Wanderlust Beastkin, Beauty and the Beastkin-Chapter 54: Meanwhile in Duarte Village: Beck’s Resolve

Beck’s Perspective

I arrived at the shrine after wandering through the village, taking in the layout and uncovering a hidden path that led out of the village through the forest and the mountains on the other side. Those mountains were familiar to me, and I remembered a small mountain pass tucked away within one of the rock formations, which could be accessed by squeezing through a narrow crevice. It hadn’t occurred to me that the mountain was so near to the village, as I usually approached from a different direction and never ventured all the way into the village, although I had occasionally found myself in those woods while foraging for fruit or wild vegetables. It was clear that the villagers were unaware of the mountain pass.

If we had to we could come in and go out through that pass without going through the front checkpoint at the gate. Though we’d have to keep a low profile since at that point we wouldn’t have a visitor’s pass.

I reached the shrine and immediately sensed the powerful presence of a deity. It felt truly blessed, yet I soon noticed the aura surrounding the shrine flickering, indicating something was amiss, just as Ira had warned me about the situation here. What celestial being would choose to remain active in a village rife with corruption? The miasma produced by such decay would surely be harmful to the deity. It was clear that this village held significance for him; otherwise, he would have withdrawn his aura long ago, allowing a shadow deity that thrives on miasma to take over instead.

As I ascended the steps toward the grand statue and the shrine, I found it odd that there was no shrine Miko to welcome me. My guide explained that she was absent due to an emergency. I gazed at the statue of Deity Duarte and let out a deep sigh. Typically, I wasn’t one to offer prayers or seek blessings at a shrine, but these were exceptional circumstances. There was nothing I wouldn’t do for the happiness of my three beloved brothers. If being with this Perla girl would bring him joy, I was determined to do everything in my power to facilitate that. I just hoped she was truly worth it.

I retrieved some fire elemental fruit from my bag, known as Sua Fruit. Its vibrant red and orange hues resemble flickering flames, making it quite a prized elemental delicacy. However, it’s spicier and tangier than my palate prefers, which makes sense given my affinity for water elemental magic. Naturally, it doesn’t resonate with me. I took out twenty of these fruits from my space bag and placed them on the altar. According to my guide, Deity Duarte is a Phoenix Beastkin, so it’s only fitting that he would appreciate fire elemental fruits. It’s curious, though, that a being primarily associated with fire would choose to bestow healing magic upon his followers rather than fire magic.

If the opportunity arises, I might inquire about why this deity opted for healing over fire magic, but honestly, it’s not a pressing concern for me. I have no desire to linger in this area longer than necessary. Interacting with most beastkin is not my preference, and I find crowds quite unsettling. The thought of seeking a mate holds no appeal for me; I envision my immortal existence spent in solitude or with my brothers, occasionally visiting their cubs and families before retreating back into my reclusive ways. My disdain for most beastkin, particularly females, runs deep. They often come across as selfish, cruel, and uninteresting, fixated solely on breeding and laying eggs. Convincing them to engage in anything beyond that, let alone travel, is nearly impossible. They seem more inclined to consume crystals and issue unreasonable demands than to cultivate their magic. Honestly, pursuing a female seems pointless, especially since finding one of my kind is no easy task.

I humbly request healing potions in return for my offering, so I can tend to the wounds of the innocent. As I placed the precious fruits upon the altar, it shimmered briefly before the fruits vanished, replaced by twenty healing potions in crystal-clear bottles with elegant black stoppers.

I found myself bowing, an act I usually wouldn’t consider, and gratefully accepted the potions, stowing them in my bag. With a sense of purpose, I departed from the shrine and made my way to the market. I strolled through the vibrant stalls, selecting a few wrap dresses crafted from high-quality cotton and silk. I chose a dark green silk wrap dress and a lovely peach one, along with a light blue cotton dress, a dark brown, and a light green option.

Additionally, I picked up warm brown leather boots lined with cotton, a green cloak, a matching scarf hood, and a coordinating space bag. I also gathered a comb, soaps, and various essentials she might need. After purchasing these items, I added them to the dark green space bag alongside the clothing and outerwear.

I didn’t forget to grab some dried meats, fruits, and an assortment of snacks, along with bottled water and juice, which I tucked into the space bag as well. Finally, I picked up a soft dark blue blanket and added it to my collection. This seemed sufficient for now. I would need to check if she wanted to stop by her home to collect her belongings before we left the village; it would be convenient if she didn’t, but in my experience, females often choose the most inconvenient paths.

My guide returned to the shrine after showing me the way to the snatching grounds, assuring me that the guards would assist me upon my arrival.

Before I got there, I made sure my visitor card was not displayed outwardly; the guards usually don’t bother to check as long as they can see that I have one. Males often act indifferent to the species of beastkin present, fearing that showing too much interest might make them feel inferior. This seems to be a common attitude among beastkin males with less impressive auras, particularly those in positions of authority. I didn’t anticipate them taking my visitor card to scrutinize it, though they did attempt to sneak a glance, only to be frustrated by their inability to read it without revealing their curiosity. It all felt like a tiresome game, predictable and dull.

One guard stepped forward, forcing a strained smile and offering a twisted hand gesture. It was a condescending greeting, one reserved for those deemed inferior, and given my status as a legendary beastkin, it was quite disrespectful. However, he deliberately avoided looking at my card so he didn’t have to acknowledge my rank, allowing him to sidestep any obligation to show me respect.

With a cruel smile, he invaded my personal space, and I found his sour breath particularly unpleasant. Before I could respond, he leaned in and whispered just for me, "Once you enter the snatching grounds, nothing will surprise you; everything will feel normal and expected. And when you leave, you’ll forget anything that might disturb you regarding it."

I maintained a neutral expression, even though I was taken aback by the unexpected turn of events. It seemed that Ira and Perla’s worries were justified; fortunately, sound magic had no effect on me. "Yes," I replied in a flat tone, and he responded with a self-satisfied grin. It was rather unwise of him to let his arrogance overshadow his reasoning; he should have checked my visitor’s card to confirm that his magic had no impact on me, but I had anticipated this.

He took a step back and snapped his fingers in front of my face, and I blinked slowly, as if I were just returning to reality. "That was odd; I feel a bit fatigued, probably from the long journey."

"There’s no need to worry. I was already informed of your arrival, and everything is prepared for you. You can select a female companion to get to know before the snatching ritual, as we discussed. You expressed interest in acquiring a female directly before the ritual starts."

"That’s right, but I won’t consider any female who doesn’t possess at least a yellow aura, and I understand that the price will reflect that," I replied.

"I’m pleased to see you grasp that. However, I must inform you that we only have two females who fit your criteria. One is a wild, wandering female that our scouting team discovered, while the other is a wolf female from our own village. The latter is quite popular, but her demeanor can be quite harsh, whereas the wild female is less sought after due to her...untamed nature."

As he spoke, he stepped into the snatching grounds, and I was immediately taken aback by the foul stench of decay and body odor that permeated the air. Then, I thought I caught a sound on the breeze—was that wailing?

Coming Next time: Meanwhile in Duarte Village: Beck and Elara Meet