Kuma ch 387

387 Bear-san Departs for the City of Dwarves

 

Exiting the village together with Fina and Ruimin, I summoned Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear. From here, it’s Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear’s time to shine.

 

[Swaying Bear-chan, Hugging Bear-chan. It’s been a while.] Ruimin

 

Ruimin greeted Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear while stroking their heads. Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear cried <Kuu-n>.

I asked both of them to ride on Swaying Bear, while I climbed on Hugging Bear.

The city of dwarves was just up ahead of the elven village, and it seems that the city was built where the mines were. It’s not in Solzonak country, in fact, it doesn’t belong to any country.

 

[Are you sure about this?] Yuna

[It’s okay. I’ve been there once.] Ruimin

 

Ruimin answered with confidence. We decided to go to the city of Dwarves under the guidance of Ruimin, instead of the direction that Ghazal-san taught us.

Normally, to get to the city of Dwarves, you would have to return to the road leading to the city of Larousse, where a big river can be found, and from there you would have to make a long detour around the big forest where the elven village was located, and go around the mountains.

There is a path in the forest, but it’s a little narrow for Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear to run at the maximum speed. Therefore, I feel that it would be faster to go out on the main road and run at full speed.

 

As they say <Rushing things will cost you>. When I went to the desert, I tried to take a shortcut and got lost. (TN: 「急がば回れ」It’s just a rough translation, but gets the job done, I guess.)

But Ruimin said that this was the road she took with her father, Artur, and the destination was a lot closer. At first, I was reluctant, but Ruimin confidently said, <It’s okay!>, so I couldn’t refuse her and simply agreed.

As a person who knows about how this girl ended up in the royal capital, it only makes me more anxious. But with the bear map, we won’t get lost, and with a bear house, we won’t collapse on the side road like her.

Besides, if this is really a shortcut to get to the city of Dwarves, the advantage would be less burden to Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear, and I do not have to worry about passersby. It’s not all bad things. Therefore, it can be said that there are more merits in counting on Ruimin’s confidence.

We don’t have to hurry after all, so it might be a good idea to travel leisurely.

For the time being, I’ll believe in Ruimin’s words as an elf, who declares the forest is like a garden to her and proceed through the forest.

 

[Even so, that was a lot.] Fina

 

Fina reminded me of what happened earlier.

When we tried to leave Ruimin’s house to leave the village, the elven wives were gathered in front of the house. I was surprised for a moment, but it was because when Talia-san went to talk about pots and kitchenware, she also told them that I had come. So the elven wives brought me baskets full of wild plants and mushrooms from the mountains.

I am grateful since I am not familiar with wild plants and mushrooms, so I thanked them and received the baskets. No matter how much I got, it won’t be a burden because I have the bear box.

 

[Yuna-san, the last time you came, you looked happy that you could bring a lot back home, so I think everyone was happy when you accepted all of it this time as well.] Ruimin

[So, when Yuna-oneesan brought a lot of mushrooms and edible wild plants to her house before, it all came from here.] Fina

 

The wild plants and mushrooms I got last time were divided and given to Fina’s house, Anzu’s store, and the rest was used for cooking when we went to the sea. As expected, it will disappear quickly if consumed by more than 40 people. So I was happy to be able to replenish it. Let’s make tempura out of it.

 

[Shall we have these for dinner?] Yuna

[I will help.] Fina

 

Fina was also excited to eat.

 

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And so, although I was worried at first, Ruimin gave instructions to Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear without hesitation.

We went through the forest, then through the river, and climbed the mountains.

Looking at the bear map, it’s crooked, but we’re heading in the right direction. We’re not supposed to go around the same place like a scene in some manga.

Sometimes it’s good to move leisurely.

I’ll leave the directions to Ruimin, and the dangerous monsters and animals to Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear.

Fina and Ruimin are talking with each other. Most of the words I hear are about me and Sanya-san, two common acquaintances.

As we proceeded while I was relaxing on the way, Ruimin stopped Swaying Bear and looked around.

 

[That’s strange… it should have been around here.] Ruimin

 

There are only cliffs around us and no roads to be seen.

 

[Did you perhaps got lost?] Yuna

[We’re not lost. There should have been a bridge here.] Ruimin

[A bridge, was it that perhaps?] Yuna

 

I point the black bear puppet towards an object. It seems that there was a simple bridge made of rope ahead of us.

And it’s broken.

 

[We can’t pass through here.] Ruimin

 

Ruimin looks at the broken bridge and feels embarrassed.

 

[If we can’t go through here, we have to go back the way we came from… and that would be a long detour.] Ruimin

 

Ruimin held her head and began to flutter.

I exhaled, got off Hugging Bear, and walked near the cliff.

 

[Yuna-san?] Ruimin

[Stand back a little.] Yuna

 

I kneeled and let the black bear puppet touch the ground. Then, I let my magical power flow while I started forming an image. Soil emerged from the cliff, and then it extended to the opposite side of the cliff, creating a bridge made of hardened soil.

Since I had already made a bridge before when exploring the underground of the pyramid, I could now easily imagine it.

 

[Yuna-san is amazing.] Ruimin

[But why are there bears?] Fina

 

The pillars that support the bridge at both ends of the bridge are bears. Because I wanted to strengthen the bridge, I just had to make it into a bear. Well, this shouldn’t cause the bridge to collapse.

 

[Well, now we can go through.] Yuna

 

We crossed the bridge and moved to the other side.

 

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Then, without being attacked by monsters or ferocious animals, and without Ruimin getting us lost, things went smoothly. And so, the night came.

 

[It’s getting dark, so let’s stay overnight around here.] Yuna

[Yuna-san, are you taking out Bear-san’s house?] Ruimin

 

Ruimin happily asks.

[Bear-san’s house is amazing. It’s the best house to have where you don’t have to camp outdoors, it has warm futons, it has a bath, and it gets rid of the fatigue of the day.] Ruimin

 

Ruimin seems to have had a hard time going to the royal capital, so she really loves the bear house.

After taking out the bear house, I turned Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear into cubs and head inside. Then, while heating the water in the bath, we started preparing meals. I got some edible wild plants, so I decided to make vegetable tempura, though it’s a little troublesome.

By the way, since I am wearing my bear equipment, it is okay if the oil splashes, and because I am wearing the bear puppets, my hands will not get oiled. It’s a total defense.

I cut vegetables, add flour and fry in oil. It can be fried as is, but today I have edible wild plants, so I’ll add flour and fry it.

Carrots, potatoes, peppers, and other vegetables are in the bear box. I bought a lot when I went to the village and the royal capital, also in Crimonia. After all, it’s a hassle to go buy it later, and sometimes it’s out of stock. It is my principle to buy a lot at one time.

 

And since we have Ruimin with us, I decided to add squid tempura that she had never eaten before. Creating the tempura of forest and seafood.

 

[Yuna-oneesan, I’ll help out.] Fina

[Well then, I’ll do the frying, so can you put them on a plate?] Yuna

[Okay.] Fina

 

Fina offered her help. Ruimin who was watching us also came to me.

 

[Yuna-san, what about me?] Ruimin

[…Just sit down.] Yuna

 

I answered after thinking a bit.

 

[U~u, that’s mean.] Ruimin

[It’s just a joke. Even if I want to, there’s just nothing I need help with.] Yuna

 

It’s not like we need three people to make tempura. It’s just tempura after all.

 

[Ruimin can help me next time, so you should just play with Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear for now.] Yuna

 

Ruimin glanced at Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear, who have turned into bear cubs.

 

[Well, it’s a very attractive proposal. Even so, I can’t just enjoy it while you are busy making dinner…] Ruimin

 

While saying such a thing, she’s staring at Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear in cub-form rolling around.

 

[Then, can you help me clean up after the meal?] Yuna

[…I see, then please tell me if you need any help.] Ruimin

 

That was a compromise, then Ruimin started playing with Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear.

Then, the preparation for dinner was completed safely, and we had a conversation while eating tempura. At first, Ruimin was surprised that the rice was different from barley grains, but she enjoyed eating it.

 

[That’s right. Yuna-oneesan, what did you do for the village? No matter how much I ask Ruimin-san, she won’t tell me. I’m worried because Ruimin-san said Yuna-oneesan has done something for the village but she’s not telling me what it is. I’m very curious.] Fina

[Because if I talk about it, I will get a laughing hell.] Ruimin

 

Ruimin answered Fina’s question while eating carrot tempura.

But about what? How much can she disclose without getting the laughing hell?

The content of the contract is <I want you to keep quiet about my secret>. In that case, contract magic may be activated if I want the contents to be kept secret. In fact, what do I think of the events in the elf village?

 

[I don’t know, why don’t you try it Ruimin?] Yuna

[No thank you!] Ruimin

 

Ruimin refused in a loud voice. I wanted to experiment, but it didn’t seem to work.

 

[Well, maybe you can say it if it’s Fina.] Yuna

 

Maybe my contract will not activate if they have my permission. It would be a problem if it gets activated regardless.

 

[Yuna-san trusts Fina-chan, doesn’t she?] Ruimin

[Yeah, well. I know Fina isn’t a kid who breaks her promise. I wholeheartedly trust her.] Yuna

[Yuna-oneesan…] Fina

[That’s why Fina will never tell anyone the story she’ll hear from Ruimin.] Yuna

[Okay.] Ruimin

[Oh, but if you ask me, Fina, it might be troublesome for you, you know?] Yuna

 

Talking means knowing about the cockatrice. Until now, I’ve been holding myself because I thought it would surprise her. Once she knew about it, I can freely ask Fina to dismantle the cockatrice.

 

[What’s the big deal!?] Ruimin

[What is it? What are you talking about?] Fina

 

Fina begins to worry about the meaning behind my words.

 

[…U~u, I want to hear it.] Fina

 

Don’t say I didn’t warn you. When Fina says so, Ruimin began to talk about what I did in the elven village.

Ruimin talks about Volgrass and Cockatrice, which she heard from Mumuruto-san. The moment Fina hears cockatrice, she stops eating.

 

[…Yuna-oneesan. Don’t tell me, you’re planning to make me dismantle the cockatrice?] Fina

 

Fina asks terrifyingly.

 

[Because I can’t do it.] Yuna

 

I tried imitating Talia-san.

 

[That’s impossible!] Fina

 

Fina practically screamed.

That’s why I warned you that it would be troublesome once you know.

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Author’s Note:

The flag is broken. It’s going well.

Finally, Fina knew about cockatrice.

However, if it’s ever to be dismantled, it seems that it won’t be in the near future.

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