It was already afternoon when they arrived at the village
At first glance, it looked like an ordinary farming village, with agriculture as its main source of income
Erin and Rikka immediately get off the caravan and look around the village
Auel follows them and stops by the caravan owner
"Hey, you forget this" said the caravan owner while handling a caravan bell
Auel took it and followed Rikka and Erin
"Whoa… they have a huge field" Erin said in amazement
"Yeah," Rikka replied, glancing around, "But isn't this the planting season? Why are there so few crops?"
Before anyone could answer, a young boy approached them
"Excuse me," he said politely, "May I ask what brings you here?"
"We're from the Adventurers' Guild" Auel replied, "We're here for the red wolf quest"
"Oh!" The boy's eyes widened, "I'm Owel, the chief's son. Please follow me, I'll take you to my father"
As they walked toward the chief's house, Rikka asked
"Hey, the weather's perfect for farming but why aren't you guys planting anything?"
"It's because of the red wolf" Owel answered, "We used to plant crops during this season, but after several incidents… people became afraid. They worry the wolf will attack them and destroy the fields"
"How long has the wolf been here?" Auel asked
"If I remember correctly… since last season"
They soon arrived at the chief's hall. There is a man there watering the flowers around the village hall
"Father!" Owel called out
"Owel" The man smiled, then turned his gaze to the three strangers "I am Owen, chief of this village. May I ask your purpose here?"
"They're adventurers from the guild" Owel said, "They came for the red wolf."
The chief's expression stiffened
"…May I speak with your party leader privately?" the chief asked
Before anyone could respond, Rikka suddenly pushed Auel forward
"He's our leader" Rikka said with a wide grin
Auel blinked in surprise and annoyance
"Come on," Rikka whispered, "You look like the smartest one"
Auel sighed "Yes. I'm the leader"
"Owel," the chief called his son, "why don't you show the others around the village?"
"Yes, Father" Owel turned to Rikka and Erin, "Come, follow me we have cute lambs in the barn"
The three left together, while Auel followed the chief inside the hall
"Young man," Owen began, "is your party only three people?"
"Yes"
The chief hesitated "Then I cannot allow you to take this quest. It's too dangerous"
"I understand," Auel said calmly, "That's exactly why I took it"
"…What do you mean?"
"The red wolves have taken many parties before, haven't they?"
The chief's eyes widened "H-how do you know that?"
"I spoke with the guild receptionist. At least one full party of six went missing while attempting this quest"
Owen frowned "So, you know the danger. Even a party of six couldn't handle it, why do you think you and your friends can handle it?"
"We're not taking it alone. Another party will assist us. They ran into some trouble and will arrive later"
"So… you think two parties can handle that wolf?"
Auel fell silent, choosing his words carefully
"Honestly, I don't know. I've only met their leader. I don't even know his party members. And my own party was formed just yesterday"
The chief's irritation surfaced, but he kept his voice steady
"Stop joking. You barely know your companions, and you bring strangers into a deadly quest?"
"If I'm not mistaken," Auel said, "their leader is Gold rank"
The chief froze "W-what? Impossible. What kind of Gold-rank adventurer takes a quest like this?"
"I only caught a glimpse" Auel admitted, "He tried to hide his rank plate, but I saw it. It was gold"
"…What if it was fake?"
"That's nearly impossible. Faking a rank is forbidden. The moment the guild discovers it, the offender is banned from all guilds"
"Even so," Owen said firmly, "you've never worked with them. My answer is still no"
"Then are you planning to leave the wolves here?" Auel asked quietly
"I've considered relocating the villagers" Owen replied, "It's safer than relying on adventurers"
"Have you told them?" Auel countered, "From what I've seen, no one is preparing to move"
Sweat formed on the chief's brow
"If you truly didn't want adventurers involved" Auel continued, "why is the quest still active in the guild?"
The chief said nothing
"You were surprised to hear a Gold-rank adventurer accepted this quest. That means that means that this is the first time a Gold-rank adventurer help. But now that an adventurer with a high rank came… you refuse them?"
Auel's voice rose
"So, you'll just let the villagers wait here and die to those wolves?"
"Of course not!"
"Then why won't you let us take the quest?"
The chief lowered his gaze. His voice dropped to a whisper
"…Because of my son"
"Your son?" Auel frowned, "You mean Owel?" He asked confused
"No . . ." The chief answered quietly, "Owel had an older brother. His name was Oleg"
The chief clenched his fists "The two of them used to train together. They dreamed of becoming adventurers just like you"
The chief's voice trembled
"But when that wolf came… he tried to protect his younger brother. But he didn't make it"
Silence filled the room
"That wolf has taken more lives than you can imagine" Owen continued, "But moving a village isn't simple. These fields, our livelihoods, we can't abandon them so easily"
"That's why I won't let you take this quest" he continued, "That wolf is really dangerous, thinking of every adventurers that died just to get rid of that wolf, I-I just... I can't let more people die. But at the same time, moving the villagers isn't simple. I just don't know what to do"
The chief walks towards the window
"This village depends on those fields. We can't abandon them so easily. And yet…"
He lowered his head
"I blame myself for not being able to get rid of that wolf, for letting those adventurers died, protected this village, and even i couldn't protect my own son"
"Then please," Auel said softly, "let us take this quest. I promise we'll deal with those wolves"
The chief stared at him "Why are you keep saying that?"
Auel was silent for a moment
"…It's an adventurer's job," he said, "To help people and to protect your son, Owel"
He paused
"I understand that we came late and couldn't help your son, but your son already dead, and we cannot change that fact. But one thing for sure, we can change what's ahead of us. So please let us take this quest, so we can try to change what's going to happen to this village and for your son"
The chief closed his eyes, deep in thought
"…Fine" he finally said, "You may take the quest. But if you don't return, I'll relocate the village"
Auel exhaled quietly, relieved
"We can't properly accommodate all of you tonight" the chief added, "You and your companions can stay at the village hall. You may rest there while waiting for the other party"
"Thank you," Auel replied, "But I don't think we'll be resting tonight"
"What do you mean?" the chief asked
"My party will investigate the forest before the other party arrived"
"…What?" The chief's eyes widened, "Listen, kid. I may have given you permission, but going into the forest at night"
"It's fine," Auel interrupted calmly, "We'll only investigate. Even if we find the wolves, we won't engage"