''Don't think yourselves indebted.'' The girls look to you as you speak, the moth-woman dark scleras and potent red pupils no longer cause crawling dread in your spine. ''If we were to tell you two to go away now that you're healthy, where could you go besides directly back into your torment inside the village? Our city baron gave his blessing with hosting you both, there's no problem.''

''Mhm.'' Rikard agree. ''We'll make good use of your help, don't worry. I've been wanting to use our storeroom for another bed so there'll be plenty of lifting in the coming days. Good excuse to build a new outside storeroom, too''

And some fieldwork.

''What I do want to know.'' You continue, letting go of Shigeko. She almost looks lonely when she retreats her hand under the table. ''Are your plans. Now that health isn't an issue, what do you both wish to do?''

Both monstrous women look at each other briefly. Shigeko is the one who decides to speak first.

''In my tribe of southern Zipangu, I am called a ''Fool''. Someone who absorbs foreign influences and strengths to bring them back into the cauldron of our ancestors. My two years of experience in the Allied Kingdoms have been... colorful indeed, but it is not yet time for me to go back home. I wish to experience more.'' She pauses to gesture at your family. ''To return my debt of gratitude to you three, good sisters and brother of Mother Earth. I... may hold the monsters community here in contempt, but that does not mean I wish them dead.''

''Dead? Things are that bad over there?'' The more you learn about the village, the more you're convinced Thibault's work will be far harder than anyone can anticipate.

''The community needs to be purified or risk extermination.'' That is sobering sentence. Joining her hands together to rest them on the table, Shigeko speaks with closed eyes. ''I know people with the skills and knowledge to remedy that situation. They are far from here, and I have no confidence in my ability to sneak through the southern plains patrolled by the king's men. Let alone make it back through the coming winter with a group.''

''You're telling monsters have found a way to purify people without having to sacrifice one of their own?'' You share your father's hope and curiosity as he speaks.

''Yes'' There is no deception in Shigeko blue eyes. ''It's a dangerous ritual, established only in recent years. The Demon Lord has worked tirelessly to spread this knowledge throughout all the communities of monsters but the...camps...'' She hesitated on that word. ''Of the Allied Kingdoms makes it almost impossible to do the rituals, especially since it is genuinely dangerous.''

''And where are these people you need to find to help our community?'' Your dad continues.