-Francis POV-
After listening to Uriel's story, my brothers and I came to the same conclusion—this wasn't just a random monster attack.
The village being attacked by a group of wyverns wasn't unusual in a world like this, but the fact that one of them was giving orders was a game changer. It meant we were dealing with a Xenos, an intelligent monster, not just a mindless creature.
I leaned back, processing what Uriel had told us. "It's a Xenos," I confirmed after thinking it through.
Alex nodded. "Yeah, sounds like it."
She had survived the attack on her village, buried under rubble while the wyverns ravaged her home and killed everyone, including her parents.
She had managed to dig herself out and bury her parents with her own hands before making the dangerous journey across the Alf Mountains.
I had to admit, for a 16-year-old girl, her survival instinct was incredible.
But when she mentioned Orario, it clicked for me—we're in Danmachi.
I'd read enough wiki lore to recognize the landmarks, and Uriel had already crossed the Alf Mountains, which meant we were in the Seolo Forest, east of Orario.
"So, you're headed to Orario to become an adventurer?" I asked, keeping my tone casual.
She nodded, wiping away the last of her tears. "Yes, my father was an adventurer. I want to follow in his footsteps."
I smiled at her determination. "That's a good goal. We're heading to Orario too. If you want, you can come with us."
Her face lit up, her earlier sadness momentarily forgotten. "Really? You mean it?" Her puffy eyes, still red from crying, were now full of hope.
I nodded. "Of course. Strength in numbers, right?"
Her blush deepened as she smiled, looking too cute for her own good. She hadn't moved from her spot in my arms, but I didn't mind.
"Alright, that's enough flirting," Angel interrupted, giving me a deadpan look. "We've got to move before it gets dark."
Uriel blushed harder, quickly stepping away from me, embarrassed.
"Do we even know where we're going? We don't have supplies, a map, or any real plan," Alex said, crossing his arms with a grim expression.
I grinned. "Actually, we do. See the moss on that tree over there? Moss grows on the north side of trees, so that means east is…"
Alex blinked. "Wait, which way is Orario again?"
"West. We're in the Seolo Forest, so we just need to head left," I replied confidently.
Angel squinted at me. "And you know this… how?"
I shrugged nonchalantly. "Weeb knowledge. I know all kinds of things, including world maps of different anime."
He stared at me for a second, then sighed. "So basically… you read it on the wiki?"
"Yup," I said, smiling at his exasperation.
Uriel, still clearly confused, tilted her head. "Weeb? Wiki? Anime? What are those?"
Oh crap, I forgot she was still here.
"Weeb is… uh, a title for someone who's knowledgeable in various fields," I said, trying to sound serious while totally making it up.
Angel snorted at my terrible explanation, earning him a glare from me.
"I see! So, that's how you knew where Orario was without a map," Uriel said, eyes sparkling with admiration.
I puffed out my chest a bit, trying to keep up the facade. "Yep. Only a select few bear that title. My brothers, on the other hand… well, one just likes guns, and the other is just kinda here."
Alex and Angel shot death glares at me in unison.
Uriel blinked in confusion, glancing at my brothers as if noticing them for the first time. "Wait, they were here the whole time?!"
I burst out laughing. Uriel had completely ignored both of them during the entire conversation, and now she was finally acknowledging their presence. My brothers stood there, mouths agape, totally dumbfounded.
"You—" Angel started, his face red with indignation, but before he could unleash a tirade, Quinella's voice cut through.
{Francis, remember the canyon we were heading toward earlier?}
"Yeah, why?"
{The group of wyverns Uriel mentioned is passing through there. If we move now, we can intercept them.}
I felt a surge of adrenaline. This was it. Revenge for Uriel's village.
I glanced at Uriel, who was still gripping my shirt, her eyes wide with fear. "Please don't go! You'll die, and I can't—" she started, but I gently pressed a finger to her lips to quiet her.
"I know you're worried, but trust me. We're stronger than you think. Besides, don't you want revenge for your family?" I asked softly. "This might be our only chance to find them. If we wait, we might never cross paths with them again."
She hesitated, her grip tightening on my shirt as she weighed her options. After a few moments, her voice shook as she whispered, "Please… help me."
I smiled gently, nodding. "We'll take care of it."
Angel grinned, already cocking his R301. "Looks like we're going wyvern hunting."
Alex stretched, pulling back the string on his bow. "This should be fun."
As for me, I couldn't help but feel the thrill of what was about to come.
Wyverns, Xenos, and a chance to help Uriel avenge her family?
This was turning out to be more exciting than I had anticipated for the start of our adventure.
Wyvern hunting, here we come.