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

Chapter 391: Return to the Phoenix Village

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

In front of a certain dungeon… We had once again returned to the village of the Phoenix Clan.

Memories of our last visit came rushing back.

The moment we showed our faces, they attacked us… We didn’t even get a chance to explain ourselves.

Will things go better this time?

I couldn’t help but feel anxious.

“It’ll be fine,”

Noticing the worry on my face, Shigure reassured me in her confident tone.

“Last time, only Sakura was with you, but this time I’m here too. There’s no one in the Phoenix Clan who doesn’t recognize my face… They might be on guard, but they won’t attack on sight. I’m sure they’ll at least hear us out.”

“If you say so… that’s reassuring.”

Still, I wondered what kind of position Shigure held in their society. She didn’t seem to be the clan leader, yet she represented them in our duel and accompanied us during crucial moments. The more I thought about it, the more I realized she held considerable authority and was highly trusted.

I wanted to ask her about it, but… That could wait. For now, I needed to focus on the Phoenix Clan.

“Here we go,”

Shigure placed her hand lightly on the door. Just like before, the door glowed and slowly opened.

“Is anyone there? It’s Shigure,”

“Huh, is that… Lady Shigure?!”

A familiar voice echoed from inside.

With the patter of footsteps, a young girl appeared. She had been the one who greeted us last time… and then attacked us without warning.

“Oh, Lady Shigure! And Sakura too… And… a hu-human?”

The girl smiled at Shigure and Sakura, but froze as her eyes fell on us. She started trembling, her eyes welling up with tears. Her hair began to sway, emitting tiny red sparks of light.

“Eek, aaahhh! A human, a human, a h-human is here! Are they going to eat me!?”

“Calm down,”

Was this going to be a repeat of last time?

Just as I started to worry, Shigure stepped forward and patted the girl’s head.

“Huh? Uh, L-Lady Shigure?”

“I understand why you’re surprised. But rest assured, these two are harmless.”

“But, but… they’re humans…”

“I personally guarantee their harmlessness. Or do you doubt my word?”

“No, no! Never! I would never question you, Lady Shigure! It’s not my place to even… oh no, oh no!”

I couldn’t fully understand, but her panic was almost endearing. It made me wonder—was Shigure that important, or was the girl just naturally anxious?

“Finia, what’s all this commotion?”

Another person appeared, likely another member of the Phoenix Clan. She looked about thirty, tall and lean with a strikingly cool appearance rather than cute or beautiful.

“I could hear your voice all the way inside. Really… If you’re my daughter, you need to be more composed.”

“I’m s-sorry, Mother…”

Apparently, they were mother and daughter. Now that I looked more closely, there was a slight resemblance in their features.

“Well, well… If it isn’t Shigure.”

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

“Yes, since the last race, so it’s been about a year? And as for…”

Her sharp gaze shifted toward us, piercing as though it could cut right through.

“I see. So this is why Finia was so distressed… Finia?”

“Y-yes, ma’am!”

“I apologize for my harsh words earlier. Given that humans have come, it’s understandable to be flustered.”

“No, no, Mother, you’re right. I do need to keep my composure more.”

“That’s my daughter. Keep working toward that goal.”

“Y-yes!”

I thought she might be a strict person, but that didn’t seem to be the case.

She seemed to be the type to scold when necessary, but also to give praise where it was due.

That’s the kind of person she was, it seemed.

“So… Shigure, what is the meaning of this? Bringing a human into our village?”

“I brought this year’s race representatives.”

“…Excuse me?”

“This year’s representatives are my granddaughter Sakura… and this human man, Rain.”

“I’m sorry, could you repeat that?”

It was as if she couldn’t believe her ears, and she asked again. Her expression was already starting to tense up.

To her disbelief, Shigure replied with absolute calm.

“This year’s race representatives are Sakura and this human, Rain.”

“…You must be joking?”

“I’m serious.”

“That kind of nonsense… Are you provoking the Phoenix Clan?”

A fierce aura erupted around her with a whoosh of anger.

No… this was more than just anger; it was outright murderous intent.

A crushing wave of animosity, almost tangible in weight, bore down on me and Shifon. It was enough to make anyone’s knees buckle…

But if I showed any fear, it might embarrass Shigure. So I held my ground, standing firm as I faced her.

“Oh?”

Eventually, the murderous aura faded, and she gave a small, impressed-sounding hum.

“You don’t seem like just any ordinary human. Very well, I’ll hear more. I’ll lead you to the chief.”

“Much appreciated.”

“Follow me inside. Oh, and… let me make this clear—if you make any wrong moves, you’ll be incinerated on the spot. Keep that in mind.”

“Uh… Understood.”

She had delivered a rather intense warning.

I’d best not do anything foolish… Not that I had any intention of doing so to begin with.

Guided by the woman and the young girl, we finally entered the heart of the Phoenix Clan’s village.

“Wow…”

Since they lived in a dungeon, I’d assumed it might be dark and gloomy, but that wasn’t the case at all.

It seemed they had modified it over time; the corridors were wide, well-lit, and properly paved.

We occasionally passed through large rooms.

It was so clean, you wouldn’t think we were inside a dungeon.

They must have spent countless years remodeling it to make it more livable.

Just looking at this place, I felt I was getting a glimpse into the history of the Phoenix Clan.

“Please wait here.”

We stopped in front of a particular room, and only the woman went inside.

This was probably the chief’s chamber.

I assumed she’d inform them of our arrival and decide how to proceed.

After waiting for about ten minutes, the door to the room opened, and the woman reappeared.

“Please, come inside.”

This was it.

I braced myself and stepped into the room…

“Huh?”

…but for some reason, the room was empty.

TL Note- A trap?

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