Will you help me?
Yes, cooperation. I don't have a clear idea of what it is and I can't really explain it, but I don't think it's a race anymore.

　Why were Leanne and Monica in that place?
　I don't know about that but he must be thinking about some bullshit again anyway.

　They weren't surprised to see me, so is their aim here?
　Or are they collectively trying to harm the phoenix tribe as well?

　Finia doesn't know about Lean and Monica, so she can't explain it well.
　If I take the time to explain it to her, she might understand, but I don't want to lose any extra time at this time.

'So, for now, let's form a partnership. I think it's best that we do so.
"Well, uh...

　Finia doesn't answer immediately.
　She makes a thoughtful gesture...
　Next, he looks at me with suspicion.

Oh, you're up to something........is it possible that you're up to something?
Uh ... it's ...

　Of course we have no plan.
　What happened with Leanne and Monica is an irregularity for us, too.

　But there's no way to prove it.
　The phoenix tribe is hostile to humans, so they can't trust me with their words alone.

　Oh dear.
　I have to convince them of this somehow, but I don't know what to do.

'Ongh.'

　As I racked my brain, the cherry next to me barked.
　Nope.
　Rather than barking, it's more of a narrative atmosphere, a somewhat gentle purr.

''Wafu............on, on.
What, Sakura-chan?
On!
Ummmmm...

　Apparently, Sakura has convinced me to do so.
　Finia's expression, which at first contained a grimness, gradually changed to a softer one.

''........Wha, I understand.''

　After a while, Finia looks at me like she's ready to go.
　In her eyes, the color of doubt is still the same.
　However, I could also see the slightest trace of other emotions as well.

''What did Sakura say?''
'Oh, I can trust you...'
So, do you believe me?
It's unbelievable. I've been told that humans are savage, fierce, cunning... and so awful!　I'm sure he'll see an opening for me too...............wobbling.
I wouldn't do that, though...
But.....

　Finia says in a somewhat softer tone, though her gaze remains stern.

''For now I'll trust Sakura-chan.
Okay. Thanks.
'Oh, don't get me wrong!　Oh, I didn't believe you, I believed Sakura-chan.
That's good enough for me.

　Thanks to Sakura, the place seems to be coming together somehow.
　Once again, thanks to Sakura.
　When things settle down, I'd like to treat you to something delicious.

　But still........it's such a lot of work just to convince Finia alone.
　As for Elfin-san, it will be even more difficult.

　I'm worried about Kanade, Chiffon, Rifa and Nina.
　Will they be able to handle it?
　I need to find out where we are and what happened to us.
　I've got to get back to my people and find out what's going on.



----------



　Upon returning to the village, Elfin gathered the others and explained the situation.

　That all of a sudden, a human other than Rain had appeared.
　With that person, Finia had disappeared.
　Unfortunately, the person who seemed to be reinforcements was missed.

　After explaining all this, Elfin says with a stern face.

''Let's execute the hostages.

　The person who called himself Rain had cowardly taken his friends and snuck them in.
　Not only that, he kidnapped his daughter.

　It was an extremely despicable crime.
　It is absolutely unacceptable.

　The phoenix tribe will not succumb to this foolish act.
　They must challenge it with a resolute attitude and give it the retribution it deserves.

''Yes!　Kill it, kill it!
I still don't trust people!

　One after the other, people are voicing their approval.
　Every one of them included anger in their voices, and they looked uncanny.

　Nina shrugged at the scene.
　Rifa stood by her and protected her from the maliciousness of those around her.

'Calm down,'

　Sigle calls softly to the heated Elfin.

'We haven't decided that Rayne and the newcomer are connected, have we?　This could be the work of a completely unrelated third party.
One of the werewolf tribe is defending a human being?
I hate people. But Rain is an exception. Rayne is the one that we the whole gang of gangsters approved of.
What a waste of time.
Huh... that's an insult to the whole gang of gangsters?
If that's what it sounded like, then it must be.

　A disconcerting atmosphere flows between the two of them at a statement that not only disgraces Rain, but also the finder wolf tribe.
　Their gazes clash with each other in a beehive.......
　It's a bit of a stretch, and Sigle lets out a sigh.

It's a good thing that we don't have to fight here. That's exactly what the enemy wants.
What do you mean by "enemy"?
'If I told you now, you wouldn't listen to me, so I'll get back to you later. More importantly, I don't want the hostages to be executed.
Why?　Are you saying that after all of this, that human still hasn't done anything about it?
That's what I'm thinking. And you don't, do you?
'Of course. After all, despite your presence, I shouldn't have allowed a human or anyone else into the village. We should have gotten rid of them immediately.
Calm down. Regardless of whether or not you're doing this with malicious intent, as of now, you have Finia on the other side. I think it's best to leave a hostage on the premises in case of emergency.
Does that mean we're going to get a hostage?
I think that would be best, don't you?
''Well yes. You have a good point. As for the execution of the hostages, we'll wait for a while.

　Sigle gently breathed out a breath of relief so that no one would notice.

　Somehow, the immediate execution of the hostages was avoided.
　However, it wouldn't be for long.
　If this uncertain situation continued, it wouldn't be surprising if the anger of the elfin and phoenix tribe exploded again.

''We have to do something before that happens... but Rain, Sakura, how are you doing right now?''