The head of the “Hungry Hunters” is dead.
The army is mostly in tatters, and the remaining soldiers are all escaping in panic.
With this, the Lithuvar Tribe should no longer be in danger now.

I watch along as the rain and wind extinguish the forest fire bit by bit.
At the rate it’s looking, it should subside soon.
I then look towards the direction of the village and sigh in relief.

So, in the end…… I’m left to leave this place.
What am I gonna do with Alo? She might get angry or sad if she finds out I left without telling her.
Alo seems to have a sort of lingering regret concerning the village. I don’t really know what, she hasn’t told me yet, but I know that she’ll not want to depart from this place if that isn’t fulfilled.
Guess that means I’ll have to part ways with Alo then.

I can’t really explain it to the villagers, and a part of me kind of wants to just keep it to myself, but…… mhm, I should at least notify the new shrine maiden before I go.

I then look at the Ralag Wolf that’s just several meters ahead of me.
The Ralag Wolf was watching the flames getting downpoured by the rain, but when it noticed me staring at it, it turns and faces me.

【“I see, so you will be leaving then. Two-headed dragon”】

Ohh…… that’s right, I almost forgot that these guys can use〖Telepathy〗when they combine.
Sorry for messing this place up and deciding to leave without even fixing anything.

【“Were it not for you, these outsiders would have decimated the forest. Our very lives would have been at risk”】

For someone titled as Feared God, I expected more pressure coming from you, but it looks like I just misunderstood.
In that case, I want to request something from you.

Once I leave this forest, I want you to keep looking after the Lithuvar Tribe for me.
Who knows if something bad happens again.

【”…… We only eliminate those who bring harm to the forest. They are the least of our concerns. It is those humans who feared us and started calling us names”】

But, back when I first saw you, it’s like you were guiding me to their village.
And, it’s thanks to that, I was able to deal a heavy blow to the Manticore before it could recover itself, and it’s thanks to you that I was also able to find their second village as well…… actually, that time when you lead me to their second village, was that just a coincidence or not?
Aren’t you all just watching over the Lithuvar Tribe in your own way too?

【”…… Do not expect too highly of us. Our only obligation is to protect the trees of the forest. However, if those humans were not there, it would have killed us as well”】

Aah, then that’s good enough already.
We weren’t here for long, but thanks for everything.

【“Likewise, thank you as well. We have been watching over you because we deem you as a foreign entity, but we surely did not expect an evil dragon such as you to save the forest, and for that, you have our gratitude”】

…… S-So, you were spying on me.
Well, that’s… that’s fine, I guess.

The Ralag Wolf then glanced at the direction where I came from when I rolled here.
The path of knocked-down trees is visible behind me.
The Ralag Wolf then scratches its neck with its paw and looks at me suspiciously.

I-I was in a hurry, you see…… I couldn’t help it……
S-Sorry.

When the Ralag Wolf saw me bow apologetically, it puffed up a short laugh.
Then, it turns around and disappears into the forest.

…… Before I go, there’s something else I gotta do first.
I want me, not the Lithuvar Tribe, to be the one to suffer the blame for all of this, and to make that happen……

I stand in front of the path of toppled trees that I made with〖Roll〗, make a quick glance at the direction the Ralag Wolf disappeared, and use〖Roll〗to go back the way I came.
…… T-These trees have already fallen over, so it should be okay… right?

By the time I arrived at the place where I fought Azalea, the rain was slowly lifting up.
There are still raindrops falling, but the strong winds have already stopped, it seems.
The thick clouds are still in the sky. I wonder when it’ll clear again.

I try to find the beastman swordsman, Nell.
He was supposed to be passed out somewhere, but when I looked to where I last saw him, he wasn’t there.
I shortly find Nell who’s crouching near Azalea’s side, and since the Lithuvar children aren’t anywhere around, they must be back at the village now.

Nell notices me, wipes his face with his sleeve, and takes up his sword.
He must be thinking that I’ve come back to kill him.
But, even though his stance is ready for battle, his expression shows that he no longer wants to fight.

His right shoulder seems to be injured by rocks since it’s still bleeding.
There’s also blood leaking down his head, covering his right eye, indicating his field of vision is limited. He’s barely able to stand.

Using〖Human Transformation〗, my body changes from a dragon to a human.
Nell looked surprised at first, but then he looks at Azalea, makes a determined face, and swings his sword at me.
I immediately close in and knock him and his sword away with the back of both of my hands.
Nell gets hurled backwards into the cave and hits his back against the cave wall.

“I’m sure you intended to fight with your life on the line, but don’t worry, I won’t kill you”

Nell tries to get up while holding his injured right shoulder with his left hand, but after hearing me talk, he paused.
He must’ve never expected me to be able to talk. That came out as a shock for him.

“You shielded the children with your body. I don’t know about the others, but I trust you. I need to ask you a favor. When you return home, I want you to report to your superiors that the Lithuvar Tribe kidnapping lost travelers was all under the command of an Ouroboros to be eaten as sacrifices”

“……… Eh?”

Nell gaped in bewilderment.
I look around and point a finger to a small, faraway mountain.

“…… Let’s see here. Tell them that the Ouroboros was heading in that direction. Oh yeah, there’s a chance that I might move elsewhere from there…… but, I plan to make myself stand out as I go, so it’ll probably be alright”

If this goes well, then all the blame regarding the sacrifices and this failed army attack won’t go to the Lithuvar Tribe, but to me.
Some of the escaped soldiers should bear some grudge against me for killing their comrades.
Nell might not have high influence, but his credibility should be high enough.

“W-Why……? What are you, planning……?”

Nell attempts to stand up with an agitated expression, but he falls down on his knees again.

“I can keep running away no matter how many times you attack me. Well then, make sure you get back home alive to spread the word”

I distance myself from Nell and undo〖Human Transformation〗.
My body enlarges and a second head grows on my left shoulder.
I once again take the form of my usual two-headed dragon self.

I give Partner a quick glance, Partner sighs, and she turns towards Nell’s shoulder.

“Graa!”

Partner uses〖High Rest〗and heals Nell’s injury.
We weren’t able to fully heal him before since we were still recovering our MP, but now we can.
Nell has an abnormally high status. He should be capable enough to fend for himself against the other monsters in this forest.

Stunned, Nell watches me as I leave him behind and head back to the village.