NOVEL NEXT WORLD “So, you mean damaging the forest is also prohibited, right?”
“Yes. They’re just letting you borrow it for a bit, so they expect you to use it cleanly.”
“…Typical elves.”
As I listened to the warnings from the vampire who would soon be my neighbor, I genuinely admired them at this point.
Wasn’t there a saying that the real winner is the one who doesn’t lift a finger? Everyone knows that the chaos happening near Pahera is caused by the elves.
No matter how much the human race is considered a public enemy to the Ains, seeing them play with the beastmen and vampires without showing their faces made me realize just how impressive the elves truly are.
It’s pretty much like the tyranny of a landlord. They provide residences on the outskirts of the forest while collecting labor to torment humans at the cost of their lives, and if the tenants don’t keep the place clean, they kick them out without mercy. That’s just plain evil.
…Wait, is it normal?
Thinking about it, telling tenants to keep the place clean is a legitimate request from the landlord. I guess I was unfairly judging them with my dirt-poor sensitivity, feeling like I was looking at real estate tycoons.
Regardless, I was starting to understand why the vampires were just living in shabby tents, doing things their way.
The no-fighting rule may be one thing, but the mere attempt to dig and create underground facilities was impossible. That’s also considered damaging the elves’ forest.
The way those landowning elves tried to eat and live without lifting a finger felt somewhat distasteful, but I wasn’t in a position to start a revolution just yet. After considerable effort, I could barely suppress the proletarian punch crying out from my heart.
It’s true that more rules can be uncomfortable, but I decided to first try to conform to the current system.
“There’s nothing else I need to keep, right? I can hunt as I please?”
“Hmm, yes. Officially, that’s the only rule in the forest, but…”
“So there’s an unofficial rule, huh? Is there a quota or something?”
“…You’re quite perceptive.”
I had just thrown a dart to see what would hit, and there was indeed something. I hadn’t expected peace to be maintained without issues.
Didn’t I warn the guy not to leave Eleonora alone from the get-go?
Even though there’s a semi-compulsory no-fighting rule in the forest, the very advice he gave suggests that there are those looking to hunt others, trying to sidestep the rules.
Just like I thought it would be fine to go suck on Eleonora’s blood outside the forest, attacking someone beforehand wouldn’t be impossible within the Mist Labyrinth since the no-fighting rule applies only once you step into the forest. If everyone could live without laws, they wouldn’t even be created.
There will always be those trying to get away with things. Who wouldn’t prefer to rob a tired comrade after a hunt over risking their lives hunting in the humans’ city?
However, judging by the immediate reaction to the mention of a quota, it seems like there’s some sort of organized effort with more than just a few of those kinda guys.
“It’s not compulsory. Formally, at least. But we recommend fulfilling the quota voluntarily.”
He chose his words very carefully while saying this, and the way he glanced around showed that the presence of some dominant force controlling the area was very likely.
On the surface, they say there are no mandatory quotas, but if you don’t comply, one day you mysteriously won’t return after some unfortunate accident outside. Having seen enough dramas and movies in hospital rooms, I could picture it quite well.
I wasn’t particularly hopeful for a new start here, but just thinking about the tumultuous life that could unfold was quite exhilarating.
Ah, it’s so refreshing, I might just feel the urge for a revolution.
“I think I’ve explained everything I needed to, so let me show you the empty tent.”
“Please put me in the furthest corner.”
I thought about probing for more information, but seeing the guy’s face, clearly wanting to change the subject, I nodded. I felt I had enough information for now. Any finer details would be learned with time.
The distance we moved wasn’t long. Assigned to the tent on the edge, I pulled out the sign that was in the tent and placed it in front.
“Now this tent has an owner. If the owner hasn’t returned in a week or their death is confirmed, the organization will come and put up another sign.”
“Ah-ha.”
So this is how they pretend to be administrators while using that as an excuse to rip the sign off. I sincerely hope I never have to face them directly.
“Thanks for the guidance. Is that it?”
“Haha, it’s part of my job. Yes, I’ve told you everything you need to know.”
“…Job?”
I was about to tell him to leave if he had nothing more to say, but that unexpected comment made me ask again.
So, guiding me is part of his job, huh?
Now that I think about it, it’s not entirely surprising. Even if there’s a need to explain the rules to new hopeful migrants, I doubt it’s common to find someone so willingly splitting their time to guide others.
If it’s ‘someone’ who has to do it, normally people will play a game of avoidance. Or they just dump the dirty work on whoever’s the weakest.
“I’m embarrassed to say I’m among the weaker vampires, so I don’t get to hunt often. Because of that, it’s hard to make a living if I fill the quota, so I contribute by doing small chores instead.”
This guy was the latter. When he softened his words, calling it a minor contribution, it sounded a lot like he was just being assigned menial tasks, right?
And wow, he’s surprisingly petty. They’re forcibly collecting quotas from even those struggling to sustain themselves and making those who can’t comply sneak around outside the forest.
“I see. You can go now.”
I lowered my perception of this unidentified vampire organization. Even villains have ranks; what they did was something I could feel embarrassment over just hearing.
Martini would surely lament that the vampires’ status has taken a hit. I was curious about who was ruling this place, but I quickly wiped it from my mind.
Even if I didn’t inquire, I’d probably see them soon, so there was no need to waste any of my precious memory storage space. I have a small wish that I would never have to see them at all, but considering what I’ve heard, that won’t be happening.
I shook off those thoughts and stepped into the tent, and to my surprise, it was rather pleasant inside. The ceiling was high enough for a light jump, and it didn’t seem too cramped for two people.
If there was a flaw, it was that the tent felt a bit old, but as long as it protected against the rain and wind, I had no complaints. After all, being in a forest, even if it rains, the trees would block the worst of it, so it shouldn’t be a problem. Right?
After setting my bag down and tidying up, silence fell. Were the animals afraid of vampires or something? All I could hear outside was the sound of the wind, not even the chirping of insects.
Moreover, due to the rule of not damaging the forest, the living areas weren’t crammed together; tents were randomly set up in the empty spaces between the trees, making our assigned spot quiet and devoid of any movement.
“Not bad.”
“Will the quota be okay?”
Eleonora, who had been silent, asked with a worried expression.
Instead of answering, I silently pulled out a pack of jerky from my bag, and her tail began to wag excitedly. Pretending to casually set it on the shelf, her tail then drooped to the floor. Surprisingly, all of this happened without her showing any change in expression.
‘This is fun.’
Seeing something amusing after a while piqued my interest a bit. But I shouldn’t mess around with food.
I pretended to change my mind and opened the lid to shove a piece of jerky into Eleonora’s mouth. Her lips, which had been tight with worry, began to move as she chewed.
“Oh!”
She seemed to realize that I had casually sidestepped her worry. I decided this was enough for a little amusement.
“No need to worry about that.”
“…Is that so?”
Worrying is what you do when you have several options to choose from. From the moment I first heard about the quota, I had already made my mind up.
First, if it’s not a big deal, I’ll just give it away.
Second, if it’s an amount that I can’t handle, plenty of other vampires will also be struggling to meet their quotas, so I’ll see how they handle it.
And third, if the head of the organization is weaker than me, I’ll revise both the first and second responses and stab them in the belly.
“—That’s how it is.”
How easy was that, right?
Personally, I wish it would be the third one. Honestly, I think the chances are slim at the moment, but the vampires gathered here are mostly just drifters who didn’t settle in either duchy. It’s very possible that the leader of a bunch of misfits isn’t anything special.
Of course, even if my opponent is stronger than I am now, I’ll ultimately aim for the third option.
If I’m still weaker, I’ll just drain the blood until I get stronger. Wasn’t that initially why I came here? If I die, failing to surpass even these petty vampires who just play dirty, that’s just nature taking its course.
After hearing my explanation, Eleonora’s brows furrowed slightly before returning to normal. It seemed like she was trying to act serious, but she didn’t appear that way at all.
“If you say so, my master, then so it is.”
This girl has given up thinking. Her attitude of blindly revering her master is truly the mark of a commendable slave, and I opened the jerky pack again with satisfaction.