They were getting closer to the lair. The closer they got, the more creatures that lived in harmony were there, from birds that nest in trees to the critters that crawl the ground and predators that hunt their prey.
They flee at the sight of humans, Wilhelm and Runa had experienced being preyed on but they were all easily fended off and were chased away by his intimidating magic.
"We're here." He announced.
The place was prettier than the rest of the view, having a large mountain ahead of them and old-looking boulders that had grown some moss at the surface. There were wildflowers and small insects around.
Wilhelm was standing still while Runa had to sit near a rock to have some rest. They have hiked for some time now.
Runa inspected the surroundings and she found the place calming. It was just pure nature. Since Wilhelm had not told her anything about what to do next, she decided to play with magic.
Creates water and lets it levitate as she controls where and when to move it. Just like a gentle flow, Runa was absorbed by her little play.
Wilhelm noticed her small play and decided to join in. He also used his magic to create snowflakes and sparkling icicles.
Runa was fascinated, the more she enjoyed it the more water she created, the more pattern movement she made.
They were both dancing together using magic, and it was really fun! But, Wilhelm snapped his finger and the play ended.
"We've got company... Runa, get behind me." The seriousness of his tone hastens Runa to get behind his back.
"I applaud you, magician... To be able to sense me that easily."
He landed on top of the old-looking bolder. A man with jet-black bat wings, wearing red metal armor.
"What do you want?" Wilhelm asked.
Runa was not used of how serious Wilhelm was at the moment. She was certain that her master was being cautious.
"I was just investigating you, my father wanted to know you. I don't know the reason as to why he gave out such an order but now I understand... You, what are you?"
"Just a human..."
"A human? Hahaha, you must be joking. My instinct does not lie, I don't have the urge to kill you but rather I want to flee as much as I can... Which I find unusual but I'm curious as to why?"
"You're a superior monster am I wrong?"
"I am, my name is Shumar... And you?"
"Wilhelm... And, about your purpose... By father, you mean the Monster King?"
Shumar smiled creepily, "Well yes~"
Runa started to feel scared, a superior monster means greater and stronger than the monsters she have encountered.
"Oh?? I smell fear... Are you afraid of me little girl?" He started to release his dark aura which makes him look fearsome.
"But--My orders was just to keep an eye on you. I have no intention to take actions~"
Shumar supressed his aura and added,
"I really applaud you magician. Normally, people get overwhelmed by my presence and die from shock. That's what should have happened to the little girl if you weren't here."
"Thank you for the complement."
"You really are a strange one, I am a monster. I've told you that but you don't seem to look cautious or alarmed. Humans usually run or have already attacked me."
"If you wanted to attack us, you should have done that a while ago. But, you've shown yourself and even told us your purpose."
"Ahahahaha! Now you have really taken my interest!" Shumar glided down from the top of the boulder and casually walked towards Wilhelm.
Without a sign of fear, Wilhelm allowed him to approach them.
Shumar extendes his arm asking for a hand shake, "Is this not how humans greet each other?"
"It is." Wilhelm shaked his hand.
But why was he allowing a monster shake his hand? Monsters are all bloody murderers so why did he welcome such a thing?
Because, he was confident that he can handle Shumar. He was not being too trusting with monsters since every inch of their being screams murder but this one was different.
Out of all the monsters Wilhelm encountered, he was the first superior monster he met. An exciting new experience he gained. A talk with a superior monster, it will broaden his insights more if he were to continue to converse.
"I could tell that youre not that trusting. Don't worry, I wont touch the girl. You can set off the magic circle that you installed on my hand."
"I was just testing you."
"HAHAHAHAHHA! Never in my life would I thought that a human would test me but-- Oh well, I'll let this slide~"
"You're such an easy going monster huh? Dont you have an ego or something? I heard that superior beings deluded themselves that they are better than those of inferior beings. They want to keep being superior in anyways."
"What you did may have been offensive to other but it's actually logical. I am still a monster and you are a human. What's more, it seems like you want to protect the little girl that's hiding behind you... But you see, I tend to look at things to a bigger picture, you are just ensuring your survivability, I dont see any problem with that."
"I also think that way."
Wilhelm started to lower his guard but he ensured their safety if Shumar were to attack them while they are not looking.
The first thing he did was to secure a life saving barrier for Runa and a teleportation spell for her safety. You can never be too careful so he added another set of spell that could literally hide her presence after the transfer just in case Shumar might track her down.
"Wilhelm, what do you think about us?" Shumar asked but his voice sounded like it carried a heavy sound of pure curiousity.
". . . Just like any other creature that lives in this world... Struggling to survive, to have a chance to live for tomorrow."
That was his honest opinion. Shumar's jaw dropped and he began to chuckle, then he smiled.
"Yes... We are..." It was what he wanted to hear from the moment he was born. That they too are just like any other creatures. That they too are residence of this world.
For so many years that he kept repeating the same questions to other beings but their gaze towards him shows that he was unwelcomed and feared.
Right now, he might just find himself a human friend, he thinks that it would be possible with Wilhelm.
The only problem is that a war was about to spread in the world. With that in mind, he was sure that the two of them will one day meet at the battlefield, grabbing each other's throat but Shumar wanted to leave the future aside and currently want to try and create a bond with this human.
"I want to know more about you, Wilhelm." Shumar's curiousity was taking over.
"I wanted to know more about your race too."
"Then we both have the same goal in mind."
Wilhelm pulled out a communication crystal from his space-box.
"That's a communication crystal that I made, you pour mana into the ball then itll allow you to have a contact with me... We have business to attend here, so can you investigate me some other time?"
Wilhelm showed how the crystal works properly, by pouring mana it gives energy to the crytal to execute it's function, which will portray an image that reflects the user to the other crytal.
"Very well then... Until next time... Wilhelm." knowing that he could reach Wilhelm with the crystal. Shumar left with a dashing exit as he jumped high, leaving a strong gust of wind as he soared to the sky.
Now that Shumar was gone, Runa finally wanted to ask Wilhelm some questions she had in mind.
She was really concerned about what Wilhelm just did. It was extremely dangerous and reckless. She trusts Wilhelm's actions but, what if everything turned south?
"Master?"
"Yes?"
"W-weren't monsters supposed to be humanity's enemies?"
"Technically, yes."
"Then why?"
"Because, I was curious, as much as he was too... I've been studying monsters you know? I want to know more about them, the mystery behind their incredible in born power."
"You tried to befriend a monster because you wanted to learn?"
"I've always been the curious type, so yes."
"But---They all are bad guys that kill people right?!"
"Ahh, I get where you are going... Runa, why do you think they kill people?"
"I-I dont know..."
"You saw the Wyvern back then? Why do you think it attacked us?"
". . . Because he was hungry?"
"Yes, that's right... In this world, you have to hunt in order to feed yourself. Which will classify you as a predator, the food we eat are creatures that were killed by our fellow humans too."
It was slowly making sense for Runa. What they all have been doing may it be monsters, humans, or the elves, are all natural.
You hunt when you are hungry. When you are being preyed on, it's normal to fear the predator.
It's their natural insticts that drives them to hunt and kill, to run and fight back.
"But, don't get the wrong idea Runa. Monsters were called monster for a reason which is their strong bloodlust and sadistic nature... They just make you suffer and kill you afterwards."
"Then... About the Monster that was here a while ago?"
"He was the eldest child of the Monster King, which makes him a fearsome individual."
A fearsome individual indeed. If his character was reckless and brute, Wilhelm would have flee to avoid fighting.
"Were you scared?" Wilhelm asked.
"A little bit... but you're here so..."
Runa got herself a headpat after she said that.
"You trust me that much huh?"
"Of course!"