I led Bell into a nearby alley and heard him out about Vine.
"A monster..."
[A mutant.]
If the information Bell gave me was correct, Vine was a transformed being called a Xenos, a monster from the Dungeon.
Unlike ordinary monsters that moved only on instinct, Xenos possessed high intelligence, will, and a sense of self. Their individual abilities varied, but they were said to have some degree of language ability as well.
[I'll pop out for a moment.]
"Ugh..."
Urrs slipped out of my left arm and, in the form of a ball of fire, spoke to Bell.
[Have you seen any other Xenos?]
"Y-Yes!"
[Are the other Xenos similar to Vine?]
"...They were all different, just like humans."
[Hmm... From your point of view, are those Xenos harmless?]
"...They weren't completely harmless, but at the very least, I hope they can live under the sun."
[Hmm... What happened to Vine?]
"Someone wearing a cloak took her away."
[Then... nothing has come flying at you yet, right?]
"I think so?"
[Bellf.]
"I'm not going."
[Whaaaat, whyyyy?]
"We're about to leave on an expedition. Do you really think I have time to go poking around the Xenos' hideout?"
[...Oh, then I'll take care of the expedition problem.]
"...I don't even know what you—"
[I'll be right back!]
"Hey!"
Urrs ignored me and flew off toward Twilight Manor, the Loki Familia's home.
"Please don't start any trouble... please..."
"Ahaha... Does he do that often?"
"Only now and then."
Most of the time he was as quiet as dead ash, but the moment there was something to burn, he moved like a furious colt.
A little while later, Urrs returned and handed me a sheet of paper.
"..."
"...What exactly did you do?"
[I asked the elf princess, and the pallum captain agreed.]
"..."
[Anyway, let's go right now.]
"Wait a minute."
We needed food to take into the Dungeon.