“The journey is going well,” Charles murmured to himself as he studied the map.

　　Maybe the author went to an inn again, he tried to convince himself.

　　A few days later, at noon, he sat on a rock, biting into the last piece of roasted meat, when he suddenly felt something attacking from behind.

　　He immediately drew his steel sword, spun around, and leapt behind the rock.

　　Nothing was in sight, but his instincts screamed danger.

　　Clang!

　　Something struck his sword. Charles quickly lifted his foot and kicked the invisible assailant seven meters away.

　　The figure revealed itself. It was the winged creature he had encountered at the third outpost.

　　As a hunter, he always carried a rope. Taking a few big strides, he reached her and tied her hands together.

　　“Can we talk peacefully?” he asked, noticing the anger in her eyes. “Okay, I’ll let you go once we get home. After all, you can fly.”

　　He walked ahead, pulling the rope, with the female winged creature reluctantly following behind.

　　This is why I don’t like dealing with people of poor intellect, he thought but kept silent, growing even more determined in his plan.

　　For the next two weeks, they hunted and traveled together, occasionally chatting and sharing food. Eventually, they returned to Lylet Forest.

　　That evening, the four-cornered flag of the Big Green Frog Inn swayed in the wind, and the door below was open, bustling with customers.

　　“Have some delicious food, Peruya,” he said.

　　“It’s Periya, lizard. I’ve told you many times,” the winged creature corrected unhappily. She hadn’t enjoyed the journey much.

　　“Alright, I definitely won’t forget next time.”

　　Inside, human patrol guards ate at several tables. Charles glanced at the customers; someone briefly looked up at them. He then looked at the innkeeper, who appeared ordinary, and finally at Periya, who ruffled her feathers and seemed less than friendly.

　　“Put away your claws, birdbrain. Durgden, two servings of fried frog, two bottles of apple cider, and two servings of roasted meat. Thank you,” he ordered.

　　Durgden nodded and instructed the kitchen to prepare.

　　“Welcome home, my hunter. Is she your new friend? Why tie her up?” the innkeeper asked.

　　“She’s a creature that constantly ruffles her feathers. I hate her claws,” Charles replied.

　　“She seems to get along with you. Is she a quail?” the innkeeper asked.

　　“I’m an eagle! Another bastard lizard!” Periya explained, indignantly but kindly.

　　Durgden flapped his wings and asked, “Old buddy, does she have poor eyesight?”

　　Charles pointed to his head. “It’s here.”

　　“I see. I hope you two get along well,” Durgden said.

　　“Has Noeie contacted me?” he asked.

　　The Pteron man shook his head. “She’s very independent.”

　　Charles waited for the food, a hint of disappointment lingering. Once ready, the trays were carried to an empty table in two trips. They noticed patrol guards in the corner staring and whispering.

　　A cloaked man with dual-colored flames approached—it was clear he led the group.

　　Around forty years old, he carried a steel sword with the emblem of the Aurelian Kingdom. If the intelligence was correct, it possessed flame magic.

　　“Sir, there’s no cutlery for you here,” Charles said, unfriendly.

　　“Hello, orc,” the patrol captain replied calmly.

　　“Uh... hello, sir. Can I help you with something?”

　　“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Captain Seri Raygol of the 17th patrol team in the Lilette region of the Aurelian Kingdom. You may call me General Seri. To be direct, she seems to belong to the Poison Feather Society, and I would like to take her for questioning. May I?”

　　Periya spread her feathers defensively. Charles gently held her arm.

　　“I’m sorry, but Lilette is not under your kingdom’s jurisdiction. You only have patrol authority.”

　　“I know your name, Charles Greyhunter.”

　　“So what?”

　　“Harboring criminals is serious. We have grounds to take control of the forest.”

　　“Just like taking over the Beacon Forest ahead? You always have reasons. Spare me, General.”

　　“Is that so? What a pity.”

　　Captain Seri Raygol returned to his seat, finished his meal, took his team, and continued patrolling.

　　After this encounter, Periya’s opinion of Charles shifted completely.

　　“I thought you were a jerk who liked stealing, but I see now I was wrong,” she admitted gently.

　　Charles believed she would not attack him again, so he searched for something to cut the rope. “You’re finally smarter.”

　　“Don’t think I’m an idiot, lizard asshole!”

　　“Believe what you want. This is our last meal together. Fried frog legs are delicious, aren’t they?”

　　“I don’t like the crispy texture,” she replied.

　　“You’d get along with the leopard people,” he said.

　　After dinner, he tossed two gold coins to her. “If you miss this place, come find me at Grey Earth Cave. Goodbye.”

　　He packed his bags and left.

　　The Grey Earth Cave was as before, only dust-covered. That night, he merely wanted to clean the bed.

　　While asleep, he felt someone sliding their hand over his belly and arm.

　　He woke suddenly. The cave was lit by an oil lamp, and Periya was tearing a piece of his scales with her sharp claws.

　　“Hey, hey, hey… what is this? A harpy’s love signal? I’m not interested in foreign beastmen.”

　　“Don’t misunderstand, hunter. It’s rare to touch a scaled beastman,” she said.

　　“How does it feel?”

　　“Like a snake. Probably tastes the same,” he replied, wanting to end the conversation.

　　“Why don’t you leave?”

　　“I was about to tell you—I want to hire you. The Poison Feather Society can help us, like dealing with humans who harm us—Ceria, Ceria Rilugor, and their patrol guards. I’ve seen your strength; you’re more than capable.”

　　Charles considered this carefully. His first thought was to get rid of her. Clearly, the Poison Feather Society were enemies of the kingdom. Letting them into Lelutka was a serious problem.

　　After a moment, he felt slightly relieved. Humans indeed wanted control of Lelutka Forest—not just because of the Society.

　　“What are you doing...”

　　“Assassinating humans when possible. The captain of the 35th patrol squad you saw on the tower tasted good,” she licked dust off her feathers. “The place is dirty—well, I rarely come here. It’s my first time at a lizardman’s home. Can you help? Ten gold coins per person.”

　　“Us?”

　　“Yes, us. You’ll join us, won’t you?”

　　He thought for a moment. “Are we just spreading hatred? Lelutka is my new beginning.”

　　“Don’t be naive. Human expansion won’t stop. If war breaks out, no beastmen will escape. Before then, every Poison Feather Society member will weaken their military, even slightly. Lizardman, join us.”

　　He looked at his body—no feathers. He shrugged.

　　Periya approached slowly, stroking his skin with her left hand while secretly plucking a feather from her waist with her right.

　　“Wait… we’re different as beastmen…”

　　Before he could react, a green feather pierced his abdomen. He felt numbness spread, then lost consciousness.