I was told I would be led to the chief, but there was no one there.
　Could it be........could it be that the chief can't be adapted to humans or something?

Totally.

　After looking at me in a panic, Sigle glares at the woman lightly, as if to say, "Oh dear.

'I'm not too impressed with your pranks, are I?
Hmph.

　What does it mean?
　As I wonder, the woman moves to the back of the room and turns around.
　She sits down in a chair that appears to belong to the chief as it is.

''I am Elfin I am the chief of the phoenix tribe.
What?

　So this was the chief?
　There were times when I wondered if it might be...
　He had decided that there was no way the chief was going to visit him in person, and he had ruled out the possibility that he might.

　Hmm, I shouldn't.
　Assumption limits one's vision.
　I thought about that and reflected on it.

'And this is my daughter, Finia.
Yello, yello, nice to meet you!

　He was biting.
　Maybe it's not just that she's afraid of people, but she's not good at standing in front of people.

'Totally I was wondering what you'd do since you're giving me a meaningful stare alone. Were you trying to hide the fact that you're a chief to see your reaction?
'I'm just as guilty, since Sigle was on board too. Though I'm not one to feel guilty about my human counterparts.

　I can see the strong hostility towards people from every word.
　Thanks to Sigre-san, I've managed to have a dialogue with him....
　If it had been just us, we would have ended up getting attacked.
　Thank you, Sigle, for that.

'So...'

　Mr. Elfin glares at us, and then looks at Mr. Sigle.

'What do you mean by a human representing the race?　Can you tell me more about it?
Yeah, of course. As a matter of fact...

　The reason why we came to the north continent in search of the power of healing.
　The internet internet search engine is one of the most convenient ways to find what you need.
　What's more, what's more, you were chosen as the representative of the race.

　The whole thing was carefully explained to you in order to explain these events in order to you.
　After listening to the story, Elfin-san put his hand to his temples, as if he had a headache due to being told the joke.
　Then, a deep sigh.

''........For the time being, I understand the situation.
Oh, yeah?　Then......
'But sir!　We can never allow a foolish person to represent the race!
Why?
'Such a thing is unheard of!　There's no way I'm going to accept that!

　With a pizzazz, Elfin-san says with a feeling of being unattached to the island.
　Sigre-san said that he would manage it, but........will he be able to manage this?
　I don't feel like there's anything I can say to that.

But we did have a rule that we could choose a delegate to represent us in the race, didn't we?　And there's no rule against choosing a human being as a surrogate, is there?
'That's true but I don't think we need to talk about that kind of thing,'
'Maybe so, but it's not a clear violation of the rules, so don't you see the problem?　If it really doesn't work, you should have described it from the beginning. The fact that it didn't means that you had an acceptable mind, that if it did, it had to be done, didn't it?
It's both a quibble and an overly forceful theory, isn't it?
People aren't the only ones who race, you know. My partner is a cherry. So what's the problem?
''Are you crazy enough to make your lovely grandson your human counterpart?''
That's how much I trust this guy.
Hmm....

　Sigre's words made Elfin-san look like he was thinking.
　Could it possibly work out like this?

"....The race is not a sacred ritual.

　Elfin-san seemed unsure of her decision and was talking to herself.
　If there was one more factor that would push him back, or maybe he would be convinced.......
　Unfortunately, I've only just met Ms. Elfin, so I don't know any information that would push her back.

'Elfin or...'

　As if to say, "I'll take care of it," Mr. Sigle went next to Mr. Elfin.

'Since you're here, why don't you take advantage of this race?
"Use?
If you take on a human-sacred pair, you can take on Finia...
...hmm.

　As it is, they begin to whisper and have a secret conversation.
　I don't know what they're talking about but....
　The first word I heard, 'use', bothers me.

　I hope he's not planning something bad.
　Sigure-san has an air of seeming to think about bad things sometimes.

''........I understand.''

　The two of us continue to talk in secret for five minutes.
　When Sigre-san quietly leaves, Elfin-san looks at me.

'Human, what's your name?'
Lane Shroud.
Well, Rain. I'm going to specially recognize you as the representative of the whole tribe of Task Force in addition to the whole gang of gangsters.
Really?
However!

　Elfin-san's thin fingers pointed at Chiffon and Kanade.

''That human over there and that cat spirit tribe over there you two should be offered up as hostages.
What?
'Just because Sigle trusts us doesn't mean we trust him either. Basically, humans are the enemy. If you still want us to trust you...
And in exchange, you'll give us both of them as hostages?
That's the way it is. I will not guarantee the lives of the hostages if they think something stupid. Without that much assurance, I can't allow a human being to participate in the race, and I don't think the rest of us can either.
No, sir.

　The truth is, I have to accept that...
　But then I found myself saying those words.

　Everyone cringes.
　Both Elfin-san and Sigle-san, eh?　I'm surprised to see that.

'I understand what you mean, Elfin. I suppose it's only natural that you can't trust humans, and it's only natural that you should have insurance for that.
In that case....
''But Kanade and Chiffon are both my friends. Even if it's for the sake of trust, I'll never do anything like selling out my friends for that purpose.
....

　Elfin-san rolled her eyes and was surprised.
　He hadn't expected to be hit with such a response.

''Kukkaku.''

　Sigre-san laughs happily.

Rayne is a much more interesting person than I ever thought she would be.
Well you're certainly not the same as the people you hear about.

　The refusal to give up the hostage also took things in a slightly, different direction.
　It wasn't a bad feeling, and although it was slightly, it seemed to have softened Elfin-san's mood.

'But there's nothing convenient about not offering up anything, just asking for it. If you won't give up your hostages, we won't allow a human being, Rain, to compete in the race. Nor will I give you the opportunity to change our minds.
Still....

　I don't want to be the one to sell out my people.
　Just as I was about to say that, I was tapped on both my shoulders with a pop.

　When I looked, I saw Kanade and Chiffon each put a hand on my shoulder.

'Nya, thank you, Rain. You're worried about me, right?　I'm so happy.
But we'll be fine. Don't worry about it. You can give them up for what they want.

　They both say things like that, but I'm still not convinced.
　As if to unwind such a stubborn heart, Kanade says, "It's just that I'm a hostage in case something happens.

It's just a hostage in case something happens. What are you going to do about it, Rain?
I would never do that.
'Then it's not a problem. I trust Rayne, so I hope she trusts me too.
'Yes, yes, Kanade, you're right. You can trust us and feel comfortable sending us as hostages.
That's... that's not the right word.

　I couldn't help but laugh.
　But the thought of absolute rejection was gone.

　The resistance is still there, but....
　But the two of you have said so much.
　And yet, if you refuse to do so, that would mean that you don't trust them.

''........I understand. I accept those terms.
It's a wise decision.
I would never do anything to harm either of you...
'If you don't plan to do something foolish, we won't do it. For we are not like humans.
I understand. I trust you.

　Thus.........in exchange for Kanade and Chiffon being held hostage, I was allowed to participate in the race.
　Not only for the sake of Iris, but also for the sake of Kanade and Chiffon, I'll do my best to deal firmly and honestly with them and make them trust me.