Dancing Circles on the Horizon of Events

As the leader of the merchant corps, I didn't expect the villagers to be so furious as to capture the wild beasts. The anger of the villagers was as if they had been deprived of something precious. "When did the villagers and the beasts get along..." As far as the leader can recall, I didn't remember hearing any of the signs or rumors.

The last time the merchants stopped by the village, there was no beast, and it was only recently that they settled in the village. That's within a week. "I can't make friends in such a short time..." The leader of the merchant corps inwardly assumes so.

"Then why are the villagers so furious..." The leader of the merchant corps who had such questions suddenly noticed that there was a beast among the villagers.

It was a Fox Beastman. Her hair was as black as dark night, so she hadn't noticed it until now, but when she started to protest, taking the lead of the villagers, she became aware of her presence even if she didn't respond. The leader of the merchant regiment suddenly thought in disgust at the beastman who had a pitch-black fur.

(Maybe that's the cause?)

Like some monsters, there are people who lead the same race —— in this case, if there are people who lead the Beastmen, they might be able to make friends with the villagers in a short time... Two options arose in the minds of the leaders of the Commercial Corps who thought so. A herd is an option that will disintegrate if the leader is gone, so we can just get rid of her. And since it is an unusual individual, it is an option that would be a considerable amount of money if it were captured and sold in the official capital.

If this is the treatment of humans, it was a thought that can only be said to be human, but in this continent, beasts are treated in the same line as dogs, cats, and monsters. Even if this was another merchant, they must have been bothered about choosing one of the two options.

And the choice made by the leader of the merchant corps--

"... that beast." Kill that beast with an arrow! "

It was supposed to kill the Fox Beastman Asteria. They feared that forcing the villagers to tear down the Asteria alone would be a military risk and endanger the merchant corps. Already, the magical beasts were well secured, so I didn't think I'd risk it until I captured the additional beasts.

"It's you! It's the villagers you bewitched!"

"... ha? What the hell are you talking about..."

"It's dangerous!" Ladies and gentlemen, please stay out of trouble! "

At the behest of the merchant corps leader, the guards set up arrows. Of course, the Asteria was at the head of the arrow. The villagers who had been exposed to the rays seemed to feel the danger to their lives and backed their faces pale.

In the midst of it all, there are those who walked in front of the Asteria. Among Josephine's Guardian Knights, those who were ordered to wait in the underground space. In other words, those who live in the underground space with the beasts.

Their actions were by no means praised as knights. You're trying to sabotage the merchant's "right" to kill a rebellious beastman in violation of the law.

However, the knights knew what they were doing and seemed to be trying to protect the Asteria. Even though they knew it would be against the law, there was something they had to do as "knights". Even so, even if we become the same as the "bandits" in law... "

Because he is taking off his armor, the merchant shakes his head and gives a final warning to the knights who, at first glance, are only visible to ordinary people.

"... if you want to protect the Wild Beastman, you must be treated as the same as the Wild Beastman." Honestly, the bandits are treated as follows. You don't mind if that happens, do you? "

…………

The final warning did not bend the knights' minds. It seemed to me that if I bent my mind here, I wouldn't have the face to let Josephine see me. Because they have received some kind of command from their principal, Josephine.... I want you to protect the Beastmen while I'm gone.

The leader of the merchant corps shook his head to the side as he saw the knights who were unchanged in their intentions.

"I'm sorry, but I'm sure all the merchants will testify about what happened here."... do it. "

At that moment, arrows flew from the adventurers and thinkers of the escort towards the Asteria. But it won't hit her. The knights tried to shield themselves from the Asteria.

10m, 1m, 50cm... In an instant, arrows slashed through the air and charged at the knights. It is no longer possible to evade it. I was even suspicious that I had cognition.

However, no arrows pierced their bodies or penetrated them. Ignoring the physical phenomenon, the arrow stopped and fell to the ground.

Immediately thereafter --,

* giggle *...!!

—— An overwhelming amount of magic enveloped the scene. Breathing was a magic power. Half of those present vomit under too much pressure, leading to difficulty breathing.

And so what emerged from one house--

"Damn it! Asteria! In 2 minutes and 30 seconds, the steak will be well-done!"

--and a girl who's in a panic--

"Ah! The Commercial Corps (caravan) is coming? Onee-chan!"

--An animal girl like a village daughter who seems to be everywhere. Waltz and Lucia.

Those two remarks sounded unusual, but at least the gaze and magic power that they had directed at the merchant corps was not the same as usual.