I, the Villain, Want to Save Myself, But the Yandere Heroines Disagree-Chapter 18 - Entering the Desert (5/5)

A little girl with brown-gray hair poked her head out. The girl was about seventeen or eighteen years old, but she looked a bit small due to malnutrition.

Her height was estimated to be only about 1.5 meters.

But looking at her ears and fluffy tail behind her, she was likely of the same race as Arati, also a fox.

“Laina, why did you come out?”

“Hehe, I heard Grandpa had a guest,” the girl named Laina smiled at Arati, then looked at Orson, her bright, watery eyes full of curiosity.

“Is this the big brother from out of town?”

Laina said this and approached Orson in a familiar manner.

“Hey, hey, big brother, why can’t I see your ears and tail?”

“Um...” Orson was at a loss for how to explain when Laina was suddenly lifted by the back of her neck by Arati.

“Laina, you’re not allowed to ask such disrespectful questions,” Arati said this, and lifted Laina a little further away from Orson. “Grandpa is discussing important matters with Mr. Edward. Don’t interrupt.”

“Okay,” Laina said disappointedly upon hearing this, then looked at Orson and bowed in apology. “Sorry, big brother, I said something I shouldn’t have just now.”

“It’s alright,” Orson shook his head.

He estimated that in Arati’s eyes, he had deliberately cut off his tail to live in human society.

Unlike ears, which were connected to many blood vessels and responsible for hearing, many demi-humans who lived in human society chose to cut off their tails to hide their identity.

After all, compared to ears that could be hidden by wearing a hat, tails were indeed harder to conceal.

And in the life of demi-humans, the tail had almost no function other than indicating the demi-human race.

Although that was the case, cutting off one’s tail was still a difficult matter for demi-humans.

What Laina had just asked would indeed have been quite impolite if Orson were truly a demi-human.

Then, Laina stood beside Arati and told Orson about the missing people’s information.

Just as Orson nodded to show he understood, Laina, who was standing on the side, suddenly spoke.

“Um, Grandpa! I also want to go out and join the search and rescue with big brother!”

“Don’t be silly, Laina,” Arati said upon hearing this, frowning and scolding her. “Do you think you’re very capable? Can you protect yourself in the desert?”

“But... but...” Laina thought for a moment, then said, “I can provide direction for big brother. Big brother isn’t from here, right? If he’s not familiar with the terrain, I can guide him.”

“Nonsense! Do you think you’re the only one who knows the terrain? Mr. Edward isn’t the only one in the search and rescue team. You’re still too young. You’re not allowed to go.”

“Ugh...” Laina heard this, her pair of large ears drooped, and her face was full of unhappiness.

“Grandpa is a big meanie!” Saying this, she ran into the room and closed the door.

Looking at the other party’s cute reaction, although Orson found it amusing, he also agreed with Arati’s words.

The desert was indeed quite dangerous. If Laina didn’t have the ability to protect herself, it would be best not to go out and cause trouble for others.

“I’m sorry for letting you see that,” Arati said this, apologizing to Orson.

“It’s alright,” Orson shook his head. “I can understand your feelings as an elder. You’re a very good grandfather.”

“Sigh,” Arati sighed again. “That child Laina is not actually my granddaughter. She was entrusted to my care by an acquaintance when she was still very young. It’s been over a decade now, and I basically see her as my own child.”

“She’s always been a very outspoken and lively child. Everyone in the tribe knows each other, so sometimes she might be a bit careless with her words. Please be patient with her.”

“It’s alright, it’s alright,” Orson waved his hand.

“By the way, speaking of which, when does the search and rescue team depart?”

“They should be departing in about half an hour,” Arati said this. “I will come and call you then.”

“Alright.”

...

Half an hour later, at the entrance of the tribe.

“When you leave this time, you must return before dark,” he said this, looking at the members of the search and rescue team.

“The tribe does not want to lose anyone. We will be here waiting for you to return.”

Although he was advanced in age, he stood tall against the sandstorm of the desert.

The leader of the search and rescue team was a middle-aged man with cheetah characteristics. He looked at Arati, nodded, and showed a determined gaze.

“Don’t worry, Chieftain. We will definitely find them this time.”

Subsequently, under the watchful eyes of the old, young, women, and children of the tribe, everyone headed into the depths of the desert.

And at this moment, a small figure disappeared within the tribe.

The search and rescue team had departed at noon. After traveling for about an hour in the direction of the missing people, the leader of the search and rescue team noticed something was wrong.

Someone seemed to have secretly mixed into the team.

Then, he ordered the team to stop and rest, and pulled out the person who had mixed in.

“Ah! Uncle Molent, don’t grab me!” Orson looked at Laina, who was being lifted by the back of her neck by the leader. For some reason, he wanted to laugh.

Especially when he saw Laina still struggling.

“Laina, you weren’t on the list for this search and rescue team. Why did you follow us?”

“I... I was just worried you didn’t have enough people!”

“But you can’t help much here...”

“More hands mean more strength, right? Besides, Wendy is also on the list of missing people...”

Laina said this, struggled, and broke free from Molent’s hand. She then quickly ran towards Orson and hid behind him.

“Anyway... I don’t care! We’ve already walked for an hour. Sending me back would also take more time. Just let me stay here and do my part!”