Chapter 378 New Friend & Creation of Artificial Leg and Arm

Im Nemus!

Nemus drums her ma.s.sive torso with her huge arm. The roso consisting out of steel with a black l.u.s.ter and wood creaks, creating warped, unique Chords. First the dull sound of a cylindrical container, and then a dry sound as if striking a wooden board with clappers. She makes those sounds reverberate in succession. Its a musical piece as if shes completely trying to match Moga whos taken a pose as youd see it in kabuki. 1

Let me show you the dance I learned from Himika Danzo, the damsel I fell for heads over heels in s.h.i.+jima Town! Moga shouts.

It looks like he fell in love with someone in s.h.i.+jima Town. Each time Moga whirls around as he dances, Nemus accompanies him with her clappers-like sounds.

Nice tune. I guess this is a special skill of Nemus.

Moreover, the branches of the plants growing on parts of her torso and arms overlap. Thereupon, sounds similar to wavelets also occur as dry leaves flutter down. Those leaves add coloring to Mogas new poses. That and Mogas outfit are pretty cool.

For a short moment he stands still as if rooted the spot, just to finish up with pose of him standing on one leg, unlike before, on top of Nemuss left shoulder. Around the time when Moga is about to showcase his finis.h.i.+ng pose alongside a series of drumming sounds, Nemuss swaying intensifies.

In the next moment, Moga tumbles down while squeaking. Truly the epitome of a simple penguin who cant fly.

However, while falling, he twists his body around, pulling off a clean landing in a penguin pose. At the same time, Nemuss drumming sounds stop, and the dry leaves are carried away by the wind.

Their duo performance gave me gooseb.u.mps.

Haha, you woke the urge in me to applause, but are you actually okay over there? I ask while laughing.

In response Moga whirls around with a momentum that makes the feathers flutter on the wings covering his hands, and then looks back at me.

Aye. Anyway, about what we talked about before

After performing a flashy rotation, Moga quickly straightens himself.

What about it?

On top of having saved our lives, you even made a home for us. Thats why wed like to return that debt.

Nevermind, its no biggie.

Be a good boy and listen to me. Were wandering adventurers. At times were at odds with other adventurers. But, I intend to be a virtuous person. And acting like its nothing doesnt sit well with me as a man. Hence, Ill naturally a.s.sist in the reconstruction of Cydale which is also your wish. Ill also keep Muu company in her training, and

At the end he makes a pause.

Is something wrong?

No. You see, this is just if youre okay with it, but

Mogas eyes are s.h.i.+fting around restlessly.

Whats with that vagueness now after all this time? Just spit it out man.

A-Aye. Youre right. Alrighthere it comes

Moga looks at Nemus. I feel like Nemus slowly nods at him, but shes definitely blinked her eyes several times. After nodding back at her, Moga faces me again.

Could we join your party, Shuuya? Were fine with all the loot being yours, too.

Despite his penguin face, he looks serious. I guess hes brooded this over in his own way.

Well, Ive got no reason to turn them down. Its Mogas choice based on his experience as an adventurer.

Sure. Lets go together whenever I accept some requests at the adventurer guild, including labyrinth crawls, okay?

Ooohhh! So were friends. You became our friend!

I am Nemuuus!!

nh.

Seemingly overwhelmed by joy, Moga caresses Muus head after shes been listening while looking around restlessly. His hand with the fluffy, soft inner fur ruffles up her hair.

Muu glares at Moga as if yelling at him, Stop it, penguin!, but he continues to stroke her head.

And Nemus also lets her joy free reign. She exhibits a weird dance by repeatedly swinging her huge arms up and down. While causing heavy lumbering sounds with her feet, she strikes the wall made out of evil domain trees from above.

Because she hits the wall several times with her huge fists, the wall dents in at the places she hits and the stakes below, which are buried deep in the ground, are driven even further into the soil at a section of the wall.

Considering whats. .h.i.tting the wall, it might be smart to see it as some kind of art.

Nemus, please be careful when we challenge requests and labyrinths as a party.

I, a, m, Neeemus.

Nemus has apparently noticed that her actions have become quite extreme as her movements suddenly become much smaller. Oh well, Kaede dwells within the giant, so yeah.

Ahaha, Nemus, youve become so obedient after that pose I havent seen you doing yet! Mowa laughs out loudly.

Hes stopped stroking Muus head. After moving close to Nemus feet as if sliding quickly across the ground, and while gazing up to Nemus, whos stopped moving in a strange pose, he holds his sides in laughter.

It looks like it fully caters to Mogas sense of humor.

Also Moga, a.s.suming you enter Innocent Arms, theres also requests that dont go through the guild like the one from the Gramps Kistrin and the ghosts.

Ah, the one over there, huh? Moga turns his eyes towards the hills back.

Correct. Ahead of the holes in the hill behind my house that continue into the underground. I dont know how deep the tunnels run. I can hope to not get lost since Ill have a guide called Golden Path, but it might become a long journey. Ill also try to check my mirrors, but well, expecting things to be too convenient is, you know Besides, the problem is the underground G.o.ddess. Challenging a G.o.ddess who stole a sanctuarythis wont be any ordinary request, for sure. Rather I think itll become an extremely dangerous journey. Butwould you follow me into such a reckless adventure?

Obviously. We entrusted our lives to you, no, Innocent Arms! Right, Nemus?

I am Nemus!!!

Guuaah.

Nemus apparently tried to give Moga a high-five with her huge hand, butMoga was caught by the hand and slapped away. Currently hes stuck in the ground around the edge of the training groundhead first. His penguin legs are trembling.

Pheew, so he hasnt died from getting blown away. However, it makes me happy to feel their dignity as adventurers. Theyre my new friends and party members.

At this rate, the group might grow to a big party by the time I head into the underground.

Hankay should be interested in the whereabouts of his Budand Clan, too. Though I cant say anything yet since I dont know whether his clan has moved underground. I suppose its also possible that Hankay wont come with me underground, and instead is going to travel eastwards while at the same time training up his skills.

Well, I think Ill try to invite him at a good time.

Afterwards, we checked the unknown stringed magic book for whether it was created by ZedelGuo Sail, one of the Eight Geniuses of the Spirit World, together with Moga & Nemus.

I didnt know anything about it besides it being a magic or sorcery book formed out of many st.u.r.dy, mana-laden strings being tied together in various ways. Its just that Muu has a lot more mana than the magic book. Still, you can reliably feel a high-quality mana from the strings binding the book.

Just like on the first inspection, we could only find out that the strings and threads are very, very special. Kisara might know more about it, so I guess we have no choice but to wait for her to come back from her sky stroll.

A little later, the Rollo Squad returned to the training ground. At the same time, Moga & Nemus left. They headed over to the village office, where Quiche is currently at, to have a chat with her about various things, including the matter of being active as adventurers.

When Nemus entered the part of the earthen slope that isnt covered by a stairway as she heavily trudged downwards, a section of the soil there collapsed, causing a landslide at the hills lower section. Itd have been better if I had reinforced the soil of the slope with a lawn.

I suppose Ill reinforce it with wooden boards and planks later on.

As Im pondering about that, I look at Muu. Muu is staring at Baldok.

Grasping Baldok while sensing her eyes being focused on it, I tell Muu, Although I said wed train, we need to get some groundwork done first. Once you can reliably use the strings of that magic book, they might serve as replacement for artificial leg and arm. But, for now Im going to create an artificial leg and arm with

while taking the structure of the wood for you into account so that you can do basic exercises. Got it?

Muu has been expressionlessly staring at my lips.

I think well do it inside. Its too cold out here, isnt it?

mh. Muu shakes her head.

It seems like shes alright with the training ground. Well okay, then Ill make them out here.

I kneel down so as to match eye level with the small Muu.

Alright, Im going to try making them now.

I focus on smiling as much as possible to give Muu a peace of mind.

tg. Muu nods lightly after looking embarra.s.sed.

She pa.s.sed the magic book to me. And then, since she tried to take off her simple dress while silently raising both arms, I helped her with that.

N, nya

Rollo, you dont need to help.

Nyao.

Alray, you neither.

Leaving the cats aside, Ive got to hurry since Muu is going to catch a cold, now that shes naked, if I take too long.

Ill make the artificial limbs ends in a shape matching with the triangular protrusions. I focus on

. I create several axis, deciding to integrate holes that will allow the strings to pa.s.s through from the tips of the pyramids If you combine all the small axises, theyll also allow for the wrist to rotate

At the time when the strings freely flutter, Rollo kicks up a fuss by meowing excitedly. She apparently considers the strings to be prey.

Rollo, these strings are no prey. Nows not the time to play around. If you want to play with Muu, do it later.

Nnnn. Rollo answers with nothing but a long growl.

It seems inevitable for her to regard the strings manipulated by Muuas prey.

Muu. I think Rollo understands now as well, butbetter be careful for the time being.

mh. Muu nods after her body trembles with a start.

Well, it makes sense since shes seen Rollo fight after having turned into a huge divine beast from very close proximity.

In the meantime, I also created several holes in the artificial leg and arm to allow Muu to capitalize on the strings of her magic book. Considering its stability, I cant open up too many of those holes in the wood, though.

This might be my experience of me having built everyones houses being at work here. I havent obtained any woodworking skills, but the experience of working with wood has become a strength for me.

- End of Part 1 -