The Ugly Duckling Of The Tiger Tribe-Chapter 134: You must not be used to this sight

The crowd had already gathered by the time we arrived.

For such a huge incident, there’s no way anyone would want to miss it.

Whispers crawled through the air like insects, sharp and persistent, filling me with even more unease.

"How can such a cruel creature be allowed into our tribe?"

"How can this happen?"

"They were two strong males."

"Snakes really are vicious."

Those words greeted me and my breath caught painfully in my throat. Even if it wasn’t true, even if I wasn’t going to believe it, the certainty in their voices created a pyramid of despair on top of my heart.

And then I saw him.

Damar leaned back on his tail, his eyes fixed on the ground, cold and emotionless.

I can’t imagine how he must be feeling, after listening to all this talk for so long.

It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have let you go out despite how much you wanted to help. Blame me, Damar.

He wasn’t restrained but the space people instinctively kept him bound in place. His left hand was stained with blood — thick, dark, and unmistakable.

It clung to his fingers, dried in the creases of his knuckles as if it had been there for a while.

Why was there... Blood on his hand?

I wondered and then traced my eyes to the ground.

As soon as I saw the dead bodies, I felt my stomach lurch violently, and I had to clamp a hand over my mouth to stop myself from gagging.

For a moment, my vision blurred

This was the first time I had ever seen a corpse. Not to talk of two.

My legs trembled, threatening to give out beneath me, but I forced myself to stay upright.

Breathe, Arinya. Breathe.

Fenric, who wa any my side, pulled me to himself and patted my back.

"You must not be used to this sight," he said and I tried hard to breathe.

Was he saying he was used to the sight of dead bodies?

I can’t... I just can’t bring myself to look at them.

"I don’t know what’s going on, but it seems that reptile did get himself into trouble," Fenric said, and I tried to steady my hand.

This brought attention to us and everyone began to whisper about me,

"Oh look, she’s here."

"The one who brought this disaster to our tribe."

"How will she run her mouth this time?"

I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth.

Damar raised his head and looked towards my direction but I had my back to him as Fenric held me, and this made him feel even more insecure than he already was, thinking I was disappointed.

But I was only disappointed at the people who only knew how to run their mouths and not come to a conclusive decision on this matter.

Rakan stood nearby, his expression grave, and his arms crossed tightly over his chest. Beside him was Chief Kasa, his sharp eyes missing nothing as he observed.

"This is the situation as we found it," Rakan said heavily. "Two dead beast folk. No sign of struggle beyond the victims themselves."

"And Damar," Kasa added, his gaze fixed on him, "...was found here with these dead bodies. What else can we make of this situation?"

I bit my lips.

Damar didn’t lift his head.

He hadn’t said a single word since he was found.

"Who..." I turned, leaving Fenric’s comforting arms. "Who saw Damar like this?" I asked. "Was there a witness who saw him killing the beast folks?"

My question raised harsh counters.

"She’s still trying to use fancy words."

"If she thinks she can talk her way out of this, she’s gravely mistaken."

And then, a smile tugged up the lip of the most vile female I have ever come across in all my life.

Veyra stood just forward, her posture fluid, eyes bright with something that looked disturbingly close to vindication and a practiced terror on her face.

"I was the one who saw it," she said loudly, ensuring everyone could hear. "With my own eyes. They were heading out together when he attacked them."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

"A snake beastman is just like that... Predators to other beastmen."

"I knew something like this would happen at some point..."

"They’re dangerous by nature..."

My hands clenched at my sides, as my eyes lay on Veyra.

She was definitely behind this.

The fact that she was the only witness said a lot. Did she send them to provoke Damar?

Was she lying in wait just to strike?

"And what were you doing out here... Alone?" I asked, narrowing my eyes and she flinched.

"What do you mean? Is there a place I can’t go?" She asked, and judging by how calmly she answered, it looked like she had prepared for that question. "I was taking a stroll and—"

"And you happened to see my mate attacking two beast folks out in the open." I laughed, sarcastically. "Isn’t that the funniest thing I’ve heard all year?"

"What are you trying to say?" Veyra cursed at me with her eyes. "I saw it, so what? Just as I saw him kill those beastfolk, he’s been standing there ever since I raised an alarm. Are you going to say I forced him to stay still at the crime scene?"

I narrowed my eyes.

That’s true. I know Damar can be quite but... Why is he just standing there?

I get a feeling he’s not saying anything so he doesn’t give me trouble, but haven’t we already passed that stage?

He’s standing before two corpses, what could be worse than that?

Rakan raised a hand, silencing them.

"We are not making conclusions yet. A crime committed in broad daylight like this is no simple matter. And while it is clear who the criminal is, it is not common to find a criminal standing still and calm on top of his own crime."

Chief Kasa nodded.

"So, we will hear what the killer has to say. Tell us what happened."

But even as the stage was given to Damar, nothing happened and silence followed instead.

Damar didn’t even flinch.

Veyra scoffed.

"Of course, he won’t say anything. What is there to say when he was caught red-handed?"

She turned then — deliberately — and pointed straight at me.

"I warned all of you," she said, her voice sharp and ringing. "From the beginning. I told you she was plotting something cruel, but no one wanted to believe me. Look at this. Look at them. Those poor innocent males have been killed so brutally."

Her finger trembled with false righteousness.

"This is what happens when you shelter monsters. She’s finally shown her true colors."