Thinking about this, the werebeast chief and the elders all looked at Riku with eyes full of relief and gratitude. Their own stronghold had also been discovered, but Riku hadn't used any extreme methods to wipe them out. If the Flügel could destroy the elves, then Riku, whom Fia said was even stronger than the Flügel, could certainly do the same.
At the same time, they also felt very fortunate that they had Fia, this princess, who could unite with Riku. Otherwise, even if they allied, the chance of being used as pawns would have been much higher.
For a moment, the high-ranking werebeasts were lost in their own thoughts, and their loyalty toward Riku grew even deeper.
"Riku-sama, please rest assured. Leave this matter to us." The werebeast chief and the elders exchanged glances, then spoke with determination.
"No, I am entrusting this matter entirely to Fia." Riku said, calm and confident.
"I understand. I guarantee the mission will be completed." Fia responded enthusiastically. She was truly happy to be able to help Riku, because this was a sign of his trust. She wasn't just a pretty face for display.
"Good, that's fine. As for the dwarves, you can discuss among yourselves." Riku patted Fia's head and gently pinched her ear as he spoke.
He had seriously thought this through. The elves were now on the run. If Jibril or another powerful figure were chasing these elves, then the only outcome for the werebeasts would be instant annihilation.
But if it was Fia, even if she met a Flügel and couldn't win, she absolutely wouldn't be defeated in a short time, and if Riku wanted to rescue her, it would be simple.
Fia didn't know Riku's thoughts. She was simply sitting close beside Riku's knee, squirming shyly, her face bright red. Her ears were one of her weak spots.
After that, Riku marked the approximate locations of the dwarves' and elves' strongholds on the map. He also marked the positions of other races. Among them, the areas of the Dragonia, Gigant, Flügel, and the Demonia Lord were especially highlighted, with a warning not to approach within a thousand kilometres of those were extremely dangerous zones.
The werebeasts understood all this well and nodded with serious expressions.
An hour later, the meeting ended. Riku left a spatial coordinate on Fia's wedding ring, and on important items for other high-ranking werebeasts. Then, he said his goodbyes and left.
'Now is not the time for romance.'
"Husband, I will definitely accomplish the task you entrusted to me." Watching the place where Riku had left, Fia stroked her wedding ring and whispered, her face flushed.
...
On the other side, after leaving the werebeast settlement, Riku thought for a moment, and finally decided to return to the human settlement first.
He had already been gone for more than half a month. If he wandered outside any longer, Couronne and the people of the settlement would really think something had happened to him.
After all, he was their pillar he had to go back and reassure everyone.
Once he decided, Riku used Shambhala to teleport to the spatial coordinate he had marked, not far from the human settlement.
If it had been when he had just set out, Riku wouldn't have dared to do this. Back then, such long-distance teleportation would have consumed a huge amount of energy. If he were still an ordinary person, transferring like this would have left him completely drained.
But now, it didn't matter.
A moment later, Riku took out the telescope, changed back into the clothes he had worn when he left, and walked toward the human settlement.
The entrance to the human settlement was at the foot of a steep rocky mountain, hidden in a cave. From the outside, it just looked like a wild animal's den.
Walking through the tunnel, Riku pondered whether he should move the humans to the werebeasts' side. Maybe that would make them a bit safer.
But after thinking it over, he decided against it. If possible, it would be better to first try to increase the strength of the humans, only then would it be truly safe.
Arriving at the door, Riku knocked on it in a certain rhythm.
Before long, the door creaked open from the inside, and a boy in a fur coat peeked out.
"Riku, welcome back, you've worked hard!" When the boy saw it was Riku outside, his face instantly lit up with joy as he spoke excitedly.
For more than half a month, Riku's fate had been unknown, and everyone had been worried sick. Now, seeing him return safely, they were, of course, overjoyed.
"Mm." Riku nodded at the boy and walked inside. The boy followed closely behind, looking left and right, as if he wanted to ask something but ended up saying nothing.
After passing through the dim tunnel, the space suddenly opened up.
"Everyone, Riku is back!" Reaching the open, well-lit area, the boy shouted in delight.
"The chief is back!"
"That's great! The chief is safe!"
In an instant, all the people working put down what they were doing and gathered around excitedly.
Seeing this, Riku felt a bit touched. After all, people cared about him so much now. In times of such danger, these people were nothing like the schemers in movies; everyone was united, and some would even risk their lives for Riku without hesitation.
That was especially precious. Perhaps that was one of the reasons Riku was willing to protect them.