(Melon)
The situation in the jungle was quite heterogeneous. The number of [Goblins] had clearly multiplied excessively, and many superior species had emerged.
[Rolling Blade Goblins], [Goblin Mages], [Toughskin Goblins]—once these appeared, routine sweeping missions were upgraded to special extermination quests against these monsters.
Heading toward the source of the battle sounds, I immediately witnessed the sight of groups of [Goblins] running... [Goblins] were pests, and there was no need to show mercy. Therefore, Miss Grace and I swept through and pursued the [Goblins] from behind, finally coming to a stop in a concave valley formed by two mountain walls.
Sure enough, the changes in the jungle were peculiar.
"It's truly astonishing," I said while looking at the massive corpse at my feet.
"...I've seen it in the monster book, it seems to be the [Goblin General]," Miss Grace said lightly. The wild wind blades subsided, and the [Goblin] horde that had been charging towards us a few minutes ago had turned into a pile of unrecognizable flesh.
I rotated my slightly sore wrist. The outer skin of this monster wasn't ordinary; I had to use "that" to successfully pierce through.
...I didn't expect the first time I used that skill in actual combat to be in this situation, but in terms of its power, I was quite satisfied.
"...Melon, have we arrived?" Miss Grace looked toward the concave valley.
A tattered, blood-stained battle flag stood, and crude makeshift tents were scattered around.
"I think so." I walked up to the broken earth mound and looked at the Lizardkin lying on top, covered in blood.
...He was also a Lizardkin like me— but is still quite different, he has a more reptilian appearance, struggling to breathe.
His heavily muscular physique was quite robust, standing around two meters tall. His tattered armor was covered in bloodstained earth-colored scales, and he stared at himself with a vacant expression.
Even though his double-handed axe had been shattered, he still gripped it tightly.
"Can you move?" I crouched down and asked him.
"...Ugh... ah... I..." He struggled to speak, his breathing rapid... Did it damage his lungs...
I took out a [MPOH (β)] from my [Pouch] and poured it over his body. His wounds began to gradually heal, but his stamina wouldn't recover. He would need some more time before he could move.
There was no other option then.
I bent over, grabbed and lifted his right arm over my shoulder, supporting him. We walked toward the place adorned with the battle flags. About a dozen Lizardkin were gathered there, staring at us in a daze.
They all had a lizard-like appearance.
Thinking this, I ignored those gazes and took a step forward. The Lizardkin automatically stepped aside, clearing a path.
...
...
...
And now, the situation is as it is. I am kneeling on a bear skin blanket inside the tent, while Miss Grace is waiting outside.
Looking around, the tent style of the Kozawa Tribe is quite unique. They use blue canvas as the base and sometimes add beast fur as the edging. I have vague childhood memories of such impressions.
However, only important members of the tribe can enter this tent... I never thought I would enter here in this role.
"...Please, save us..." The Lizardkin kneeling before me snapped me out of my thoughts.
Seeing my father, who had once sold me, begging with a bowed head for the survival of the Kozawa Tribe, was quite unexpected.
...I had fantasized about what actions I would take when I saw the enemy who had killed my mother again.
Revenge—back then, that was the only thing in my imagination.
But in reality, there was no feeling at all. The father before my eyes, the Lizardkin elder dressed in ceremonial attire, was so unfamiliar. He was so unfamiliar that looking at him, my heart remained calm and undisturbed.
"Don't be like this," I said, ignoring the panicked elder who tried to stop me, and stood up.
Outside the tent, a cloudy sky with a chilling breeze greeted me.
"To think that the elder would be begging to a half-breed like this..."
"Don't say that. That half-breed is the one who saved Brother Kuzan!"
"But... to have so much power with just fists..."
There were whispers among the other Lizardkin.
...When I was sold off back then, I was still very young and didn't understand. It turns out that the reason I was disliked wasn't just because of the odd color of my scales.
Thinking back, in this area, there was a prevailing culture of enslaving demihumans. So, naturally, settlements of these demihumans would harbor resentment towards humans. Not only were the scales of a strange color, but my appearance also resembled that of humans. That was why my father sold me.
But now, understanding the truth, I merely thought, "Oh, I see."
Although he was an elder of the same tribe, he killed my mother, the woman who had taken care of me.
Perhaps it wasn't true indifference in my heart, but... simply not wanting to acknowledge the wriggling maggots at my feet.
Stepping out of the tent, I saw a brown-scaled Lizardkin of similar height and sturdy build running up to me.
I noticed that his leather armor was tattered, indicating that he had been through quite a battle.
"...Red hair, purple scales, appearance similar to a human... Are you really... Seventh Sister?" His expression was different from the others... he was smiling.
"...?"
Did I know this person?
"Don't you remember me? I'm your second brother! Noman, my name is Noman!" he said with a smile... Though from my perspective, it was a bit strange, the smile on his lizard face felt oddly out of place.
So... that's right, when I was born, I seemed to be the youngest in the family. There were six older brothers and sisters ahead of me... So, the green-scaled one and the yellow-scaled one are also related to me by blood? What about the other three?
"My name is Melon." In the end, I didn't mention my master's name. Revealing my slave status here might have negative consequences. I'm sorry, my master.
"Ah... yes... you didn't have a name when you left... Sorry, I misspoke," Noman said awkwardly.
According to the customs of the Kozawa Tribe, a tribe member's name can only be officially bestowed after passing a trial at the age of twelve... Since I was sold off so early, I wouldn't have a name. As a despised half-breed, I wouldn't even have a nickname.
I didn't mind, after all, I had a more precious name given to me by my master.
"So, what can I do for you?"
"Well, seeing a family member alive makes me happy. We've already lost two siblings..." A shadow passed over Noman's expression briefly. "Oh! Right, I need to thank you too, for saving our big brother!"
Noman's expression quickly returned to that of a cheerful lizard, although it wasn't obvious, I could sense it in his manner of speaking.
So, the person I just saved is my big brother?
"Big brother?"
"Yes! Brother Kuzan is the [Strongest Warrior of the Tribe] prophesied by the priest! I'm very proud that he comes from our lineage."
"I see..." judging by his appearance, he indeed seemed to be the most powerful here.
"But, Melon, you seem even stronger... Could it be that the one that is talked about in the prophecy..."
"No, I'm not a member of the Kozawa Tribe." I interrupted the conversation.
From the moment the collar was handed over to my master, I swore to dedicate my entire life to him and him alone.
I had no obligation to serve the tribe, so I'm not one of their kin.
"Um... Melon."
"Yes, is there something, Mr. Noman?"
"I'm sorry about Aunt Nishim."
"Yeah."
That name referred to my birth mother.
I won't forget that name.
"I... want my mother's remains."
"...If you want that, you'll have to go to the Ancestral Mound, but..." Noman hesitated.
"What's the matter?"
"The place has become a [Goblin] nest now."
"... " Upon hearing this, I fell silent.
... I turned my head and saw the despair in the elder's expression through the tent's opening.
Looking around, Lizardkin were crowded together, one group after another. Every person's body was caked with mud, and there were plenty of wounded. The cries of children were heard throughout.
The eyes of these people conveyed fear... a deep fear, trapped in the abyss of darkness, urgently needing a glimmer of light to make them believe, to give them something to hold onto.
The night I met my master flashed through my mind.
In the capital, I was seen as a hero by some, but here...
"Just a bit..."
"Hmm?"
"If it's just for a bit, only a bit, I can try to fulfil my duty as a member of the tribe for my mother sake." I said.
Anyway, it was nothing more than dealing with [Goblins], a task like any other.
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