanced at the shadow behind the bush. "Can you come out now?" I asked.
The crowd around me knitted their brows, looking at me weirdly.
"Is there someone else with you?" Chief Roy inquired as he peered his eyes.
I nodded, and Bakunawa walked out of the bush. The dwarves gasped in shock; all of them, especially Chief Roy. Now, it's my turn to stare at them strangely.
Chief Roy glanced at me. "So you were with Elder Bakunawa?"
"Huh? Elder what?" I mumbled flabbergasted.
"Bakunawa is an honorary elder in our dwarven clan," Chief Roy explained.
"Oh…" I replied, glancing at Bakunawa.
Bakunawa only grinned as she stood next to me.
[I wanted to know how you would handle it.] Bakunawa transmitted, sounding defensive.
A sigh came out of my mouth. It turns out that Bakunawa and the dwarves are already acquainted from the start.
After that reaction, Bakunawa communicated with Chief Roy through telepathy. Chief Roy didn't say much as he nodded attentively at Bakunawa.
"I understand, Elder Bakunawa," Chief Roy mumbled at Bakunawa then glancing at me briefly before looking at Athena.
Athena crumpled her brows. "What is it chief?"
"It pains me to say this but, that person isn't your sister," Chief Roy stated. "Her name is Ynez; she is a halfling born from her human mother and from her father who is from the blue rabbit clan."
Athena widened her eyes. "Then…she's not my sister?"
"Yes, but perhaps, Ynez is still your relative," Chief Roy said.
Athena nodded firmly. "Of course, maybe she's my sister's daughter."
"Indeed, but we should ask the person herself to confirm first," Chief Roy stated.
Athena took a deep sigh and nodded. "Alright…"
"Then let's wake her up," Chief Roy said.
Athena averted her eyes. "She's on drugs, so she won't be able to wake up for the time being, Chief."
My eyes narrowed at Athena. "What kind of drugs?"
Athena glared back at me. "Tsk, it's nothing poisonous, alright?!"
I stared firmly at Athena. "Clear the drugs in her system now," I said flatly.
Athena gritted her teeth. "Stop ordering me! You're just an intrud…"
"Athena!" Chief Roy called sternly. "Do not be rude; she is friends with our honorary elder."
Athena clenched her jaw, glaring at me.
Chief Roy sighed then he glanced at Bakunawa. "Elder, we will handle and fix this matter."
Bakunawa nodded, and they communicated again through telepathy.
"I see," Chief Roy said, glancing at me again, then he turned to everyone, telling them to accomodate me and Bakunawa.
At Chief Roy's odd glances, I turn inquiringly to Bakunawa. "What did you say? Why does he keep looking at me?" I whispered to Bakunawa.
Bakunawa shook her head. [Nothing much. I only explained the situation in a summary.]
"Oh…alright," I replied, losing my interest in the matter.
Afterwards, the dwarves led us to a luxurious tent, serving us a lot of food.
Chief Roy said that it would take a little while to clear the sleeping drugs in Ynez's body. But it actually didn't take that long as they called us again, telling us that Ynez is finally awake, and the sleeping drugs in Ynez's system have already disappeared.
So Bakunawa and I went to Ynez. When we got to their tent, we found Ynez and Athena crying and hugging together.
I glanced at Chief Roy, standing on the side as I entered the tent. "What happened?" I asked.
"It turns out that Athena's sister Maria is Ynez's late mother," Chief Roy explained.
"So…Athena is actually Ynez's aunt…?" I said.
"Exactly," Chief Roy replied.
I nodded as I understood the situation. "Then Ynez probably won't leave this place anymore, right?" I said to Bakunawa.
Bakunawa nodded in agreement.
Ynez, who heard us, hurriedly stood up. "Wait, you can't leave without me! I want to visit Grandpa and Grandma in the blue rabbit clan!"
"You're still leaving?" Athena muttered in disbelief.
Ynez averted her gaze. "Yes, they're still probably worried and anxious. I also need to explain a lot of things with them, but don't worry, I'll come back here again…for you," Ynez said.
Athena's face contorted. "No!"
Ynez sighed. "Au…aunt, please you have to understand…"
"I said no!" Athena muttered again. "You will not leave this place without my permission. I'm your aunt, and I'm now your acting guardian since sister Maria is already no longer here."
"Aunt, please…" Ynez beg.
I sighed in resignation, seeing Ynez like this. It's so out of her character to beg someone; just so she could visit her grandparents.
With these thoughts in my head, I turn to the bandit woman. "Hey, Athena…" I called.
Athena glanced at me visibly upset. "What!"
"I don't mean to be nosy but Ynez is safe with us, so…"
"Safe with you?" Athena cut me off, smirking with contempt. "With how we easily got her from your hands? You're saying that she's safe with you?"
Bakunawa clicked her tongue as she stride forward, but I pulled her back as I shook my head to her.
[Mortal, I can't leave Ynez with this despicable human! Furthermore, Anggitay will get mad at the two of us if we leave Ynez here!]
"I know that's why let me handle it," I mumbled.
Bakunawa clicks her tongue again, glaring at Athena before backing down.
"Athena, you're right about what you said, but in the end, what Ynez wants is what matters here," I stated, glancing at Ynez. "If Ynez wants to stay here, then we'll leave peacefully. If not, then…"
"You just want a duel, right!?" Athena exclaimed, standing up as her eyes sized me up.
"No, I only want to resolve this as peacefully as possible," I replied.
"Heh, then how about this? If you win against me, I won't interfere with my niece's decision to leave this place but…" Athena smirks. "If I win, then my niece stays here and the two of you leave!"
I didn't respond at first as I glanced at Chief Roy. "Can you become our witness?"
Chief Roy nodded. "Yes, I'll make sure that Athena will uphold her word."
"Mm, then let's settle this quickly," I said and left the tent.