21 – Looks like I got to save the day again

The town of Namook. Build at the highest point of a forest and near a river. It wasn't by accident that this town was located here. Having access to a fast stream and a forest makes it firstly easier to defend. The river is quite large so it's important for the wolves as it supplies them with fish and wildlife for food.

The village itself was very rustic. Everything, and I mean everything is made out of wood. All the houses and buildings are made from wood. Speaking of wood, wood and animal fur trades are the main economy around here. This is really just a giant village. Population wise it can be called a tribe, but it really just looks like a peaceful village.

And of course, there's the snow. Pure white snow covered everything. There was literally a separation line after a certain point. Lush grass on one side, and snow on the other. It's seems the weather is influenced by mana and magic. Of course, if I wanted I could make the sun come out, but honestly, if possible I try to avoid messing with nature, unless people are suffering.

Oh, if you are wondering about our current situation well…

"Achooo!!"

"Bless you."

"Ayaka… I thought you said you could shield us from the cold."

"You seriously want me to use magic in this scenario?"

Basically, all 3 of us were tied up in a wooden cabin, waiting for the village chief to come and talk to us. Obviously, these guys were very rude and unfriendly, but Lina said it's in their nature, so it's better to go along for now so we don't offend them.

I did ask the guards to put more wood on fire, which they did. Their intent isn't to torture us either. If you actually think of it, we aren't your typical bunch, so it's natural they be on their guard. I hope when things clear up they will loosen up for a bit, or else this place is gonna be too tense for me to feel comfortable on my lazy life quest.

------

After a while of waiting, we were taken in front of the village chief. Something doesn't add up though. The chief, was a muscular male with very long hair. His fluffy tail was wagging, it almost made me wanna jump on it, but I restrained myself. Besides, I don't like fondling men. If I look better at him, this guy kind of reminds me of Silver Ash, except with a longer hair and a scar across his left eye.

"My name is Spyros. I am currently acting as the village chief. I will hear you guys out. What businesses do you have here?"

"I wanna live a slow and lazy life. Are you guys calm around here? Cause I am thinking about moving here."

For some weird reason, the chieftain's jaw dropped and he fell off his chair. Did I say something weird? I mean I clearly said my intent. That's what you are supposed to do with dogs. Be straight forward. Apparently then, Lina and Shera took a more lengthy explanation route. The chief regained his composure after that.

"Look, we can't go trusting strangers right now. In short, you aren't worthy of our trust. And besides, we have bigger matters to attend to. So it's better if you leave the way you came and…"

"Now, now, sonny, don't go saying stuff like that."

"Elder?"

From behind the chief, a nice old granny wolf with a cane showed herself. She had a warm smile and a friendlier attitude.

"Please forgive the chief. He's under a lot of of pressure."

"Elder, my decision won't change even if…"

*BONK*

A loud sound was generated. The granny hit the chief with her cane in the head.

"Don't talk back to me."

"Yes… elder…"

Guess it really is true that females are actually the alphas around here.

"Little lady, normally we have a trial for people like you. For us we value a familiar bond. Trust is the most important thing. We would set up a trial and depending of your result, you could either gain our trust, or lose it. It's the standard rule we apply for outsiders.

And I am sure you would have passed it, given your origins."

"My origins?"

"In essence, we frost wolves are warbeasts, just like you. But given your unique clothes, I assume you are from the rumored city of Kwan Kwan, right?"

"Err… sorry. But I suffer from amnesia. Lina and Shera over here are my family. I have no clue where I came from."

"Ooh? Such a shame. Anyway, you caught us in a bad time. You must have noticed something weird in the village, no?"

"Yeah. There are… very few women here."

To be precise I can only see elderly women and very small children. For a female dominant society, this doesn't make sense.

"Correct. Even our current chieftain is just a temporary one because of that. A demon has taken most of our females. They are forced into labor. A demon fort is build on the other side of the forest. Their intent is to build a bridge across a giant gorge, so they can supply their army with fresh wood.

I don't want to go into details as to how they managed to get there in the first place as it's quite painful. In short, if we try to rescue them, they will be killed."

That's not very nice. And here I thought I could mofu mofu some cute girls. For some reason I am not fond of doing it with guys. Sounds like this place really isn't suited for us… but I don't want to leave without fondling some wolf fur.

"Do you mind if I take care of this situation?"

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

"I mean I can go kill all the demons and bring everyone back."

Everyone was making funny faces at my statement, but I am not exaggerating one bit. I seriously can handle whatever demon is there and bring everyone back alive.

"We don't want outsiders meddling in our business. Just leave already!"

The chief finally regained his senses and insisted we leave.

"Okay. Then thank you for your time and patience."

------

After more small talk they eventually let us go and we received an escort across the river and up till the forest. When we were finally alone, Lina rolled her eyes over and said:

"You have no intention of walking away like that, do you, Ayaka?"

"Of course not. You know me well. I'm gonna feel that fluff wheather they like it or not. So, we're going behind their backs and freeing everyone."

"Ara, ara. Normally I would be against lies like that, but I'll make an exception since you are doing the right thing. And besides, if we do this maybe they'll let me analyze their weapons. I might learn something from their craftsmanship."

"Then it's settled. Let's go kill some demons!"