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

Chapter 390: Social Gathering

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

"Hey, brother. Your name was Rain, right? I never imagined you’d beat Lady Shigure… You're really something. I’m honestly impressed."

"Looking closely, you have such clear eyes. Yes, after my husband... no, maybe you're even better than him."

"Are you drinking, guest? This sake is something special, made here in our village. It has a slight bitterness, which makes it an acquired taste, don’t you think?"

Surrounded by many members of the Wolf tribe, we all drank together.

After my victory over Shigure, Chiffon and I were acknowledged by the Wolf tribe. However, I hadn't really spoken to any of them directly before, so they decided to host a gathering to build camaraderie…

But what’s with this cheerful atmosphere? I can’t help but wonder—do they really hate humans? They're so friendly and welcoming that it’s hard to believe.

"Whoooa… this sake is intense… My head's spinning…"

"Kanade, are you okay? Do you want some water?"

"Hiccup..."

Off to the side, Kanade, Rifa, and Nina were also surrounded by members of the Wolf tribe, drinking as well. Since they're also among the strongest species, they seemed to get along from the start.

Still, Kanade seems to be the most affected by the alcohol. Could it be that she's the weakest drinker? Nina, on the other hand, is calmly sipping away, and it’s a bit concerning.

"Hey, guest! Stop looking off into the distance—come join us for some good conversation!"

"And you girls, drink up! No need to hold back just because you're women!"

"You, on the other hand, could ease up a bit…"

"Mind your business! I love drinking. Anyone who tries to stop me from enjoying my only pleasure, even if they're a comrade, won’t get off easy."

"Uh… right…"

Chiffon looked as puzzled as I felt. I get it. With smiles like these, it’s hard to believe they dislike humans.

Chiffon leaned over and whispered quietly in my ear.

"Rain, do the Wolf tribe really hate humans?"

"I was wondering the same thing."

"Ho ho ho, it seems you two are surprised."

Shigure appeared, carrying a cup brimming with sake. She looked like she’d had even more to drink than the rest of us, but her face showed no sign of it. Not only does she have great strength, but she also seems to be an incredible drinker.

"Um… I know it's odd for me, as a human, to ask this, but… does the Wolf tribe really hate humans?"

"We do. Humans ignored our warnings time and time again, acting foolishly. In the end… they drove one of the strongest species to extinction."

Is she talking about the Celestial Tribe? If she witnessed it firsthand, I can understand Shigure’s disappointment.

"But… as I might’ve mentioned before, we Wolves are a tribe that pledges absolute loyalty to those we consider our masters. Because of that, once we open our hearts to someone, we become… like this."

"I see."

Is it kind of like a stray dog that barks and growls at everyone until it's taken in, and then becomes extremely affectionate?

"Well, to think a day would come when I'd share drinks with humans with a smile—I’d never have imagined it."

"Is that so? Then, why…?"

"Partly because you showed us your strength. But more than that, it was the bond between you two that moved us."

"Our bond?"

"Working together to devise a strategy on the spot without speaking—you can’t do that without trusting each other. Seeing there are still humans capable of such trust… it surprised us. We moved to the Northern Continent hundreds of years ago… perhaps humans have changed."

Just how foolish were the people of the past? I only know secondhand stories, so I don’t know the whole truth. But I hoped they had changed.

"Oh, my apologies. Here we are at a celebration, and I’ve gone and brought up a somber topic."

"No, not at all..."

I appreciated that they had set up this gathering for us, but…

With everything going on with Iris, I couldn’t fully enjoy myself.

So, no matter what the topic of conversation might be, it wouldn’t be an issue for me.

In fact, if they talked about something relevant, I’d actually welcome it.

"Well then… let’s talk about what’s coming up, over some drinks."

"Ah… yes!"

Sensing what we were after, Shigure sat down nearby.

"Now then… let’s start by discussing the relationship between the Wolf tribe and the Phoenix tribe."

"Yes, please."

"We both share a disappointment with humans, which has allowed us to maintain a fairly good relationship. Though we live in separate places now, at one time, we apparently even lived together."

"Why did you go your separate ways?"

"We ended up getting into a bit of a fight."

"A fight…?"

Hearing words like ‘conflict’ and ‘separation’ made me think it must’ve been over something minor.

As if confirming my guess, Shigure continued on at her usual relaxed pace.

"Oh, it wasn’t a big deal. We just had a difference of opinion on a certain matter. Both sides thought they were right—'we’re correct,' 'no, we are'—that sort of thing. Our prides clashed, and neither side wanted to back down… so it eventually came to a contest."

"Wait, a contest… like the duel we had?"

Chiffon sounded surprised, but Shigure shook her head.

"If the strongest species like us were to duel, it would be disastrous. So, we decided on a different way to settle things."

"And that was…?"

"A race."

"A race…?"

"The dungeon where the Phoenix tribe lives is fairly deep. They only use the first three layers as living space, and leave the rest alone. Monsters seem to spawn again further down, but the Phoenix tribe doesn’t seem to care at all. So, we made it a rule: the first to reach the lowest level of that dungeon would be the winner."

"I see… yes, that’s definitely a race."

"Since then, the race has become a regular event to strengthen the bond between the Wolf tribe and the Phoenix tribe."

I didn’t think Shigure would mention this story without a reason.

If she’s bringing up the race with the Phoenix tribe, then maybe…

"Could it be… that you’re suggesting we take part in that race?"

"Correct."

Shigure grinned, like a child who’d just pulled off a prank.

"It just so happens that it’s almost time for the race again. I thought I’d have you and Sakura represent the Wolf tribe. What do you think?"

"Wouldn’t that cause a lot of trouble…?"

"It’d cause plenty of trouble."

Shigure said it casually, without a hint of joking.

"The Phoenix tribe sees humans as enemies… even if we mediated, there’s no guarantee they’d listen. At best, we might get chased away; at worst, we might even end up being seen as enemies by them as well."

"That sounds… rough."

What did our ancestors do, really? Probably something similar to what they did to Iris and the Celestial Tribe…

I wasn’t directly involved, but I couldn’t help but feel sorry about it.

"Still, just participating in the race might work out. There’d be resistance, but there’s a decent chance they’d let you join, thinking they could crush you themselves."

"That’s… a little ominous."

"If you and Sakura join the race and show them what you’re capable of, it might change the Phoenix tribe’s feelings and prompt them to listen, just like you moved our hearts."

Whether it would work or not…

That depended on me and Sakura… no, on me.

"What do you think, will you give it a try? Even with Sakura along, there’s a risk. Some members of the Phoenix tribe harbor a deep hatred toward humans… they might even try something underhanded. But if there’s any path to reach them, this is it."

"Let me do it."

"Oh? That was quick."

"If that’s the only way to get the Phoenix tribe to listen… if there’s even a small chance it could lead to saving Iris, then I’ll do whatever it takes."

"You’ve got a determined look there. It makes me hopeful about you, Rain. Really… it reminds me of that person."

As Shigure spoke, she seemed to be recalling her former master… the hero.

She looked nostalgic, her voice wistful as she remembered.

TL Note- Finally some light on the OG hero? There were no chapters for a few days as I had my exams and also the Diwali Festival.....

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