Chapter 483

Bear-san, Returns To The Land Of Harmony

It had been a few days since my return to Crimonia.

Kagali-san, as usual, continued the sleep and eat cycle.

At first, I thought she might make a fuss in Crimonia, but surprisingly, she’s quiet. She also says she’s hungry when she wakes up, and when I prepare a meal for her, she eats it without complaint. Then she falls asleep. And then, the cycle repeats.

While Kagali-san sleeps, I visit the store, the orphanage, and Tirumina-san.

When I said “I’m back” to Tirumina-san, she said, “Did you go somewhere?”

Yeah, for about a week, actually.

Finding the Land of Harmony via Targui and bathing in hot springs.

I even bought tatami mats and went to the Adventurer’s Guild, where I received requests to defeat the Kamaitachi.

Then, after listening to Shinobu’s story, I fought Jubei-san, who was supposed to be an adversary.

After that, I met Sakura, met Kagali-san, and fought Orochi.

It was an intense few days.

While I was working hard in Land of Harmony, the stores were still going about their everyday daily routines. In the store, children worked as bears, and in the orphanage, children took care of Kokekko.

Peace is the best, after all.

And thanks to defeating the Orochi, my level has increased for the first time in a long time, and the bearphone skill has been upgraded.

The bearphone became like a string phone. (糸電話)

(Translator’s note: kanji says string phone… it may change to landline after a few chapters depending on the explanations from author)

It looks like a downgraded version, but now people with bearphones can directly talk to each other.

In other words, me in Crimonia, Ruimin in the elven village, and Sakura in the Land of Harmony can now talk to each simultaneously.

It seems that I act as a sort of relay antenna, so they can talk to each other. In the end, they could not have a conversation without me, and it felt meaningless, but now, since they can communicate directly with each other, they could happily have their conversation.

I also learned a new skill that I don’t know when would it be useful

Bear underwater swimming.

I haven’t checked it out yet, but it looks like I could swim underwater wearing my bear costume.

This doesn’t mean there would be underwater battles in the future, does it?

In the meantime, I would stay away from the waterfront. Flags were meant to be taken down.

But I would like to check it at least once.

A few days later, Sakura contacted me to come to the Land of Harmony.

When I asked Kagali-san what she would do, she said, “I slept and ate, so I should be fine,” but she still remained a little girl.

Kagali-san really wanted Mumroot-san to come, but Mumroot-san refused. Sakura was looking forward to seeing Ruimin, but this time Ruimin also declined. But they had promised to go out and play some other time.

The day after that, I returned to the Land of Harmony with Kagali-san.

“I still can’t believe we are already in the Land of Harmony just by walking through a door. I can’t help but think that perhaps we are in the Land of Harmony all along.” (Kagali)

For the past few days, Kagali-san had not been out of the house once in order to focus on recovering her body. But as she looked out the window, she at least understood that she was not in the Land of Harmony.

When we walked out of the bear house, we saw Sakura.

“We’ve been waiting for you.” (Sakura)

Not only Sakura, but also Shinobu, and King Suou.

Sakura’s complexion had gotten better. In contrast, Shinobu and King Suou looked pale.

“I see that Kagali-sama has not recovered yet.” (Sakura)

Sakura looked at the tiny Kagali-san.

“My magic and strength have returned, but for some reason, my body hasn’t. Maybe it’s a bear’s curse. No, It must be the bear’s curse.” (Kagali)

“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t turn people’s kindness into a curse without consent.” (Yuna)

“No one said it was your curse. Do you perhaps consider yourself a bear?” (Kagali)

“……!”

For a moment, I was at a loss for words.

I subconsciously identified myself as a bear. I don’t want to deny it, but I don’t want to affirm it either.

I said back to her.

“So if you put it that way, it must be the curse of the fox. You became a great fox, and then you turned into a child.” (Yuna)

“Ugh.” (Kagali)

On the other hand, this time Kagali-san became speechless.

Gaining strength has side effects. I gained strength in exchange for wearing the bear costume. At the same time, I had to give up my sense of shame. No, I didn’t give up all of it. There should be some left. There must be some left, right?

Although, it’s also true that it’s not as embarrassing as it used to be.

This may be bad.

“We don’t have much time. I’ve left the escort on the ship, so I can’t stay long. I’d like to talk to you if possible.” (King)

King Suou interrupted us to end our conversation.

He said he had left his escort on the ship to meet me.

“That being the case, I was supposed to serve as Sakura-sama’s escort. But King Suou asked me to do the same for him, and so I was glared at by his escort.” (Shinobu)

“You’re the only one who knows about Yuna, so it can’t be helped. I can’t come alone to the island where the Orochi was.” (King)

Apparently, I had pushed him too hard.

Sakura visited me to ask where we would have our talk. I was told that they could prepare it at either the castle or at the mansion where Sakura lives, but after much thought, we decided to have the talk at the bear house on the island.

That’s normally how it should be. There’s no way they would let the King of a country go alone to an island where the Orochi was.

Time was running short, so I invited everyone into the bear house to listen to what he has to say.

“So, what’s up?” (Yuna)

“As I’ve told you before, the Orochi was supposed to have been defeated by the women we gathered. There’s no one to spread the word about Yuna. Even if they do, no one would believe them. Besides, as I said last time, there’s no merit to it. So even if people knew that Yuna was involved in the subjugation, it wouldn’t spread.” (King)

Thank God. Now, whenever I walk around the Land of Harmony, I won’t be welcomed as a hero who slew the Orochi.

In the town of Mereera, everyone knows about it, and that’s becoming a problem.

“However, there is a bit of a story spreading about Kagali.” (King)

“What the hell?” (Kagali)

“Quite a few people know that Kagali is on this island.” (King)

Well, if you’ve been around for hundreds of years, you’ll be quite famous.

You even erected a barrier to keep the men out.

“So, basically, it was the women, led by Kagali, who defeated the Orochi.” (King)

“The only thing I had done was to slay the Wind Orochi. It was Bear Missy who defeated all of it.” (Kagali)

“I know. But when it comes to defeating a giant monster known as Orochi, a hero would emerge.” (King)

“And they said it was me?” (Kagali)

“That’s right. Kagali was said to be the guardian deity who guarded the seal of Orochi. Nobody would believe that Bear Missy was actually the one who defeated it. Even if it’s my word.” (King)

Yeah, I can see that.

“People know Kagali-san, and she is considered a hero. They would not consider a girl in a bear costume from who-knows-where a hero. And even if King Suou took me to the crowd and said, “This is the one who killed the Orochi,” No one would believe him.” (Yuna)

But Kagali-san was different.

A person considered a legend would be famous, and the general public might know about it too, at least to the extent of rumors.

The island was actually barred from men, but there were people who were taking care of her who also went on the island. When they do, they use a ship. And if they use a ship, they will be known to the sailors. Even if they don’t know Kagali-san’s face, her existence would be known.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” (Kagali)

“So I’m asking you, Kagali.” (King)

“……”

“I want you to decide if you’re going to be the hero who saved the country as is or pretend that you died in the battle?” (King)

“Pretend that I died?” (Kagali)

“I’m not going to kick you out of the country just because you’re “dead”. Kagali has protected our country for generations. I will continue to protect Kagali. But I also know that you want to settle down. You can have a room in the castle. Or we can prepare a house elsewhere. It could be here on this island, but if the ships could freely come and go, Kagali’s existence might be known. All I can do is create the future you want. If you want to be a hero, I’ll make you a hero. If you want to live in peace, then a peaceful life shall be.” (King)

King Suou laid out the options to Kagali-san with a serious expression on his face.

“There’s no need to think about it. Tell them I’m dead. Thanks to Bear Missy, the Orochi is gone. My existence is no longer needed. Besides, no one will know that I have become like this in the battle with the Orochi. In this outfit, they won’t even know I’m here.” (Kagali)

“What about Suzuran (スズラン)? The one who has taken care of you?” (King)

“I can tell the truth to Suzuran. I have been indebted to her and her children. There is no need to make her sad. Besides, I haven’t talked to her for a while now.” (Kagali)

“I understand. But please meet with her and reassure her. It would feel like I’m deceiving her if I tell her about your safety, Kagali.” (King)

“I get it.” (Kagali)

“So, we’ll pretend that you’re dead, but where will you live?” (King)

“No need to hurry now. I’m being taken care of at her place. I’ll take my time and think it over.” (Kagali)

Does that mean you’re staying with me for a while?

Kagali-san was known as someone who defeated the Orochi on my behalf. Moreover, even to the point of faking her death. I can’t complain strongly to Kagali-san, and I can’t kick her out now.

“Now then, Yuna. I have something to ask you. The Orochi would be known to be subdued mainly by Kagali, but what is that bear? It seems that strange rumors are starting to spread because of that bear. I have to give a gag order as a result.” (King)

“What bear?” (Yuna)

I don’t know what he’s talking about.

“There’s a bear-shaped rock lying where the Orochi was slain. What was that?” (King)

“Bear-shaped rock…” (Yuna)

I gradually remembered.

“Aaaaa ~a~a ~a~a~~~~~~~~~~~~~” (Yuna)

I remembered. It’s the rock bear I made when I destroyed the heads of Orochi.

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