Parody Girl
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Chapter 33 - Malice Undetected.
🕑 Added 2025-08-18 04:35:05 +0000 UTCThe notification alerted me that enemies had approached the tree, and I rushed outside immediately. I flew up into the sky without explaining to Serie what was happening.
I landed on one of the tree’s branches and looked in the direction of the intruders.
“Humans, of course.” I could see them clearly.
They were calmly walking through the forest. All of them were humans—men and women. Each one wore high-quality armor, clearly seasoned adventurers. Tsk! I clicked my tongue.
“But why are they advancing so easily? Not even Ares’s group managed to get this far. And I’ve leveled up the tree several times since that day.”
The tree should have been doing its job.
“Hmmm…” I studied them carefully.
Soon, I began to notice strange details.
Tired expressions, and even injuries. “Were they attacked on their way here? Or maybe…” Several possibilities ran through my mind.
I looked ahead and thought about Rakia. “I don’t know if they came from that direction, but if they did, they’re probably Rakian soldiers. They must be fleeing…”
That was the conclusion I reached.
It had been days since I received the news that Rakia had plunged into war after Ares’s death. These people might be running away from that so-called war. I don’t know how things are going over there, but it must be chaotic.
“They probably have no intention of harming the elves. Maybe the tree isn’t detecting malice, which is why it isn’t attacking them…”
Still, I don’t trust these people.
The tree is divine. It is a being with far greater knowledge than I possess. Yet, I can’t bring myself to trust its judgment this time.
“...” I continued staring silently at the humans, trying to read their lips.
“We can’t go any further… The elves might get angry.” I repeated the words spoken by one of the men. He was tall, strong, clearly their leader. After his words, the humans began setting up camp.
They didn’t carry much with them, so their camp was… simple.
“They’re close to the forest’s edge. They only stepped inside to protect themselves… But then, why did the tree detect them as enemies? It clearly decided they held no malice.”
Strange.
“What are you doing?”
Someone appeared beside me before I noticed.
It was Serie.
“I’m observing some people.”
“People? Humans?”
“Exactly.”
“Hmm…” Serie looked in the same direction I was watching. “Almost twenty of them. They look fine—the tree’s power isn’t affecting them.”
“I guess the tree didn’t sense any malice in them… Even though it initially labeled them as enemies.”
“But is it really a good idea to let them get so comfortable here?”
“No, of course not. I need to know exactly what’s going on.”
“You already have an idea, don’t you?” Serie asked.
“Remember Rakia’s been at war since Ares died? I think these people fled Rakia and decided to hide here.”
“They’re idiots, aren’t they? They probably know Ares was killed by the elves… specifically, by you.”
“I’m not so sure about that. But you’re right—they are idiots. They’d be better off seeking refuge in Orario.”
“You think they belong to a Familia?”
“I’m not sure. I can’t see their emblems. But if they don’t belong to a Familia, that might explain why the tree didn’t attack them. They’re too weak to be a threat.”
“...” Serie stopped watching them and turned to me. “Want me to go check their situation?”
“Can you handle it?”
“Of course. I’ve done this many times before.”
“Fine. If they want to talk… just kill them all.” I looked at Serie coldly, and she nodded, her expression serious.
Then, she vanished.
####
POV: Serie
As soon as I approached the humans from between the trees, the man who seemed to be the leader noticed me and looked up. Our eyes met, and he immediately started trembling.
He was so terrified I thought he might wet himself.
The others noticed his fear and also looked up. Now, all eyes were on me. I kept my expression neutral as I descended slowly. I didn’t sense any danger, so I walked toward them.
I touched down on the ground, stepping over roots and leaves.
The humans all held their breath, staring at me in silence.
“Who is the leader of this group?” I asked.
No one answered. The silence lingered. So, I asked again, my tone colder this time. “I asked… Who is the leader?”
I already knew who it was, but I waited for him to step forward.
The man collapsed to his knees.
“I’m sorry! Please forgive me!”
“...”
He lifted his head slightly, and our eyes met again before he quickly bowed once more, trembling harder. “I want to know your current situation. You came from Rakia, didn’t you?”
“Yes, yes ma’am. That’s right.” His voice shook. “We were part of one of the smaller Familias. We were attacked by the Phobos Familia.”
“Phobos Familia? They took control of Rakia?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“That’s surprising. I didn’t think that woman was that greedy.”
“...”
“But… why did you come here? Why didn’t you head to Orario? This isn’t a place humans should be setting foot.”
“We fled during the night. It was my idea, so I beg forgiveness. I thought we could find safety here.”
“And what made you think that?”
“I… thought that if we behaved peacefully, we might earn protection from the tree and the elves.”
“...” I froze when I heard those words.
This guy is an idiot.
