Chapter 653 – From Two Hidden Villages

Since it seemed awkward to keep standing around talking, we moved to the Adventurer Guild office and introduced Dominique’s relatives to Auria and the other staff members.

“Oh, so that means Dominique’s homecoming went well?”

“Yes, Lady Auria!”

“That’s wonderful, Dominique-san.”

Dominique answered Auria’s question with visible happiness. Auria and Heather expressed their joy as if it were their own affair, while Oswald closed his eyes and nodded.

“I am Auria, the head of the Termwills Adventurer Guild. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

“I’m Oswald, the Vice-Commander. Nice to meet you.”

“My name is Heather. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Saying this, Auria and the others extended their hands for handshakes with Dominique’s relatives.

“Oh my… How polite of you,” Dominique’s parents responded somewhat timidly as they accepted the handshakes.

The other staff members besides Heather offered congratulations to Dominique or greeted her relatives, creating a warm atmosphere.

“We were worried about how our daughter was doing… But to think she’s with such kind people.”

“Truly… we feel relieved.”

“See? I told you, Father, Mother.” Dominique smiled happily at her parents’ reactions.

“And to think even we are being welcomed so warmly. We had prepared ourselves for some degree of rejection, having heard that humans had shunned us in the past.”

The Harpy men apparently couldn’t use the Humanization Spell, so their emotions were somewhat difficult to read, but their voices carried a tone of being moved.

“Indeed. Lady Auria and Lady Heather are the ones who recruited me as an adventurer.”

“Corulis and Flamia also regularly receive assistance from the Adventurer Guild.”

Maxwell flashed its core in agreement, and at Princess Stephania’s words, Corulis and Flamia also nodded their heads.

I believe Auria is trustworthy in that regard. The reason why the Termwills Adventurer Guild, where various races gather, functions so well is likely due to what Maxwell said – Auria and the others have broad-minded acceptance.

“My, my, it’s embarrassing to hear that said to my face,” Auria laughed while lightly patting Corulis’s back. Heather wore a wry smile at Auria’s behavior.

“By the way, the reason Harpies rarely leave their settlement… is it because of that past history?”

“That’s correct. Though it’s just one reason among others. More importantly, among our kind, there are occasionally those who fall to darkness. In that sense, one couldn’t say there was no reason for such discord.”

“At the very least… if we lived in places favored by spirits, such things wouldn’t happen. The reason we rarely leave our settlement is because of considerations like that.”

I see… Environmental Magic Power causing violent tendencies is a matter of life and death for monsters.

In Grantios’s case, perhaps because they live in the sea, they’re sensitive to environmental changes and developed methods to improve them.

On the other hand, the Harpies, with members like their chief Vera who can sense spirit movements, have sought out good environments that meet their settlement’s requirements and lived there as a countermeasure.

Human settlements also tend to have fewer spirits. In that sense, I understand why Harpies avoid them, and there’s a reason why those who go out to find partners return to their village afterward.

Looking at it from that perspective, Termwills, where Claudia’s power reaches, could be considered a safe environment as long as irregular elements like Miasma Orbs don’t interfere.

“I see. The reason for falling to darkness depends on the quality of Environmental Magic Power during childhood.”

“Is that… true?” The Harpies widened their eyes at my words.

Hmm. So they use spirits as a benchmark, but didn’t understand the direct causes or conditions.

“Yes. Regarding the Termwills area, the Moon Goddess’s power is abundant, so the Environmental Magic Power can be considered good.”

“Oh… That’s valuable information to learn.”

“So that means Lily is safe as long as she’s here?”

“That would be correct.”

When I nodded, Lily happily grasped Dominique’s hand and looked up at her with a smile. Dominique also broke into a smile at Lily’s reaction.

While one couldn’t say which lifestyle is better for anyone but the individuals themselves, at least for where Dominique spends her days or where Harpies might visit, Termwills’ Environmental Magic Power can be considered good. This kind of information probably provides reassurance for Dominique’s family too.

And… tomorrow Vera will be meeting with Queen Eldorene, so I might be able to hear something useful regarding that matter. It would be good to contact Queen Eldorene via the Communication Device about this now. Even as Grantios, there are probably parts where information disclosure is possible and parts where it isn’t.

“Ah, that’s right. Changing the subject slightly… Chief Vera mentioned she’d like to thank the Guild for protecting Dominique. It’s somewhat sudden, but since Vera is scheduled to meet with Queen Eldorene tomorrow… would it be possible for you to attend? If it’s inconvenient, we can arrange another opportunity.”

I conveyed what Vera had asked me earlier to Auria and the others, inquiring about their schedules from tomorrow onward.

“Hmm. I have no issues… What about you, Oswald?”

“My work has settled down for now. No problems.”

Auria and Oswald were available. Since Heather is close with Dominique and Justia, it was decided she would also accompany them.

“Then it’s settled. I’ll contact the Royal Castle. I was thinking of inviting the Spirit Kings as well.”

After saying this, I turned to Marl. When Marl made eye contact with me, she smiled happily.

“Are you inviting us too?”

“You were the main contributors in finding the settlement this time. I thought it would be good for everyone to gather at the Royal Castle.”

“Then I’ll let everyone know. I’m sure they’ll be pleased.”

Good. That should take care of tomorrow’s arrangements.

After Dominique and Justia showed their families the room where they usually live in the Adventurer Guild and explained about their regular work, we left the Adventurer Guild.

Dominique’s relatives had the banquet last night, today’s travel on the Sirius, and the visit to Termwills – it’s been quite lively and hectic, so they probably want to settle down early.

Vera and Ramona, along with the artisans, will likely want to look around Termwills, but for today, having them spend time in the Game Room seems like it would allow them to relax comfortably.

So I decided to head straight home and guide them there. We went to my house, showed them to the guest rooms to drop off their luggage, then led them to the Game Room.

Tonight, both Dominique and Justia are staying at my house, and while Princess Stephania and the others aren’t staying over, they’ve come to visit. The familiars are relaxing in the courtyard too, making things quite lively.

“—I’m glad. I was worried whether you’d make it back safely.”

“Mmh, thank you!”

Lasnote showed a happy expression after hearing about what happened, and Dominique responded with a bright smile.

Cecilia and Mihaela, along with the Labyrinth Village residents, also looked pleased. Particularly the Labyrinth Village members, having experienced something similar with Irmhild, probably couldn’t help but feel personally connected to Justia and Dominique’s situation.

“But there are so many different races gathered here. To think you’re even living with High Spirits…”

Dominique’s family and relatives seemed somewhat bewildered. As for the High Spirit—meaning Floria—she was holding a Harvesta pot on her lap while apparently discussing Rosemary and Rock Fangas cultivation.

“We used to live in a village deep within the labyrinth. Due to circumstances, we came outside… but here we’re allowed to work while learning about the outside world and training our skills.”

Claire the Arachne answered the Harpies’ questions while preparing tea, explaining about themselves.

“I see.”

The Labyrinth Village residents originally had high standards from the beginning since they were self-sufficient in their village, handling all household chores like cooking, laundry, sewing, and agricultural knowledge. Some can even use magic useful for farming.

And with Cecilia and Mihaela generously teaching everything from etiquette, reading, writing, and arithmetic to general knowledge like Verdgar’s history, culture, customs, and even combat training… considering their level, one can’t help but feel they’ve developed into personnel capable of working anywhere.

Well, the individuals themselves probably want to stay close to Claudia though.

“Not being familiar with the outside world is something we share. Perhaps we need to pay more attention to the outside world and work harder.”

“That might be true for me too.”

“We should also work harder.”

At the Harpies’ words, Lasnote and Sion also nodded thoughtfully.

Hmm. In that case, perhaps it would be good to borrow a Lantern from Marlene today and do readings of various books and stories mixed with illusions. Since it includes images, it would be easier to grasp concepts and has practical value too. As welcoming entertainment, it might be unconventional but enjoyable for them, I think.