White Fluffball
Since Rosso came back, I asked him to watch over things again and went deeper with Pearl. The cage had been broken, so we were able to get inside.
“Hellooo, are you okay? Heeellooo... Not waking up, huh.”
(Then let’s wake him.)
Saying that, Pearl conjured a Water Sphere with water magic and splashed it onto the sleeping person’s face.
*Splash!* “Wh-what the!?”
The person shot up from sleep.
So that’s why they say “like water in the ear of a sleeper,” it really does shock you awake. Proverbs really are cleverly thought out.
While Joan was oddly impressed by that,
“Hm? Who are you? You don’t look like goblins...”
“Ah, good morning. My name is Joan. I’m an adventurer, here to subjugate the Hobgoblins. Are you hurt anywhere?”
“No injuries... but you, a young lady, an adventurer? Hm? If you’re here, that means you defeated them?”
“Yes, subjugation complete. Um, why don’t we step outside first?”
“Ah, true enough. Up I go.”
The man who stood was sturdier and broader both in height and width than Joan. Still, he was short for an adult male.
When they reached the hall,
“Hm? What’s that?”
“Ah, my contracted beasts, and the creature we just rescued.”
“Ohhh, so you’re a tamer… That explains the Fenrir.”
“Eh? You can tell?”
“More or less. In any case, you’ve really saved me. My thanks. I am Gandarl.”
“Mr. Gandarl, what brought you here?”
“I was traveling, searching for good ore veins. But one night while camping, I drank too much... Next thing I knew, I ended up here. Gahaha!”
“Ah, I see. So, searching for ore veins?”
“I’m a dwarf. Dwarves are handy folk, many are smiths or craftsmen. I’m a craftsman myself, and I wanted to find fine stones for my work.”
“Heh, I see. Anyway, I’m glad you’re safe.”
“No, it’s all thanks to you, lass.” Grrrrumble
“Ah, your stomach’s empty, right? Want something to eat?”
“What? You have food?”
“Yes. Just a moment... here you go.”
From her waist pouch and storage, Joan took out a sandwich and a bottle of iced tea.
“My thanks... Delicious!! Never had food like this, but it’s amazing.”
“If that’s not enough, I can get more.”
“Really? Then please!”
“Alright then... here.”
Next she pulled out a hot dog, a Lampail Dog, and wakame udon.
“Phew, I’m stuffed. When’s the last time I ate this well?”
“How long have you been traveling?”
“Let’s see... about five years. I used to live in a place called Skog Village, but I sold my house and set off.”
“Heh, so if you find a good vein, you’ll settle there?”
“That’s the plan.”
“Do you think you’ll find one in Lampail territory?”
“No, I got caught here almost as soon as I entered, so I haven’t searched yet. First I need to find an inn. Then I should visit the lord.”
“Visit the lord? Why?”
“Because to search for veins, it’s best to get the lord’s permission. In some lands, you’d be called a thief otherwise.”
“Ah, like ‘don’t ravage my land without permission’?”
“Exactly. Some lords even demand bribes before granting leave to prospect. I wonder what kind this lord is. Do you know?”
“I don’t think this lord would demand money or treasure. He doesn’t seem that narrow-minded.”
“Is that so? Then I’ll pay him a visit. Well, I’d best head toward town now. Thank you, lass.”
“Mm, take care. See you.”
After Gandarl left the cave, the white fluffball began to stir.
“Ah, looks like it woke up. Pearl, please.”
(Got it.)
If Joan suddenly touched it and triggered Animal Talk, it might startle the creature, so she asked Pearl to speak first. Once Pearl spoke—through telepathy—it seemed to calm down, then slowly sat up and stood.
“Oh! It’s an owl.”
The white fluffball was an owl. It tilted its head from time to time while talking with Pearl, looking utterly adorable.
That reminded Joan of going to an owl café with her grandchildren. They had gone after watching that movie with the boy wizard, since the kids wanted to see real owls. This owl really looked like the one from the film.
“Joan, it’s fine now. You can use Search.”
“Thanks, Pearl. Then, Search.”
—
[White Demon Owl]
Magical Beast. A subspecies of the Demon Owl.
Condition
Healthy. Hungry.
Notes
Feels indebted to Joan.
—
“So cute, yet its name is so grim... Demon, really? Ah, but it’s hungry. Let’s see, owls are carnivores, so...”
(Hey Joan, we’re hungry too, you know?)
“Ah, sorry. Then let’s head outside and have lunch. Owl boy, can you fly?”
(... He says yes.)
“Alright! Then let’s go.”
Out from the dark cave, the sun was high overhead.
“Ugh, so bright... My eyes, my eyes!”
(Eh?)
(What was that?)
So much for mimicking the bespectacled guy from that sky adventure story... No one got it.
We moved to a sunny spot.
“Okay, lunchtime!”
((Yaaay!!))
“Hoo-hoo!”
Joan spread a picnic sheet, sat down after taking off her shoes (Japanese style), and put out cushions for Rosso and Owl boy.
“Raw meat for Owl boy. Pearl, Rosso, what do you want?”
(I’ll take a beef bowl. Rare, no sauce.)
(I want pancakes.)
“Okay. I have rice and pancakes stocked, but the beef needs grilling—Rosso, could you?”
(Sure! Rare, right? Like this, Pearl?)
(Yes, thanks.)
“Alright then, let’s eat!”
((Let’s eat!))
Lunch finished, and they prepared to return to town to report their success to the guild. At the edge of the forest, they parted ways with Owl boy.
As when they came, Joan rode Pearl back to the city.
What do you think about this chapter?
