CH151

His mind immediately flashed to when he’d heard about it in Anailia. He hadn’t known what races had been hunted, but things suddenly made a fair bit more sense around the village. “Okay, I can see why that would give you some stranger-danger.”

“Well, there were around a dozen races that suffered from that sort of thing but we probably suffered the most for it. The world is large after all, and we mostly keep to ourselves. Even if a village of us was left alone, if our forests were destroyed then there’d be no more children being born, and even if any survivors put out searches for other villages there was always the fear that death and destruction would follow them so many hid away, leaving any stray survivors to a long, lonely death.”

“Joining a different community wasn’t an option? There are plenty of mixed towns and cities out there. I get it can’t make up for what was lost, but wouldn’t it be better than being alone?”

“I’m sure there are plenty who did, but for others… Well, would you want to risk the chance of living among the same group that hunted your people? Not to mention that they’d have to live in fear of word about their race and location getting out, even if they did find a safe community.”

“Mmh, alright I get what you’re saying. But your village isn’t exactly hidden, are you all okay with that?”

She only shrugged. “Once the gods became aware of what was happening they exerted their influence in a big way. From what I understand apostles were mobilized and templars were sent to rain chaos on the people responsible. Entire cities were burned to the ground if enough people were found to be involved, it left the survivors the chance to be open enough to find each other, but the history and fear still remain, not to mention the occasional rumours of dryads or members of other hunted races disappearing. Our bodies are still useful in alchemy and as materials after all, since the gods aren’t all-knowing there will always be some people who are willing to take the risk to get their hands on us. It makes you cautious of outsiders.”

“You don’t seem too worried letting a bunch in your house though?”

“My cousin vouches for you so you’re probably fine. Besides, we deal with merchants and I’ve known other non-dryads before. Sachel’s father even lived in the village for years before he passed.”

So they’re cousins huh? But aside from that, if this village already had a non-dryad living in it you’d think things wouldn’t be this bad.

He’d never given much thought to the other half of Sachel’s heritage, he’d always been focused on the part that might aid him in his task of finding Myriad more followers, and aside from the horns on her head, there was nothing else to indicate what paternal race was that he could see. Her dryad heritage seemed to run strong except for the fact that she wasn’t born with the plant magic she desired.

“So are both of her parents…”

“Yes, when she was a child. Before she decided she wanted to be an adventurer and see some more of the world she lived with our grandmother.”

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

“And Hentath’s willing to cut her off, just for changing her faith?”