Chapter 46

### Space Leap (3)

The Haerin Clan.

One of the many rare races in this world.

The woman standing before me was undoubtedly a Haerin.

There was no other race that could take on the appearance of an ordinary human on land and have their entire body covered in scales in water.

I was quite surprised to see such a rare race here.

"What are you staring at? Is it that surprising?"

"......"

She sure has a sharp tongue.

The scales that had sprouted on her skin had almost disappeared.

She was completely naked, so I averted my gaze.

......Come to think of it, they weren't a race that felt particularly ashamed of exposing their bodies like humans.

The woman scanned me from head to toe, then clicked her tongue and continued.

"How long are you going to stand there dazed? I went through all the trouble to save you from becoming fish food, and you don't even say thank you?"

I shook my head and stood up.

"There was no need to save me."

"......What?"

"I mean, it wasn't dangerous, so you were just meddling unnecessarily."

I could have just said thank you and let it go, but her tone of voice was really grating. As the saying goes, a good word in, a good word out.

"Wow, really!"

She let out a sigh of exasperation.

"Wasn't that dangerous?"

"Yes."

"You're really shameless. Is it so hard to say thank you? Did you think I was going to ask for something in return for saving you like a human would?"

"I was just stating the facts."

"Fine, fine. Damn, that's why humans are......"

She shook her head and turned away.

I stared at her retreating back.

'Do the Haerin live in Lake Gaithan?'

I had no idea.

I had only seen them once while playing the game, they were that rare.

And I thought the Haerin lived by the coast...... Why are they in this lake?

It was a truly unexpected encounter, and I felt a bit strange. Then, a thought occurred to me.

'......Then, she must know a lot about this lake, right?'

That is, she might know where the place I'm looking for is.

With that thought, I immediately called out to her.

"Hey, Haerin."

She stopped in her tracks and turned her head back, looking a bit flustered.

"What do you want? Do you know about our race?"

"Yes."

"How?"

"I've read about it in books. A legendary race that takes on the appearance of a human on land and has scales like a fish in water."

"......Legendary?"

Her lips twitched.

"Hmm, hmm. Legendary, you say. So, we're that famous among humans?"

"......"

Is she actually happy to hear that we consider her race legendary?

'I just meant that they're very rare to see.'

I looked at her with a slightly exasperated expression, and she seemed to realize something.

"Oh, no, no. I'm not a Haerin. You must have mistaken me for one, human."

Why is she suddenly acting like this?

"You are."

"Damn, no, I'm not. Don't go spreading rumors about seeing us, okay?"

She started grumbling, probably regretting saving me.

Like the vampires in the Elrod Forest, she might be worried about their territory being exposed.

But she didn't try to kill me; she even tried to save me...... Her mouth is rough, but her character seems the opposite.

"So what? Why did you call me?"

I asked her.

"Do you know of any sharp rocks or caves in the lake?"

She made a strange expression, then frowned and replied.

"I don't know. Why are you asking?"

I didn't miss the subtle change in her expression.

Ever since I gained heightened senses, I've become better at reading people's expressions, and she was particularly bad at hiding her emotions.

So I was half-sure that she knew about the place I just mentioned.

"You know about it."

When I said this, she flinched slightly. She definitely knows.

"Please, I'd like you to guide me there."

"No, I don't know."

"If you have any requests, I'll do my best to help within reason."

She snorted and turned away.

"Whatever, don't try to stop me with useless talk. If you follow me, I'll throw you back into the lake, so don't."

Then she hopped away and disappeared into the forest.

I shook my head again and stared at the forest.

I wasn't worried about losing her.

After all, it seemed she was settled near this lake.

'How do I persuade her?'

I'll go back and try again later.

***

After returning to the carriage, drying off, and having a meal, I immediately took Ashel and went back to where I met the woman.

I followed the trail she left behind.

The footprints on the ground and the crushed grass were enough to track her.

These were usually hard to spot, but with my heightened senses, it wasn't difficult. This ability is really useful for tracking.

Following the trail, I reached a cave deep in the forest.

Two men were chatting at the entrance of the cave.

They seemed to be on guard and stiffened when they saw us.

"......Human?"

It seems I found the right place.

One of them hurried into the cave, and the other shouted at us as we approached.

"Stop, human!"

I stopped obediently.

I could sense others coming out from inside, so I waited.

Soon, dozens of Haerin emerged from the cave. Fortunately, they were all dressed this time, so there was no awkwardness.

"......Hey, you!"

One of the familiar faces pointed at me and shouted.

"How did you find us?"

I answered calmly.

"I followed the trail."

"But why did you follow it! After all that, you really......!"

"What are you talking about, Anne? You saved a human?"

The others, who had been watching me tensely, turned their gaze to her.

"Um, no, that's not it......"

She waved her hands, flustered.

The commotion was getting louder, and a voice came from inside the cave.

"Everyone, quiet down!"

Silence immediately fell.

An elderly man with a robust build and blue hair and beard walked out of the cave. He met my gaze as he approached.

【Lv. 87】

......Almost level 90.

'Is he the leader of this tribe?'

The Haerin are a race with a strong affinity for magic, but even considering that, this is an impressive level.

I hid my surprise and met his gaze. His eyes gave a deep, sea-like impression.

The old man, who had been staring at me, suddenly chuckled and spoke.

"Heh heh, this is quite a person we have here."

"......"

"Tell me why you've come here. It seems you've already met my granddaughter."

The old man glanced at the woman.

She sighed and scratched her head.

Looking back and forth between them, I asked,

"Are you the leader of this tribe?"

I felt awkward saying this.

It was the first time I had used formal language since being reincarnated into this world.

But since I had a favor to ask and had come here uninvited, I had to be polite.

The old man nodded.

"Yes."

"I have no intention of harming you. I came here because I have a favor to ask of that woman."

The woman, who had been receiving my gaze, flared up and was about to shout.

"Damn, you......!"

"Quiet, Anne."

The old man stopped her and turned back to me.

"Would you like to come inside? If you want to talk, I can offer you a cup of tea."

I nodded.

The old man smiled and turned back into the cave, gesturing for me to follow.

I narrowed my eyes as I looked at his back.

'......A wound?'

Because I could see a large wound on his back.

It seemed to be healing, but the wound was covered with herbs.

"Hey, if you're coming, hurry up."

The woman, who was looking at me with a displeased expression, gestured with her chin.

Well, at least they're treating me as a guest, so I'll go in.

***

When we entered the innermost part of the cave, a simple space appeared.

The floor was covered with grass, and fish bones were scattered around the fire.

"Just find a spot and sit down."

The leader said as Ashel and I hesitated about where to sit.

We sat opposite him, and someone brought tea.

The Haerin, who had placed a cup in front of me, glared at me and left.

The old man clicked his tongue and lifted his cup.

"Understand, we have some hostility towards humans due to recent events."

The woman, who was squatting in a corner and glaring at me, spoke up.

"I've always hated humans, Grandpa."

"Quiet, girl."

"No, look at this shameless one. I saved him from becoming fish food in the lake, and he still followed me here. He doesn't even know gratitude."

The old man tilted his head, looking puzzled.

"You saved this human?"

"Yes!"

"Did you really receive help from my granddaughter?"

He turned to me and asked again.

I shook my head.

"It was just unnecessary meddling."

"That's what I thought."

"Hey! This guy is really shameless......!"

The old man ignored her and continued.

"Let's just let it go. She must have misunderstood. She has a rough mouth, but she's a good person, so she didn't act with bad intentions."

......Does this old man already have a good grasp of me?

I nodded, looking at the woman, who was making a fuss with a look of righteous indignation.

"Anyway, as I said, I have a favor to ask of your granddaughter......"

"Hey, you're going to ask me about that place, right?"

"Yes."

She stuck out her tongue.

"I won't tell you, you shameless guy."

"I really am grateful for saving me earlier. I just said thank you late."

"......Who do you think I am?! I'll never tell you, so get lost!"

It's not that simple.

I shook my head and turned back to the old man.

I was curious about him, not just because of the mystery.

"By the way, I thought the Haerin lived by the sea. Have you always lived in this lake?"

At this question, the expressions of the two of them darkened slightly.

The old man shook his head.

"No. We're just staying here temporarily due to some circumstances."

I had a hunch about what those circumstances were.

"Is it because of the wound on your back?"

"Yes. It's been quite a while, but it's taking a long time to heal, so we're still in this state."

"Can I ask how it happened?"

Considering his level, he wasn't weak enough to be hurt by just anyone.

The old man smiled bitterly and answered.

"I had a conflict with a human like you."

"A human......?"

"A very powerful mage. He called himself the head mage of the Sainthea Royal Court."

......What?

I was completely taken aback by the unexpected mention of this person.