Worried that it might tilt again, I quickly approached the rabbit and tried to comfort it.

“April, stop and come to Mom now. I’ll buy you your favorite meat dish.”

“……!”

The rabbit blinked several times, then hopped into my arms. A fool who only knows meat. Foolish rabbit. A carnivorous rabbit.

After comforting the rabbit well, our group and I entered the lodging, leaving the carriage parked nearby.
I deliberately wore ordinary clothes, but despite trying to appear inconspicuous, everyone in the lodging glanced in our direction.

However, we acted indifferent, secured a room, and ordered food. Of course, it was for the rabbit. Among us, the only one hungry is the gluttonous April.

“April, are you going to eat in rabbit form?”

“Kkyang~.”

…Is that what it means? I’m not sure.

After waiting for some time, the food arrived, and April, as if it was a matter of course, began eating with her front paws.

As always, after eating like that, it’s my job to clean her fur if it gets dirty.

…Looking at her, it seems like she intentionally gets dirty while eating in rabbit form because she likes it.

‘Well… it’s the age to be mischievous.’

Let the rabbit do as she pleases, and I sipped some water. Hmm, the water tastes good. Maybe it’s because the village is near the mountains.

“…Hmm, the atmosphere feels a bit strange.”

But Arwin suddenly spoke in a low voice with meaningful words. His eyes scanning the surroundings were shining with a vigilant look.

‘The atmosphere feels strange…?’

Wondering what he meant, I subtly moved my head to look around.

The lounge on the first floor of this lodging had a structure like a bar or restaurant, and quite a few people had gathered.

However, among them, most looked like villagers rather than travelers.

And they were all exchanging serious words with serious expressions.

‘Is it because of us?’

More accurately, it might be because of Gloria. Perhaps this village is one of the places Gloria committed mischief…

…What if that’s the case?

‘That darn original body owner…!’

“Here’s your order~.”

While cursing Gloria inwardly, a waiter approached our table and placed delicious-looking bread.

When our eyes met, the waiter smiled. …Maybe it’s not because of Gloria?

“By the way, do you happen to know what those people over there are talking about?”

Just as I was about to ask, Greian made the first move.

The waiter, upon hearing the question, hesitated for a moment, scratched his cheek, and then spoke.

“Well… you see, people from the Ainsten Kingdom are here in this village right now.”

Unexpectedly, both our group and I were surprised. The rabbit even dropped the meat it was eating.

The waiter continued his story in a low voice.

“As you know… I mean, most of us in this village are bear Beastkin, right? So, there’s an atmosphere of increased vigilance towards people from the Ainsten Kingdom…”

Bear Beastkin are often kidnapped and trafficked by the Ainsten Kingdom as slaves because of their sturdy bodies and ability to handle tough tasks.

So, it was quite understandable why the villagers were exchanging serious words with such serious expressions.

“…Indeed, it seems so. Thanks for letting us know.”

“No problem, not at all.”

As Greian nodded in appreciation, the waiter smiled kindly and offered some additional information.
“Is there anything else you’d like to know? Even from a distance, all of the guests look splendid, so I feel like talking more for no reason. Haha.”

This waiter seems quick-witted. Somehow, he gives off a friendly vibe.

Next to ask a question was Arwin, or—

“Well, then……”

“Kkyawong?”

Just as Arwin was about to speak, the rabbit suddenly interrupted.

…A brief silence ensued.

The waiter quickly blinked his eyes and forced an awkward smile, but it seemed obvious that he was taken aback.

It’s understandable. How could this Beastkin waiter understand the rabbit’s words?

I gently persuaded April.

“April, how about asking in human form?”

But April just glared at me, showing no intention of transforming into a human.

I knew it. This one.

After letting out a disappointed laugh, I asked April with a subtle tone.

“Okay, I’ll try to guess what you’re curious about. ‘Why did people from the Ainsten Kingdom come here.’ Is that right?”

“……!”

It was a wild guess, but the rabbit immediately blinked her eyes and nodded vigorously. She seemed quite touched that I understood her intention.

“Kyaang!”

“Okay, if you’ve finished eating, let’s clean your front paws. Also, wipe around your mouth…”

I hugged the rabbit and wiped her front paws with a napkin. While doing so, the waiter, still sporting a stylish smile, continued talking.

“That was an interesting question. Well… you see, it’s true. In the mountains to the west, after passing through this Borros village, there’s a rumor that a Azure Dragon was spotted in the deep valley of Fillion Mountain recently…”

“…?!”

Upon hearing that story, our group and I were even more surprised. …No wonder the butterflies found it so quickly; was it because ‘that guy’ revealed itself?

‘Wait, but… that guy… could it be that it has already reached adulthood?’

That can’t be right. In human terms, it should be around the same age as April…?

“So, travelers from the Ainsten Kingdom who were traveling around this area heard the rumor and came here. They plan to find the Azure Dragon before the sun sets today and climb Fillion Mountain…”

“Kknyang!”

The rabbit’s indignant exclamation didn’t need translation. I had the same thought, and probably the others too.

‘No way!’

Regardless of the Ainsten Kingdom’s people’s reasons for searching for the Azure Dragon, we must not let ‘that guy’ and those people meet first.

Otherwise, there’s a chance that ‘that guy’ might hide even more!

Moreover, the problem doesn’t end there…

‘Those Ainsten Kingdom people… might die.’

I believe in certain aspects and want to meet ‘that guy.’ But how dare these ‘humans,’ who are not even Beastkin, try to meet ‘that guy’?

Because that creature…

‘…Has a severe hatred towards humans.’

Even if I have a corner of trust, I would never let ‘that guy’ meet those people first.

Because if that happens, ‘that guy’ might take their lives.
In truth, I don’t care whether the people from the Ainsten Kingdom, with whom I have no friendship, live or die…

‘But still, life is precious.’

Even if it’s for the sake of rescuing those foolish humans, I must hurry and go up the mountain.

I stood up abruptly and said, “There’s no time to waste. Let’s hurry!”

It was fine to have such a determined mindset heading west like that.

However, as soon as we arrived at the foot of the mountain, we ran into them.

The courteous people from the Ainsten Kingdom.