The Kidnapping

So... you want us to find the missing beastfolk?

Mm.

Yes.

...

I doubt they just wandered off. Kidnapping, maybe?

That's my thought too. The hard part is figuring out how to track them.

It rained yesterday. The ground's soft. We might still find footprints or traces.

We can pay...

Please...

...

...Got it. First step, check where they vanished.

Monsters always crawl out after the rain, especially near beastfolk villages. So do your best, Ethan.

You say that like you're not coming...

Depending on how big this turns out, we may need Morgana's magic.

Sigh... honestly, you people never lift a finger yourselves.

Alright then. Oh, great Fairy Queen, Your Grace, lend us mortals your aid once more!

If it was kidnapping... why target beastfolk?

To sell them as slaves, maybe?

Bovines are the ones going missing this time. The ones who asked for help were bovines too.

Could it be the Empire? Or the Church of Tiamat?

Possibly. But let's not jump to conclusions. Even in Cornwall, beastfolk slavery used to exist.

True... back then, raiding villages and enslaving survivors was common.

But since the Allied Pact was signed,

most nations swore to end the practice.

Right, that was part of the treaty, wasn't it?

Yes.

If you think humans are good at keeping promises, you're mistaken. Though... this might not be the work of humans.

Not humans?

Did you find something?

Yeah. Take a look at this.

These are...

Wagon tracks!

No sign of a fight, no soldiers. The footprints stop where the wheels start.

So they boarded willingly...?

Seems like it. And if not, then magic was involved.

Humans can't cast that kind of spell!

An Apostle could pull it off... or something worse.

Huh... You actually found something.

Well done, Morgana, truly the wise and radiant Fairy Queen.

Heh! That's me! Brilliant as eve, woah!

Ahhh...

Careful, Morgana! The ground's still muddy!

Are you alright...?

She's fine. Leave her be, she'd rather die than accept help.

Anyway, we've got our lead. If we follow these tracks, we'll catch up eventually. The question is, who, and why?

As for the motive... I think I know.

Hmm?

The reason they're after cow beastfolk... it's obvious.

Tch! It's gotta be because of lust!

...

Males only ever want one thing!

They probably think we produce milk like normal cows and, ugh!

R-Right! Males are disgusting... shameless!

...

Every male who looks at us has that same vile gaze! They're bound to do something indecent!

I-I don't know, but... yeah... probably!

...

A-Alright, calm down everyone...

What about you? Got a different theory?

I... I...

I can't forgive them! Those filthy animals! The kind who see a cow beastfolk's chest and lose control!

They've probably tied them up somewhere and are, ugh, you know! Disgusting creeps!

Such vile, depraved, despicable!

...I'm scared...

Sigh...

Ethan, let's save the debate for later. We should follow the trail.

Right. If that wagon gets too far, we'll lose it. Let's move!

Wait, Ethan, you said it's a wagon?

Yeah, what about it?

Then let's chase them in one too. Easier to match speed and direction.

...You just don't want to walk, do you?

Hmph.

"Hmph" doesn't make it any less obvious! You're already covered in mud, what's a little more?

Even Bedivere's walking without complaint...

Sob... It's such a cruel world... poor beastfolk...

Uh, Ethan... maybe we really should get a wagon. Bedivere's not doing so hot.

Fine...

Ethan! Up ahead, Orcs!

Told you monsters would show up!

Then we'll just cut through them!

We're charging straight in?!

Looks like they went that way. The grooves are uneven, maybe a wheel got damaged.

So the wagon took a hit?

Yeah. Probably from the orcs. That'd explain the uneven drag.

If that's true, we can catch up even on foot...

Huff... huff...

Yawn...

...Besides, we could use a break.

Haah... agreed. I brought some food. Let's rest and eat a bit.

Good thinking, Elizabeth.

Say... why take this route through an orc den instead of a safer road?

Maybe to throw off pursuit?

But risking that much danger just to avoid a chase that might not even happen? Doesn't add up.

You're right... that's kind of strange.

Now that you mention it, even after leaving the den, they stayed in the forest instead of taking the main road.

Exactly.

Any thoughts, Detective Fairy Queen?

Must've had a death wish... now let me nap.

The ruts are getting deeper! The wagon's heavier now!

What...?

...! I get it.

You do?

Yeah. If my guess is right...

The culprit is a beastfolk too.

What? How can you tell?

Thanks to you, Bedivere. The wagon may be damaged, but the increasing weight means only one thing

More passengers.

I see! So they weren't kidnapping beastfolk, they were rescuing them!

They took this route to avoid detection.

Ah! And if the driver's a beastfolk too, they'd stand out on the open road, so they stuck to the forest!

Makes sense. Beastfolk are persecuted everywhere. No wonder they'd hide.

Not a bad deduction from Ethan's noodles. Still just a theory, though.

Then let's confirm it. Either way, we're saving whoever's in that wagon.

My strength's back! Let's go, Ethan! Princess!

We've got you cornered. You're the one who took them, right?

Caught red-handed! Heheh☆

Wha?!

B-Belsey...? You're the culprit?

Ethan, you know her?

She's the Cowqueen. A bovine beastfolk... one of the hoofed tribes, and the Queen of Beastrian.

That ancient island?!

Yeah.

The same island we've been searching for?!

Seems she crossed the sea for a reason...

Belsey! There's a misunderstanding here, can we talk before this goes any further? Maybe stop the wagon?

Swordbringer, I'm taking these beastfolk back to Beastrian. They've all agreed to come with me.

If that's truly your intent, I don't want to stand in your way...

But we're under contract, too. Cow beastfolk hired us to find the missing ones. You owe them an explanation. What'll you do?

If I go back now, there'll be conflict with the humans who were holding them.

For the sake of these people who depend on me... I can't retreat!

Then we've got no choice. You've got your side, we've got ours.

E-Ethan...

Don't worry. She's not the type to hold a grudge over a little scuffle.

Just be careful, Cowqueen's power isn't for show.

Moo! Here I come!

Did they... both collapse at the same time?!

Hah... as expected. Fighting her like this won't settle anything.

If only Morgana were still standing...

She's been out cold since the start, just firing off useless spells. Better let her rest.

Wow... Swordbringer, your group is amazing. You really surprised me!

You're... already back on your feet?!

I'm just as shocked...

Belsey. There's no point dragging this out. How about we call it a draw?

You didn't win, but if you tell us your goal, we can stand down. Deal?

Moo...

Ethan, you planned that from the start, didn't you?

Typical of you, sly pig.

You two, focus on recovering. If she refuses, we'll have to fight again.

That won't be necessary. I understand your intentions, Swordbringer.

I surrender.

Hah, hah, hah...! Victory belongs to this great fairy!

Stop gloating while lying on the ground... it ruins the moment.

Then... will you tell us? What happened to those beastfolk?

They were captured and enslaved by humans. I planned to bring them back to the island.

That ancient island... for beastfolk, it must feel like home.

So that's why you came to the mainland?

My real goal here is already complete. I came to officially invite the Swordbringer to the island.

This rescue was... a little extra! Once I saw how things were, I couldn't just ignore it!

An invitation? Seriously, Ethan?

Yeah. You're all coming too.

If we can form ties with the ancient island, that's wonderful news. Though I do wonder when that conversation happened...

Ahem! Let's just call it fate.

Ethan, you seem to have a lot of... "fateful encounters."

You can say that again...

Ahem! AHEM!

He's the Swordbringer, after all. A chosen one to collect relics and rewrite destiny. It's only natural he'd attract people.

Think about it! Meeting the Fairy Queen Morgana herself is a miracle mere mortals could only dream of!

Yeah, yeah, I get it.

If you get it, then help me up already! How long are you going to leave me here?!

What, are you some kind of plush toy? You've got legs, use them! You ask me to do everything!

Um... everyone? Since I've said my piece, can I go now?

One last question.

We were hired by cow beastfolk. Why didn't you tell your people what you were doing?

I'm pretty sure they'd have understood if you told them directly.

I didn't have time.

I rescued them and fled immediately, it all happened overnight. There was no time to explain.

I see. Must've been rough.

I just wish humans would stop tormenting beastfolk. It's even worse than I imagined!

Moo... people can be so mean!

Oppressing the weak and turning them into slaves... it's the same disease every caste society has.

It's truly unjust...

Humans don't just target beastfolk for slavery, you know.

Oh? There's another reason?

Of course. Each beastfolk tribe has its own culture and heritage, meaning, treasures.

I've heard that too! Not gold or silver, but magic stones, enchanted relics... all sorts of mysterious items!

Who told you that, Bedivere?

Miss Merry!

...And she didn't try to sell you one?

Huh?! How did you know?! She offered me a "sacred pebble" from the Feline Tribe that guarantees deep sleep.

I splurged on it, and lately I've been sleeping great! It really was a treasure!

Pretty sure it's just because you've been eating better lately...

Hmm... so in the end, it's still greed that drives them. We'll have to enforce stricter measures.

Taking enslaved beastfolk to paradise... it's not a bad goal.

Right?

But plenty of beastfolk here cooperate peacefully with humans. Even a noble cause can be misunderstood if done by force.

That's true. Belsey, you're remarkable, but you haven't built the same reputation here that you have in Beastrian.

Exactly my point.

Still, I've heard cases of beastfolk slavery are declining.

And beastfolk are becoming less wary of humans, too, thanks to the Alliance's efforts!

Really...? That's good to hear.

Maybe we can try something else, like creating safe settlements just for beastfolk?

Hmm... But treasure hunters would still come for us. Gathering all beastfolk in one place might just make it easier for them.

The continent is dangerous, after all!

...Then how about this, make it legal to obtain treasures.

Legal? How so?

Give honest adventurers a chance.

You disguise yourself in a robe and visit taverns or inns, watching quietly. When you find someone trustworthy, give them a token.

Tell the beastfolk in advance, if someone shows up carrying that token...

Oh! It'd be like a quest system!

Exactly.

If you make it an official quest, adventurers' trust will grow, and you'll have an easier time cracking down on those who break the rules.

That's true. Adventurers don't tolerate cheaters or thieves.

Moo! That's a great idea!

I'll take it back to discuss with the others. Thank you, Swordbringer, and everyone!

Yaaawn... Is it finally over? I got tired of waiting.

Hehe, thank you for your patience, Morgana. Let's head back.