Lupe the hunter was also present at the village chief's house.
The matter the village chief needed to consult about concerned the Central Church's Inquisitors, who had arrived in a neighboring town.
"So the people of this village carry kijin blood."
It was certainly a troublesome development. Categorically speaking, kijin were monsters. Due to their doctrine, the Central Church despised monster-human half-breeds even more than pure monsters.
If it had been the Padde of not so long ago, he likely would have felt disgust at the mere mention of kijin. However, the Transcenders had taught him that what separates civilized people from beasts is strictly intelligence; bloodlines were nothing more than arbitrary labels.
In that regard, as long as kijin possessed high intelligence, they were civilized people just like Padde and his crew. In fact, precisely because they were free from the foolish fetters of lineage, the villagers here were far more civilized than the nobles of the Holy Amelia Kingdom, who hadn't evolved one bit since the Stone Age.
"Indeed. This village is a settlement of those carrying kijin blood. Within the village, atavism has only manifested in Sachu and Sanya."
"So that's why the two of them were always wearing hats, huh."
Sachu looked around at everyone's faces with a blank, puzzled expression, seemingly not grasping the gravity of the situation. Sanya, on the other hand, kept her hat off and stared downward, visibly tense.
"There's no need to be on guard like that. We have nothing but gratitude for you folks for saving us. We'd never betray you."
Padde stated this with deep, deliberate conviction. Sanya's eyes went wide for a moment before she gave a small nod and looked down again.
"Just as I thought. Even after learning we are kijin, you show not the slightest hint of disgust."
"Well, yeah. I spent a long time dealing with all sorts of non-human dignitaries, you see. For better or worse, you guys are just regular people to us."
Compared to a humanoid owl with the strength of a fierce god whose neck could spin all the way around, a black-winged beauty who hurled black lightning, a long-nosed monster who could reduce anyone to crushed mincemeat with a single swing of a fan, or Lord Akujiki, the very incarnation of gluttony—Padde could declare with absolute certainty that these villagers were people just like them.
"Non-human dignitaries... Could you mean the Lord Spirits?"
Lord Spirits, huh... It was a little surprising that kijin worshiped spirits, but the forest was the spirits' domain. Considering this village lived alongside the forest, perhaps it wasn't so unusual after all.
"Nah, different folks. Anyway, we'll deal with the Church. For now, just leave everything to us."
The old Padde had truly been a piece of trash with nothing to be proud of, but navigating noble society was the one area where he still retained some confidence. At the very least, he believed he could handle them and buy some time.
"We are in your debt!"
"Hey now, that's our line. You folks saved our lives. On top of that, you let us stay here. We'll do everything in our power to repay you."
Padde made his declaration in a resolute tone on behalf of his companions.