154 Episode 154 "Extra Part 14" Nagi, Iris, and Rafilias Secretly Cheat Escort Trip (Part 2) "".txt (2/2)

The night songbird is a night watcher.

We soon learned that the intruder was a childlike creature.

We called Rafilia so that she would be able to talk to him easily, and then we supported her so that Natalia could take the credit.

It was of course Rafilia's 'Elder Slime' that caught the child who fell down.

''Master ...... slime 'Edda-chan' says that child is .......'''

I know. Let's just hear the story for now.

Me and Raphilia went to the child.

Natalia is keeping her distance. That's good.

I guess we have to be careful about what we're dealing with, since they are intruders. I knew you were a top-notch adventurer.

May I ask your name?

Rafilia squatted down and made eye contact with the seated child.

'I'm the escort of the Ilgafa envoy, right?　You wanted to see me, right?

Name: ......?

The child's eyes widened in surprise, and then slowly opened his mouth.

'Boku ...... marc.'

Marc, is that you? Next to Master, that's a good name.

Raphilia smiled gently at the child - Marc.

Marc laughed back with a ticklish look on his face, though he seemed a little surprised.

'............ Gokuri.'

Natalia?

No, no. I'm right here. We mustn't let the children be frightened!

Natalia is leaning against a nearby tree, but she won't come closer.

I'm taking a precautionary approach just in case. The situation is communicated to Rita through the mind-linkage revision every time.

I'm sure you'll be able to tell if they have a weapon or not, and Rita can tell you things that I can't.

”Are you a village child?

...... No.

Marc shook his head at Raphilia's question.

'So you are the 'intruder' who says you have business with Irgafa's envoy?

Okay.

The child straightened up and answered, then

I'm sorry for bothering you. I'm sorry.

Don't apologize to me. I'm one of Ilgafa's emissaries.

Rafilia is amazing, after all.

As if to melt the other person's caution, she has a cheery expression on her face and asks gently.

The first thing you need to do is to get a copy of the booklet.

Can you listen and give me ......?

'Yes. You tried very hard to come to see me, didn't you?　I'm listening.

...... no one ever listened to me before.

Marc, the elf child, slumped a bit and muttered.

”Actually, I'm already dead.

'Yes, sir. I know. You're Ghost, aren't you?

'Really?!'

Behind me, Natalia shouted out.

The little Marc hears this and freaks out and shakes his shoulders.

Natalia rubs her forehead against the trunk of the tree, ”I've done ...... it,” she says. What are you doing, Natalia?

'You mustn't lick the envoy of Ilgafa. I had already noticed it from several things.

First of all, you were moving too fast for a child. It's impossible that Natalia from Super Sogo de los Adventurados can't catch up with you.

Besides, the birds said so. They said she's not like other people.

Also, we have professionals in our family that can tell if you're alive. Whether you are good or bad.

'...... amazing. That's the town of the priestess of ”Kerkatl the Sea Dragon” ......

The Ghost child held his mouth in surprise.

I took a picture of it and sent it to Rita, and she immediately replied back. According to Rita's analysis, the child ghost in front of her, Marc, had neither hostility nor harm in mind. He seems to be a so-called ”lost soul” who couldn't come of age.

It did not damage either the villagers who came in contact with him or Raphilia's 'Elder Slime'. The fact that Ghosts can be energized by the living, but they didn't do so is apparently evident.

By the way, the reason 'Elder Slime' was able to receive that child is because it's a magical creature that is activated by Rafilia's magic power. But he could tell it was a ghost by the sensation of touching it.

Rita said that the fact that there is no harm in touching it suggests that the child has some kind of regret and wants to give you a message. Rita, who controls the Divine Power, is an expert in defeating ghosts, so her judgment is trustworthy.

But then she said, ''I'm still worried about you, so I'm going to rush over right now in Full Beastification (Beast Mode). I'm not thinking about that, so no ......, no that too.

Let's get the story over with as soon as possible to reassure Rita.

'Raphilia, ask Ghost-san again what he wants to 'tell' you.

Yes, Master. Master.

Raphilia looked at Marc the Ghost with gentle eyes.

'Let me hear what you 'want to tell me'.

...... Really, you're going to listen to me?

It's lonely not being able to say 'what I want to tell you' to anyone, isn't it?

Raphilia held her chest and told him.

I was kind of lost, too, so I understand. It's a good thing that I met the master and all of you, because I was finally able to tell you about my problems. So, I want to help people who have the same problem, if they are in trouble.

Thank you .......

Marc the Ghost looked at Raphilia and smiled softly.

'You are a wonderful person, ...... Raphilia-Grace. ......

Natalia is impressed.

So am I. It's amazing what you can do with a ghost's mind, Rafilia.

Besides, listening to your children's problems is good practice for when I have a child.

Raphilia pumped her fist up to the sky.

It was a big none.

'I have ...... that ...... I'm too embarrassed to say in public, but I have someone I love. It's a dream of mine to raise a child with him or her as his or her family. Of course, it doesn't have to be my child, right?　It could be another one of your children. But you see, that's none of my business. If you have the blood of a master, then you're family to me. Therefore...

Raphilia looked into the eyes of Marc the Ghost.

I think it is a coincidence that this is the place to hear about your problems. I want to learn how to be a mother who can take care of her child's selfishness!　So please, feel free to ask me!

Okay.

You are a wonderful person, ...... Raphilia-Grace: ......

Natalia, ...... is that the part that impresses you?

I'm as surprised as you are. Ghost is pressurized. It's amazing: ...... Rafilia.

............ my family's grave was vandalized.

After a short pause, Marc the Ghost said.

He hid his head with his hat, shyly, as if trying to remember something.

'I've been asleep for a long time, but the other day there was a lot of noise around, and when I woke up, I remembered my mother.'

According to the story, Marc the Ghost had been asleep for a long time.

But the last time there was a mass outbreak of ghosts on the street, he woke up because of it.

Afterwards, he remembered that he had been looking for his family's belongings.

That's where he headed to ...... demons had razed the place where the cemetery was located, he said.

'So I decided to find someone in the port city of Ilgafa and ask them to help me. I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on with the people of the port city.

I understand.

Raphilia nodded.

''But 'Kerkator the Sea Dragon' is a god who protects the sea, right?　The abyss and the river can be found at ......

That pool is connected to the ocean, and when the tide is high, the water rises to the surface. Isn't it salty?

''You mean because ...... is soggy, it's part of the ocean, so it should be under the control of the 'Sea Dragon Kerkator'?'''

At my words, the ghost boy, Marc, nodded.

'Can I do something for you?　Master.

Raphilia looked at me.

'I spoke with Lady Iris earlier. If it's a small child's request, I'll do it.

I don't mind.

Thank you.

Raphilia looked at me and nodded.

'It's a prep session for taking care of the child of someone I love, and I don't want to miss it!

And then Rafilia stares into my eyes.

...... What kind of prep work do you and Iris always talk about?

'I get it. I'll help you with that.

Yes. Me and the Master are working together on this.

Let me help you with that!

Natalia raised her hand.

'I don't like to see my children scared. 'By all means, by all means!'

...... You're an absurdly nice guy. Natalia.

She freaks out and shakes her back every time she makes eye contact with Marc the Ghost. I guess she's really scared. But still, you're going to help me.

...... I think it's best to let her take the credit for this one. Yeah.

”So, all that being said, just point me to the edge of the abyss. I'll be there in the morning.

...... Yeah.

Marc the Ghost nodded.

Then he gave me a brief location of the abyss where the demon was.

The place is a rocky area near this village. I heard that a tributary of the river flows into it. The 'grave' that Marc wants to protect - or rather the stone monument - is by that riverside. But I heard that the place is on the verge of collapse because of the demons that built a nest there.

The monster that appeared at the edge of the pool is an amphibious clayfish with a huge pair of scissors - apparently a giant crayfish.

............ really, thank you ...... for finding it.

After giving us the information, Marc's body faded and disappeared.

''Thank you ............ for the use of the 'Sea Dragon Kerkator' ............

...... was really a ghost.

Natalia murmured, stunned.

She clasps her hands together lightly, as if she'll miss the rest.

'If it weren't for you two, I wouldn't have recognized him.

It's a coincidence.

It's all happening.

Me and Raphilia breathed together and waved our hands, buzzing and waving.

'Either way, you'll have to get Iris-sama's permission.

We're supposed to be here to protect you, Iris.

It's .......

Natalia was quietly staring at me after Mr. Ghost disappeared.

Meanwhile, I put my lips to Raphilia's ear.

'It's good to see ....... It's originally a trip to rebuild the Adventurer's Guild, so I'll make an exception to take the job.

...... If you and Mr. Iris and his party come here in secret to save the village, there should be no problem at all.

Me and Raphilia whispered to each other and clapped our hands together.

'It's not such an easy job,'

But Natalia has a difficult look on her face.

”The 'clayfish' that lives around here is the red-black 'clayfish fang'. It is a violent and fast-moving dangerous species. If you're not careful, you'll get your ass kicked.

”Clayfish Fang.

A giant crayfish with tusks.

It is reddish-black in color and has very hard skin.

It is best to aim at the gap in its skin or turn it over and attack it from its belly when you are in close combat.

It has a strong sense of nawareness and does not show any mercy to intruders. In particular, if a ”Clayfish Fang” like you comes in, it will go berserk without question.

It is also known as a ”land raider” because it digs into the soil around it with scissors to build a nest.

'For now, let's report it to Iris-sama.

That's good.

So we decided to go back to Iris.

'Yes, sir. Please help that person.

It was easy.

Iris answered and allowed us to take the quest.

Then, Natalia, I want you to interview the people in the village. Find out what information they have on the demon and whether or not Marc is telling the truth.

Lady Raphilia, please help Iris to change her clothes. I'll change into something else since my stay may be extended by a few hours. Lady Souma is at .......

Iris looked at me and chuckled.

''There's an adventurer in this village that Iris knows, could you go and call him?''

An adventurer you know?

'Yes. The one who looks like a sheaf.

Iris holds her chest and bows.

With a snap, she closes one eye to me.

...... I see. So that's how it is.

I was just in the village, wasn't I?

Yes. We became friends the last time I was in Ilgafa.

'You were about the same height as Lady Iris, and you had the same hair color as her, weren't you?

''He's powerful enough to take out the 'High Speckled Army' with a single blow.

'Huh?　That's another one of Lady Iris's things!

When Rafilia was about to say something, Iris quickly pressed down on her mouth.

''That's what I'm talking about, Souma-sama. Please.

'Yes, sir. So we can bring him in without anyone noticing?

Yes, sir. Bring him in so that no one can see him, and put him in Iris's room so that no one can see him or notice him.

Iris and I looked at each other and nodded.

I mean, that Sifu-san, if he were real, would be a master of distraction .......

''If you're an acquaintance of Iris-sama's, I'm sure of it!

Behind me, Natalia is nodding her head in a very serious way.

Okay, he doesn't notice.

”I'd like to make your acquaintance, too.

Yeah, I think we'd get along just fine.

If you know Souma-Nagy-san and Rafilia-Grace-san too, they must be quite skilled at it.

Not really. No, no, not really.

...... Why is Lady Iris embarrassed?

...... That's right, and that's someone close to me.

I see. ...... So, what's his name?

”What?

What?

Me, Iris, and Raphilia, who Momo is talking about, looked at each other.

Come to think of it, I hadn't thought of that. You know, that ”Mr. Sifu's name that looks just like Iris”.

'Eh, eh. I'm afraid I've forgotten it. What was it, Onii-chan - no, Souma-sama?

Oh, you're shaking it?

'I have forgotten Iris, so please tell me his name, Master Souma. I'm sure you have a favorite name that has made a lasting impression on you, Souma-sama, if you could tell me that.

Iris is looking at me with serious eyes.

So, you mean, give me a name right now. A fake name for Iris.

From my knowledge of the game in the original world, ”Iris” means the rainbow goddess. The rainbow is the seven colors of the rainbow──Seven ...... It's a strange pseudonym for Iris.

Other things related to the '7' would be ...... the Seven Lucky Gods, the days of the week, and the seven-note scale.

Oh, forget it. I'm running out of time, so let's make it a musical scale word.

I don't have time for this, so let's do some scaled words. ...... You're going to give me a hard assignment, aren't you? Iris.

'Wasn't it 'Melody'?　Lady Iris.

I said.

Little Sifu's 'Melody'.

She uses 'Illusion' in a flowing manner and counters the enemy's attacks by aiming for the gaps. Yeah. Not bad. I've heard Iris' congratulatory words before at the Sea Dragon Sanctuary. Iris, you have a pretty beautiful singing voice.

''That's right!　It's 'Melody'!

Iris clapped her hands with a big smile and a plop.

'It was 'Melody'. 'Yes. That's right. It's a wonderful name. I'll make sure that Iris sings when she offers words to the sea dragon. I think we'll ask Rita to teach you how to sing. You're the real deal, Onii-chan.

'Yes, Mr. Iris. Relax. We're going to change.

Please let go. Iris, you are going to feel this emotion in your body, big brother!

Well then, Natalia, you can ask the chief for an explanation. Master, please go and call this 'Melody'.

Copy that. We'll start the mission in the morning.

Yes, yes ...... I get it.

Me and Natalia bowed and left the room.

I guess we'll be killing crayfish tomorrow. The sooner we get this done, the sooner we'll be home before nightfall.

”...... Sorry about this.

I suddenly realized that Natalia was next to me with her head down.

'I underestimated you,' she said. You came to reassure Lady Iris that you were here to reassure her. It's my job to fight ...... but you were different. You were able to recognize the girl as a ghost at a glance and deal with her appropriately ...... truly, it's amazing.

She looked up, looked at me with serious eyes, and said a few words.

'By all means, let me learn from you during this quest!　Especially the way the kids like it!

Gulping and raising her eyebrows, with a strong gaze - Natalia-san said such things.