Chapter 458

Bear-san, Sensing The Signs Of The Serpents Resurrection

We finished checking the fifth seal. Considering the distance between each seal, the serpent is gigantic.

Might as well think that it has the size to match a Kraken.

Now then, Mumuroot, is it possible to temporarily strengthen the seal? (Kagali)

Kagali-san asks Mumuroot-san who had finished checking all the seals.

If we can set up a magic circle and have the magic stones needed for it, we can temporarily strengthen it. But as I said earlier, I dont know how much time we can buy. (Mumuroot)

Fufu

, if we can extend it even by one or two, well be happy. I simply hope it wont be zero. (Kagali)

Certainly, at zero, the possibility of defeating it will be on the lower side. But if we can gain even a little time to seal it, the chances of defeating it will increase.

Id like to go back to the village and make some preparations if you dont mind. (Mumuroot)

I pulled out a bear gate and opened the door to the elven village.

Im off, then. (Mumuroot)

Im counting on you. (Kagali)

I will also help grandpa. (Ruimin)

As Ruimin tried to follow Mumuroot-san, Sakura called out to her.

Ruimin-san. Im glad to meet you. Will you come again? (Sakura)

Ruimin glanced at me.

Sure, why not. After dealing with the giant snake, Ill bring Ruimin here again. (Yuna)

Sakura looked happy at my words.

Ruimin. Ill close the door after you pa.s.s through. Call me when youre ready. (Yuna)

I understand. (Ruimin)

Ruimin entered the bear gate with Mumuroot-san leading the way. Ruimin gave a slight wave to Sakura, who waved back. After confirming that the two of them were done giving farewells, I closed the door and put away the bear gate.

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Its a really mysterious door. (s.h.i.+n.o.bu)

Indeed, if I could open that door, I would not hesitate to do so. (Kagali)

Im the only one who can open it. (Yuna)

To be precise, it can only be opened by my bear puppet.

Why dont you just leave it open then? (s.h.i.+n.o.bu)

I cant leave it open because it consumes magical power. (Yuna)

Well, all this must be quite draining on your magical power. (Kagali)

Too bad. (s.h.i.+n.o.bu)

Well, in reality, its not a significant drain on my magical power, but I really cant leave it open indefinitely.

Well, then, lets get into action, shall we? s.h.i.+n.o.bu. You take Sakura and head back. Report to Suou about this. Go! (Kagali)

Roger. But what about the content of the report? Ill explain to His Majesty the King that Mumroot-san will set up a reinforced barrier, right? But the door that can take you anywhere is a secret, right? I cant explain why or how Mumroot-san got here. If I tell him about the door, Ill die. (s.h.i.+n.o.bu)

Oh yeah, thats right. (Kagali)

Kagali-san looks at the place where the bear gate was earlier.

Certainly, if Mumroot-san is going to set up reinforced barriers, she will have to report to the king. When will we fight? What should we do with our forces? We cannot decide how the fight will go by ourselves.

Its a major battle for the whole country.

The only question is how much of an a.s.set they will be in the fight against the giant snake.

As far as Im concerned, I dont mind as long as theyre going to be an a.s.set, but if theyre going to be a liability, they might as well not be there.

I dont want to see people die in front of me. But that doesnt mean I will let them fight by themselves.

In the worst-case scenario, they might really have to lead it by s.h.i.+p and move away from the country. Maybe they will go to an uncharted island where no one lives.

For the time being, lets just pretend that Mumroot came by accident. (Kagali)

Kagali-san said something acceptable as if she had become too tired to think.

As a matter of fact, its hard to explain Mumroot-sans presence because of the contract magic.

That bear girl must have come to this country by chance as well. Theres nothing wrong with a coincidence of that magnitude. Or tell them that he wanted to see his beautiful lover for the first time in hundreds of years. (Kagali)

Sure, Kagali-san is beautiful, but its pretty impressive that she can say that for herself. Im sure shes been told this many times by many people. Well, its a story of a world far from me.

I compared my chests with Kagali-sans.

As expected, men do like big b.r.e.a.s.t.s after all.

Then, if you are asked, Kagali-sama, please give a proper explanation. (s.h.i.+n.o.bu)

For now, just tell Suou about Mumuroot. If you tell him its from me, we can do anything. I know about 100 or 200 of his weaknesses, so dont worry. (Kagali)

That sounds rea.s.suring, doesnt it?

And about 100 or 200 of your weaknesses, King, youre too vulnerable.

But if she knew the king since he was a little boy, that much might not be surprising.

Leaving such anxiety behind, s.h.i.+n.o.bu and Sakura had to leave.

Ill send you back then. (Yuna)

We came here on Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear. I have to take them back.

Im sorry for the trouble. (Sakura)

Theres still some time before Mumuroot-san returns. I wont be late to return to the island after getting contacted by them.

Ill send Sakura off then, but Ill be right back. (Yuna)

Youre a mysterious girl, really. On top of it, youre dressed so strangely. (Kagali)

Kagali-san is also dressed like a fox, so we both know what to wear. (Yuna)

I am a real fox! (Kagali)

Her ears perked up.

Ku~u ~ n

Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear squealed as if trying to compete with her.

I dont believe youre real bears either! (Kagali)

Laughter broke out from the surroundings.

No one would look at Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear and think theyre not bears, right?

Fufu

, lets go then. (Yuna)

Ill take you halfway. (Kagali)

Sakura and s.h.i.+n.o.bu ride on Hugging Bear, while Kagari and I ride on Swaying Bear.

Its quite a nice ride, isnt it? (Kagali)

`Ku~u ~ n

What? (Kagali)

Its a given, you know. (Yuna)

Youre a cheeky bear, you know that? Well youre fluffy, Ill give you that, but you cant beat my tail. (Kagali)

`Ku~u ~ n

What did you say? (Kagali)

`Ku~u ~ n

Mine is better than yours! (Kagali)

`Ku~u ~ n

We headed along the coast while listening to Swaying Bear and Kagali-san arguing.

=====

When the coast came into view, Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear raised their heads and cried,

ku~u ~~~ n

!

What is it!? (Sakura)

Sakura, whos riding Hugging Bear, was surprised. I saw the reaction of Swaying Bear and Hugging Bears reaction and immediately used my detection skills.

Volgla.s.s?

My detection skills caught a Volgla.s.s flying around. Theres even a reaction of a wyvern, although its still further away.

Its like when I was on Targui. How many wyverns were there in this world?

And more than just Wyverns reaction, I was surprised by another thing on the display.

Whats that?

The reaction of the giant snake is blinking slowly with

Chika Chika Chika

sound. It continuously appears and disappears on the display.

Was it because the seal was about to break? Or was the seal already broken?

Which one is it?

I dont have the information to make a decision right now, and I dont have the time to think about it.

Swaying Bear-sama, Hugging Bear-sama, whats wrong? (Sakura)

Monsters are approaching (Yuna)

What did you say? (Kagali)

They arent coming towards us, but I get the feeling that they are gathering somewhere.

This direction is. (Yuna)

The place where the giant snake is sealed?

I look in the direction where the monsters are gathering. Its definitely the place where the giant snake is sealed.

Kagali-san, just to confirm. At that time, when the giant snake appeared, did other monsters gather there? (Yuna)

Oh yeah, Im sure, other monsters showed up, too. It was as if they were drawn to the serpent. The serpent was eating the monsters that came to it. (Kagali)

Could it be that its attracting monsters as its meal?

Whats the matter? (Kagali)

Monsters are gathering in the area where the giant snakes seal is. (Yuna)

What did you say!? (Kagali)

And not just in one place.

I have a bad feeling about this.

We should head out to defeat the monsters right now.

But I cant just leave Sakura here.

I could ask Hugging Bear to carry them to the other side, but if they were to be attacked at sea, it would be too dangerous to fight back while carrying them.

Needless to say, the other safest place right now is at the other side of the bear gate.

Sakura, use the door to get to Ruimin. (Yuna)

I once again brought out the bear gate and opened the door to the elven village.

Yuna-sama? (Sakura)

Sakura was puzzled by the suddenness of the situation.

Ill get back to you once the monsters are defeated and its safe to proceed. Just get in for now. (Yuna)

I pushed Sakura into the bear gate.

What about you s.h.i.+n.o.bu? (Yuna)

Ill help you too. Based on what you said, Yuna, youre heading to the sealed area, right? Then you should have as many hands as possible. (s.h.i.+n.o.bu)

Only Sakura was able to go beyond the bear gate.

Ill send Ruimin to pick you up, so dont move from there. (Yuna)

I, I understand. Please be careful, everyone. (Sakura)

Sakura also knew that she would be a liability here, so she didnt say anything stupid, like staying.

=====

I closed the door, took out my bearphone, and called Ruimin. I could hear her voice immediately.

Yuna-san? (Ruimin)

Ruimin, I sent Sakura over there. Go pick her up. (Yuna)

What happened? (Ruimin)

Monsters have gathered. I sent Sakura over there to keep her safe until we can defeat those things. (Yuna)

Monsters!? (Ruimin)

Perhaps its a sign that the seal is about to be broken, so have Mumuroot-san hurry up with the preparations. (Yuna)

I understand. (Ruimin)

I hung up the bearphone call.

=====

So, bear girl. Do you know whats going on with the monsters? (Kagali)

They seem to be gathering near the first seal we went to. (Yuna)

Some are gathering at other locations, but thats where the most concentration is.

Then wed better get moving. (Kagali)

Kagali-san and I rode out on the Swaying Bear, and s.h.i.+n.o.bu rode out on the Hugging Bear.

d.a.m.n it, just when I thought Mumuroot was going to come and take care of things, the monsters started gathering. (Kagali)

But thanks to Yunas detection, we were able to spot the monsters immediately. We were able to get Sakura-sama to a safe place. All we have to do is prevent the monsters from attacking. If we do that, Mumroot-san will strengthen the seal for us. (s.h.i.+n.o.bu)

Yes, youre right. All we have to do is defeat the monsters as quickly as possible. (Kagali)

Our goal is to defeat the monsters.

Then, have Mumroot-san reinforce the seal, and then all thats left would be defeating the heads of the giant snake one by one.

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Authors Note:

And with that, the Great Serpent Arc is coming to an end.

Reservations for 9 volumes of books (scheduled to be released on March 30) are now available for pre-order.

The covers are Yuna and Ruimin. 029 senseis drawing of Ruimin is very cute.

I also wrote four SS for the bonus content.

Please wait a little longer for the contents.

Ill let you know as soon as I decide where to distribute them.

The next post will be 3-4 days later.

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