The Human World

"You've got to the fucking kidding me!"

Startled awake by the loud scream, I jolted upright, suddenly aware that I had drifted off to sleep during our journey from the ship to the mainland. Disoriented, I couldn't determine which room I was in, and I didn't have time to investigate further before I leaped to my feet and dashed out, unaware of the two knights of Ludwig who had prompted to follow me.

Stepping into the passage, I was met with the intense gazes of five men, each emanating a distinct aura. A quick glance told me they were not ordinary beings.

Frantically scanning the crowd, I searched for Ludwig, but he was nowhere to be seen in the passage.

Composing myself, I cautiously made my way towards the room where I could hear Ludwig's muffled voice. Surprisingly, the men guarding the hallway allowed me to enter without resistance. It was unclear whether they perceived me as harmless due to my human nature or if they intended for me to stir up trouble. Nonetheless, their menacing stares as I walked past left me feeling uneasy yet relieved that they didn't intervene.

Entering the room, I found Ludwig engaged in conversation, his expression tense. I stood motionless, not wanting to interrupt but eager to understand the situation unfolding before me. 

Inside the room, I found myself surrounded by towering shelves filled with books, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a library. My attention was immediately drawn to the imposing figure facing Ludwig with intense focus.

This leader was a formidable presence, nearly as tall as Ludwig but with an even bulkier physique that spoke of countless battles fought. He appeared almost giant-like, adorned with unusual markings on his arms and a prominent scar across his forehead.

Taking in my surroundings, I scanned the room for any sign of familiarity among the individuals present, but none of them matched the faces of those who had kidnapped me. Despite their outward appearance of normalcy, I sensed an underlying darkness and inhumanity within them. 

Observing the individuals before me, I couldn't help but wonder why they all appeared human, contrary to what I had expected from a group of Werebeasts. Though they bore trivial tattoos and their eye colors differed, their overall appearance seemed ordinary, albeit lacking in attractiveness due to their rugged features and excessively masculine physique.

Ludwig's firm voice broke through my thoughts, drawing my attention back to the conversation at hand. He stood tall and resolute, his gaze fixed squarely on the man before him, seemingly unaware of my presence nearby. "Are you certain about this information?" he inquired, his tone unwavering. "The Ravagers are notoriously elusive, especially considering Amelia's status as a Fae." Despite his irritation with the men surrounding him, there was no hint of anxiety in Ludwig's stance or voice.

The man with the imposing physique and tribal tattoos on his exposed shoulders nodded firmly in response to Ludwig's question.

"Many believed Adolf, a former member, was still affiliated with us. When he stole an artifact from Alpha Night, it summoned us here to negotiate with their council. However, we recently received crucial intel that a witness saw Amelia in possession of the stolen artifact. Now, it's turned up in the hands of an unknown Ravager. Given their recent presence near Nocturne Hollow before yesterday's explosions, it's highly likely they're connected to Amelia's faction." 

Ludwig's intense stare caused the man who had spoken to furrow his brow in response.

"There's something off about this," Ludwig stated firmly. "Why would the Ravagers ally with Amelia? And if they were truly aiding her, why would they attack and steal here? Why not target our kingdom or the nearby lands?"

A heavy silence fell over the room as everyone contemplated the questions raised by Ludwig. The man Ludwig had addressed let out a deep sigh, indicating the weight of the situation. Unable to fully grasp the intricacies of their conversation, I retreated into silence in the corner, allowing them to continue their discussion uninterrupted.

"No one knows the plan of that woman or why this happened," the man exclaimed, his voice thick with anger. "But I can assure you of one thing: we are not allied with Amelia, contrary to popular belief. Three of our members perished in the explosions she caused yesterday afternoon, so she is just as much our enemy."

Feeling the palpable fury emanating from the man, I cleared my throat, sensing an opportunity to interject. The room fell into silence once more, with even Ludwig deep in contemplation, pondering all that had been revealed.

Seizing the moment, I took a single audible step forward, prompting all eyes to quickly turn towards me. Among them, Ludwig's gaze was the most striking, dark and weighty with emotion.

"Where did you transport me from when you brought me here?" I asked directly, feeling a surge of urgency to understand my circumstances. The man Ludwig had been conversing with raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement playing across his features.

Though uncertain if it was appropriate to interject in their meeting, I couldn't suppress the words tumbling from my lips. My desire to return home outweighed any concerns about potential repercussions, even if it meant risking disrespect or worse.

As their gazes bore down on me with varying degrees of intensity, I was taken aback by Ludwig's sudden movement. His arm encircled my waist, pulling me close, his body pressing against mine protectively.

"She's with me," Ludwig declared in a warning tone, his calm demeanor belying the rising temperature in the room. A palpable tension hung in the air as his words carried an unspoken threat.

I cleared my throat once more, trying to maintain composure despite my rising frustration. "Where did you transport me from when you brought me here?" I repeated, my voice tinged with urgency. However, they continued to stare blankly at me, their confusion evident.

One of the men narrowed his eyes, perplexed. "What do you mean?"

Suppressing the urge to go berserk, I took a deep breath, attempting to remain patient. "According to those who captured me at the auction, I was taken by Percival's cohort. So I want to know how I ended up here, away from my world, when all the portals that could have transported me here were already destroyed," I explained, my irritation palpable despite my efforts to remain composed.

Realizing that getting angry would change nothing, I forced myself to treat them with propriety, even though their scrutinizing gazes made me uncomfortable. 

Sensing Ludwig's protective stance as he positioned himself in front of me, shielding me from the men's intimidating stares, I felt a surge of gratitude.

"Your world? Portal?" the leader questioned, squinting suspiciously and casting a glance at Ludwig. "What is this girl talking about, Ascendant?" he asked irritably.

As Ludwig remained silent, seemingly assessing the situation, I took it upon myself to speak up. "Which way did you take me after you abducted me from my home? How did you transport me here from the human world?" I demanded, desperation lacing my words.

At first, their expressions held curiosity and inquiry, but as the gravity of my question settled in, sinister grins spread across their faces. Soon, deep, masculine laughter echoed throughout the room, chilling me to the bone. Then, the leader delivered the crushing blow.

"We weren't the ones who brought you here, Halfling."