161 Episode 161 "Ritas Wishes and How to Make Gentle Memories".txt (1/2)

Then we followed the exact route the twins, Totori and Lutri, taught us...

It's a long drive to the village, so we camped by the woods before nightfall, and then...

The next afternoon, we reached the village of the 'settled beastmen', the Nerham tribe.

The place was quite deep in the forest.

It was not far from the 'empty space in the forest' that Delilira-san had told us about.

Rita and I pulled Totori and Rutri's hands away.

Cecil and Aine entered the village with a wary eye, and said a few words...

I'm here with the grandson of the Nelham Chief.

「「「「 oh oh oh oh! 」」」」

The moment we entered the village, there was a stir around us.

Of course, we were all surrounded by beastmen.

Old people and adults, children and mothers with babies in their arms.

On the way to the village, we met the village guard and explained the situation to him beforehand. We didn't want them to think we were kidnappers. That's why Totori and Lutri's grandfather - the elder - was waiting for them at the entrance of the village.

''Grandfather!'' We're back!

”Oh, whoa!

The two of them dove straight into the elder's chest.

It was a nice sight.

Cecil, Rita, and Aine are all in tears.

Now, and...

Well, we're going home.

We kept going.

We were waving to everyone as we were leaving, but...

「「「「 Wait a minute! 」」」」

I was stopped by the Beastmen.

'For God's sake, tell me more!　Let me thank you too!

The beastly sister and master who believe in each other! Wait! Please don't go! I'm gonna cry!

The villagers, Totori and Lutri are all desperate to keep them back, so .......

...... Surely we should share some information about The Wise Goblin.

I've talked to Totori and Lutri about it, but it might not come across well as a message, so it can't be helped. The thing is, things are going to get into a conflict between the beastmen, too.

''Well then, I'm going to interrupt you for a moment.

'Make yourself at home!　Our village loves its guests!

The village chief said.

Come to think of it, Totori and Rutri (after the misunderstanding was cleared up) were also very friendly to me, Cecil and Aine. Is there a village like that?

There's no such village, though.

No, no, no, just enough to talk to you.

And I'm curious about what kind of life the beastmen are leading.

Besides, being an ”ordinary adventurer”, it's not a bad idea to make friends.

That's why we decided to visit the village for a while.

The village of the Nerham tribe (Clan) was built using the forest as it was.

There is a large tree in the center of the village, and on top of it, a huge wooden statue of a wolf has been installed.

It seems that this is the guardian god of the village - or rather, the ancestor of the beastmen.

Surrounding the tree are sparse trees.

The house is located at the base of the tree and the trunk is used as a pillar. The house at the base of the big tree in the center is the village headman's house and the rest are just ordinary people's houses.

We were led to the village chief's house in the center.

We were greeted by an elder man with white beast ears and a tail.

'Thank you ...... for rescuing my grandson ...... really .......'

The elder man bowed deeply to us.

'No, no, we were just passing through.

This isn't a lie.

If Delilira hadn't asked me to do the quest, we never would have met Tori and Rutri.

This is a coincidence given to us by a saint.

''Still, it's ....... Beastmen are the ones who never forget their loyalty and gratitude, you know.

Then the village elder bowed deeply.

Then Totori and Rutri began to explain the situation.

That the people who kidnapped them were goblins who had been disguised as beastmen.

They were trapped in the goblin village for a while, and were rescued by us who happened to be passing by. Then, by chance, a deep fog covered the goblin village. When we escaped, we accidentally told the elder that a mysterious lightning phenomenon had occurred.

I also learned that the culprit who kidnapped them seems to be a wise goblin who has the skill to change.

Both the elder and his attendant were surprised.

Of course. Beastmen are sensitive to the atmosphere and have keen senses.

There's no way they would normally have a disguise skill that could deceive them. It's a literal 'cheat skill'. Of course, according to Totori and Rutri, they can't use it for a long time.

According to the message that Cutlass sent me──Delililira-san information──there are several ways to detect it.

Cecil's 'Magic Power Detection'

Rita's ”Warding Breaker” - this is because her ”disguise skill” is like setting up a warding that takes the form of another figure around her.

And also the smell, it is not possible to disguise it completely. Totori and Rutri say that you can tell by getting close to it.

''I understand. There are some beastmen who can ”detect” magic power among them. I'll have them look around. I'll tell them to watch out for their scent as well. It's a small village, so if we're not careful, we should be able to find the intruders.

'If he can change his appearance at will, he might not be a beastman next. He might take the form of a goblin, an ogre, a lizardman, or a dragon. Be very careful.

Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.

No, no, I'm glad I could help. Well, we're done for now.

So at least let me thank you!

I was about to leave, but they still kept me back.

I've told them what I need to tell them, and I need to get home as soon as possible so I can get ready to greet Iris and the others.

Besides, .......

............ Nagi.

Because Rita looks so anxious.

She's been that way since she entered the village. Rita's face is slumped and she's holding the hem of my clothes.

Rita has a history of being abandoned by her family because of her special ability to take on the form of both human and beastman. This village isn't exactly Rita's tribe, but everyone who lives here is a beastman. Maybe that's why Rita remembered the old days.

Plus, there's the ...... tribe of 'mobile beastmen' who are hostile to this Nerham tribe.

''Can you tell me one thing?''

I said after I shook Rita's hand.

'Can you tell me the name of the tribe of 'mobile beastmen' that supposedly kidnapped Lutri and Totori?

How can I not ask? Otherwise, Rita will remain uneasy for a long time. If a hostile tribe is involved with Rita's family ...... then I'll do something about it, even if I have to use my 'cheat skills'.

I'm Rita's master.

”The Lultar tribe is .......

The elder said.

'............ different ......'

I heard Rita sigh, huffing and puffing.

Thank goodness. It seems to have nothing to do with the tribe Rita was born into.

Both Cecil and Aine have a relieved look on their faces. I knew you two were worried about it.

I sent a messenger to apologize for causing unnecessary suspicion to the other tribe. The other side claimed that our treasure was stolen by their own people.

I hope that clears up any misunderstandings.

...... Really. We couldn't have done it without you.

Finally, the elder bowed his head again and that was the end of the story.

And before I knew it, the sun had set and it was evening.

I had planned to leave the village a little earlier, but I ended up talking.

Anyway, we have to take measures against the Wise Goblin as soon as possible. A monster that can transform itself is too dangerous.

I've asked Cutlass and Leticia to pass on the information to the Adventurer's Guild. I've been in touch with them via the ”consciousness-sharing” channel, but they're already back at their sanctuary. I'm sure they're going to have to take a break and come up with a plan. I'm sure they'll be able to find the Wise Goblins if they have the magic detection ability.

”...... you wise-goblins. You can't expect us to spend your time on .......

We ended up staying in the village for the night, as it was too dangerous to move now.

At the end, he told me that he still wanted to thank me for my help, so I decided to get the skill.

I can tell by looking at Rita that the skills used by beastmen are strong.

But ...... that Rita is.

It's ............ okay, you don't have to worry about it. You don't have to worry about it.

He kept his grip on my jacket.

I knew I wouldn't feel comfortable being surrounded by beasties.

So I asked the elders to let me stay in a quiet house, away from the rest of the house.

I don't want to show off. Tomorrow, when night falls, I shall leave the village quietly.

And the time passes, night.

”──'Iris's transition is not yet'? It's going to take a little longer over there.

I closed the window of ”Mind Linkage Kai”.

This is a visitor's house on the outskirts of the village.

Nerham Village has a normal relationship with humans and other sub-humans, and merchants and caravans sometimes come to visit. In such cases, it is said that it is used to accommodate guests.

Some people find it hard to carry their belongings to the center of the village, and they don't feel comfortable being surrounded by beastmen.

Totori and Rutri are at the elder's house.

They are tired, and they fell asleep soon after they arrived in the village. No wonder, right? We were held captive in the goblin village for nearly half a month.

”'──We're in Nerham village. We'll leave in the morning, we'll be at the sanctuary in the evening.

I sent a 'Shared Consciousness, Revised' message to Cutlass and sat down on my bed.

This house is surprisingly large, perhaps because it was designed to accommodate caravans. Every single room is big, and there are many of them. It's enough to give Cecil, Rita and Aine a room each.

The reason why the window curtains are triple-layered is so that the sound doesn't leak out. Since beastmen have a keen sense of hearing, it is said that this also serves as a way of showing that they won't do anything to listen to what their guests are doing.

If you open the curtains, you can hear the trees swaying.

...... Is this what it's like to be in the woods?

I'm sure this is what Rita used to do when she was a little girl, listening to the sound of the wind.

...... Rita. Are you okay?

I decided to stay at a house on the outskirts of the village because I thought it might make Rita feel more comfortable.

Last time I heard about the 'subhuman conflict', Rita has become a bit unstable. Maybe she thought that the tribe she was born into might be involved.

I'm sure he saved Lutri and Totori, and then came to the village - he was relieved to hear that his original tribe had nothing to do with the war between the sub-humans, but he was relieved to hear that his original tribe was not involved.

”Maybe it's because I was so nervous that I was limping by the time I entered the house. ......

Fortunately, the house had a kitchen, so Aine made a nice digestive soup.

Rita drank it and quickly laid down.

Tomorrow we'll see how Rita feels, and if it's okay, early, we'll go home.

We'll go to ...... and see if we can get home early. It's not fair of the master not to notice the fatigue of his companions.

.................. That's not true. ......

Huh?

Like a voice on the other side of the door: ......?

What's up, Rita?

............ wow.

The door made a clunking noise.

After a while, from the other side...

Can I come in?

Okay. Go ahead.

As I answered, the door slowly opened and Rita appeared from the other side.

Her complexion is, yes, much better.

Rita is wearing a nightgown that the villagers had prepared for her. It's the type of clothing that goes completely over your head and has a hood on it. Since it is designed for beastmen, it features beast ears and a slit to show the tail.

'Are you feeling well enough now?'

I'm fine. I'm sorry I was so worried about you.

Rita lined up next to me, slumped over.

'What are you looking at?　Nagi.

I've been watching the village.

Really?

'I've always wondered what the life of a beastman was like. I've always wondered how Rita lived in the past.

'It's not quite the same as here. My tribe was 'mobile beastmen'.

Her thin body seemed to tremble faintly.

'We never settled down like this. I think we just moved around with our mobile tents and our horses in search of game.

Okay.

It was when I was little, so I can barely remember it anymore. ...... No.

Rita gave a small, hesitant sigh.

'I didn't think you'd remember that. I knew that, deep down, I still remember those days. I also remember when I was left behind ...... and how scary it was then.

They have wooden statues of God. Now you remember.

Yeah. The tribe of the Migrant Beastmen had one just like it. I accidentally touched it once and they were very angry with me. That was the God of Beastmen, their ancestor. The legend says that the beast mingled with man, and that's how the beastmen were born. ......

Suddenly, Rita squeezed my hand.

We stood side by side and listened to the sound of the trees shaking.

I'm sure you'll be able to hear the sound of the trees shaking.

I'm sure you can feel Rita's heartbeat, thumping, thumping, thumping.

I can feel it through my hand. Softness and warmth.

It tickles me somewhat, so we remain silent and stare out the window for a while.

”Listen, Nagi. I have something I need to ask you.

Okay. Tell me.

I nodded and Rita slumped a little bit and then...

'When I came to this village, I realised I was still stuck in the past.

Taking a slow, deep breath, Rita began to speak.

'I just remembered. When I was a little girl, when I didn't fit in with my tribe and was abandoned by a family of beastmen and wandered alone. ......

I thought I had forgotten about it, but when I came to this village and was surrounded by so many beastmen, I realized that I was still a little girl. I'm still a little guy inside of me, and I'm still afraid of what I'll do when I'm left behind.

...... Rita.

So I want to overwrite that memory with a happy one.

Then Rita looked up with a bang and said

'Please, Master. Please 'rebuild' my skills here!

Rita's hands are insanely hot. Her cheeks are bright red too.

'I mean, really, ...... really!　I think I should say to Nagi, 'Do to me what you did to Cecil,'

But you know what? It's just you and me, right?　I don't want you to be in trouble when something happens.

Besides, it's really, really important for me and Nagi to be all one, so I want to do it after we get over it, not to override the bad feelings. Also, of course, if Nagi wants to do that, ...... it's fine. Just like Cecil, ...... my everything is ...... Nagi's.

............ You know what, Rita?

Hey, Nagi.

So you knew about me and Cecil?

Yeah. Because Aine is so hyped up.

...... sissies.

...... It's your sister.

Me and Rita looked at each other and smiled bitterly.

Aine looks so happy when I'm 'best friends' with everyone. I don't know what the problem is with her being too good at it.

And I know. Do you know how much I always look at you, Nagi?　It's like the ...... air between Nagi and Cecil-chan. If you can see Cecil interacting with Nagi in a natural way, you can at least understand what has happened.

Okay.

That's right.

............

............

Boh.

Me and Rita's faces are turning bright red. Oh, my God.

Why are you and Rita alone, talking about Cecil?

Why are we both turning bright red with a weird air?

'And anyway. ”Rebuilding.

Yeah, yeah, the important thing is that I'm useful to Nagi!

And to give Rita a happy memory here, right?

'Yes. In the tradition of the beastmen.

With that, Rita pulled a round object from the pocket of her nightgown.

It was a small, silver bell, small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.

'Totori and Rutri gave it to me. They said that beastman slaves who give their bodies and minds to their masters wear this bell when they are 'alone' with their masters.

What about when you're alone?

When we're alone together!

Rita is squirming and rubbing her knees together.

...... When it's just the two of us, it's .......