Chapter 476

Bear-san, Explains To Fina and Shinobu.

With the help of Kagali-san, and Sakura, I explained to Fina, then further explained what Shinobu doesn’t know.

That we were here to defeat a gigantic monster called Orochi in this country. At that time, a wyvern suddenly appeared, and Shinobu got injured in the battle. Then I told them how we defeated the giant snake with the help of Mumroot-san and Ruimin.

“Then the battle was over while I was sleeping, wasn’t it? Moreover, I let Sakura-sama and Ruimin do something dangerous. I’m ashamed of myself for sleeping through the ordeal.” (Shinobu)

Shinobu looked a little depressed.

“That’s not the case. I know how hard Shinobu is working. Thank you, Shinobu, for everything.” (Sakura)

“… Sakura-sama” (Shinobu)

Fina, who was watching their exchange, asked in a whisper.

“Yuna-oneesan. Are Shinobu-san and Sakura-chan…?” (Fina)

“Etto. I’m not sure if you know the word shrine priestess. But, let’s see, right, I think Sakura’s mother is a former royalty, and Shinobu is serving her?” (Yuna)

I don’t know where Shinobu stands, but that’s what it looks like to me.

“Royalty…” (Fina)

Fina looked at Sakura in surprise. Sakura noticed the look and came toward us.

“Thank you, Fina-sama, for taking such good care of Shinobu. Thanks to you; we were able to fight the serpent with peace of mind.” (Sakura)

Sakura held Fina’s hand and thanked her.

In contrast, Fina was flustered when Sakura suddenly called her name with honorifics.

“Fi, Fina is fine. I’m not that great of a person, so please call me Fina.” (Fina)

Fina waved her hand in a hurry and asked her to change how Sakura called her name.

“Then I’ll call you Fina. Please call me Sakura too.” (Sakura)

“Etto, Sakura-sama?” (Fina)

I explained earlier that her mother was a former royalty, so Fina called Sakura’s name with honorifics.

“A friend of Yuna-sama. If possible, please call me Sakura.” (Sakura)

“Etto, that’s…” (Fina)

Fina looked at me as if asking for help. She looked troubled as if she couldn’t call someone related to the royal family without honorifics, albeit a former one.

“It seems that Fina can’t call Sakura, a former royalty, by her first name, so I’m wondering if she can call you something else?” (Yuna)

“My uncle is the king, but I am not a royalty. I am an ordinary person just like Fina.” (Sakura)

I don’t know the details, but you will become a civilian depending on who you marry. As a matter of fact, Sakura lives as a shrine maiden.

But to Fina, she’s no different than royalty.

“If you don’t feel comfortable addressing her without honorifics, then “Sakura-chan” is fine, right? That’s what Ruimin calls her, anyway.” (Yuna)

That’s what Ruimin calls Sakura whenever she calls her.

It’s not a formal honorific address. But it may be easier for them to call each other with “chan” than to simply call one by their first names. Besides, they’re still children. I don’t think anyone should overthink it.

“Are you Sakura-chan? If so, then may I call you Sakura-chan?” (Fina)

“If Fina is okay with that, please call me that.” (Sakura)

Sakura seemed a little happy.

Then Shinobu wanted to check on the giant snake, so I reluctantly packed up the bear gate, then we came back to the place where the snake was.

Mumroot-san and I missed the timing to escape.

“I can’t believe it even when I’m seeing it with my own eyes. I can’t believe that the legendary serpent has been slain.” (Shinobu)

“It’s huge! Did Yuna-oneesan and Ruimin-san fight such a big monster?” (Fina)

Fina looked up at the serpent carcass that was no longer moving.

“It just kind of happened.” (Yuna)

“I didn’t fight. I was just helping by channeling magic power into the magic circle made by grandpa.” (Ruimin)

Ruimin said it like it was nothing, but Ruimin’s location was the closest to the Wind Orochi Head during the whole ordeal. It was affected by the battle, that giant snake smashed the building into smithereens, and she was exposed to various dangers.

“No, the battle would have turned into a complicated mess if Ruimin-san had not helped us. Thank you for keeping the magic flowing despite the danger.” (Sakura)

Sakura, who was thinking the same thing as I was, opened her mouth.

“That’s not the case. I was just letting the magic flow to the magic circle.” (Ruimin)

“I understand how it felt. The ground shook many times, loud noises echoed outside, and I was scared and anxious to keep the magic flowing alone. If Hugging Bear-sama had not been there, I would have been crushed by fear and anxiety. It may just be that I have a weak heart.” (Sakura)

“I was able to do my best because Swaying Bear-chan was with me. So I understand how you feel, Sakura-chan.” (Ruimin)

Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear cried a happy “ku~n” at their words.

It seems that Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear have supported both of them. I’ll have to give them a pat on the head when we get back.

I would bathe with them, wash them, and feed them some honey.

Shinobu approached the snake to check it out.

“It’s not going to move, is it?” (Shinobu)

“It’s all right. The magic stone has been removed, and the energy supply has been cut. It will not revive.” (Yuna)

“But Yuna, Kagali-sama, how could you two defeat such a huge monster? Was it weak in reality?” (Shinobu)

“What are you talking about? Of course, it was strong. The giant serpent burned the trees with the fire and the wind that the serpent whipped up and cut the trees. The Earth Orochi head spits out rocks from its maw, and Orochi’s Water head spits out water, causing the trees to fall. If you take stock of the situation on the island, the damage is considerable.” (Kagali)

Thanks to Orochi’s water head’s antics, the flames on the burning trees were extinguished, but Orochi still did considerable damage to the environment. The places where Orochi’s head and main body were and where it attacked looked terrible.

“It was with her power that made it possible for us to defeat it. At first, I thought she’s just a little girl, so how can she be a beacon of hope? But it turns out she was the beacon of hope.” (Kagali)

“Yes, Yuna-sama is the beacon of hope.” (Sakura)

“U~u, I wish I could have seen Yuna fight.” (Shinobu)

She was out cold, so she had no choice.

Looking toward Fina, I saw her staring at Orochi’s carcass. Maybe she wanted to dismantle it?

“Fina. Do you want to dismantle it?” (Yuna)

“Eh, dismantling?” (Fina)

“You’ve never dismantled a giant snake on your own, have you?” (Yuna)

“No. Also, dad isn’t here. Besides, I can’t dismantle something this big by myself.” (Fina)

“First off, has anyone else dismantled a giant snake before? Anyone?” (Yuna)

It’s a big world. It’s not surprising that there would be several giant snakes around.

Or will it be revived somewhere after defeating it? I hate to even think about it.

However, i looks similar to a black viper if you think of it as a single snake.

“If you want it, Fina, I’ll ask for it and take it back.” (Yuna)

If I ask for it, I might get at least one head.

But Fina’s response was, “No, I don’t want to”.

Apparently, she doesn’t want it as a souvenir.

I don’t want a snake either, so I’ll leave it there. I would have liked it if it had soft fur, like Kagali-san’s tail.

“Why are you looking at my buttocks?” (Kagali)

Apparently, she realized I was looking at her.

“So can we go home? It’s almost time for dinner.” (Mumroot)

“Oh, I have to help my mom.” (Ruimin)

Somehow, I hear some kind of tension-free conversation.

I don’t think either of them has told anyone that they were going to battle a giant four headed snake. That may be why they need to go home.

“Then Fina. Let’s go home too.” (Yuna)

“I’m telling you, don’t go home. If you leave, I will be in trouble. I won’t let you go. If you insist on leaving, I will go with you.” (Kagali)

Kagali-san got angry. She looks like a child throwing a tantrum.

I thought it would be a natural excuse to go home, but I guess not.

“That’s not good. What am I going to do if even Kagali-san is gone too?” (Sakura)

Indeed, it would be pitiful to push it to Sakura.

“Then, would you like to go with me, Sakura?” (Kagali)

Kagali-san said it as if she had a good idea.

“What in the world are you guys talking about?” (Shinobu)

One? No. If you include Fina, there are two people who don’t understand our conversation.

I told Shinobu that Mumroot-san and I wanted to go home.

“Oi! I’ll be in trouble if you guys leave. His Majesty the King will be angry with me. Mainly on me.” (Shinobu)

The only one, the king, could scold might be Shinobu of all these people.

“Oh right. Why don’t we just pretend that Shinobu defeated it?” (Yuna)

“Wait, why would you do that?” (Shinobu)

“You’ll be a hero, Shinobu. You can become popular. I’ll even give you the materials of the giant snake.” (Yuna)

I said it like a salesman.

“I don’t want it! I don’t want to be a hero. I am the shadow of the Lord. I must not stand out.” (Shinobu)

She spat out some kind of ninja-like line. After all the prominence I had given her, it was a little late for that.

“Certainly. If we pretend that Shinobu beat it, we wouldn’t need to explain the magic circle.” (Kagali)

Kagali-san was on board with my idea.

“Even you, Kagali-sama? What are you saying? I was unconscious, and when I woke up, everything was over. There’s no way I can explain how we defeated it!” (Shinobu)

“You just have to talk your way out of it.” (Kagali)

“No! I don’t like it! I wholeheartedly refuse!” (Shinobu)

Some people in the world would take credit for other people’s work as if it were their own, but Shinobu seems to be different.

Well, of course, you can’t handle an enormous credit if it’s beyond your capabilities.

“Well, then. I guess I’ll have to let Suou do his contract magic and tell him everything.” (Kagali)

“A contract magic for His Majesty the King?” (Shinobu)

“Fufu, I have his weakness in my grasp. I can do that much. Yuna and Mumroot, you are fine with that, right? I’ll make them promise not to make a fuss. So, hang out with me a little longer.” (Kagali)

Contract magic for the king. Indeed, if she can, we can keep many things quiet. But he is the king. I don’t think he would do contract magic, which might be dangerous.

“But what if the king refuses?” (Mumroot)

“Then I will leave the country and go with you.” (Kagali)

“Kagali-sama!” (Sakura)

“There is no longer any reason for me to remain in this country.” (Kagali)

“No way.” (Sakura)

“So it’s all up to Suou. Now, Shinobu. Call him.” (Kagali)

“Please wait. Actually, I sent Pisuke to contact His Majesty the King before fighting the demons, so I can’t do it right away.”

Shinobu took something out of her pocket.

She put it in her mouth, then blew on it.

A whistle?

“Now pīsuke will be back in a moment. Then I can contact His Majesty the King.” (Shinobu)

“Who’s pīsuke?” (Fina)

“It’s the name of Shinobu’s bird.” (Yuna)

Apparently, it was a bird whistle.