The beast tamer exiled from the hero’s party and the cat eared girl from the strongest race meet
"Guh... what in the world happened...?!"
Apparently, he had slammed into something when he was blown away, because pain shot through his body from all directions.
Fortunately, the injuries didn't seem serious, and before long, they were healed.
Rain quickly regained his footing and raised Kusanagi.
What was that?
He had no idea what had happened...
But he had an incredibly bad feeling about it.
"Oh? So you survived."
A moment later, a black-haired man appeared.
He looked to be in his mid-twenties, yet there was a strange composure about him that made him seem older, perhaps past thirty.
A mysterious person.
Perhaps to match his hair, he wore a jet-black robe.
Light armor, a dagger, and a pouch filled with various tools.
Judging by his equipment, he was probably an adventurer.
But certainly not an ordinary one.
Rain took some pride in having survived his fair share of life-and-death situations...
Yet even so, he found this man terrifying.
The man wasn't doing anything in particular, yet an overwhelming pressure emanated from him. If Rain didn't keep his guard up, it felt as though he would be swallowed whole.
"Haha... I never thought Master would come to save me..."
Mona was slung over the man's shoulder.
If what she said was true, then this man had come to rescue her?
If so, was he connected to the demons?
The more he learned, the less he understood about the man's identity.
"Mona is my property. She tried to leave without permission, so naturally I came to bring her back."
"You're so harsh... I'm completely battered here, you know? You could at least say something kind..."
"That's the result of your usual behavior. If you were a little more lovable, I might have."
"Ahaha... I can't really argue with that."
"I'll take care of the rest. Get some sleep."
"Yeah, I'll do that... honestly, I've reached my limit..."
It seemed she had already been at the end of her strength.
At that point, Mona lost consciousness.
The man carried her over his shoulder and began to leave—
"Wait."
This man was dangerous.
His instincts screamed that getting involved with him was a mistake.
Even so, he couldn't let Mona escape like this.
Rain pointed the tip of Kusanagi at the man.
"Who are you?"
"I don't see any need to answer."
"After barging into my fight with Mona?"
"Hmm."
The man stopped and looked back at him.
"...I see. When you put it that way, I suppose I am involved."
The man's gaze locked onto Rain.
A shiver ran down his spine.
What cold eyes.
A brilliance colder than absolute zero.
It felt as though not only his emotions, but even his soul had been frozen solid.
Raising his guard even higher, Rain questioned him.
"You look human, but are you an ally of the demons?"
"No."
"Then why are you protecting Mona?"
"Because she belongs to me."
What did that mean?
Could it be...
"You're really not on the demons' side?"
"I don't actively oppose them, but that doesn't mean we're allies either."
"Then I'll ask again—why are you helping Mona?"
His words didn't add up.
He claimed not to be an enemy of the demons, yet he was trying to save Mona, who was one of them.
Was he an enemy after all?
Or perhaps...
"The reason I'm helping her is simple."
"And that is...?"
"Because Mona is my familiar."
"What?!"
Did he just say familiar?
Then that means...
Could this man be the same as him...?
"I've let her do as she pleased for a while, but it's about time she returned to work under me. That's why I came to bring her back. Nothing more."
"Mona was cooperating with the demons, but that was her own decision, not yours. Is that what you're saying?"
"Exactly. You're quick to understand. I don't dislike intelligent humans. It makes conversations go more smoothly."
If what the man said was true, then perhaps he wasn't an enemy.
He looked like the kind of opponent who wouldn't be easy to deal with, so avoiding conflict would be best.
But...
"I understand that you're not on the demons' side. I don't have any proof... but I think you're telling the truth. You don't seem like the type of person who tells pointless lies."
"Oh? That's quite a favorable evaluation. I don't mind hearing that."
"However, I can't just let you take Mona away."
"And why is that?"
"Because she's caused all kinds of trouble. And I want to know what sort of schemes she was carrying out here. I need to question her thoroughly about everything."
"I see."
The man merely gave a small nod.
Without showing any further reaction, he stared at Rain silently.
"I understand your circumstances."
"Then..."
"Even so, those are your circumstances. They have nothing to do with me. I don't care. I have no reason to obediently do as you say."
"Yeah... figures."
Somehow, Rain had expected this.
He had a feeling proper negotiation would be impossible with this man.
It wasn't just that their values were different—or that the man lacked common sense.
The things this man desired lay in a completely different place from anything Rain could imagine.
They could talk.
But reaching an agreement? That was impossible.
"So, what'll it be? Shall we fight? I don't mind either way."
Still carrying Mona on one shoulder, the man deftly drew a sword from his waist.
It was a short sword.
Yet its blade was as black as the night itself...
And so finely polished that anyone could tell at a glance it was a masterpiece.
Seeing another sword still hanging at his waist, he might be a dual-wielder.
"...I'll pass."
Rain returned Kusanagi to its sheath.
"I don't want Mona to get away, but fighting you would be bad. Really bad."
"You have good instincts."
The man chuckled softly and turned his back on Rain.
"Wait. One last thing."
"What?"
"I'm Rain Shroud. What's your name?"
"Reinhardt. I discarded my family name. And..."
The man paused briefly before continuing.
"...like you, I'm a Beast Tamer."
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