01x10 - Hope for the Future Found in the Desert

[bunniefuu]

They usually don't travel

in groups like that.

Lady Ariane! Are those?!

Right. They're wyverns.

I thought as much!

Those are actual, living wyverns!

Hi there. It's me, Arc.

With Lady Chiyome's intel,

we've learned that the kidnapped elves

have been brought to the Holy Revlon Empire,

so we're making our way there.

That explains why the Whispering Fowl is so reluctant to fly.

We won't be able to

contact Danka for a while.

Well, in that case

Perhaps we should have them disperse?

Disperse?

Arc, what are you doing?

From the mid-tier Magus class

An area-of-effect lightning element spell

Lightning Damper!

Lightning

Damper

I believe that takes care of that.

What's the matter, Lady Ariane?! Ponta?!

What happened?

Even Whispering Fowl?

Did you all eat something spoiled?

What's become of you all?!

Oh?

My ears are still ringing.

I'd appreciate a warning before you

use such massive magic next time.

F-forgive me.

I wasn't anticipating

such a potent outcome.

Well, it's fine.

Let's move on to what comes next.

The shortest route to the empire would

be crossing the Xpitol River and then

going through the Febient marshlands, but

There's very little marked regarding

the border town of Kaysehk,

or the routes to and from it.

Lady Ariane, are you

concerned about something?

I've noticed it since Lady Chiyome

brought us this information.

It seems to me like you're reluctant

to travel to the Empire.

You're right.

Unlike Rhoden, the capture of elves

isn't ill*gal in the empire.

Being an elf will be even more

dangerous than it has been so far.

Even being in a town closer to the border,

like this one, is cause for caution.

I admit, it makes me nervous.

Got a moment?

You two are responsible for that incredible

magic in the desert this morning, yeah?

Indeed we are.

Who might you be?

My name is Carcy.

Carcy Held. It's a—

What kind of elf would reveal their

ears in the middle of a human town?!

Lady Ariane, calm yourself!

Carcy, will you be having your usual?

I will, thanks!

Coming up!

It'll just be a moment.

Hey, it's Carcy.

Fancy a drink with us?

I'll join you later.

What's going on here?

Could you let go first?

I've taken a liking to this town, you see.

And at this point everyone knows me.

It's been ten years since I moved here.

Ten years?! In a human town?

How? That's

You're an elf

No, a dark elf, right?

Not sure what you expect me to say.

A world where humans

and elves can co-exist

Who's to say that

isn't the way things should be?

You must be kidding!

Do you realize what humans have done to us?!

Well, you've got a point.

But you're a dark elf,

yet you're traveling

with this human in the full plate.

Add a spirit creature to the group,

and it makes for quite a unique mix.

Arc is

a special case.

Now then,

Sir Carcy, what is it

that you wanted with us?

Right.

I make my living studying

the biology of monsters.

And lately,

some of the specimens I've been looking

into have proven troublesome.

You'd like our aid

in capturing them, in other words?

You're a sharp one.

And I believe the two of you

are strong enough to do it.

Worst-case scenario, you'd only need

to recover the bodies.

Unfortunately, we've got a more

pressing matter to attend to.

How's this strike you as payment?

What is that?

A map of the Holy Revlon Empire.

Were you eavesdropping?!

You need it, don't you?

Lady Ariane, a map showing us the way

to the empire would prove useful

I can throw in a copy of my

book on monster studies, as well.

Lady Ariane! I sincerely want that!

What do you say? Can we?

What do you say?!

Fine

Yes! Let's do it! Leave it to us!

I thought you'd see things my way.

We'll set out tomorrow morning

from the town entrance.

I'm looking forward to it.

Sorry about the delay!

There you are, Carcy!

Hope you're ready to drink!

'Scuse me!

Will five gold coins cover our lodgings?

Wha One is plenty!

Give me a second, and I'll get your change.

No, Madam, please keep it.

But in exchange,

I'd appreciate being allowed to

take my food to my room

Of course!

In fact, I've got something special for you.

Take the whole barrel.

It's good stuff, and should suit

even a fine knight like yourself.

Oh, much obliged!

Elves and humans co-existing, huh?

You seem to have trouble accepting it.

A bit, yeah.

When I think about what humans

have done to us so far

I doubt pondering the issue

in this moment will provide an answer.

Oh, this smells lovely!

And pretty strong.

No need to force yourself.

There's fruit juice, as well.

D-Do not treat me like a child!

It's just some liquor!

How's that?!

Oh, drunk like a champion!

And I'm ready for more, too!

Ah, I apologize for the delay, then.

Does she not realize she's doing

that with her ears?

Allow me to join you.

There's a volume to its sweetness,

as well a hint of vanilla aroma!

Even a single sip is joyful

Truly delicious!

Although, a bit on the strong side.

Arrrc.

Lady Ariane?!

Arrrc

Hey

Give me some.

I want more.

Lady Ariane, was two glasses all it took?!

Are you listening, Arc?!

She's totally hammered!

What even ish "a world where elvsh

and humansh can live together"?!

That really did get to her!

Lady Ariane, perhaps you've

had enough for tonight

Whachu shay to me, you shtupid bonehead?!

What'sh dat, baldie?!

Oh, my

Elvsh and humansh living together?!

Shyeah right!

Huh I think I was drinking with Arc

And then

Ow, my head

A skeleton!

W-Wait, Lady Ariane!

I call upon the flames

to rain down upon our foes!

Good morning.

Did you two enjoy yourselves last night?

Nothing happened

Nothing happened, right?!

You know, proprietress

There is little as fearsome

as a woman freed from restraint.

Oh, you!

I apologize for our t*rd, Sir Carcy.

Hey, good morning.

Arc, Ariane, you two will be

joining me in the lead wagon.

The rear one will carry my friend.

Understood.

You two were certainly

rather intense last night.

The entire town heard you.

I could k*ll him

Lady Ariane!

Episode 10

Hope for the Future Found in the Desert

It seems the combination of a hangover

and motion sickness is devastating

And the smell coming

from the cart is just making it worse.

Sir Carcy, what is being

hauled in that cart?

Oh, that

Goblin carcasses.

We'll be using those as bait

for the sand worm.

The stronger the stench,

the more effective it will be.

And this sand worm creature

Right, it's what we're trying to capture.

Sir Knight!

That tea sobers folks right up.

Works wonders with hangovers

and motion sickness, as well.

Oh, my thanks.

Still nervous around humans, Ariane?

I wouldn't exactly say that.

You can relax.

He might look sinister,

but he's a good person.

Real nice, Carcy!

Don't expect any more tea from me!

Sorry, sorry.

Lady Ariane.

It's good.

I must ask, Sir Carcy.

I'd like to know more about this sand worm.

Right, good point.

The one that I'm tracking right now

It's about four to five meters long.

During the day, it rests deep underground,

and in the evening and night

it surfaces to scavenge corpses.

It's weak to flame, incidentally,

but since we're trying to capture it,

I'd like to avoid using

fire as much as possible.

Another thing I've discovered recently

is that it tends to gravitate

towards flocks of wyverns.

Then it may have been

nearby earlier as well.

I'm certain if I can learn more

about it during this expedition,

we'll be able to prevent it from

causing as many casualties in the future.

That's the reason I study monsters.

Magnificent!

I would love to hear what you

have learned about other monsters.

It'd be my pleasure

What kind has caught your fancy?

Ridiculous

Ah, where to begin?

Is there anything big, but fast, that can fly,

that shines like metal, that can breathe fire?!

Where've the cart and the other wagon gone?!

Carcy, the wagons are gone!

Well, that sounds like

What?!

H-How is this four to five meters?!

It's easily 30, at least.

Impossible

I've never seen a specimen this huge before!

This is bad!

Lady Ariane!

Stay back!

Fire, I implore you.

Surge from this sword, and burst forth!

It can't be It's supposed

to be weak against fire!

That had no effect all!

No—

Are you all right, Lady Ariane?

Arc!

Leave the rest to me.

Hurry and get him to safety!

Right!

Quite the powerful beast.

Arc, we're all in the clear!

Understood!

Now, then

It's time for a test of strength.

This is bad.

He can't draw his sword in that position.

Bloody hell

He swung it around

That is impressive.

Hey, will that do?

More than sufficient, yes.

Here's the reward you were promised.

This is it!

You've been a huge help.

I hate to think what would've happened

if I hadn't run into you two.

I'm glad we were able to help.

I suppose that brings

this matter to a close.

Well, let us set out, Lady Ariane.

Lady Ariane?

Can I ask you something?

Why do you live among humans?

Because I love them, I suppose.

You love humans?

Right.

I'll admit, when I lived in an elf village,

I didn't have the best impression of them.

But once I started living among them,

they were different from what I imagined.

Not to say it's always been easy, but

This is how I feel now:

A time will come where humans

and elves can live hand-in-hand.

I can't really imagine a future like that.

Really?

You haven't heard about Lamburt, then?

Lamburt?

It's a port city in

the west of the Rhoden Kingdom.

What about it?

This is news that I heard the other day

The lord of Lamburt

took an elf as his bride.

How is that possible?! Is it coercion?!

She's being forced to marry him, isn't she?!

No, she was on the verge of being sold

into sl*very when the lord set her free.

And since then, they've developed

feelings for each other, apparently.

They've spoken about

how they'd like to work to improve

relations between humans and elves.

Say, Arc

That kind of future, for elves and humans

Do you think it's really possible?

Who can say?

But the individuals who make up both races

are numerous, with their own thoughts and opinions.

Perhaps not collectively, but many among

both may choose co-existence one day

Much like we have.

You hardly look like a human,

so I'd say you don't count, Arc!

Well, despite appearances,

I do consider myself to be one.

Why would you deny that, Ponta?!

I'd heard there were a number

of disappearances in town lately

I take it that's your doing.

I've only been using crooks

and sl*ves as feed for them, haven't I?

Well, mostly.

Y-you're going too far

Sir Fumba!

Aw

A-And this place is supposed to be a secret,

yet you bring these wh*res

here to fraternize?

What were you thinking?!

Oh

I get my work done, don't I?

Emperor Domitianus won't mind if I—

S-such impudence!

Do not speak His Imperial Highness's name!

Oh, sorry about that.

Still, you lot are the ones

who wanted my help, right?

And what of our planned attack?

Walk this way.

They're looking a bit hungry, I'd say.

No!

No—

Don't eat so fast.

You'll get bones stuck

in your throats, you hear?

Next Time

The Monster-Taming Barbarian Laughs in the Darkness

Always remember: you can drink liquor, but don't drown in it.

#DrinkResponsibly #HangingWithPonta