Is that dumbass Zara's older brother? She looks down at him with contempt and rolls her eyes.
"Zoda, you should be thanking me for saving your life. Setting aside the fact that man saved me, he could have easily killed you by accident. Are you so stupid that can't tell when you're outmatched? If he wanted to wipe out this whole village by himself, we wouldn't even be able to slow him down." (Zara)
Zoda looks up at me in surprise, but he seems skeptical. Regardless, he climbs to his feet unsteadily, and nods at me apologetically. Then, he silently takes up a position behind Vardo.
Well, now that's settled. The elder is looking at me nervously after Zara's statement. I should respond.
I make a placating gesture and smile as nonthreateningly as I can at everyone.
"Please, you can all relax, I'm not going to harm anyone. I also don't believe that you owe me any debt. I just came to return the children that were taken from you. I'm happy to see that all the kids have been reunited with their families, and you should know that your children were all very kind and brave. Since everyone is safe, my elf friend and I will leave you peacefully now!" (Mizuki)
Everyone stares at me with dumbfounded expressions. The wolf-kin are awkwardly silent, and at that moment Alto begins laughing next to me. I glance over at her and she's shaking her head at me.
"Fufufu…Mizuki, you're such a weird human that they don't even know what to say to you!" (Alto)
Alto continues laughing hysterically next to me, then collects herself to address everyone.
"Hello again, wolf-kin! Some of you may recognize me as one of the elves who was captured along with your children. This man also helped set me free, and I can assure you that as ridiculous as he sounded, he meant every word of it. I'm sure he'd be willing to sit down with elder Vardo and answer questions before we depart. He still has to return my people home, so I'm sure he's just trying to hurry for their sakes." (Alto)
There is chatter among the wolf-kin at Alto's statements, but Vardo looks at me questioningly, like 'that true?'. I nod my agreement at him. He smiles and addresses the wolf-kin behind him.
"Be at ease everyone, I'll talk with the human who returned our children, and then we should let him be on his way. I'm sure that we'll see him again if it's meant to be. For now, please return to your tasks!" (Vardo)
After Vardo speaks, the wolf-kin begin filing out of the central bonfire area with curious glances at me. Vardo gestures at me to follow him, and Alto and I join him in a small tent nearby. Zara also follows.
There are mats around the tent, and we all sit down at his suggestion. Zara is on one side with Vardo, and Alto is with me. Vardo smiles at me with a weary look, and then speaks.
"So, perhaps you could tell me how our paths came to cross?" (Vardo)
I nod and tell him everything, from learning about the kidnapped elves through the guild, to deciding to jail break them instead of doing reconnaissance. I don't get specific about my abilities, but just say that me and my powerful friends were able to track the elves and found the wolf-kin there. Then, we set them free and decided to return them today.
Vardo listens throughout with a surprised face, and he seems to keep glancing to my left where Alto is. After I'm done, and Vardo is thinking quietly, I finally look at Alto. She is leaned back staring at me with a smirk and amused expression. She addresses the wolf-kin.
"See, didn't I tell you, he's just an absurd human, right?" (Alto)
What the hell, Alto!? The wolf-kin nod their agreement, though. Damn, guys, seriously? Vardo recovers first.
"Well, in any event, you have our thanks. You say we don't owe you anything, but that's not the wolf-kin way. I won't trouble you with it now, since it sounds like there are others who need you. However, please consider returning later, so we can at least treat you to a meal and let the parents of those children express their gratitude." (Vardo)
I nod politely, and he seems relieved.
"Sure, I can't promise that it will be very soon, but I can promise to come back when it's reasonable to do so. Do you have any other questions before we depart?" (Mizuki)
Vardo shakes his head, but Zara interjects with a serious expression.
"I do. Will you let me join you on your travels as the elf woman has?" (Zara)
I hear Alto chuckle next to me, so I'm guessing she's not surprised. A heads-up would've been nice.
Zara is looking at me patiently, waiting for an answer. Honestly, I have a few concerns. I think Zara is cool-headed and reliable, unlike her brother. But…
"Hmm…I have a few reservations. The first and most important is that, while I have quite a bit of respect for your character and skills, you still look only fifteen to me, and I don't want to put kids in danger by bringing them with me. Maybe when you're an adult we can revisit it." (Mizuki)
Zara seems unperturbed and responds evenly.
"That's of no concern. I'm sixteen, and an adult by wolf-kin law. We don't coddle our young like humans do. What are your other concerns?" (Zara)
Wait, really? Hmm…I don't know. Still, for all I know, wolf-kin mature faster than humans. I shouldn't project my own arbitrary laws onto other species when determining their right to autonomy. After all, I just admitted that she seemed mature and reliable.
I sigh and nod.
"Okay, then that's fine. My next concern is that we'll be making a trip to the Elven Kingdom soon and I'm not sure that you'll be welcome with us, so you might be left behind. If so, you could just come back here while I'm away, or stay with another human I trust and train. We might be gone for months for all I know." (Mizuki)
Zara thinks that over for a moment, then responds calmly again.
"Hmm…I'd like to come with you now regardless. If possible, I'd accompany you to the Elven Kingdom. If I can't, then I'm not sure if I'd rather train as an adventurer with other humans or come back here, but I will decide by then. Is that all?" (Zara)
Dude…nothing fazes her.