You take a few more mouthfuls of the delicious, juicy sausage on a stick that makes your supper. Shigeko already finished her three ones (you had to insist on buying her this much) in a few mouthfuls.

The only hints of what is happening in the Mamono village here in the city's main square are the lack of city watch. Nobody is there to oversee good law and order, yet people remain calm and orderly, although more than a few throw glances at your odd duo.

Mother's mercy, the last few days were busy. What did he mean by vapors?

''I still find it difficult to believe how quickly the city watch mobilized,'' Shigeko comments, turning around to look down at you over her shoulder. ''They reacted as if you were a princess.''

''I'll admit, seeing their reaction did surprise me too.'' You gently peck at your supper. ''You're aware of the protected status of the dwarves and elves, right?''

''Indeed, the Demon Lord signed a treaty with all the kings here and the Old World alongside the Patriarch and Matriarch of the faith.''

You finish your food as Shigeko talks. ''But seeing it enforced is another experience.''

''It takes more than a piece of paper to make people do that.''

Gulping down the last mouthful of fresh water from your gourd, you look at the sky, briefly remembering your studies.

''It is said that Demon Lord Damian's war of extinction killed a third of the entire population of the Allied Kingdoms. No blue or red-blooded families escaped intact, entire houses went extinct, most noble houses survived only with women...'' Shigeko leans forward, resting her elbows on her knees as she listens to you.

''...During the worst of the conflicts, after Mother Earth invaded the heavens and descended with thousands of angels to stop the demonic hosts, the dwarves and elves opened their magical cities and accepted thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of human refugees. These people weren't abused or starved, oh no.''

You feel a strange sense of pride buzzing in your belly as you look at Shigeko. You weren't alive back then, this is old history that has nothing to do with you, yet knowing it, retelling it, and seeing its effect today somehow feels good.

''They were armed, educated, and trained in the ways of war while the dwarven and elven hosts set out to reorganize the surviving human forces.''

Once the conflicts ended, the surviving kings swore an enduring oath of eternal friendship. Dwarves and elves spread all over the Allied Kingdoms afterward to rebuild and advise the realms.

''Then, that awful event a hundred years ago...'' Shigeko does not need to elaborate. Your people barely survived their extinctions; you've seen firsthand how the dwarves are all cursed to turn into stone, and a deep depressive shroud has ensnared their souls. They've stopped trying to leave descendants, unlike the elves.

''Perhaps when people see my ears, they're reminded of this history... Though being treated like a doll or a pet gets old mighty quick.''