The beast tamer exiled from the hero’s party and the cat eared girl from the strongest race meet

Chapter 386: Old Connections

(TL:By Rafael,valhallatls.blogspot.com)

"Is it destiny?"

Shigure was gazing into the distance.

She had a nostalgic look on her face, as if she was lost in old memories.

"Rain and Chiffon, you're not ordinary humans, are you?"

"Huh?"

"One of you is the Hero, right?"

"You knew!?"

I couldn’t help but raise my voice.

But really, who wouldn't react like this?

Having someone figure out your true identity after just meeting them—it had never happened before.

Is it because the Wolf tribe has incredible observation skills?

Or could there be some other reason?

I was curious about how she figured it out.

As if reading my thoughts, Shigure chuckled and said,

"Ah, just so you know, we of the Wolf tribe don’t have the ability to read minds. I’m just a little... unusual."

"Unusual...?"

"A long time ago... I was part of a Hero's party."

"What!?"

I shouted again. Shigure gave me a look as if to say, "Keep it down," but... no, really, who wouldn’t be surprised by that?

Shigure being in a Hero’s party... I couldn’t have imagined such a thing.

"When you say a Hero's party... when was that?"

Arios and his companions flashed through my mind, but that couldn't be it. I’d never heard such a story, and besides, I doubt they could have gotten along with someone like Shigure.

"Hmm, it was so long ago that I can’t even remember exactly."

"Really... That’s surprising."

"Back then, we wolf tribe used to live alongside humans. I wasn’t fed up with them like I am now."

"I see."

"So, the Hero invited me to join their party, and I traveled with them."

"A member of the strongest species in a Hero’s party... that's possible?"

"You're one to talk, Rain. You’ve gathered plenty of the strongest species yourself."

"Haha, that’s true."

I couldn’t help but laugh.

Now that I think about it, my party is quite unique too. Aside from Tina, everyone’s from the strongest species...

Even Tina, who’s a ghost, is an unusual existence.

It’s not a party you’d hear about anywhere else.

But I see them as dependable comrades, rather than just members of the strongest species, so I rarely think of it as strange.

"I traveled with that Hero and did all sorts of things. The Hero was such an outstanding person, it almost felt like a waste for them to be human... If they had been someone from wolf tribe, I would have definitely fallen for them. I would’ve done anything to make them my partner... Oh, sorry. An old lady’s love story must be boring for you."

"No, it’s fascinating."

After all, I’ve recently been confessed to by Kanade and the others. Shigure's story could be really helpful, and I wanted to hear more.

But now probably wasn’t the best time to talk about romance.

Let’s get back to the main topic.

"Because you traveled with the Hero's party, you knew about us?"

"That’s right. You two gave off the same scent as that Hero."

"Scent...?"

I instinctively brought my arm to my nose and sniffed. Of course, there was no scent.

Seeing me do this, Shigure laughed heartily.

"Not that kind of scent. Maybe 'aura' wasn’t the best word. It’s more like a Wolf Tribe-specific sense. Like a gut feeling—'This person is good,' or 'This person is bad.' You and Chiffon gave off an aura that ordinary humans wouldn’t have."

"You can sense things through intuition? That’s amazing."

"There’s also a feeling of nostalgia. That’s another reason why. So, which of you is the Hero?"

"Chiffon is the Hero. I’m apparently qualified too, but I turned it down."

"You turned it down? Why?"

"I just feel more suited to being an adventurer."

"What an unusual person... Being the Hero would’ve guaranteed you wealth and fame. Well... maybe that’s why Sakura’s so attached to you."

As she said this, Shigure’s expression became complicated.

Why did she make that face?

"Anyway—"

Was I imagining things? Shigure quickly shifted her expression back to normal, as if nothing had happened, and continued speaking.

"If I’m being kind to you two, that’s the reason. Got it?"

"Yes, thank you for sharing so much with me."

"No problem. I figured you were curious too. This much, I don’t mind telling."

"..."

"Hm? By the look on your face, you still have something you want to ask? There’s still time, so go ahead. Though, I can’t promise I can answer everything."

"Then... just now, when you made that difficult face, what was that about?"

"Hmm..."

"It’s about Sakura, isn’t it? You changed your expression when you mentioned how she’s attached to us."

"Well, well. Sharp eyes. Is that a skill you inherited from the Hero? Or is it unique to you, Rain?"

"Sorry, if it’s something you don’t want to talk about, we can leave it."

"No, it’s fine. You might as well hear it."

Shigure gestured for me to follow her, and we left the village.

It seemed like this was something she didn’t want anyone else to overhear.

“It’s hard for us Wolf tribe—or rather, the strongest species in general—to have children. Due to our strong vitality, it’s said that it makes it difficult for us to bear offspring. That’s what the sage in the Hero’s party once told me, anyway. In any case, children are rare, and among us, the Wolf tribe has especially few. Right now, Sakura is the only young one.”

“There are no other children?”

“The closest one in age to her is about 30 years older.”

Is that really what you’d call “close”? From a human perspective, that’s more like a parent-child gap.

“Perhaps because of that, Sakura doesn’t dislike humans. Unlike us, she hasn’t grown tired of them. Though, I’ve repeatedly warned her not to get involved with humans, so she’s not friendly with just anyone.”

As she said this, Shigure’s face turned slightly stern.

There was a pressure in her words. For the first time, Shigure directed a sharp gaze at me, and I felt somewhat intimidated.

“That child doesn’t know despair. She hasn’t experienced the disappointment of being betrayed by humans. Even if she’s cautious, she hasn’t thought about what lies beyond that—she doesn’t know true pain.”

“That’s…”

“Sakura has grown attached to you and your group—no, specifically to you, Rain. I don’t know what her criteria are, but she’s opened her heart to you. So, please, don’t betray her. If you ever do, I can’t say what I might do in response.”

“…I understand. I promise I will never betray Sakura.”

I took Shigure’s words to heart, carving them deep into my soul.

Then, I nodded firmly.

“You’ve got a good look on your face.”

“Huh?”

“You’re worthy of being the descendant of a Hero. Whatever may happen, it seems I can entrust Sakura to you.”

“That’s…”

Just as I was about to ask what she meant, I heard the sound of light, quick footsteps approaching.

Turning around, I saw Sakura, wagging her tail.

“Woof!”

“Whoa!”

Sakura came running straight at me and knocked me over, licking my face all over, leaving me covered in slobber.

“What’s gotten into you, Sakura?”

“Woof!”

“Ah, the meeting’s over, huh? You came to get us. Thanks, Sakura.”

“Woof!”

“Uh… thanks, Sakura.”

“Whimper.”

As Shigure and I patted her head, Sakura let out a soft, affectionate sound.

TL Note- Welcome Sakura and Goodbye Exams........

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