As we passed through the gate into the village, I was greeted by a vast open field dotted with round huts crafted from slender bamboo strips, woven together like upside-down baskets. The buildings were scattered around a large pond, with fields of lush green grass, wheat, corn, and rice stretching into the distance. On one side, beastkin frolicked in the pond, while on the other, some villagers attempted to catch fish with spears. The deeper end, past some boulders, looked quite intimidating, and I realized this village was predominantly herbivorous, making nighttime excursions unlikely for them.
He brushed aside my protests and carried me all the way to the village, my body nestled in his mouth like a little cub. I clutched the hem of my shirt, tucking it securely under my chest with my arms crossed, determined to avoid any accidental exposure as we passed by the bustling crowd.
This village was quaint yet lively, filled with beastkin who were clearly not herbivores, bustling about the market to gather their goods. Many of the beastkin wore tags on strips of cloth draped around their necks, suggesting they were travelers rather than locals. Their attire ranged from elegant garments that outshone the simple tunics of the horned beastkin to ragged, dirt-streaked clothing that hinted at long journeys.
As I took in the sights, a sign at the village entrance welcomed us to Emerald Meadows, a place clearly known for its grain production. While I admired the surroundings, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was the center of attention, with curious glances darting my way, though everyone tried to feign indifference. The moment sheep boy turned his gaze toward them, they would avert their eyes and scurry off as if fleeing from danger. It made me ponder what kind of presence he had that inspired such fear.
As we strolled, we passed two prominent buildings: one marked as the adventurers' guild and the other as the gourmand guild. That was my cue! Before we left, I was determined to snag applications from both places. I had no idea what kind of aura I would project, but after my midnight swim, I was confident it would shine through.
We strolled for a while until we stumbled upon a quaint little hut that had clearly seen better days, its roof missing in patches. Surrounding it were drying racks crafted from sticks, expertly tied together with dried vines, adorned with an array of herbs basking in the sun.
"Big Brother!" A short man caught my eye, his adorable brown ears perked up, shoulder-length brown hair featuring striking black and white stripes framing his big, dark brown eyes. His fluffy brown tail, marked with black stripes, swayed playfully behind him. I instantly recognized him as a chipmunk! How utterly charming!
As he froze in place, his cheeks flushed a bright crimson upon seeing me dangling from what I assumed was his brother's mouth. I was gently placed on my bottom right in front of this delightful little creature.
His wide, astonished eyes sparkled with surprise, and the blush on his cheeks deepened. "You can tell what I am just by looking at me?"
"Absolutely! You have no idea how much I adore chipmunks; they're among my all-time favorite creatures! They're just so irresistibly cute!"
His already enchanting eyes widened even more, and my heart nearly melted from the sheer adorableness.
"This." He blinked a few times, and then a sweet smile broke across his face. He stepped closer, dressed in a tidy light brown tunic and belt like the other beastkin, his enormous tail bobbing behind him as he moved. Then, with those big, pleading eyes, he wrapped his tail around my arm. It was so soft and endearing that my heart swelled with joy.
Given your understanding of my beastkin nature and your fondness for me, I'd be open to becoming yours. Plus, I'm a green-level beastkin with a knack for plant growth, which could come in handy."
"Oh, really?" exclaimed a petite figure clad in a white fur bikini, her rounded brown ears and weasel tail adding to her charm—if it weren't for the fierce glare she wore. "I send my male out for eggs, and he returns with a scrappy female who can't even manage to wear something whole!"
She was surrounded by eight males, lounging comfortably in one's arms while another fed her berries, and yet another brought her drinks. Wow, this world is certainly a departure from what I know, but it has its perks. Her tiny ears twitched, and her little fangs peeked out from her cherry-red lips. Those big dark eyes and fluffy tail made her utterly adorable; I almost wanted to pinch her cheeks, though I doubted she'd take kindly to that.
Watching this lively group, I couldn't help but think that having a bunch of attentive males around me might not be such a bad deal after all.
He hurried forward, presenting the eggs I had given him as payment for bringing the injured female into town. "I've got the eggs you asked for," he said, urgency lacing his voice.
It was quite a sight to see him so eager to appease this petite female, practically rushing to her side.
When she saw the egg, her face flushed with anger, and she swatted it from his hand, sending it soaring and rolling across the ground, knocking it against a nearby building.
"Who told you to get food from other females? What kind of male are you, scavenging from others? Do you think I should be grateful? Am I supposed to feel like a beggar? When I chose you as my male, it was under the condition that you would be of use to me, and in return, I wouldn't drive your useless little brother out of my clan's territory after our takeover. You seemed like one of the few males here who had some potential, but honestly, what can I expect from a clan of prey beastkin? I should have known better than to expect anything from a creature as pitiful as a sheep beastkin. Even if your aura is somewhat impressive, it's still tied to a prey beastkin—how strong or useful could you really be? If you can't prove your worth, I won't hesitate to expel you and your brother from my territory, leaving you to suffer until my mate marking fades. That should take a couple of months, which might at least provide some entertainment in the meantime." She laughed while thinking about it and her mates that were with her gave stained chuckles while looking around at each other. Did something unusual happen that I'm unaware of or did the royals come up with some weird ideas?
I must have looked utterly stunned as I gazed at her. The idea that someone could simply abandon a mate like that, leaving them to suffer for months, was beyond me! What a cruel act to inflict on another person.
"Excuse me! If you truly don't want him, what was the point of making him your mate in the first place? He seems devoted to you. Why would you just walk away?"
"Not that it's any of your concern, but he was the strongest male in this quaint little village when I arrived, and I wanted the best. Sadly, the best turned out to be rather pathetic. I should have known better, considering this breed is mostly seen as a meal for others. What was I thinking? He's not even worth the dust on my shoes."
"You, on the other hand, don't seem like a prey beastkin. What brings you to my territory?" she said, sizing me up.
"You have a keen eye. I'm merely passing through. I got separated from my group and sustained an injury along the way." I wanted to tell her to take a hike and leave me be, but for now, I had to keep things cordial, even with her less-than-charming demeanor. Maybe a little flattery would work wonders? I decided to turn on the charm, all while trying to overlook her rather unpleasant quirks.
Her face became slightly red as she looked me over and then shook her head. "Yes, I think that you should go ahead and stay a few days while you contact your people and they can come to fetch you. It's been such a long time since I've had a chance to talk with another female that isn't a useless prey beastkin. All they do is stammer and cower before me although it's amusing to witness they aren't worth befriending. I think you'll do nicely to get rid of some of my boredom."
I'll have one of my males come to collect you for a late dinner once the sun sets, and we can chat about your living arrangements then. With a snap of her fingers, her man swooped in to assist her, and off they went together. Once she was out of earshot, I couldn't help but exhale deeply, pondering the mess I had stumbled into this time.
Coming Next Time: Negotiation