Chapter 172: Chapter 172 - The Haven(Part 1)

"Really hope we haven’t waited this long only for that Elf guy to come back and tell us that we’re not welcome here," I sighed wistfully, after close to an hour had passed since we got here.

"Yeah, I’d be lying if I said that wasn’t a possibility, I probably should’ve thought this through a bit more realistically. But let’s stay optimistic, the fact that they’re considering it at all is a big deal," Pointed out Rosary.

I guess that’s true. Demi-Humans probably view humans in this world the same way most people in my previous world viewed Nazis. And that Iefyr Elf, he seemed pretty determined to turn us away at first.

Him finding out that Izzy is a Monster was what gave us a lifeline. Which makes sense, human supremacy is widespread in this world, that’s why Demi-Humans have to live in hiding in the first place.

So to Iefyr, the fact that we’re friends with a Monster is probably like, I don’t know, Hitler having a black friend or something, it must seem crazy...but the chances of them accepting our request to stay here is likely still pretty slim.

"Anyway, how exactly do you know about this place, Rosary?" Prysm asked her curiously.

"Oh, when we were kids, Rayven and I got lost in this forest and were attacked by some Monsters. We were really young, like we hadn’t even awakened our powers yet at that point, so we were completely defenseless. Some of the Demi-Humans living here came to our rescue and then helped us find our way back to town.

We did visit them a few times after that, but we were soon told not to come anymore...first, because we kept getting lost almost every time, and second, because we could end up exposing their hideout to people who wouldn’t take as kindly to Demi-Humans. So, it’s been a really long time since I was last here," Remarked Rosary with a nostalgic look on her face.

"No wonder you and Rayven aren’t as close-minded as most other people are," I mused thoughtfully.

"Yeah, even though the nation is finally starting to bridge the divide between Nobles and Commoners, there’s still so much prejudice and discrimination. Demi-Humans, so-called Heretics, those with the Light Attribute...there’s no logical reason for the people to marginalize them like they do, but here we are," Sighed Argent wistfully.

"Even if we did somehow manage to find a way to do away with all those prejudices, they’ll eventually find something else to discriminate against. Maybe skin color, for instance," I suggested dryly. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Yeah, racism based on skin color doesn’t really exist in this world, since they’ve already got their hands full with other forms of prejudice against factors that are out of the control of those being discriminated against.

Well, whatever...if I’m being honest, I don’t really care. Since I can change my active Attribute at will, I haven’t really faced any prejudice, minus that Adventurer trio whom I accidentally exposed that fact to, of course.

"Oh, looks like he’s back," Noticed Rosary, as the hidden door beneath that bush began to open.

The Elf then climbed out from the opening in the ground, along with a couple of others. I believe one of them is a Dark Elf, and the other is a Fairy. Dark Elves possess the Dark Attribute, and are a lot different to Light Elves in their abilities and inclinations.

Fairies are the most advanced Spellcasters in the world, they can possess either or both Attributes just like humans, and they also have a special Skill that’s unique to their species called Enchantment, a highly versatile power.

"So, what’s the verdict? Can we stay or do we have to leave?" I inquired, getting straight to the point.

"Our leaders, the Elders, would like to meet the four of you. Rosary, you should come too," Replied Iefyr, as the other two Demi-Humans eyed us suspiciously.

"Uh, sure, okay," She nodded in response.

"We should warn you, if any of you do anything suspicious, we’ll eliminate you without hesitation," The Dark Elf warned us.

She’s pretty hot, wow...but it’s probably not worth shooting my shot here. Most Demi-Humans, justifiably, have negative impressions of humans, so trying to seduce one would probably just disgust, horrify or maybe even offend them.

Yeah, it’s not my style to engage in losing battles, so I’ll keep my mouth shut and behave. We then followed the Demi-Humans down the hidden opening, which had metal handles embedded down it in a row, working as a ladder to climb down.

After a few meters, we reached the end of the ladder, finding ourselves at the top of a narrow, winding staircase. The Demi-Humans led the way as we followed after them, the staircase lit up by Magic Crystals embedded in the walls on either side.

How deep underground is this hideout, anyway? This world isn’t a globular planet like Earth in my previous world, it’s more like a semi-circle with us living on the flat side. I don’t actually know how deep the other side extends, but it feels like we’re heading super deep down here.

"It’s just a little bit further now, we’re almost there," Iefyr informed us, as a faint light came into sight down ahead.

As we reached the end of the staircase and stepped out through the opening from which the light was coming from, my eyes widening in awe at the sight that met us.

"Welcome...to The Haven."

Woah...this is amazing. It was a massive, massive cavern, possibly even larger than the capital city. We were atop a cliff, with staircases carved down the sides. The ceiling was just a few meters above us, and it had many glowing Magic Crystals spread out across it, illuminating the area.

There was a large waterfall flowing down from this cliff, and a couple of streams running through the area below as well. There were trees and other plants everywhere, and I could see a number of birds and animals as well. Some were running free, while others were livestock in pens, grazing and walking about.

There were plenty of small buildings too, from tree houses to wooden and mud huts, and there was a large wooden building in the middle of the area. Well, large in comparison to the other structures built here, anyway. I’d say it’s no bigger than the average Guild building.

There was also a wide open space in a clearing that had been set up like an arena, maybe they hold fighting competitions or training exercises there. After all, if humans who are hostile towards them ever show up here, they’ll need to be ready to defend themselves.

"Wow, you guys have really built this place up since the last time I was here," Remarked Rosary, as she looked around in fascination.

"Come along, the leaders are waiting," Responded the Dark Elf, as she headed down one of the flights of stairs.

We followed after her as she led us down to the ground, before heading towards that large building in the middle of the area after we all got into a horse drawn carriage.

"Are all the Demi-Humans in Obsidian in this place?" I asked Iefyr curiously.

"Barring the ones who have been enslaved by your kind, yes," Replied the Dark Elf icily, before the Light Elf could respond.

No wonder I’ve never come across a Demi-Human before. Duralles didn’t have a Demi-Human slave, so I’m guessing they’re pretty rare even in the capital. I know that a lot of unjustly enslaved people have been freed lately thanks to the Knights investigating all cases of slavery...but that’s only all cases of human slavery.

They probably don’t think twice about Demi-Human slaves, maybe even the Knight Commander herself doesn’t concern herself over it. Well, anyway, looks like we’re here.

"Alright, the Elders are in here. Just speak honestly and there’ll be nothing to worry about," Iefyr informed us.

"Again, if you show any signs of hostility, we will kill you," Added the Dark Elf for good measure.

"There’s no need to worry about that, none of us mean you any harm," Responded Argent with a friendly smile, before muttering to Izzy, "Please don’t challenge anyone to a fight, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, I know."

We were then taken into the building, which was one massive hall...hm, it’s a bit dusty, looks like this place isn’t used all that much. And at the back of the space, was a large, semi-circle shaped table, with ten individuals seated around it.

Each of them were a different race to the others, guess they elected a member from each race to join this board of leaders...from what I’ve read, these are the only remaining Demi-Human races in existence. All the rest have been hunted to extinction by humans. Side note, for a group known as the ’Elders’, they all look pretty young...but then, all of their species age way slower than humans do.

A Light Elf, a Dark Elf, a Dwarf and a Fairy, the four remaining Humanoid Demi-Human race. The other five are the remaining Beastmen Demi-Humans. There’s a Kanine, a Werewolf, a Felinian, an Oryctolagus and a Centaur.

And none of them look very happy to see us. I’m having some serious doubts about whether they’re actually going to let us stay here...

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