Bear-san, Is Having A Discussion.
“So, Cereille. About this time, I’d like you to keep it a secret.” (Yuna)
“What do you want me to keep a secret?” (Cereille)
“About this house and how I defeated the monsters.” (Yuna)
“I’ll keep not only the house but also about the monsters a secret? If you report it to the Adventurers’ Guild, I think they will reward you. Of course, I know they won’t believe you, so I’ll be happy to put in a good word for you. I will also inform my father that the town was saved thanks to Yuna, so I am sure he will also thank you.” (Cereille)
“I don’t want any reward, or even a thank you from your father.” (Yuna)
“Wait, then we won’t be able to thank you, Yuna.” (Cereille)
“As I was saying, you don’t have to thank me. Both you and Keith are safe, and that’s all that matters.” (Yuna)
I didn’t save them because I wanted money or rewards. I just don’t want the people I know to die because I didn’t help them. If I didn’t know Cereille, I probably wouldn’t have cared if I saw her galloping her horse. I would not have chased after her. I even probably would have been a stranger when I heard about Cereille’s death.
But since I already know Cereille, I had a conversation with her and got to know her. So I decided to help. Not to be thanked by her. It was for myself.
“Yuna…… I would have fallen in love with you if you were a boy.” (Cereille)
Even if a certain part of me was small, I’m still a girl.
“No, Keith will take over, so even girls can…….” (Cereille)
I think I heard something in a small voice, but it was probably just my imagination.
“But if you keep quiet about this, it would mean Yuna’s deeds won’t be known.” (Cereille)
“I don’t like commotions. Besides, no one would believe me even if I told them that I had defeated these monsters. If you didn’t see it with your own eyes and only heard the story, you wouldn’t believe it either, would you?” (Yuna)
“That’s……” (Cereille)
“So you don’t have to force yourself to put a good word for me. You will also be labeled as weird.” (Yuna)
“But thanks to Yuna, I was saved, Keith was saved, and you also saved the city. I can’t stay silent. Besides, there is the matter of the monsters too. If they could see that, they would believe us.” (Cereille)
We will be looked at oddly, strange rumors might circulate, and above all, it’s a pain.
“And you also have to report the monsters lying around. You defeated those, Yuna, and now you’ll lose your claim to them.” (Cereille)
“It’s okay, I’ll stuff it all in my item bag, and I’ll take care of the other monsters. Without the presence of the monsters, we can probably claim that you rescued Keith from the man all by yourself.” (Cereille)
That’s the best way.
Cereille pondered over my suggestion.
“I understand. If you say so, Yuna, I will not force you to do so. However, I will reveal that you helped me rescue Keith from the man. That’s the one thing I will not compromise on.” (Cereille)
“All right.” (Yuna)
I also decided to also give my part. Besides, I think it would be easier to explain things if I was there.
We found a middle ground with each other, and the discussion was over. Now we just have to deal with the mountain of monsters corpses outside. But first, let’s get out of the bear costume, shall we?
My skirt was rolled up under my costume, and it was in a weird state. And it’s a little stuffy because of the uniform. But I think I’d better wait until after I deal with the monsters outside. There’s a possibility that more monsters will return to this spot.
I’d like to change, but I’ll stay in my stuffy bear costume a little longer.
“What will you do now, Cereille?” (Yuna)
“What about you, Yuna?” (Cereille)
“I told you earlier, I’m going to deal with the monsters, then go back. If I leave them like this, it will cause a commotion.” (Yuna)
Sorry goblins and orcs, but I don’t want your magic stones, I’ll just bury you.
“I’ll help you with that.” (Cereille)
“Is it okay? Isn’t your family worried?” (Yuna)
“That’s……” (Cereille)
Cereille looked at Keith, who was sleeping.
“Don’t worry about it.” (Yuna)
“No, while I think my father will scold me, I can’t push the clean-up to you, Yuna. Otherwise, I won’t have a face to challenge you to a match in the future.” (Cereille)
Cereille shook her head.
“As I’ve said, you don’t have to worry about it.” (Yuna)
But Cereille would not budge.
There’s no point in arguing here, so I’ll just get it over with and head back to town. It’ll be faster that way, and it’s not worth the hassle of arguing about this.
“Then may I ask you to take care of the goblins and orcs? I don’t need their magic stones or anything, so it would be great if you could deal with them for me.” (Yuna)
If the monsters were not disposed of properly, they could attract other monsters, and also if the corpses were left untouched, they could become the source of pathogen outbreaks. They must be either burned or buried.
“Yes, I can handle that. Leave it to me.” (Cereille)
Cereille and I went outside.
“What are you going to do with the worm? Are you not going to dismantle it?” (Cereille)
“It’s okay, I’ll just put it in my item bag.” (Yuna)
I said and transferred the worm carcass in the bear box.
“Come to think of it, you did pull out a house from it. Yuna’s non-standards never cease to amaze me.” (Cereille)
Next, I put away the big wyverns and the rest of the wolves. The bear box was really handy.
When I tried to put the Wolves in the bear box, Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear came to me.
“What’s wrong?” (Yuna)
“Ku~u ~ n”
Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear looked in a particular direction and cried.
I wonder what that could be. Maybe more monsters?
Use detection skills to confirm.
The reactions were people. Several people were moving toward us.
“What is wrong with Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear?” (Cereille)
Cereille, who was processing the goblins nearby, asked.
“It looks like some people are heading over here” (Yuna)
“Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear can even know that?” (Cereille)
“Maybe they can smell them.” (Yuna)
“Oh right, animals are supposed to have a good nose.” (Cereille)
Cereille seemed to be satisfied with that explanation.
“For the time being, we have to do something about it. This isn’t good.” (Yuna)
The worm and the wyverns have been cleared away. But the corpses of wolves, goblins, and orcs were still scattered around.
And the bear house. Ah, and I didn’t change my clothes, so I’m still a bear.
Well, it’s my usual look, so it’s okay.
“Cereille, please get Keith” (Yuna)
If Keith was still in the bear house, I cannot put the house away in the bear box.
“Keith?” (Cereille)
They’re moving fast. They’re probably riding on horses.
“No. We won’t make it. We’ll not make it in time.” (Yuna)
I saw someone on a horse coming toward us.
I couldn’t make it in time.
“Ah whatever, Cereille. For now, just deceive them.” (Yuna)
“How can I deceive them!?” (Cereille)
“Please do it properly.” (Yuna)
“I understand. I’ll do my best.” (Cereille)
If they’re adventurers, we could tell lies. But the most problematic thing about this scene was the explanation of the bear house, and that a wandering adventurer defeated the monsters.
As I pondered what to do, unexpected words came out of Cereille’s mouth.
“That’s my father.” (Cereille)
I looked at the person who was coming towards us.
Indeed. The man on the horse was Cereille’s father. So that means the one with him was an escort?
Cereille’s father comes straight to us, looking at the fallen monsters around him.
“Yuna, what should we do!” (Cereille)
“Even if you ask me that, I don’t know.” (Yuna)
This time, Cereille was beginning to panic.
“You have to report to your father.” (Yuna)
“Yeah, but I’m not ready for that.” (Cereille)
I can’t do that either.
Regardless of our feelings, Cereille’s father comes to us.
“Cereille!” (Count Fornitz)
Cereille’s father dismounted from his horse.
“Father… why are you here?” (Cereille)
“I saw your letter, and found out you left the city, so I came after you.” (Count Fornitz)
Cereille looked at me with a troubled expression. I’m the one in trouble, you know. What should I do?
Cereille’s father looked around slightly, then looked at Cereille.
“Cereille, are you alright?” (Count Fornitz)
“Yes, I’m fine.” (Cereille)
“I have a lot of questions. But first, is Keith safe?” (Count Fornitz)
“Yes. He’s uninjured. He’s sleeping right there in that house.” (Cereille)
Cereille’s father turned his gaze at the bear house and gave it a subtle look.
Well, he was informed that his son was kidnapped and yet not injured, but now, he was told that his son was in a house shaped like a bear, he would obviously have that reaction.
“I see. You’re both safe. So, what about these monsters?” (Count Fornitz)
Cereille’s father looked around. Countless corpses of wolves and goblins were scattered.
I have no choice but to explain it.
At the very least the worm and wyverns were already tucked away in the bear box.
“This is not a good place to talk, why don’t we talk inside the house?” (Yuna)
It may take a while. I guess we could start preparing to head back to town, but they’re definitely not in the mood for that.
Either way, they will have to go inside the bear house to check on Keith.
At my suggestion, Cereille’s father looked at the bear house suspiciously.
“Etto, and you are?” (Count Fornitz)
Apparently, he didn’t recognize me because of my bear outfit.
“Father, she’s Yuna, the one who came to our house the other day together with Noa.” (Cereille)
“….Ah, so you’re the one with the young lady Noa. But why were you dressed as a bear?” (Count Fornitz)
“Father, let’s go inside first.” (Cereille)
When I was about to answer, Cereille offered me a helping hand.
“You’re right. Let’s go then.” (Count Fornitz)
He asked the escort to stay outside and continue to check the perimeter with Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear.
I also informed the escort that Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear were docile. The escort looked doubtful, but he still nodded.
Then I took Cereille and her father inside the bear house.
Cereille’s father looked inside the bear house curiously. Then, when he saw Keith sleeping on the sofa, he rushed to Keith, just as Cereille did earlier.
“Father, he’s okay. He’s just sleeping.” (Cereille)
Cereille told her father the same words I said to her earlier.
I prepared tea and placed it on the table.
“Have some tea and talk. I’ll leave you guys by yourselves.” (Yuna)
“No, Yuna, please stay with us.” (Cereille)
I couldn’t escape.
Cereille and I sat on the sofa, and Cereille’s father sat on the opposite side, facing us.
Cereille’s father stared at Cereille, but Cereille looked away to escape his gaze.
“Now then, how about some explanation?” (Count Fornitz)
Cereille began to speak slowly and in order.
=====
Author’s Note:
This is how Cereille’s father arrived.
Once this is done, we should be able to get back to Noa…… hopefully.
[Notice] The next post may be delayed next week. I hope you understand.
