93. Side Quest Update (4)

The group entered Elder Varis's house, a modest building with wooden walls and aged furniture. Elder Varis led the way, gesturing for everyone to sit in the central room. The young man Virginia had treated earlier followed behind, his steps heavy as he avoided Oda Nobunaga's menacing glare.

Oda remained standing in the corner, one hand resting on his katana's sheath, his eyes fixed on Endo, intensifying the tension in the room. Elder Varis glanced at Oda, sighing deeply before he began to speak.

"I understand your mistrust, Lord Oda," he said with a calm yet firm tone. "But before there are further misunderstandings, allow me to explain. This young man, Endo, is the sole survivor of a village beyond the mountain. His parents vanished in a dense fog that suddenly engulfed the village. The people of this village took him in. His reckless actions were born of fear, not hatred toward you."