Chapter 419 - Bear

419 Bear-san, Returns to the Elf Village

The next day, Rikka-san comes to the inn early in the morning. Her luggage is already in my bear box, so she’s dressed lightly, carrying only a small bag.

[Rikka-san, you’re early.] Yuna

[My dad kept saying, and ] Rikka

[You know, they’re just worried about you, Rikka-san.] Yuna

[I thought they were cool yesterday.] Rikka

Well, I guess they already missed her just the very next day. That’s how much they love her. Some parents and children don’t talk to each other, just like anywhere else. Considering that, I guess her family relationship is a good thing.

When Rikka-san arrived, we prepared to leave.

[You guys didn’t forget anything, did you?] Yuna

[Yes.] Fina

[I’m good.] Ruimin

We left the room where we had been staying for a week and went downstairs to see Jade-san and his friends.

Looks like they’re going to see us off.

Jade-san and his friends will stay in the city for a while because of Toya’s sword.

[Thank you for your help, Missy. Give my regards to the bears.] Toya

[The honey was so good.] Yuna

[I see.] Toya

Toya looked a little pleased.

[U~u, I wanted to ride Swaying Bear-chan and Hugging Bear-chan too.] Mel

[Fufu, I got to ride one. It was very soft.] Senia

Senia-san looked triumphant at Mel-san’s words.

[But I didn’t know Rojina-san had such a lovely daughter.] Mel

[And she’s Ghazal-san’s girlfriend.] Jade

Rikka-san looks a little embarra.s.sed when she’s called a girlfriend, but she doesn’t deny it.

[So you all know Ghazal too.] Rikka

[He’s a pretty famous blacksmith in the royal capital. A lot of adventurers know him.] Jade

It seems that Ghazal-san being praised makes Rikka-san happy.

[If you’re going to the royal capital, Rikka-san, we can meet there.] Jade

[Well, okay. I’ll look forward to it when that time comes.] Rikka

Well, that is if Rikka-san decides to live in the royal capital. There is also the case of returning dejectedly to this city.

[U~u, but Yuna-chan, you’re going home first.] Mel

[I want to ride Swaying Bear-chan and Hugging Bear-chan again.] Senia

Mel-san and Senia-san looked disappointed.

Unfortunately, even if they went home with us together, Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear would be over capacity. There is no s.p.a.ce for Mel-san and Senia-san to ride.

[Oh right, we can leave Toya behind and go back with Yuna.] Senia

[That’s it!] Mel

[That’s it! My a.s.s!] Toya

Toya reacted to Senia-san and Mel-san’s words.

[Mel, Senia, hold that thought. Yuna, you took care of Toya’s matter this time. Once we go back to Crimonia next time…] Yuna

[Yeah, at that time, I’ll eat as much as I can.] Yuna

We parted ways with Jade-san and the others and left the city.

[Etto, are we really going on a bear ride?] Rikka

[That’s right. Carriages are slow after all.] Yuna

There’s also a way to get home via a bear bus, but it uses magic power and more importantly, I have to drive it, which is a ha.s.sle. However, if you are riding on Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear, they will run even if you fell asleep.

When we got some distance away from the city, I summoned Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear.

[Summoning is really strange, isn’t it? To simply appear out of thin air…] Rikka

[Etto, for starters, Fina and I will be riding on Swaying Bear, then Ruimin and Rikka will ride on Hugging Bear.] Yuna

[For starters?] Rikka

Rikka-san tilted her head at my words.

[We’ll switch bears on the way. If we don’t, Hugging Bear will get moody.] Yuna

[Swaying Bear-chan and Hugging Bear-chan loves Yuna-oneesan so much that if she keeps riding only one of them, the other one will get sad.] Fina

Fina added to my words.

[A sad bear. It’s kinda…… cute.] Rikka

Rikka-san approached Hugging Bear.

[I know I’m not Yuna-chan, but please.] Rikka

Hugging Bear replied and sat down, making it easier for Rikka-san to get on.

[Thank you.] Rikka

[Ah, me too.] Ruimin

Rikka-san got on Hugging Bear and Ruimin rode behind her. Fina and I also got on Swaying Bear and set off. Our goal is to get to the elf village and Ruimin’s house.

Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear, who are carrying us, started running.

[Rikka-san, we’re going to speed things up, but if you get scared, just let me know.] Yuna

[Yeah, okay.] Rikka

We increased the speed, but Rikka-san held on tightly to his Hugging Bear to prevent her from falling.

[You don’t need to hold that tight. You won’t fall off even if you ride casually.] Yuna

[Yeah.] Rikka

Rikka-san relaxes her grip and casually rides Hugging Bear.

Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear, who are carrying us, ran along the road, crossed the gra.s.sland, and entered the forest. We made our way through the forest without getting lost.

[Yuna-chan. How come they can run through the forest without getting lost?] Rikka

[Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear remembered the way.] Yuna

Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear remembered the route they took once. Therefore, they can take you to your destination without giving them any instructions nor directions.

Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear ran without hesitation, even though they were going slowly by vague memories of Ruimin when we first left the elven village.

Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear, who are carrying us, crossed a bridge deep in the mountains. This is the bridge I built when we were on our way to the dwarven city.

[Mou. We’re already got this far back.] Ruimin

The speed is different between going to and returning from. Besides, if you already know where you’re going, you’ll go faster.

The journey should take a night or two, but with this speed, we will be near the elven village by nightfall. However, it is dark in the forest. We can use the bear’s light to continue, but I don’t want to force ourselves to reach the elf village today. If we arrived at the village in the middle of the night, it would be troublesome.

[Well then, let’s camp around here today and go to the village in the morning.] Yuna

[We’re almost there though.] Ruimin

[We would be a nuisance if we arrive at midnight. So we’d better go to the village in the morning.] Yuna

[If it’s mom and dad, it’s fine.] Ruimin

[I don’t want to do it. Ruimin, do you want to go alone?] Yuna

If she walked alone, she would be walking alone in the dark forest. And without Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear, there was a risk of getting lost. Even if you know the way, you still can get lost in the dark.

[Yuna-san, you’re so mean.] Rikka

Even if she say that, I’m not brazen enough to go to someone’s house in the middle of the night. If I go there, I’ll have to rent a place to sleep. Even if I don’t rent a room, I can use the bear house, but it’s no different from camping here in the wild. If I’m going to go through all the trouble, it’s better to stay here for the night. Above all, we can sleep more comfortably in the bear house.

[U~u, I get it.] Ruimin

[So we’ll be camping out here then?] Rikka

Rikka-san looks around.

We are in the forest. It was dimly lit by the moonlight and there’s a chance the monsters might approach us.

[Isn’t it dangerous?] Rikka

[I’m taking out the house. It’ll be fine.] Yuna

[The house?] Rikka

I looked around, moved to a larger area, and pulled out the bear house from the bear box.

Rikka-san was surprised, but the dumbfounded Rikka-san still went into the bear house. Then I prepared a meal, we took a bath afterwards, and rest for the night.

The next day, we leave for the elven village.

We were close to the village anyway, so we would arrive soon.

[I want to go to Mumroot-san’s place first, is that okay?] Yuna

[Yes, I’ll report to him, too.] Ruimin

[Who’s Mumroot-san?] Rikka

[He’s my grandfather, the head of the village.] Ruimin

[Oh, I see.] Rikka

When we arrived at the entrance of the village, I unsummoned Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear. If I left them summoned, they would be surrounded by children.

And yet…

[It’s bear-oneesan~.]

It’s kinda funny. Even though Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear are not here, I’m being surrounded by children.

[Alright everyone, move away from Yuna-san.] Ruimin

[Eh~]

[Grandpa-, I mean the Chief told you that you mustn’t bother Yuna-san when she comes.] Ruimin

[U~u]

The children looked sad.

If these are adults, I would give them a bear punch, but I can’t do that to children.

[Then, let’s go to Mumroot-san’s house together.] Yuna

It’s a short distance, but the children are happy to hear my words.

[U~u, Yuna-san. I’m sorry about this.] Ruimin

[Yuna-chan is very popular.] Rikka

Rikka-san was looking at me, being surrounded by children.

[Well, it’s because I’m dressed like this.] Yuna

The children would leave when they came to Mumroot-san’s house as promised.

[Missy, Ruimin has been in your care.] Mumroot

Mumroot-san looks a little apologetic.

[Grandpa, it’s not my fault, but my mom.] Ruimin

[Yeah, that’s true though.] Yuna

[So what about that young lady?] Mumroot

Mumroot-san looks at Rikka-san.

[I’m Rikka. I’m going to the royal capital, so I’m tagging along with them.] Rikka

Rikka-san gave her greetings.

Well, let’s move to the main subject.

[Mumroot-san, I need a little favor.] Yuna

[What is it?] Mumroot

[Can you send us to the royal capital?] Yuna

[Yuna-chan?] Rikka

Rikka-san tilted her head at my words.

In fact, I sneaked over to Mumroot-san’s house last night using the bear gate. At that time, I asked him for a little favor. I want to use the bear gate to go to the capital, but I don’t want Rikka-san to know about the bear gate. So I asked him to make it look like we had been moved to the capital with the help of Mumroot-san, the chief of the elves.

Mumroot-san was gracious enough to accept my request.

By the way, I’ve already explained this to Fina and Ruimin, and I made sure that they’re on the same page.

[Actually, the chief, Mumroot-san, has a mysterious power that allows him to get to the capital easily.] Yuna

[What, you can do that?] Rikka

Rikka-san looked surprised. Well, of course, you’d be surprised if someone told you that you could easily go to the royal capital.

[Mumuroot-san, can you please?] Yuna

[I can’t refuse the girl who saved our village when she ask me to do something. It’s just… It’s also a secret for us elves. The bear girl already knew about it, so we can’t let you girls see it. I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to cover your eyes if that’s okay with you.] Mumroot

Mumroot-san moved the flow of the storyline as planned. Since I don’t want people to see the bear gate, we’re supposed to blindfold them and use the bear gate.

[Wait, does that mean we’ll be seeing Ghazal soon? I’m not really ready for that yet.] Rikka

Rikka-san is confused by the suddenness of the situation. She seemed to think that there was still time to get to the royal capital, so her thoughts were all over the place.

Normally, one would be suspicious, but not her.

[Well then, come over to this room.] Mumroot

We moved to the next room, taking the confused Rikka-san with us.

[This is…?] Rikka

As we entered the room, we saw a magic circle on the floor, which I guessed Mumroot-san had prepared in advance.

I didn’t expect that Mumroot-san had prepared this much gimmick.

[Now then, time to put a blindfold on you.] Yuna

I took out the cloth and present it to Rikka-san.

[Wha- Wait a minute.] Rikka

[Okay, I’m going to count to ten, one, two, three…….] Yuna

[Short! That’s too short!] Rikka

[If you’re ready, we’ll be leaving the town before you know it, five, six seven…] Yuna

[What about Fina-chan?] Rikka

[Yeah, Fina, too, nine, ten.] Yuna

[Yes, I’m blindfolded.] Fina

I presented the cloth again.

Rikka-san stared at the cloth, then took a deep breath and grabbed it. She then looked at Mumroot-san.

[Can you really take us to the royal capital?] Rikka

[Ah, I can promise you that.] Mumroot

[Then, I’ll be counting on you.] Rikka

Rikka-san made up her mind and bowed to Mumroot-san.

[Good luck, Rikka-san. You’re cute, Rikka-san. You’ll be fine.] Ruimin

[Thank you, Ruimin-chan.] Rikka

Rikka-san covered her eyes with the cloth that I handed to her.

I tried waving my hands in front of her, but there was no response. It seems she can’t see me properly. After confirming that she can’t see, I took out the bear gate.

[Okay, let’s go.] Yuna

Mumroot-san utters something spell-like.

I opened the door of the bear gate.

[We’re going to walk a bit, so hold my hand tight.] Yuna

[Yeah.] Rikka

Rikka-san took my hand and we slowly entered the bear gate.

Author’s Note:

I was able to get Mumroot-san to perform and return them to the royal capital safely.

Next time, it will be a reunion.

※I realized two days ago that next week, October 13th, is the third anniversary of k.u.ma (laughs).

I was so busy working on the book that I didn’t notice at all.

I just thought it was the second anniversary, but it was early.

I didn’t think that it would last three years and exceed 400 episodes.

This is because of the bookmarks, ratings, comments, PV, and unique access. If I hadn’t been read, I wouldn’t have been motivated to keep going this far. Thank you very much. I hope you will continue to support “k.u.ma” in the future.