After the whole escapade involving Hajime and some very unfortunate soldiers who were deemed as his "enemy," Hajime, Yue, Sargon, and the Haulia tribe were making their way through the road ahead to get to the forest. Hajime and Yue were riding on his self-crafted vehicle Steiff, while Sargon and Shea rode on the familiar dark purple horse from before, while the rest of the family were either in the caravan itself or also riding on horses.
Yue suddenly spoke up to question Hajime, "Hajime? Why didn't you use your {Lightning Field} ability?"
Hajime paused for a moment before answering, "Think of it like a test of some kind. While in the city, there may be a possibility that we'll end up fighting, and though it's very satisfying to blast some idiots with Schlagen A, doing so will catch others in the crossfire."
Hajime then held a hand up to his face, "Even though I had no hesitation killing those bastards from before, I don't have any interest in becoming someone who indiscriminately kills. Besides," he says as he looks towards Sargon, "Someone would be really disappointed with me if I did that."
The man in question returned Hajime's gaze, smiled softly, and nodded in approval, agreeing with Hajime's deduction. Shea then spoke up from behind Sargon.
"Um, can you both please tell me more about yourselves? Especially you, Hajime. I've heard a little bit from Sargon here that you weren't always who you are now, and I'm just a little curious to know more about you. Of course, if it's too painful to recall, then don't feel like you have to," Shea said quickly in an effort to not put pressure on them.
Hajime huffed slightly at the concern, but didn't pay it any mind afterward, "It's no big deal. It was mostly just me refusing to die."
He then retold the tale of all that he went through within the Orcus Labyrinth. From his fall and descent, near-death encounter with a bear and wolves, how he met Yue, then finally reunited with Sargon. By the end of his story retelling, Shea was crying.
"Uuuu! I can't believe all 3 of you had to go through that amount of suffering! What I went through would practically be a blessing!"
Witnessing the sight of the tear-filled rabbit-girl, Hajime shook his head in mild disbelief while Yue looked at her with a mildly shocked expression. Though one wouldn't be able to easily tell from looking alone. Sargon, meanwhile, smiled at her empathy, but then frowned when he looked back at Hajime.
'I figured he had gone through some very life-threatening experiences down there, but still.'
He then looked at Yue with relieved eyes, 'I'm glad you were there to prevent my friend from flying completely off the rails when I couldn't.'
As if somehow feeling his sentiment, Yue looked at Sargon's gaze and smiled softly. Shea, finally drying her tears, spoke up with determination.
"I've decided then! I, Shea Haulia, will go with you 3 and assist you on your journey!"
At that, Hajime and Yue looked at her incredulously while Sargon sweatdropped and sighed.
"You're really planning to leave your tribe after its safety is guaranteed? I don't really care about your reasons, but where we're going is to conquer the 7 Great Labyrinths. We've already gotten through 1, but it's not something someone like you could handle," Hajime said bluntly.
Shea was taken aback for a moment before looking downcasted, "Really? What about you Sargon," she said as she looked at his back.
Sargon sighed, "Hajime's right, Shea. While I don't discredit your determination and willingness to join, the road ahead of us is going to be filled with countless obstacles, most of which are going to be life-threatening. You've already experienced what it's like to be in one of those situations and was lucky enough to tell the tale later. I wouldn't want you to get yourself killed due to an impulsive decision."
Shea looked down, unable to rebuke or disagree with his reasoning.
[A few minutes later]
The survivalist trio and the Haulia tribe eventually reached their destination as they stopped in front of a forest. Hajime then asked out loud,
"The base of the largest tree will be located at the deepest part of the forest, right?"
Cam nodded, "Yes. The entrance to the labyrinth should be there."
As they walked into the sea of trees, Yue spoke up in confusion, "Is the forest itself not a labyrinth?"
Hajime shook his head, "No. I had thought the same previously, but with there being a labyrinth-like monster within the forest, it isn't ideal for demihumans to live here. According to Cam, a huge tree called 'Ua Alt' rests deep within the forest. Due to it being considered a holy ground, rarely do people actually go near it. If there's anywhere a labyrinth may be located, it's there"
Cam then speaks up politely, "Sorry to interrupt your conversations, but it'd be best for you 3 to hide your presence. Due to our current status of exile, it'll be quite troublesome if anyone from Faea Belgaen were to spot us."
Hajime nodded in understanding, "Got it."
The survivalist trio then proceeded to hide their presence just like that, which shocked Cam and the others of the Haulia tribe.
"Amazing. You 3 are capable of doing such a thing? Goodness. Even with us who pride ourselves in our spying skills, we still fall short when it comes to you 3. We may end up losing face like this," Cam said a little exasperated.
Hajime then looked over at an area within the forest, "I don't think that's what you should be worried about, Cam."
Cam looked confused, "What do you–?"
Before he could finish, rustling was heard within the bushes of the forest and fast footsteps could be felt and heard.
"How could we have been spotted already," Cam said fearfully.
Hajime shook his head, "It isn't that we're caught. It was just very bad timing."
The next thing that was said was a firm and aggressive, "Don't move!"
Cam looked even more fearful once he recognized exactly what or who had found them, "It can't be. Why are they here?!"
From the forest, 2 men with tiger-like traits emerged. Hidden slightly within the forest were multiple other beastmen, equally hostile. One of the beastmen spoke aggressively,
"Why are there humans here?!"
Cam tried to speak in defense, but was cut off, "You….the girl with light-blue hair of the rabbit-men. The Haulia tribe!"
The tiger beastman gritted his teeth in anger, "So you not only dare to show your traitorous faces here, you who would defend that cursed child, to bring humans into this place as well?! If it is death you crave, I'll gladly send you all to hell–"
Before he could finish his sentence, a loud bang was heard. The next second, a large section of a tree behind him was destroyed. The beastman froze in place for a moment, then looked back at the destruction. Afterward,
"Honestly, it seems like you're the one craving death here. These people are under my protection. Try to go after their life, you won't be able to keep yours."
The beastman looked back at the man responsible for the destruction, being met with a cold and merciless gaze as well as Donner staring him down with its barrel.
Hajime continued with the same cold tone as before "Better choose now; complete annihilation, or go back home?"
The beastman gritted his teeth again, though this time with reluctant caution, "You can't possibly be human. Now with that type of power. What do you want?"
Instead of Hajime, it was Sargon who responded, "We seek the completion of the 7 Great Labyrinths and have reason to suspect that the entrance to one of them lies within the Great Tree Ua Art."
"Impossible. The sea of trees itself was supposed to be one of the labyrinths," the beastman said in denial.
Sargon shook his head, "That may be what you were led to believe. You see the Labyrinths are a section of trials given by the Liberators. Assuming the demihumans would be able to occupy the deepest parts of the forest, it wouldn't make sense that the trial was there, would it?"
The beastman was confused and frustrated. Liberators? Trials? He didn't understand any of that, but one thing he could understand, "So that means you have no intention of killing off our people or country?"
Hajime finally spoke up, "That's right."
The beastman sighed, "Then I suppose it would be ok to allow you within the kingdom."
As soon as he said this, one of the other beastmen beside him spoke up in surprise, "Captain?! Are you sure this is the right–"
"Yes. However, I still need to notify the elders of this. Until then, I'll need you to stay here," he said.
Hajime only responded with, "Make sure to report it to them properly."
[Later]
"My name is Alfredic Arpist, one of the elders of Faea Belgaen. I've been informed of your circumstance and situation. But before I allow you entry, tell me. How do you know of the term 'Liberators,'" he said with one eye open.
Sargon looked towards Hajime and the latter nodded. He opened his hand and then after a flash, a ring with a particular crest appeared in it. He then showed it to Alfredic, who looked at it with shock.
"This crest. Yes, it's undoubtedly Oscar Orcus. So it seems you've sought out his hideout. Very well, with power in my name, you'll be allowed to stay in Faea Belgaen," said the elf elder as he turned to lead them. But Hajime had other opinions.
"Hold on. Our goal is the Great Tree Ua Art, we don't have any interest in Faea Belgaen. If you can point us in that direction, we'll be on our way," he said.
Alfredic looked back at Hajime for a moment, and then closed his eyes, "I'm afraid that won't be possible at the moment."
At that, the survivalist trio were confused, "Why is that," asked Hajime.
Alfredic answered, "There's a dense fog near the base of the Great Tree. The fog is thick enough to where even demihumans lose track of their progress. Only when the fog weakens and thins out will it become visible. That should've been common knowledge for the demihumans though."
Hajime's face darkened, and then turned towards Cam and the Haulia tribe, "Something you want to tell me," he asked in an ominous tone.
Cam shook nervously and tried to defend himself, "Well, you see, there was a lot happening, so I kind of forgot to tell you–" he then turned to the other tribe members, "Hey! Why didn't you say anything until now?!"
Shea was taken aback, "What?! Why're you made at us father?! You're the one who seemed so convinced that it was the correct day, so I didn't say anything!"
Some other rabbit-men also chimed in, "Yeah! We had our doubts, but you acted so sure!"
Cam, exasperated, rebuked them, "You dare to call yourselves a family?! This…this shall be a community responsibility!"
Shea once again, shocked at her father's rashness, cried out in anguish, "Father?! That's not fair!"
Another rabbit-man in the back uttered, "And you dare to call yourself Chieftain?!"
Hajime, witnessing the foolish bickering back and forth between the Haulia tribe, gritted his teeth in annoyance and frustration. Meanwhile, Yue and Sargon sighed in disappointment.