Chapter 440 – Bug User Elza and Aris
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“Jody-san, do you have an item box in your hand?”
“Hehe, no, it’s one of my abilities.”
Aris with her irresistible smile was adorable. She pestered Jody into holding hands. Jody gave in and held Aris’s small, childish hand, causing the two to be enveloped in a gentle atmosphere.
Jody and Aris looked like mother and daughter. It made me smile, and although I couldn’t see Elza-san’s face, it’d be nice if it beamed a smile on her face as well.
At times I looked at Elza-san while silently walking next to her. Her greatsword, the bug arm, her eyes with the mysterious, white ghosts, and her peculiar, husky voice…I couldn’t resist my interest being drawn to her atmosphere as a mysterious fighter.
I cast a fleeting glance at Elza-san when she was staring at me. And even though our eyes met, I kept walking along the street without minding it.
Thereupon, I heard noir runners talking with each other.
“The Twin Moon Tree and its treasures――”
“The guard protocol is pretty strict, but our precious friends――”
“We got interrupted by that black beast――”
They kept walking in front of us while talking about something along those lines. They’re of the same race as Souther. Their voices sound like the chirping of small birds. Their dog ears and fluffy, sheep-like fur are cute.
But, I was slightly bothered by the contents of what they had said.
It looks like small beastmen have all sorts of organizations, too.
We proceeded further down the street. And just when the candy store came into sight, a group of people with broad builds walked in our direction as if to block the street.
Since they didn’t wear claw armor, they weren’t ancient wolfmen. Their race resembled razeils or sebalka.
…A group of stout beastmen right after a bunch of small ones, huh?
All of them had moon-like tattoos on their foreheads.
Suddenly, the group of big beastmen started to kick up a fuss. The one standing in their middle roared. Moreover, those around him thrust their fists into the sky.
“Don’t forget the Hill of Hardiger!”
“Aye! We made that battalion of Gulton imperials suffer!”
“We never lost to the white beards and yellow beards of the Espada Mercenary Band either!”
“Right! The power of us lycanthropes is peerless!”
“”Peerless!!””
“Lycan King, Bidal hurrah!”
“Bidal hurrah!”
“The effect of “Bidal’s Stigma” lasts forever!”
“Forever!”
“We’re going to defeat the human countries, Gulton Empire, and the monsters in the Hundred Labyrinth of the Dead!”
“Yeeeah!”
The underlings were as wild as they looked. And spotting an ancient wolfman and tiger beastman brawling, they started to cheer.
“A brawl! It’s a brawl!”
“Hey, tiger beastman! Want our help as a lycan?”
“Don’t lose to a wolfman!”
“It reminds me of Grandfather of the Golmock Platoon! Burn, wolf bastard! I’m gonna crush you like a lousy human!”
“Hey, Tomalpa! Aren’t you getting a bit too reckless there? We’re in the city of the ancient wolfmen, you know?”
“Who cares! After all, they gave the White and Yellow Whiskers of the tiger beastmen trouble in the past.”
“The larmani? But, I’ve heard their clan has already perished.”
“There’s no way that the captain of the Yellow Whiskers, Pilee Mamani would die like that!”
“I don’t know about that, man. The heroes Donark and Siglan died, didn’t they? Although it’s said the Whiskers Captains pulled off some great feats, all of those achievements were done in limited, small-scale battles. I can’t believe that those platoon leaders would have been able to survive the great war. “Six-Arm Kai”, who crushed their homeland, is fairly strong.”
“Homeland, homeland, you’re so annoying. Don’t bring up the name of the six armed piece of shit either. How many times does that make today alone!?”
“Not like it matters. For me, the eastern Fujique Federation is home after all! I often played around with the sacred beasts…”
“Again with your home. Idiotmarta the Spirit Beast who has been mistaken for Senshibal!”
“What was that!? You deserve death for mocking the Sacred King Otidimarta-sama!”
“Both of you, shut up. You just lost one homeland, right!?”
“Right, us lycan can build a home anywhere. There’s probably one of our homes in 【Shijima Town】, too.”
Just like that, each of them scratched their head, shouted around as they pleased, danced, or started to brawl. The moon tattoos on their foreheads transformed into full or crescent moons while they started to meddle with other beastmen, threatening their surroundings as if to draw all problems upon themselves. As they continued to be such a rowdy bunch, they gradually left.
A group of traveling lycanthropes, huh? They looked similar to Kazu-san.
Fortunately, they didn’t pick a fight with us. Our eyes didn’t meet, and they didn’t notice my presence as they were preoccupied with the brawling beastmen.
And then, after passing a magic-beast-pulled wagon loaded with mushrooms, we arrived in front of the candy store. With nice Hawaiian-styled music as background music, I checked the exterior of the candy store from close-by.
Vines with budding flowers were winding their way upwards along thick pillars like snakes. As the vines made their way to the upper parts of the pillars, they formed monster shapes, which in turn became the roof of the store. All kinds of monster shapes were represented. Completely new ones as well as monsters resembling the ones we defeated on our way here. In addition, the edges of the roof were decorated with figurines as you’d find them on old Japanese castle roofs.
Pelneet had a magic tool store called Krishna with a mysterious exterior design, but this candy-store-styled coffee shop wasn’t inferior in any way.
As I indulged in all those impressions, Aris separated from Jody, walked ahead, and complained grumpily while pressing her hands against her hip, “It’s crowded!”
And sure, she’s right.
The terrace and benches, which were made out of the roots and wood of the vine plants, were almost completely filled.
I saw dwarves happily eating their dishes and drinking bean tea while chatting. Young wolfmen were cheerfully devouring sliced, snow-white mushrooms with flesh-colored sesame sauce. A conspicuously large weasel beastman warrior was bragging about his exploits in the Hundred Labyrinth amidst small weasel beastman merchants. On the neighboring bench an ancient wolfwoman soldier talked about the war against the orc empire.
――We were wounded with our ranks in a mess, but once my claw technique evolved after I had stabbed an orc belly, I was able to save my platoon members and friends, and some such.
A big, young wolfman soldier, who had been listening to her words, spoke about the battle against the spear users of the Tree King forces.
An elderly wolfman reacted to that by nodding many times over while holding his bamboo cup. While suddenly standing up, he praised the two with a calm nod, “Bunzay, Nassan, you did well.”
And then he touched his beard, and recounted, “The injuries you carry are proof of honor. I also protected the road from the dragonfly army together with Company Commander Sashin-sama during the defense of the 【Skull Pond】.”
While speaking, the elderly wolfman soldier did a muscle pose, causing the brown liquid in his cup to spill out. But, without minding that, he kept making his burly pectoral muscles twitch.
I think he’s an old soldier, but he’s got an amount of muscles as typical of ancient wolfmen. And then he brought the bamboo cup to his mouth with a force as if to break it. But, even as he struck his fangs with it, the cup didn’t break.
Quite sturdy, I got to admit.
In exchange, the remaining liquid inside the cup splashed out flashily.
Moreover, I could hear other wolfmen loudly saying stuff like…
――As expected of Divine Princess Higlia-sama. She achieved great results after going out to hunt by herself.
――The unit, which had headed out to look for her, safely returned a while ago.
The soldiers broached that topic after casting fleeting glances at me. My existence had already spread quite a bit in this city, it seems.
And the Divine Princess Higlia, who came back just a little time ago, was still sticking with Rollodeen. Currently she was still arguing with the small beastman in front of the grilled meat store with the semi-transparent curtains.
Even from here, she still stood out, whether she liked it or not.
I could hear all sorts of stories about the festival, a missing wolf commander, and the revenge for Sacksel-sama from all over the place. The language used by the wolfman was a mix of something akin to the human’s Standard language and a language I haven’t really heard before.
Except for the ancient wolfmen, many beastmen used a common language similar to humans.
Suddenly, the big-boobed owner of the candy store pointed her index finger at a guest, “Hmm, I see. Living in Pelneet…I don’t know whether it’s the left hand of god, the right hand of god, Tanaka, or whatsoever, but…basically, it means you’ll choose such candy!! Without choosing the candy that was chosen by my fate!!!!”
An awfully wordy shopkeeper. But still, she struck a cool pose and her boobs swayed nicely.
Revealing an expression as if charmed by her pose, the customer dropped a silver coin. The coin had a different shape from the silver coins issued in Oseberia.
It looks like all sorts of currencies like silver coins, copper clumps, and magic stones are circulating. Bartering also exists.
While listening to the gossip and watching the surroundings, I muttered to the others, “…I guess we’ll wait for a moment.”
It can’t be helped since no seats are free.
We looked at the loaded terrace seats while searching for an available table.
“…As expected, it’s quite the popular place.”
“Yes.”
“I won’t give up! I’ll get you to treat me!”
Aris exclaimed frantically, apparently being quite hungry. She searched for a seat while running around and waving both arms like a child.
However…it doesn’t look like there’s any free seats available at the moment. I guess we’ll head back to Rollodeen and Higlia.
Just when I thought that, Aris yelled full of delight, “I found a place! This spot is taken now!”, while throwing her small hands in the air.
She repeatedly hit the table, which freed up moments ago, and threw her arms in the air, before eventually sitting down on a chair.
“Oh, you found a free table? Thanks, Aris.”
“…”
Elza-san remained silent, but I felt like she was smiling. The magic cloth wrapped around the sword on her back contracted at her nape and waist while squirming.
As I thought, just like the mask, it’s a special overcoat, huh?
Elza leaned her sword against the bench and sat down next to Aris. I checked our surroundings, checking whether Lene and her supposed sister, whom I had seen out on the main street earlier, wasn’t around by chance.
…But, life wasn’t as convenient.
Suddenly, I heard nice sounds. Following them, I saw a stage. A pole-shaped instrument caused the wind-chime-like sounds. The sounds danced through the air, connecting.
Beastmen with clarinet-like instruments in their hands matched the melody of the wind chime and played a gentle, accompanying melody.
A cheerful, Hawaiian-styled singing voice joined in. The lyrics told an emotional, adventurous story. Matching the cheerful singing and music, pretty beastmen dancers began to perform.
How nice…all of the dancers are babes. Their dance moves are pretty neat too.
I enjoyed the relaxed Hawaiian dance…
It woke the urge in me to take out my Lute of Justice and join in a sort of jam session, but…I restrained myself.
After all, a waitress had come to our table just now. Not the female owner, but a beastwoman waitress with slender legs.
Aris immediately ordered white tea and, “Also, the cold dango sweet!”
She apparently wanted to eat it for a while now.
Elza-san went with the safe option, ordering bean tea. But, even as she ordered, the magic cloth scraps floating around the bottom of her neck swayed questionably. I felt like the number of cloths had increased.
Jody looked at the wooden board with the menu on it, choosing her own order. Meanwhile, I checked out the neighboring table.
A rabbit person was happily drinking something with the same hue as coffee.
“Shuuya, that’s a bitter drink using heated and roasted Pluton beans. I hear they also add Training King mushrooms. It’s a fairly aromatic drink.” Elza-san explained to me.
In short, it’s coffee, right? It’s the same drink the old wolfman soldier heartily drank earlier.
Jody ordered soup, sweets, and the bean coffee.
Alright, as for me, I’ll check whether the yellow sweet is the same majun maroon I know.
“Okay, the bean tea and what’s the yellow sweet they’re eating over there?”
“That is Majun Maroon, a delicious sweet that has been developed by the Dohubn Company. It’s in the process of becoming a fad across many cities of Southern Mahaheim. I heard that even the Kingdom’s Gourmet Association recognized it as a masterpiece. It has also started distribution in the northern Desert City Gozart and Violent Poison City Charajiff as trade item.”
Oh, so it was that after all. It’s the same sweet I ate on my date with Quiche in Hekatrail.
I remember it because it was so good, so I can totally relate to it being popular in the cities of the Great Desert Goldix.
“…Please bring me that majun maroon and three cold dango sweets.”
And then we talked about all sorts of things while enjoying our sweets. I explained how I’m not being attacked in this city and also informed them of being a Light Demon Lucival.
Afterwards, I praised Elza’s greatsword. Its name was Great Blade of Yahagnuga. She said it’s one of the treasures related to her clan with quite a bit of history to it.
◇◇◇◇
While reveling in the deliciousness of the remaining few majun maroons, I stored away some maroons and other sweets in my item box as a souvenir for Helme and everyone else.
When eating a dango, Elza-san carefully exposed her mouth. Since her slender chin peeked out a tiny bit from underneath her mask, I could tell…going by the color of her skin and lips, Elza-san was a human.
She immediately hid the exposed skin, but I judged that she had deliberately shown it to me with the intent of informing me that she was a human. I cast a smile at her for doing something so courageous.
Next I showed her my adventurer card, which you could also call my human status.
“I also have one.”
A B-rank adventurer, huh?
Anyways, I explained to her about my involvement with Evil God Steertop and my battle against Pax. I told her that I now owned Gudohl, Pax’s former magic spear. Moreover, I warned her that Evil God Hyuriox’s bug kin would encroach the brain or spinal cord of human-type races and turn them into puppets. Of course, I left out Shana and the Kaleidoscope in my right eye.
“…I see. It’s regrettable that you’re not of Tazacalf’s blood, but for you having earned Steertop’s trust and eliminated a being that ought to be called one of Hyuriox’s great kin…that’s a surprise. It’s also surprising that you haven’t turned into a pawn of those evil gods…”
While looking at her chest and the bug-infested arm beneath her cloak, I said, “Rather than that, Elza-san…”
“Just go with Elza.”
I could tell from her tone and gaze that she was slightly embarrassed. I got carried away by that.
“I understand, pretty Elza. Please tell me about the bug nesting in your left arm, the matter of the fake I know of, and the reason why you thought I knew that Tazacalf bloodline…”
“…No need to add the pretty. This left arm…Galassus, who’s enveloped by a special protector that has been created by a Spirit World Enchanter, is Hyuriox’s kin――”
Figures.
She showed me the interior of the shining gauntlet with the spiderwebs and dragon designs. A magic symbol-like crest seemed to be connected with the spiderwebs and dragon designs.
Elza manipulated her mana, pouring mana into the magic crest inside her gauntlet. The magic characters carved into the magic crest started to hectically whirl around. Following that, the center of the round crest caved in with a plop. The small hole wriggled while winding around…as if sucking up everything around it.
At that moment, the wrinkles started to coil around inside the gauntlet, creating a round hole. An abnormal eyeball with its eyelids closed existed in the depths of that new hole. It contained thick mana. And although its eyelids were closed, it reminded me of a devil-like monster like they’re living in hell.
The fragment of Holker in my pocket shook furiously.
Without minding that, I strengthened my Magic Observation and gazed at the devilish eyeball.
Thereupon, the eyelids peeled back as if having waited for me to pay them my full attention. The open eye flew out of the hole while releasing mana.
Whoa――I instinctively put myself on guard.
The eyeball stopped in front of me. A single, thin tentacle was connected to the back of the eyeball. The tentacle was rooted at the bottom of the round hole in Elza’s left wrist.
While sitting, Elza twisted her left wrist inwards. She made sure the eyeball wouldn’t be spotted by the surroundings by using her shoulders and back to hide her left arm.
『Your Excellency, I’m ready to use <Spirit Ball Conception> at any moment!』
『I know. But, Elza deliberately showed us Galassus. So, don’t make any moves yet』
『Okay』
As long as I got Helme in my left eye, I could leave defense to her.
Elza gave away information about herself while bearing the risk. If she were to be caught by the ancient wolfmen, things likely wouldn’t end nicely for her.
That’s why her current actions also show that she wishes to build a friendly relationship with me.
I look like a human, but am of a different race. Once she learned that I was an acquaintance of Divine Princess Higlia, who acts as representative of all wolfmen, you can say it only makes sense for her to opt for such a talk with me, even if it’s risky.
Well, the biggest reason is her interest towards me, who deliberately got in contact with her while knowing of the bug in her left arm, I guess.
Anyway, the eyeball in question was floating back and forth. It doesn’t have the same, special cuteness of Adombrally, who wears a noble’s attire despite being nothing more than an eyeball. Ethereal beings, similar to the ones in Elza’s Demonic Eyes, were squirming inside the eyeball’s iris. Moreover, magic characters surfaced and vanished as if to express the meanings of the various iris parts.
“…I, GalaSsUS. nICe to mEeT. tAZacAlF aNd tHOsE sIMIlar.”
Whoa, it talked. And it wasn’t through telepathy either. That was today’s biggest surprise, I’d say. Even more so than the beastman with the cowboy hat.
Jody got surprised as well, dropping her dango.
“This…can talk…? Nice to meet you too…”
Still, I wonder, where is its mouth? In the hole of the gauntlet?
Elze stared at her arm and Galassus.
“It can talk, and it can also contact me telepathically.”
Hoh, so it’s similar to Helme and Saraten, huh? Is that Galassus’s main body in Elza’s arm? I can tell that Galassus, who’s likely controlling the eyeball, has a friendly attitude. No, Elza might actually be controlling the eyeball as well.
But, Galassus is Evil God Hyuriox’s kin. Even if Elza can control Galassus, you cannot predict what it’ll do to us.
“Telepathy, huh…? I must be careful then.”
While making that remark, I sent a bit of mana into the Ruby Loop. I also focused on <Thime’s Dark Flames> while controlling its output.
In an instant, my fist was engulfed by black flames.But, because I had adjusted my mana, it wasn’t too flashy. The black flames were no more than a simple, thin mist like a thin defense field. And then I focused on the acupuncture point below my navel, using the technique Kisara taught me to accelerate the mana inside my body.
“…Don’t get all riled up. Still, flames of darkness…” Elza muttered while staring at my arms.
“…I, faKe, KNowS mANnErS. aNd…Elza iS mAStEr.”
“So she’s your mistress after all, huh? Well, think of it as precaution. Although Elza and I are having such a friendly chat, we only met a little while ago. It’s not like safety is guaranteed. And, even now it’s not clear what’s going to happen further down the line.”
“…You’re right. It’s a good mindset to not show any openings.”
Elza-san praised me, and once she charged mana into her gauntlet, Galassus withdrew inside her left arm.
“And that’s also the reason why I’ll explain things to you, Shuuya. Just as Galassus mentioned, I’m the geuine mistress of Galassus.”
“Many of Hyuriox’s kin should infest the head, I guess it means other types exist as well, eh?”
Gabal had talked about Pax and the existence of countless observation types.
“Really? I have the blood of the Tazacalf flowing through me, so I can block the encroachment by Evil God Hyuriox’s kin.”
“And that’s how your left turned into a fake?”
“Even the bug Galassus squirmed around, trying to hijack my brain, but he was unable to escape from Tazacalf’s bloodline. The bug fused with my left arm and was reborn as Galassus. However, I’ve also turned into something completely different by acquiring this left arm.”
“Something completely different?”
“Yep, an inhuman monster called Ayumi,” Elza explained while putting power into her eyes.
For an instant, I trembled with excitement.
“…I’m inhuman as well. But, leaving that aside, you said the bloodline of Tazacalf has died out, but what’s Tazacalf?”
Elza and Aris checked the surroundings when I repeatedly said Tazacalf. They apparently don’t want me to be too loud about it.
“…It’s my clan. I think it’d be fastest to explain it as sub-species belonging to the ghost family…this trait saved me more than I can count, but…”
Elza’s tone became unnaturally low in the middle of her remark. I couldn’t tell her expression due to the mask. But, it seemed as though she was hiding something akin to resentment.
“If you don’t want to talk about it, you don’t have to, you know?”
“No, this is a good time so I won’t let it escape.”
The instant Elza stated so powerfully, Aris raised both hands next to her.
“――Elza! According to the rumors, Shuuya-san seems to be acquainted with the wolves’ divine princess, so maybe it’ll allow us to become friends with her? I’m tired of running away and maybe we can also challenge the Hundred Labyrinth. There’s also the legend of the Cursed Chalice. Besides…”
Aris touched the necklace hanging at he chest. That instant a crooked mana crest manifested behind her and I could see a mysterious illusion. But, that illusion vanished in the next moment.
『Your Excellency, the sinisterness just now…』
Helme told me with fear faintly coloring her voice. Her expression was tense, as if she was about to activate <Spirit Ball Conception> any moment.
『Is it some kind of curse falling in the category of the Spirit World gods, no, an old or ancient god? I can’t really make a call since I lack an appraisal ability…』
『It seems to have some kind of risk, but that Elza, who possesses an old bloodline that can resist an evil god’s kin; it appears Aris isn’t just an ordinary, cute beastgirl either. Their abilities are unclear, but I recommend to take in both as bloodkin』
She recommended me to turn them into bloodkin, but for a change, Helme didn’t tell me anything about what would happen afterwards.
Elza commented, “…Just as Aris said about being tired from running away…we’ve been wandering from place to place and there’s a reason why we’re hiding in this wolfman city that rejects all humans.”
“Okay, and what’s that reason?”
“One reason are the kin of Hyuriox who are chasing Galassus and me. Second would be the ghost hunters and outlaw hunters. Third are the people of the Oriental Temple. And fourth are 【Dancers of Death】 who are led by Shijima town’s Himika Danzo.”
At that point, she added a break.
“You’re being chased by several groups then, huh?”
“There’s still more. Five would be a single digit of the Demon Extermination Agency…Rifter Kfirtsun. Six would be Noland the Magic Symbol Ripper. So as you see, we’re being pursued by all sorts of people.”
“Yep…I was rescued by Elza.”
“Aris, you talked about befriending Shuuya because of those reasons, didn’t you?”
“Yep!”
Elza and Aris nodded at each other.
Alright, I’ll go along with Aris’s words here. To be honest, I’m also interested…and above all, my small justice is throbbing.
I also have my promise with Higlia, but I’ll prioritize this discussion for now.
“Friends, huh? If you’re fine with a vagabond like me, I’ll gladly take you up on that.”
“Ooh, really!? Thanks! Once again, I’m Bug User Elza. If it’s my adventurer name, it’s Greatsword Wielder Elza. Looking forward to work with you.”
“Hehe. Ah, me too, Shuuya-ani――”
Aris thrust out her small fist.
“Sure――”
Just as she wished I bumped fists with her.
“Hehe,” Jody smiled too.
After quickly wolfing down the remaining sweets, Aris placed both her hands on the table and brought her face close to mine.
“――Elza’s plain face is quite pretty, so look forward to it, okay?” Aris told me in a whisper.
“Ohh, that sounds promising.”
“What are you whispering about there? Also, Shuuya, please stop calling me beauty or some such…just Elza will do.”
“You sure?”
“Yes! You haven’t even seen my face yet, have you?”
My eyes met Aris’ when we heard Elza’s word, causing both of us to burst into laughter.
“Why are you two laughing? Or rather, why is everyone laughing?”
Seeing Jody’s mouth being dirty with roasted soy flour, Aris pointed out, “Ahahaha, Jody-oneechan, you ate too much!”
“It’s fine since it’s the sweets of a great candy store!”
Jody apparently wanted to eat some more.
『Having friends is nice』
『Mashtah, I wannah bikom fwiendsh wiff you tooh!』
For Itasha to say such praiseworthy things…alright!
『Itasha, it’s fine, you can come out of my left eye』
『Yaaay』
In the next instant, a small sword spirit with the form of a weasel manifested from the hole in my left palm. Being a weasel, she’s damn cute, but she’s even smaller than before, isn’t she?
“Whao!? Shuuya…that small animal in your left arm…”
“Whaaa, how cute! But, producing a small animal…is that the same sleight of hand as Jody used? Shuuya-ani, you’re incredible!”
『M-Me…f-friend…』
I didn’t understand what Saraten was saying.
『Saraten, you want to become friends as well?』
『!? Do thee wish to become my friend? I can understand, Vessel! I totally understand!!』
She got immediately carried away. I stopped my telepathic conversation with her and while looking at Elza and Aris, I said, “…This small doll-like weasel is called Itasha. It looks like she wants to become friends with you like everyone else.”
“……”
Itasha quickly bowed her small head. And then she swiftly climbed atop my shoulder. Unlike Rollo’s paws, I felt a soft, faint touch from her legs.
But, is she a shy girl? She isn’t sending me any telepathic messages.
“Of course, I’ll become her friend!” Aris jumped up from her chair and rushed over.
She tried to touch Itasha with her hand, but Itasha quickly dashed across my collarbone, escaping to the other shoulder.
“Uuh, she ran away.”
“Itasha is a shy girl, that’s why.”
Now then, I guess it’s time to head over to Higlia. I#m sorry for Rollodeen, but I think the grilled meat will have to wait for now. I’ll introduce Elza and Aris ti Higlia and my partner.
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