Big Boar Jr.
The surprise from Rosso’s wind magic had settled down, and after collecting the spoils from the hobgoblin and goblins, we looked around the cave. Someone might be imprisoned, just like last time.
There were five passageways leading deeper in, so we checked them one by one. The far right led to the second-largest chamber after the hall, which seemed to have been used for sleeping.
“Unlike the goblins before, they were kind of… organized.”
That thought came from the fact that vegetables and fruits were sorted into their own spots, each area arranged neatly. The center passage led to what was probably the hobgoblin’s room. I couldn’t confirm for sure now, though…
“Next, what kind of room will this be?”
As I went deeper, I felt movement in the darkness.
I pulled a lamp from my storage, and Rosso lit it for me. The lamplight revealed the back of a large creature locked inside a cage.
Pearl and I braced ourselves, but when the creature turned and saw us, it rushed forward, shouting something. Pearl seemed to be conversing through telepathy, so I waited.
(Joan, this kid… it’s the child of that Big Boar from before.)
“What!? The one that was with Mama Boar?”
(Yes, apparently it got caught in a trap.)
“I see… then we’ve got to let it out.”
(Ah, and it’s asking if we can help another injured one inside this cage.)
“Huh? There’s another? Alright, let’s just break it open.”
Even a sturdy cage doesn’t stand a chance against Pearl and Rosso. The moment Big Boar Jr. stepped outside, I finally noticed a faintly moving white lump deeper inside.
(I’ll check first, make sure it’s not dangerous.)
Pearl went ahead, then returned shortly after.
(It’s fine, Joan.)
“Thanks. Okay, let’s carry it back to the hall.”
I scooped the white lump carefully from underneath, walking slowly to avoid jostling it. Once in the hall, I laid it down gently and cast a Search.
—
[White Lump (temporary)]
Condition
Lacerations, fever.
Note
Captured as goblin fodder.
Survived because Big Boar hid it and the goblins forgot about it, but at this rate it’ll die.
—
“‘It’ll die’… they say that so lightly.”
(Joan? You’re going to help it? What’s the benefit?)
Oh wow, Rosso coming in cold…
A benefit, huh…?
Wait. Now that I looked closer, beneath the dirt—was that… feathers?
Feathers → fluffy → soft and fuzzy → happiness.
“Alright! We’re saving it! The benefit is fluffiness, pure and simple!!”
(Huh?)
(Here we go again…)
Rosso looked stunned, Pearl exasperated. Meanwhile, Big Boar Jr., not understanding a word, just paced around in confusion.
“If there’s fluffiness right in front of me, and I might lose it forever without even getting to fluff it… that’s fluff-loss! Fluff-loss!! I won’t stand for it! If fluffiness is calling for help, then I’ll answer! For me, by me, for my fluff!!”
I clenched a fist and declared.
(……)
(… Sigh. Whatever. If you’re going to help, hurry it up. Because there’s still more…)
I didn’t catch the end of Pearl’s words, since she was already looking toward another passage.
“First Aid. And then Search.”
—
[Fluffy Lump (temporary)]
Condition
Healthy. However, still weak and asleep.
Note
Should wake up soon.
—
“Alright. Now we just have to wait for it to wake up. Now for Jr.… Search.”
—
[Big Boar Jr.]
Condition
Healthy. Hungry.
Note
Physically fine, but when it was trapped, Mama Boar tried to save it and never returned. Suffers mental trauma.
—
“What!? Mama Boar…?”
((What!?))
I explained the result to Pearl and Rosso, then rushed to Big Boar Jr., hugging it despite its startled reaction.
“I’m sorry. Mama Boar died because she gave me her horn, right? Without her horn, she couldn’t use magic, and… so…”
—No, human child. Because you helped us, I was able to live this long. Mother always said humans were our benefactors. Even before she died, she said never forget what humans did for us… so… so I swore I would survive…
“I see… so that’s what Mama Boar said…”
—And she told me, every spring, to deliver bamboo shoots to the humans.
“Uuugh, Mama Boar… you’re the best!! …What about you, Jr.? What will you do now?”
—I’ll stay in the forest. If a giant snake comes again, I’ll be the one to take it down.
“I see. Be careful, okay?”
—Yeah. But what about this white one?
“I’ll take care of it. Well, once it wakes up, I’ll ask it first.”
—I understand… Then I’ll return to the forest. Goodbye, human child.
“Okay. Ah, my name’s Joan. See you again.”
—Goodbye, Joan.
And with that, Big Boar Jr. left the cave.
“Alright, let’s check the last passage. But what do we do about this kid?”
(I’ll stay here and watch it.)
Rosso stayed in the hall while Pearl and I ventured down the final passage.
“Vegetables, fruits, the main bedroom, that one with the beasts… so maybe this one has humans? … Wait—there is someone!!”
At the end was another cage, with someone collapsed inside. Even when I called out, there was no response.
(Don’t worry, Joan. They’re alive. I even heard them snoring just now—they’re just asleep.)
“Eh? Oh, really? That’s a relief… but you could’ve told me sooner.”
(Well, if they’re snoring, they must be fine. Besides, you were rambling about fluff-loss or whatever…)
“Ah, sorry… Anyway, let’s break it open.”
This cage looked less sturdy than the last one. We went back to the hall, and I stayed behind while Pearl and Rosso went to break it.
Still, being able to snore while imprisoned—that’s some nerves of steel. Judging by the size, they looked a little bigger than me.
What do you think about this chapter?
