Chapter 450

Bear-san, Meets The King

Yuna-sama, may I ask you a question? (Sakura)

What? (Yuna)

Ive been informed that Lord Yuna has a black and white bear thats big enough to carry a person. Their names seem identical to that one, though. (Sakura)

Sakura looks at Hugging Bear that Im holding.

She seemed to have received reports about Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear, but no reports about them turning into bear cubs when we entered the city.

It seems that Yunas bears can be turned into smaller or larger at will. (s.h.i.+n.o.bu)

s.h.i.+n.o.bu explained before I answer.

You forgot to keep your mouth shut, didnt you?

Is that so? (Sakura)

Sakura stares at Hugging Bear. Her eyes turn into the eyes of a child of her age.

If you want, I can make it bigger. (Yuna)

Are you sure?! (Sakura)

Sakuras eyes were sparkling.

I put Hugging Bear to the side and returned him to his original size.

Hes really become big! Your name is Hugging Bear-sama, right? (Sakura)

Hugging Bear-sama, she said. She also called me Yuna-sama.

Its kind of embarra.s.sing. Im not a great enough person to be labeled as such. Im a former shut-in, a gamer.

Yuna-sama. If its not too much trouble, Id be happy to take a look at your black bear, Swaying Bear-sama (Sakura)

Sakura asks a bit reservedly.

Since she already received a report about Swaying Bear, I summoned him since I have nothing to hide.

Heres Swaying Bear! (Yuna)

`Ku~u ~ n

Swaying Bear turned to Sakura and greeted her.

Swaying Bear-sama, Hugging Bear-sama. Such divinity. (Sakura)

Sakura looked as if she was about to clasp her hands together in wors.h.i.+p.

`Ku~u ~ n

When Sakura said that, Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear tilted their heads as if to say, Really?

Does Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear really look divine?

s.h.i.+n.o.bu, we should take Sakura to the doctor. (Yuna)

No, shes not sick. Thats just how Sakura-sama is. (s.h.i.+n.o.bu)

In other words, shes not like s.h.i.+n.o.bu.

Can you see the divineness in their faces, s.h.i.+n.o.bu? (Yuna)

Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear looked at s.h.i.+n.o.bu.

s.h.i.+n.o.bu looked back at Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear.

Etto, I mean, somehow, I can see it. (s.h.i.+n.o.bu)

Yeah, Im pretty sure you cant see it. I cant see it either.

Their faces are cute, but definitely not divine.

Or maybe because theyre the bears given to me by G.o.d and maybe thats how it looks to Sakura?

These are the Beasts of Light. Yuna-sama, may I touch them? (Sakura)

I dont mind if you touch them. (Yuna)

I dont think Sakura will do anything strange, so I gave her permission.

Sakura holds Hugging Bears paw.

I feel the same power as Yuna-sama flowing inside you. And it feels nice and soft. (Sakura)

She then grabbed Swaying Bears paw and gave the same reaction.

=====

Thank you very much. (Sakura)

Sakura sat back down, seemingly satisfied.

And so, I decided to ask Sakura.

Even if I accept this request, there are things I need to enquire on. There are things I can do and things I cant. After all, if its a monster like Targui, its impossible for me to defeat it.

Can you tell me about the monsters? Or should I ask the king or someone else? (Yuna)

Its okay. Ill tell you what I know, everything that I can. (Sakura)

With that said, Sakura explained the situation to me.

The monster was sealed on the island of Reenes over a hundred years ago, and that seal was gradually weakening. The monster must be weakened again before it can be resealed. No men were allowed inside the barrier. Only a limited number of women can enter. If they allow men to enter, the sealed monster will be completely revived.

So it was ideal to fight while the monster was still weakened in its barrier.

Some of it I didnt know, but most of it was the same as what s.h.i.+n.o.bu had told me.

So, what kind of monster is this said monster? (Yuna)

But Im not asking about the lore. This was the most important information I needed.

It is said to be a giant serpent Orochi with four heads. (Sakura)

A big snake (Yuna)

It can spit flames from its mouth, incinerate people. Create wind, chopping people. Spit water, to submerge people, and unearth soil that can crush people. (Sakura)

A giant snake, like in j.a.pan, the very famous Yamata-no-orochi, a large snake-like monster with eight heads. Will it be this kind of monster this time?

Is it different from the Black Viper? Or is it more like a Hydra?

Im not quite sure how big it was. But if it was about the size of the Black Viper and had four heads, it would be possible to defeat it.

The people of the time worked together to weaken the serpent and seal it away in that place. It is said that the serpent sucked the evil spirits out of people, so they forbade the general public to come near it. However, there were some rare plants that grew in the area, and there was no end to the number of people who tried to steal them. It is also said that when they did, it absorbed the evil spirits of people and the seal was almost broken. So men were forbidden to enter the island of Reenes, and only some women were allowed. (Sakura)

Only in a fantasy world can people create such a convenient barrier.

Well, when theres already magic in the fantasy world, anything is possible.

But stealing? There are people who steal precious flowers and plants?

While I also want something rare, if its about medicinal herbs, then I dont want it.

So, this time, before the seal is completely broken, we will weaken it and reseal it. And we need your help with that. (Sakura)

Could it be, Im the only one fighting? (Yuna)

No, Yuna-sama will not be alone, a handful of warriors will join you. However, I dont think they are that strong. Moreover, the dream of being enveloped in darkness has not disappeared. (Sakura)

Im one of the partic.i.p.ants, by the way. (s.h.i.+n.o.bu)

s.h.i.+n.o.bu, who was listening to the conversation, intruded.

You, s.h.i.+n.o.bu? Even though you cant beat Jubei-san? (Yuna)

Im still on the stronger side. Yuna, who can beat my Master, is the strange one. Whats with that weapon? Ive never seen anyone who can parry my Masters sword so easily. And whats with the big bear wall? (s.h.i.+n.o.bu)

Bear magic is my inner art, my special skill, my ultimate magic.

That drains a considerable amount of magic power.

Id prefer wearing my white bear if I could attack one-sidedly like I did with the Kraken, but thats not going to happen.

Yuna-sama. Can you please lend us a hand? (Sakura)

Sakura bowed her head deeply.

A giant snake with four heads. I dont know if I can defeat it. But I cant forget the look on Sakuras face when she grabbed my hand and cried. She had dreams of people she knew, people she cared about, and herself dying over and over again. This little girl was experiencing it. Even in her dreams, she must be in pain. And if I dont help her, it may become a fact.

I might not be able to beat it. (Yuna)

I believe in my dreams, so I believe in you, Yuna-sama. (Sakura)

Sakura looked at me with straight eyes.

If I cant do it, Ill run. (Yuna)

Yes, that will be fine. (Sakura)

Sakura didnt bother to think about it and answered immediately.

Sakura is not as old as she looks.

She looks like a kid, but her mind seems mature, I see?

How old are you, Sakura? (Yuna)

Etto, Im 10 years old. (Sakura)

She was just as she looked.

All right. I dont know how much I can do, but Ill help you. (Yuna)

Oh, thank you very much. (Sakura)

Sakuras expression changed from a serious one to a cute girls smile appropriate for her age.

Dont get your hopes up. (Yuna)

I believe in you. (Sakura)

Its heavy. Sakuras trust is too heavy.

I dont want to betray the feelings of a pure girl, but I really dont know what will happen.

=====

Now then, I think were done here. Ill call the person whos been waiting outside the room. (s.h.i.+n.o.bu)

s.h.i.+n.o.bu stood up and opened the sliding door through which we had entered.

There was a man wearing hakama and to his side was Jubeo-san.

Finally, youre done talking.

The man said, and walked into the room.

Hes about 40 years old. He has a beard and a large build.

You really are dressed like a bear, arent you? Also, a black bear and a white bear, just as reported.

The man looked at me and then turned his attention to Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear.

He didnt look scared.

Sakura, are you sure its her?

Yes, no doubt. Shes the light of hope. (Sakura)

I see. So what happened?

Ive asked her to lend a hand. (Sakura)

All right. Everyone, turn around and cover your ears!

When the man said this, s.h.i.+n.o.bu, Juubei-san, and Sakura turned around and covered their ears.

Whats going on?

When the man came in front of me, he sat upright with a dignified movement.

I am Suou, the king of this land. I apologize for the disrespect I have shown you. And I thank you for your a.s.sistance. (King) ()

The man bowed deeply.

King? (Yuna)

The man raised his head.

Because of my position as king, I cant apologize in front of my subjects, so I did it here. (King)

In front of his va.s.sals, even though they turned their backs and covered their ears, Jubei-san, s.h.i.+n.o.bu, and Sakura were still here. Was it okay for the king to bow to a girl in a bear suit?

You can all turn around now. (King)

As soon as the king said this, the three who had turned around and covered their ears turned back to us as if nothing had happened.

Is there no one going to say anything about it?

You had your ears really covered, right?

You heard him, didnt you?

You heard him, so you turned around immediately, right?

Is that okay?

No, Im not going to ask about it.

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Authors Note:

Here comes the king. I was very worried about the name.

Im always having trouble naming people.