The trading successfully ended, so we returned to the room. Jade-san’s group and Uragan’s group were having a conversation about the Scorpion. Karina says she’s tired and will take a rest in her room, so I decide to take a rest in my room.

It was a little unplanned, but if I replace the current water magic stone with the Kraken’s magic stone, the request will be over at that point.

I’ve been to this town and I got the curry spices. I also want to take a big egg with me as a souvenir.

I’m sure the children will be surprised.

Or maybe they might want to keep the big bird instead.

But isn’t it dangerous because the children we’re the ones who’ll take care of it?

It would also be pointless if something bad happens to the children.

I also have to think about where to install the Bear Gate. I have to buy a house or a plot of land in the city. It’s okay because I have money, but it’s weird to buy it because I won’t live in it.

When I was in the royal capital, I bought that plot of land in a hurry. But sometimes I go to the royal capital with Fina, so there is no problem. I won’t come to this city other than to shop for ingredients.

Hmm, what should I do?

Should I buy a house or set up a Bear Gate somewhere un.o.btrusive?

Thinking about future plans, Rasa-san came to let me know that the meal was ready. After thinking about it, I went to the dining room.

When I arrive at the dining room, everyone was already there and it looks like we’re the last one.

[Yuna-san, please sit down here.] Karina

Karina pointed me to the available seats. Of course, Karina will be sitting next to me.

[Everything looks delicious.] Yuna

Various dishes were lined up on the table. Everything looks delicious indeed.

[Yes, I’m hungry, so I want to eat soon.] Karina

Karina rubs her stomach with a smile.

It’s a cute gesture.

If I do the same, it’ll only look like I’m rubbing my big belly.

And when I got to my seat, Balima-san once again gave his thanks.

[Thank you, everyone, for taking this difficult request. Thank you for being able to finish it safely.] Balima

[It’s work, don’t worry about it. We don’t mind it, as long as we get paid.] Uragan

[It’s mostly thanks to Yuna-chan.] Mel

Uragan listens to Mel-san’s words and continues.

[So, isn’t our work done already?] Uragan

[Yes, I will give it to the Adventurer’s Guild along with the additional reward, so please receive it.] Balima

I’ve already heard about the extra rewards, but everyone looks happy.

I can’t talk about the crystal plate or water magic stones, so Jade-san and the other’s work ends here.

After all, Jade and his friends leave Dezerto city as soon as they find an escort job going to the town of Callus. (TN: Anyone got a better name? (カルス) (Karusu).)

And Uragan said he will make Scorpion armor in the royal capital.

Are you going to make matching armors?

That might be a little interesting.

Mel-san asked me to go with her, but I still have things to do in this town.

Therefore, I declined Mel-san’s invitation this time.

[Then, let’s meet next time in the capital or Crimonia.] Mel

If we’re going to meet in the royal capital, will it be in the adventurer’s guild?

But I don’t want to show myself too often at the adventurer’s guild royal capital branch. Unlike Crimonia, I still get the stares.

In Crimonia, they’ll look at me a little then proceeds to their own business. If possible, I would love for us to meet in Crimonia.

While I was talking to Mel-san, Karina looks lonely. Karina smiled when she noticed that I’m looking at her.

I wonder what happened?

When I asked, she answered, [Nothing].

Are you worried about tomorrow?

We’re in the middle of having dinner. The dinner was luxuriously prepared and all of them were made with various spices. There was nothing wrong with the taste. However, Rasa-san made a mistake in the amount of food.

Jade-san, Toya and Uragan’s crew are gobbling at their food. They eat without any hesitation, so the amount of food was decreasing at the insane amount of speed. The more you make it, the more it disappears in a man’s stomach.

Additional food was served, but Uragan and his crew were still unsatisfied.

Mel-san and Senia-san watched the men in disgust. Of course, neither me nor Karina was happy with the scene.

The food wasn’t scarce.

The men ate too much.

Please mind your manners. The other party is the feudal lord.

Though I’m not the one to talk, because I don’t really care about my att.i.tude or tone even if the King the one in front of me. If you think about it normally, I couldn’t be blamed for being strange. However, I’m not going to the castle if the King was like that.

Then after the meal is over, Jade-san and his friends returned to the inn. Balima-san lent me a room, so I will stay in their mansion today.

[Yuna-chan, Swaying Bear-chan and Hugging Bear-chan, let’s meet again another time.] Mel

[Yuna, let’s play again next time.] Senia

I said goodbye to Mel-san and Senia-san. And men were gathered at a little distance from us.

[Then, let’s continue at the pub.] Toya

[It’ll be a split bill.] Jade

[Jade, aren’t you supposed to be a C Rank? Shouldn’t you pay for us D Rank?] Uragan

[You’re not rookie adventurers, I have no money to pay for you.] Jade

Apparently, Jade-san’s crew along with Uragan’s crew are drinking at the bar. They have an amazing stomach.

Where were they keeping all that food?

I’m so full and my stomach hurts.

I wonder why these people are such gluttons even when they’re not hungry. Meals are not something to eat together with gluttons. Whenever I look at them, I lose my appet.i.te.

But what is the definition of a rookie adventurer? If they become an adventurer and have only been active for less than a year, then I should also have a rookie adventurer treatment.

I said my goodbyes to everyone and return to the room that was lent to me.

When I sat on the bed, I summoned Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear in their cub form. Then, I changed into a white bear for my sleepwear.

[Hugging Bear, come here..] Yuna

This time I called Hugging Bear to sleep with me as I promised. When I called Hugging Bear, he happily approached me.

When I go to bed, I will be matched with Hugging Bear.

[I’m sorry I couldn’t be with you today. And thank you for protecting Karina.] Yuna

I expressed my grat.i.tude to Hugging Bear. I entered the bed while holding Hugging Bear on my chest.

Swaying Bear curled into a ball beside me and did not quarrel with Hugging Bear.

[Swaying Bear, good night.] Yuna

I reached out to the round Swaying Bear and pat him. I went to sleep while feeling the warmth of Hugging Bear that I held on my chest.

The next morning, there is a figure of Hugging Bear sleeping comfortably on my chest. Apparently, he was wrapped in my arms all the time while he was sleeping. Or did I just not let go?

I don’t know what happened while I’m sleeping. It was good because I’ll feel sorry if I let go of him.

[Then, Yuna-san please take care of me.] Karina

After I finished my breakfast, I was asked by Balima-san to replace the magic stones.

Me and Karina were once again headed to the pyramid with Kraken’s water magic stone. It wasn’t raining, so it’s a fine day. Karina was wearing a coat that alleviates the heat just like yesterday and she’s riding on Swaying Bear this time.

I intend to stay with Hugging Bear today.

It wasn’t just last night.

That’s what I told to Swaying Bear.

The desert is quiet. I can’t see any worms that were there yesterday.

Well, after all, it seems to have been caused by a big worm. But why did the big worm appeared?

Was it a coincidence, or was the pyramid’s magic stone affecting it in any way?

I can’t give an answer to something I know nothing about, like the core of a monster.

We arrived at the pyramid without being attacked by monsters. Then, without resting, we delved into the pyramid. Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear doesn’t seem to be tired. And so, we arrived at the entrance to the labyrinth of the pyramid.

Looking up, there is a myriad of entrances on the circular wall.

[So which hole should we enter?] Yuna

I asked Karina, while I was looking at the numerous entrances.

Looking at it closely, there are paths that are connected to another, there are paths that extend to the back and there are also curved paths. I can’t tell which is the correct answer just by looking at it.

[Bear with me for a second.] Karina

(TN: it actually said (Please wait for a bit) but this one is better.)

Karina takes out the crystal plate. Then she walked past the entrances. And stopped in front of an entrance.

[This one.] Karina

She answered without hesitation.

[Can I take a look at that crystal plate?] Yuna

[Yes, the map is displayed in response to my magic, so anyone can see it while I’m holding it. But when I let go, the map disappears. Do you want to hold it?] Karina

Karina gave me the crystal plate.

Although I want to touch it, I suddenly remembered that what happened back at the Sacred Tree of the Elven Village.

If I hold it in my hand and the map suddenly displayed, it would be a big problem.

I won’t be able to make excuses to Karina and I don’t want Karina to say, It may develop into Ristil-san’s case.

So I can’t really touch it.

[No, it’s okay. Karina should carry the crystal plate.] Yuna

I wanted to see if my magic power reacts to it, but I’ll have to decline.

I look at the entrance once more. The entrance is large enough for one adult to pa.s.s through.

[I have to say goodbye to Swaying Bear-chan and Hugging Bear-chan here.] Karina

Karina looks lonely.

The width is not enough for the large Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear to pa.s.s through.

[It’ll be alright. I can use magic.] Yuna

I look towards Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear. Then cast the spell.

[Turn small! Turn small!] Yuna

I don’t need a spell, though.

Recalling the magical girl’s anime I saw when I was little, I somewhat play with it.

Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear become smaller, according to my words and turned into cubs.

<>

[They can go with us now.] Yuna

[Yu, Yuna-san is amazing. You can do this as well?!] Karina

[Keep it a secret to everyone.] Yuna

Karina hugs Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear, which became smaller.

[Swaying Bear-chan, Hugging Bear-chan. They look very cute! Yuna-san, can I also become smaller?] Karina

[…………] Yuna

For a moment, Karina’s words stunned my thoughts.

[Can I get smaller so that I can ride on Swaying Bear-chan and Hugging Bear-chan?] Karina

Apparently, Karina really thinks I can turn her smaller using magic.

It was just a joke. It will become a huge problem if she truly believes that there was a magic that can make her small, so I rushed to correct it.

[I’m sorry my magic can’t make you smaller. I can only turn Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear smaller, but not anything else. These children are special.] Yuna

[Is that so?] Karina

Karina made a disappointed look.

Did you want to be small that much?

Even if you don’t get smaller, you can normally ride Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear after we’re done here.

[And if Karina gets smaller, you won’t be able to hold the crystal plate.] Yuna

[Uh, that’s right.] Karina

[But why did you decided to get smaller?] Yuna

[I was wondering if I could ride them inside the house or in the garden. If we are small, we can run around.] Karina

Certainly, if you are big, you can’t run inside the house.