NTR: Stealing wives in Another World-Chapter 31: Difference

Rinni’s soft whimpers were drowned out by the sudden shift in Allen’s demeanor. His body tensed, his gaze snapping to the trees.

"Footsteps," he muttered under his breath.

Before she could respond, Fina’s ears perked sharply, her tail stiffening. "They’re coming from the west," she whispered, pointing with a clawed hand.

Rinni, still trembling and flushed, followed Fina’s gesture, her own ears twitching nervously. "I hear it too," she added softly, glancing at Allen for guidance.

Allen straightened, his voice low but commanding. "Get dressed. Now."

Fina was already moving, her hands quick and practiced as she slipped her top back on and tightened her feathered skirt. Rinni scrambled to grab her micro bikini maid outfit, her hands fumbling with the strings in her haste.

"Allen, who—" Rinni began, but he cut her off with a sharp look.

"Not now," he said firmly. "Just do it."

The rustling grew louder, and soon the foliage parted, revealing the source of the noise.

A group of adventurers emerged—a human man at the forefront, flanked by an elf woman and a stocky dwarf. But it was the fourth figure that caught Allen’s eye.

Trailing behind them, his wrists bound with chains and his body riddled with bruises, was a beastkin boy. His ears drooped low, and he limped heavily, one leg clearly injured. His tail hung limp behind him, and dried blood stained the ragged remains of his clothing.

The human adventurer smiled faintly as he approached, his expression calm but calculated. "Didn’t mean to disturb you," he said, his tone almost pleasant. "We noticed smoke from a camp and thought we’d see who else was on the trail."

His gaze flicked briefly to Fina and Rinni, his lip curling slightly before returning to Allen.

The elf beside him didn’t bother with pleasantries. Her golden eyes swept over Fina and Rinni with open disdain. "Tch. Filthy animals."

Fina bristled, her claws flexing instinctively. Rinni shrank back, clutching the strings of her barely fastened top.

The dwarf spat onto the ground, his expression sour. "Didn’t expect to stumble on a damn petting zoo out here."

Allen’s jaw tightened, his annoyance visible as he stepped in front of the girls. His voice was sharp, cold. "Something we can help you with?"

The human adventurer held up a placating hand. "Relax, friend. We’re just passing through." His gaze drifted to the beastkin boy behind him, who avoided meeting anyone’s eyes. "Though I’ll admit, you’re traveling with... interesting company."

The elf scoffed. "Interesting? More like indecent. Letting them run around like that—it’s disgusting."

Fina took a step forward, her tail lashing behind her. "Say that again," she growled, her claws flexing.

Allen put a hand out, stopping her. "Not worth it."

His tone, however, dripped with barely concealed irritation.

The dwarf laughed gruffly. "Got your hands full with these two, huh? Bet they’re a real handful at night."

Allen’s patience snapped. His voice dropped, low and dangerous. "You’re talking about them like they’re not standing right here. Watch your mouth."

The elf sneered, her hand twitching toward the longbow strapped to her back. "Bold words for someone outnumbered."

Allen’s gaze darkened. "You think numbers make you strong? I’ve handled worse than you."

The human raised a hand again, stepping between them. "Enough," he said sharply, looking to his companions. "We’re wasting time."

His tone shifted as he looked back at Allen. "You’re bold, I’ll give you that. But if you want to survive out here, I’d suggest you learn your place. Traveling with beasts doesn’t put you above the natural order."

Allen’s eyes flicked to the beastkin boy at the back of their group. The boy was trembling, his body barely able to hold itself up.

"And what’s his place?" Allen asked coldly, nodding toward the boy.

The human’s expression didn’t falter. "He’s our property. Not your concern."

Allen’s fists clenched at his sides. Fina let out a low growl, her claws digging into the dirt. Rinni, though still trembling, managed to stand a little straighter, her eyes darting nervously between Allen and the adventurers.

After a tense moment, the human sighed. "Let’s go," he said to his companions.

The elf shot Fina and Rinni one last sneer before turning away. The dwarf grumbled something under his breath but followed, his hammer resting on his shoulder. The beastkin boy limped after them, his head still bowed.

When they were finally out of earshot, Allen let out a long breath, his shoulders relaxing slightly.

"...They didn’t have to say all that," Rinni muttered, her voice small.

Fina turned to her, her expression softening. "They’re just as bad as the humans in the towns. Ignore them."

Allen glanced at her, then at Rinni, who still clutched at her outfit with trembling fingers. He sighed. "You okay?"

Rinni hesitated before nodding slowly. "I... think so."

"You were brave," Allen said, his tone softer now. "Don’t let their words get to you. They’re idiots."

Fina smirked. "Idiots who don’t know we could’ve wiped the floor with them."

Allen chuckled, though the sound didn’t reach his eyes. "Next time, though, let’s not start things with you two half-naked."

Rinni blushed furiously, her ears twitching wildly. "Y-You were the one who—!"

Allen grinned, the tension finally breaking. "And you loved every second of it."

——

As the last sound of the adventurers’ footsteps faded into the trees, Allen let out a breath through gritted teeth, still watching the path they’d taken like he expected them to come back.

Fina’s tail flicked as she stepped beside him, still tense but masking it with a casual stretch. Rinni, half-hidden behind a tree, peeked out with a wary glance.

"Hey," Allen said after a beat, his tone thoughtful. "Back when we first met Rinni... you mentioned some elf with a bunch of clothes trying to sell you something, right?" He turned to Fina. "That elf we just saw? She looked like she’d rather bite her own tongue off than talk to a beastkin."

Fina scoffed. "Yeah, that one wasn’t the same kind."

Allen raised a brow. "Elves are elves, aren’t they?"

Fina gave him a sideways look. "You really are from a different world, huh?" She brushed her hair back, ears twitching. "That one was probably a Wood Elf. I was talking about a Night Elf."

Allen frowned. "There’s more than one kind?"

Rinni stepped closer, adjusting her maid top nervously but chiming in with a nod. "A lot more. The elves have their own hierarchy—really strict, too. At the top, you’ve got the Noble Elves. They’re usually just called High Elves now. Think long ears, long necks, long everything, and a longer list of things they hate."

Fina chuckled. "Below them are Wood Elves. Most live in big forest cities. Some are decent. Most are just arrogant. Then come Half Elves—humans and elves that, well... got busy together."

Allen nodded slowly, already seeing the pattern. "And Dark Elves?"

"They’re the ones that keep to themselves underground," Fina said. "Twilight temples, strange customs. A little creepy but powerful."

Rinni took a breath. "And at the very bottom, below them all... Night Elves. They’re treated just like us—Beastkin. Servants, slaves, scapegoats. Most cities won’t even let them live inside the walls."

Allen’s brows furrowed. "So they get the same treatment as you?"

Fina snorted. "Worse, sometimes. People don’t see them as real elves. They have different skin colour compared to dark elves and other elves, They’re too secretive and too different. They’re called elves, but they’re not respected like the others."

Allen tilted his head. "And they’re the ones who were friendly to you?"

"Yeah," Fina said with a little smile. "One of them gave me fruit and a little polished bone charm for luck. Didn’t even ask for coin. Just said I looked lost."

Rinni nodded. "They understand what it’s like, I think. To be treated like you’re beneath notice. The four ruling races—Humans, Elves, Dwarves, and Demons—they all have their tiers and castes. But those at the top always step on the ones beneath."

Allen scratched the back of his neck, trying to process it. "Wait—Dwarves too? I thought they just mined rocks and made axes."

Fina rolled her eyes. "Dwarves are the worst when it comes to hierarchy. Their nobility rules from mountain vaults. And you saw how that one looked at us."

"They hate Giants too," Rinni added quietly. "They used to enslave them like Beastkin. Break their legs to keep them from running. Humiliate them in public."

Allen blinked. "Wait—Giants? You’re telling me those actually existed?"

Fina nodded. "Haven’t been seen in decades. Some say they went extinct. Others say the Dwarves rounded them up and sold them off in the Demon markets."

"And even they," Rinni said softly, "even they were above the Undead."

Allen raised a brow. "Undead?"

"Everyone hates the Undead," Fina said simply. "Even more than us. They’re the only ones lower in the world’s eyes."

Allen folded his arms, taking all of that in with a grim look. "So basically... the world’s built like one big, ugly staircase, and anyone at the bottom just gets shit kicked down on them."

Fina nodded. "Pretty much."

Rinni’s eyes lowered. "That’s why most people don’t even look at me unless they’re angry. Unless they need someone to yell at. Or worse."

Allen glanced between the two of them. "Well... maybe the world’s due for a little remodeling."

Fina smirked. "With fire?"

Allen returned the grin. "That’s the idea."