V2Ch151 New Bra

"I'm sorry, Babur."

The old beast looked filled with grief.

"I wasn't able to sway the others. Your trial will be the sixth of five."

Babur tilted her head to the side.

"Okay... So? Is there something wrong with that?"

"It is a harsh trial that punishes both partners if one fails. One partner will be the "captive." While the other will be the "escapee." The captive will be held at knifepoint above the arena. The escapee will be inside the arena. The escapee must stay on their feet throughout the trial. If the escapee touches the dirt with their knee, hand or any other part of your body, the captive will be wounded. If the escapee falls flat on the ground, dead or alive, the captive will have their throat cut. You still have the option to refuse the trial, but you must wait another eight years..."

"Let's do it. Nya wanna be the escapee, Lake?"

"Well, if you really want to. I suppose I could give it a try."

"Babur... Exile, You can say nyo. Another eight years is nyothing for..."

"It's fine. I trust Lake."

The old beast looked like it was bothering him more than he was willing to admit.

"Fine. Once the escort is here, you will be taken to the preparation hut."

It wasn't long before the escort came. Eight of them surrounded us. We followed into the village. Two people were close by and charged at us. They were both pushed away by the guards with ease. It was an unusual sensation. Did they really hate exiles that much or did they hate Babur?

A flying fruit came down from above. I managed to catch it before it could land on Babur.

"What the... Really?"

"It's okay. As an exile, this is what I am to expect if I enter the village. Without the protection of the guards, the villagers would go so far as to make an attempt on my life. If I do anything other than dodge and run, I will be considered hostile by all of the Beast Lands. Throwing trash and other things at me is nyot out of the ordinary."

"It is for me. Fuck those guys. You really want to live in a village where people tried to kill you and throw shit at you? Your family lives here too, don't they? They ever try to come and see you at all?"

"Nyo. But the fact that I haven't seen them is a good sign. It means they don't want to hurt me."

I calmed down. At least there is some merit in what she is saying about her family. If they have to throw stuff at her if they see her, then not seeing her is preferable.

Even if it was her fate to accept the town's hatred, I wasn't an exile. I won't put up with that. I pulled my cooking pan out of my backpack and started swatting away anything that came over.

"What are you doing? She isn't allowed to avoid the things being thrown at her. Stop that."

One of the guards behind began to protest. I think he just got a sick amusement of someone being treated like garbage.

"She isn't avoiding anything. I'm blocking that stuff. I'm not from this village so I don't have to follow BS rules like that. Eat me."

I think this is the rowdiest I've been since I came to Eyse. I was moving around. Catching things in the pan and tossing them aside. I even reflected a few harder objects back toward the people that threw them. I felt stupid, but at the same time, I felt justified in my actions. Why the hell should I let them throw stuff at my g... my... Babur... I almost thought girlfriend again.

I got a bit melancholy and almost missed a flying rock.

I looked into her eyes when it seemed relatively safe. She gave me a meek smile. Maybe I should discuss some things with her after this trial is over.

We came up to a hut that could maybe fit roughly seven people in it. More than enough room for two or three people. We went inside, followed by the elder. The guards put up posts around the hut.

Inside, there was a sign above some clothing that said "escapee" in eysian on the left. On the right, "captive." We were to change into them for the trial. Mine looked like a speedo made of straw. Babur's was a two-piece bikini made of straw.

"Not happening."

"These clothes are part of the trial. You must wear them to satisfy the trial's conditions."

"My clothes offer less movement which should be less in my favor, in turn giving the crowd a higher entertainment factor."

"What?"

"What?"

They both said at the same time.

I sighed.

"Fine. But, I'm not changing while you are in here."

The old man grunted. He peeked outside and then went in close to Babur. He wrapped his arms around Babur. I watched curiously as she returned the sentiment.

"Good luck, Granddaughter. May the gods be on your side this day."

Granddaughter? So, they are related. Now I see why he was so bothered by this trial. Not that I'll let anything happen to her.

"Aaand You!"

His voice got angry.

"If you let her get hurt, I'll make sure the entire village sees you as an enemy. All beast-man villages."

I started to pick my nose in protest.

"Says the guy who approved the trial selection and didn't tell me the rest of the rules while in the pit."

"Aph... It's... You..."

His face was flustered and getting red. He really doesn't like me.

"You get my blood boiling like nyo one before. If you were nyot needed for the trial... I would have you thrown out right now! You smell of danger and I fear for her life! How dare you speak to me like that!"

"Elder, Shhhh."

Babur shushed him. He grumbled and calmed down some.

"Eh... I guess you are right about nyot telling you the rest of the rules. When you get into the pit, you will face members of the village. Each member has their own weapons and fighting style. They can hurt you as much as they please without consequences to Babur. However, If you kill any member of the tribe, the trial will be instantly over and Babur will be an exile for the rest of her life."

"Without consequences? Enough damage to a normal person and they fall. How is this a fair trial?"

He squinted at me.

"What do you mean, Nyormal?"

He prodded.

"Nya know one of our secrets, Lake. Why nyot tell him? He is good at keeping secrets. Trust me."

I looked down and let out a sigh. If she hadn't asked, I would have just avoided the topic altogether.

I lifted up my hood and raised my head.

"A HU...FFFAFF?"

"Elder? Are you okay in there?"

Babur and I both made the same movement to cover his mouth. We both shushed him before removing our hands.

"I'm... I'm fine. Nyothing to worry about."

The guard left.

"Really? A human? Humans are so... so... so weak... What are the two of you thinking? Shouldn't Babur be the one in the pit in this scenario?"

"I'm not about to wear a bra."

"I'm nyot about to go braless in front of the whole village."

We both said with serious faces. He looked at us like we were crazy.

"Remember, grandpa? I told nya, he is the one that trained me. We spared all the time during our travels. He is stronger than I ever will be."

He didn't seem to have anything to say back after that. He turned and headed for the exit.

"Do what you will. Just don't get her killed by dying, yourself."