Chapter 117 - Information on other races

After the episode in the garden, all of us headed towards the room designated for our meals from then on. The staff opened the door for us, and we entered the space with a mix of familiarity and enchantment. Even though we had been here before, the grandeur of the place still impressed. 

The space was incredibly roomy, and a majestic chandelier hung from the ceiling, illuminating the whole area with its soft light. A long central table, surrounded by elegant chairs, confirmed that this would be the perfect spot for banquets and large gatherings.

As we settled at the table, a group of maids entered the room, bringing with them a cart filled with delicious dishes. Ana's eyes sparkled with anticipation as she gazed at the various dishes in front of her. It was evident that we were being treated as honored guests, or perhaps even like members of the royal family. 

With each dish served at the table, I felt my palate being graced with exceptional flavors and textures. The food was simply divine, far surpassing the meals we used to eat at the inn where we stayed before. It was clear that every detail of that meal was carefully prepared to provide us with a unique experience.

As we savored each morsel of the delicious meal, some doubts started to arise in my mind. Initially, I thought about addressing Rena about these issues, but I chose to wait for a more appropriate moment. Now, during the meal, it seemed like a good time to start a conversation.

"Sylvia, I know you've talked about this before, but could you tell us a bit more about the other countries?"

I asked, directing my gaze towards her. Upon hearing my words, Sylvia returned a smile, turning her gaze towards me.

"Sure" 

Replied Sylvia, putting her hand on her chin as she pondered the question. 

"Well, I think it would be interesting to start by talking about the country of Demi-humans since they are closer to Arclight"

Upon our request, Sylvia promptly began to speak about the country of Demi-humans, called Anima. Unlike the other countries, Anima does not have a king; their leader is known as the "Chief" This position is usually obtained through a tournament that takes place every five years. 

The winner of the tournament is chosen as the next chief, who will guide the country. Sylvia also told us that Demi-humans value strength above all else; for them, strength and justice go hand in hand. In Anima's society, almost everything is resolved through duels, and Demi-humans believe that the winner is always right.

Upon hearing this information, I must admit that I was somewhat perplexed. After all, if what Sylvia said was true, I wondered if I could also apply to be the chief. I decided to inquire about it. To my surprise, Sylvia explained that although it was possible to apply, the use of mana was prohibited during the tournament. 

In other words, to participate, I would have to rely solely on the strength of my body, nothing else. While I had no plans to apply, it was enlightening to learn these details.

Besides, Sylvia revealed to us that the most striking characteristic of the Demi-humans lies in their extreme sensitivity to mana, surpassing all other existing races. However, interestingly, they are unable to use it. Nevertheless, this apparent limitation is not considered a disadvantage, as Demi-humans possess sturdy bodies capable of resisting intermediate spells. 

Their high mana sensitivity also grants them the ability to anticipate spell summoning. Moreover, it's worth noting that Demi-humans are only surpassed in physical strength by dragons, considered the most powerful race.

Unfortunately, as Sylvia informed us, information about Elves and Fairies is scarce due to the extreme seclusion both races maintain from the outside world. They rarely communicate with other races, making encounters with Elves and Fairies truly rare events. Despite that, Sylvia brought an interesting aspect, indicating that both races are considered the most beautiful in appearance. Given our limited control over this situation, we seek Sylvia's understanding to share information about other available races.

Next, she introduced us to the Dwarves. Just like in the stories I used to read in my old world, Dwarves are a race focused on development. Despite being considered the weakest physically, they are undoubtedly the most intelligent of all. Additionally, they stand out for having the most technologically advanced country.

Next up are the magnificent dragons, whose home is located inside an imposing volcano. According to Sylvia, the volcano was created with the powerful magic of these creatures, and now the entire race resides harmoniously under the command of their queen. The place is known as the "Dragon's Vale" due to this peculiarity. 

Dragons are indeed notable for their immense physical strength and impressive magical abilities. Despite being a relatively isolated race, Sylvia reported that they also demonstrate a surprisingly friendly nature.

After the account of the other races, Sylvia presented us the demons, a mysterious race residing on the eastern continent. Their most prominent features are the horns they possess and their black hair, with the curious fact that all demons share this hair characteristic, although the reason remains unknown. 

Demons are gifted with remarkable magical ability, capable of rivaling even the dragons, despite presenting physical strength similar or sometimes inferior to humans. However, it's interesting to know that they developed a unique technique allowing mana to flow through their bodies, giving them a robustness comparable to that of dragons.

Based on all the information gathered, it became evident that our next destination after completing the Arclight dungeon would be the country of Anima. Besides being the closest location, Sylvia assured us that with her help, the entry wouldn't be a complicated task. 

Although she showed slight curiosity about our reasons for visiting Anima, she chose not to inquire directly. If she did, I wouldn't hesitate to share our motives personally, as there's no reason to hide our intentions.