Ten minutes later.
“Huh...?”
Charlotte finally reached the district. The streets were narrow, littered with empty bottles rolling aimlessly along the ground. Broken windows stared out like hollow eyes from the surrounding buildings. The air was heavy and unmoving, and even the sunlight, though clear, felt muted. At first glance, it was clear this was not a place anyone would call safe.
“Where... am I?”
Clutching the map tightly against her chest, Charlotte looked around nervously. The district was eerily quiet, devoid of any signs of life. Yet, as she hesitated and took a timid step forward—
Bang!
Out of nowhere, shadows emerged from the surrounding buildings. Figures stepped into the street—mostly men with rough, intimidating appearances. They were adventurers, clad in well-worn armor, and among them were non-human species: werewolves, fishmen, and others.
“Hii...!”
Charlotte gasped and instinctively backed away, her heart pounding.
From the shadows, Erika and Miaha, who had been secretly watching her, tensed up.
“Wait, this is bad...!”
“This isn’t the time to hold back!”
Just as they steeled themselves to jump out and protect her, the unexpected happened.
The rough-looking thugs suddenly bowed their heads in unison.
“Welcome!!”
“Thank you for coming all this way!!”
“Welcome to our home!!”
“We’re honored to have you!!”
“What... eh, ah... w-what?”
Charlotte blinked in utter confusion.
The men, ignoring her bewilderment, quickly brought out chairs and a small table. They seated her gently and served tea with surprising care. Some even began playing guitars and harps, creating a bizarrely cheerful atmosphere—like a royal welcome in the unlikeliest of places.
From their hiding spot, Erika and Miaha exchanged bewildered glances.
“...What is this?”
“I... have no idea.”
At that moment, a familiar voice broke the tension.
“Haa, I made it in time.”
“Ah! Brother!”
Allen strolled into view casually, as if he hadn’t just missed all the chaos.
“Where were you? And what do you mean, ‘made it in time’?” Miaha demanded.
“Oh, nothing much.” Allen waved her off nonchalantly and peered at Charlotte from the shadows.
Charlotte was still visibly confused by the sudden outpouring of hospitality, but her tense posture had softened. After walking such a long distance, she seemed grateful for a moment’s rest. Allen’s lips curled into a satisfied smile.
“I got ahead of the party that ruled this area... Viper Snake, I think? I dealt with them and told them to treat the girl arriving here kindly.”
“You what?! Even their monster parents would be horrified!” Miaha exclaimed, wide-eyed.
“Oh, that’s why they’re all so beat up,” Erika muttered.
Indeed, the thugs were in rough shape. Though not bleeding, their armor was cracked and dented, and they were covered in bruises and scrapes.
Allen shrugged off their shock. “At least there wasn’t any bloodshed. Charlotte would’ve been terrified if they showed up looking all gory.”
“Have you ever heard of the word humanity, brother?” Miaha asked incredulously.
“Of course,” Allen replied with a grin. “It’s the path that opens up wherever I walk.”
“...You’re impossible.”
“Well,” Erika sighed, glancing at the bruised thugs, “I suppose it was a good lesson for them.”