Chapter 450

Bear-san, Meets The King

“Yuna-sama, may I ask you a question?” (Sakura)

“What?” (Yuna)

“I’ve been informed that Lord Yuna has a black and white bear that’s big enough to carry a person. Their names seem identical to that one, though.” (Sakura)

Sakura looks at Hugging Bear that I’m holding.

She seemed to have received reports about Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear, but no reports about them turning into bear cubs when we entered the city.

“It seems that Yuna’s bears can be turned into smaller or larger at will.” (Shinobu)

Shinobu explained before I answer.

You forgot to keep your mouth shut, didn’t you?

“Is that so?” (Sakura)

Sakura stares at Hugging Bear. Her eyes turn into the eyes of a child of her age.

“If you want, I can make it bigger.” (Yuna)

“Are you sure?!” (Sakura)

Sakura’s eyes were sparkling.

I put Hugging Bear to the side and returned him to his original size.

“He’s really become big! Your name is Hugging Bear-sama, right?” (Sakura)

Hugging Bear-sama, she said. She also called me Yuna-sama.

It’s kind of embarrassing. I’m not a great enough person to be labeled as such. I’m a former shut-in, a gamer.

“Yuna-sama. If it’s not too much trouble, I’d be happy to take a look at your black bear, Swaying Bear-sama……” (Sakura)

Sakura asks a bit reservedly.

Since she already received a report about Swaying Bear, I summoned him since I have nothing to hide.

“Here’s Swaying Bear!” (Yuna)

`Ku~u ~ n’

Swaying Bear turned to Sakura and greeted her.

“Swaying Bear-sama, Hugging Bear-sama. Such divinity.” (Sakura)

Sakura looked as if she was about to clasp her hands together in worship.

`Ku~u ~ n’

When Sakura said that, Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear tilted their heads as if to say, “Really?”

Does Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear really look divine?

“Shinobu, we should take Sakura to the doctor.” (Yuna)

“No, she’s not sick. That’s just how Sakura-sama is.” (Shinobu)

In other words, she’s not like Shinobu.

“Can you see the divineness in their faces, Shinobu?” (Yuna)

Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear looked at Shinobu.

Shinobu looked back at Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear.

“Etto, I mean, somehow, I can see it.” (Shinobu)

Yeah, I’m pretty sure you can’t see it. I can’t see it either.

Their faces are cute, but definitely not divine.

Or maybe because they’re the bears given to me by God and maybe that’s how it looks to Sakura?

“These are the Beasts of Light. Yuna-sama, may I touch them?” (Sakura)

“I don’t mind if you touch them.” (Yuna)

I don’t think Sakura will do anything strange, so I gave her permission.

Sakura holds Hugging Bear’s paw.

“I feel the same power as Yuna-sama flowing inside you. And it feels nice and soft.” (Sakura)

She then grabbed Swaying Bear’s paw and gave the same reaction.

=====

“Thank you very much.” (Sakura)

Sakura sat back down, seemingly satisfied.

And so, I decided to ask Sakura.

Even if I accept this request, there are things I need to enquire on. There are things I can do and things I can’t. After all, if it’s a monster like Targui, it’s impossible for me to defeat it.

“Can you tell me about the monsters? Or should I ask the king or someone else?” (Yuna)

“It’s okay. I’ll tell you what I know, everything that I can.” (Sakura)

With that said, Sakura explained the situation to me.

The monster was sealed on the island of Reenes over a hundred years ago, and that seal was gradually weakening. The monster must be weakened again before it can be resealed. No men were allowed inside the barrier. Only a limited number of women can enter. If they allow men to enter, the sealed monster will be completely revived.

So it was ideal to fight while the monster was still weakened in it’s barrier.

Some of it I didn’t know, but most of it was the same as what Shinobu had told me.

“So, what kind of monster is this said monster?” (Yuna)

But I’m not asking about the lore. This was the most important information I needed.

“It is said to be a giant serpent ‘Orochi’ with four heads.” (Sakura)

“A big snake…” (Yuna)

“It can spit flames from its mouth, incinerate people. Create wind, chopping people. Spit water, to submerge people, and unearth soil that can crush people.” (Sakura)

A giant snake, like in Japan, the very famous Yamata-no-orochi, a large snake-like monster with eight heads. Will it be this kind of monster this time?

Is it different from the Black Viper? Or is it more like a Hydra?

I’m not quite sure how big it was. But if it was about the size of the Black Viper and had four heads, it would be possible to defeat it.

“The people of the time worked together to weaken the serpent and seal it away in that place. It is said that the serpent sucked the evil spirits out of people, so they forbade the general public to come near it. However, there were some rare plants that grew in the area, and there was no end to the number of people who tried to steal them. It is also said that when they did, it absorbed the evil spirits of people and the seal was almost broken. So men were forbidden to enter the island of Reenes, and only some women were allowed.” (Sakura)

Only in a fantasy world can people create such a convenient barrier.

Well, when there’s already magic in the fantasy world, anything is possible.

But stealing? There are people who steal precious flowers and plants?

While I also want something rare, if it’s about medicinal herbs, then I don’t want it.

“So, this time, before the seal is completely broken, we will weaken it and reseal it. And we need your help with that.” (Sakura)

“Could it be, I’m the only one fighting?” (Yuna)

“No, Yuna-sama will not be alone, a handful of warriors will join you. However, I don’t think they are that strong. Moreover, the dream of being enveloped in darkness has not disappeared.” (Sakura)

“I’m one of the participants, by the way.” (Shinobu)

Shinobu, who was listening to the conversation, intruded.

“You, Shinobu? Even though you can’t beat Jubei-san?” (Yuna)

“I’m still on the stronger side. Yuna, who can beat my Master, is the strange one. What’s with that weapon? I’ve never seen anyone who can parry my Master’s sword so easily. And what’s with the big bear wall?” (Shinobu)

Bear magic is my inner art, my special skill, my ultimate magic.

That drains a considerable amount of magic power.

I’d prefer wearing my white bear if I could attack one-sidedly like I did with the Kraken, but that’s not going to happen.

“Yuna-sama. Can you please lend us a hand?” (Sakura)

Sakura bowed her head deeply.

A giant snake with four heads. I don’t know if I can defeat it. But I can’t forget the look on Sakura’s face when she grabbed my hand and cried. She had dreams of people she knew, people she cared about, and herself dying over and over again. This little girl was experiencing it. Even in her dreams, she must be in pain. And if I don’t help her, it may become a fact.

“I might not be able to beat it.” (Yuna)

“I believe in my dreams, so I believe in you, Yuna-sama.” (Sakura)

Sakura looked at me with straight eyes.

“If I can’t do it, I’ll run.” (Yuna)

“Yes, that will be fine.” (Sakura)

Sakura didn’t bother to think about it and answered immediately.

Sakura is not as old as she looks.

She looks like a kid, but her mind seems mature, I see?

“How old are you, Sakura?” (Yuna)

“Etto, I’m 10 years old.” (Sakura)

She was just as she looked.

“All right. I don’t know how much I can do, but I’ll help you.” (Yuna)

“Oh, thank you very much.” (Sakura)

Sakura’s expression changed from a serious one to a cute girl’s smile appropriate for her age.

“Don’t get your hopes up.” (Yuna)

“I believe in you.” (Sakura)

It’s heavy. Sakura’s trust is too heavy.

I don’t want to betray the feelings of a pure girl, but I really don’t know what will happen.

=====

“Now then, I think we’re done here. I’ll call the person who’s been waiting outside the room.” (Shinobu)

Shinobu stood up and opened the sliding door through which we had entered.

There was a man wearing hakama and to his side was Jubeo-san.

“Finally, you’re done talking.”

The man said, and walked into the room.

He’s about 40 years old. He has a beard and a large build.

“You really are dressed like a bear, aren’t you? Also, a black bear and a white bear, just as reported.”

The man looked at me and then turned his attention to Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear.

He didn’t look scared.

“Sakura, are you sure it’s her?”

“Yes, no doubt. She’s the light of hope.” (Sakura)

“I see. So what happened?”

“I’ve asked her to lend a hand.” (Sakura)

“All right. Everyone, turn around and cover your ears!”

When the man said this, Shinobu, Juubei-san, and Sakura turned around and covered their ears.

What’s going on?

When the man came in front of me, he sat upright with a dignified movement.

“I am Suou, the king of this land. I apologize for the disrespect I have shown you. And I thank you for your assistance.” (King) (スオウ)

The man bowed deeply.

“……King?” (Yuna)

The man raised his head.

“Because of my position as king, I can’t apologize in front of my subjects, so I did it here.” (King)

In front of his vassals, even though they turned their backs and covered their ears, Jubei-san, Shinobu, and Sakura were still here. Was it okay for the king to bow to a girl in a bear suit?

“You can all turn around now.” (King)

As soon as the king said this, the three who had turned around and covered their ears turned back to us as if nothing had happened.

Is there no one going to say anything about it?

You had your ears “really” covered, right?

You heard him, didn’t you?

You heard him, so you turned around immediately, right?

Is that okay?

No, I’m not going to ask about it.

=====

Author’s Note:

Here comes the king. I was very worried about the name.

I’m always having trouble naming people.

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