Published at 24th of December 2020 02:53:39 PM

248 Contact

Following my directions, my partner heads towards the presences I found. Were about to make contact.

Im begging you, partner. Even if you feel hungry, dont sneak a bite from the village. Ill let you eat to your hearts content later.

I got it~

She replies sloppily, humming as she walks. Id prefer it if she was just a bit more cautious No, I guess its fine that shes seen like this. Its fine, but Her complete lack of tension is somehow suspicious.

Is there anything we can do about the contrast between the elegance of her appearance and the sloppiness of her speech? Its a part of me, too, so maybe it cant be helped.

The three presences I noticed earlier dont seem to be reacting to us at all. I thought it was the ones we ran into earlier, but it seems the miko hasnt noticed us. Since were humanoid, perhaps she thinks were a fellow villager, or maybe shes not paying much attention because theyre so close to the safety of the village.

This miko also has a telepathy-type skill, so we need to be cautious. [Telepathy] involves an exchange of thoughts. If her skill level is high, she might be able to pick up on our emotions and be able to tell were lying. Next time I see her, I should check her status.

With [Presence Perception] and [Telepathy], she makes for a very troublesome opponent. How everyone was saying miko-sama, miko-sama earlier makes sense. Shes probably saved the village countless times.

Even if the other side is aggressive, please act with restraint, okay partner? Even if you make a mistake, dont go biting them or hitting them. If you use too much power by mistake, we could end up with a mountain of corpses. Thats what Im most afraid of.

In the worst case you arent able to endure it, please say something. If that happens, Ill suggest an escape route, or maybe even undo the humanisation.

No need to worry so much

I have no idea what the situation is in that village, nor what their numbers are. I have to assume its the worst.

From my point of view, I cant see why youre willing to stick your head so far when youre so scared.

She says that without any sort of deep meaning, as far as I can tell. It seems like she doesnt quite understand, but is just going along with it because it seems fun.

Isnt it fine? We get to eat the foods those humans bring, go hunting every now and again, and raise the spiders as a way of killing time.

Thats fine and all, but Im still nervous about it.

She might be more draconic in her way of thinking than I am. She eats what she can eat and satisfies her curiosity where she can. In that way shes like a wild animal, or rather a monster Shes cooperating with me for now, but Im worried that one day well disagree on something.

I only said it, theres no need to think so hard. Its your body after all.

If shes willing to do what I want to an extent, then thats a relief. Though making her do something she doesnt want to would feel bad. Im sure the reason shes so excited because shes gets to move her body around by herself for the first time. Perhaps I should try and find more opportunities for her to be in charge of our humanised body like this.

For that matter, next time we evolve, whatll happen to her? Will we still be a two-headed dragon next time? What would be ideal would be getting two separate bodies, but remembering that shitty god, I cant imagine itd go so well. I wouldnt like it if we combine in the next evolution If that happened, itd be just like she disappeared.

Either way, I need to focus on whats in front of me. Were getting close to the three presences, so I need to brace myself.

Perhaps hearing her humming or her footsteps, the lump of presences stop moving. Thanks to my partner straining her eyes, Im able to make out the figures of three people in the distance. It seems theyre waiting to see who we are.

Alright, Im counting on you. If they seem suspicious, please retreat right away. I dont know how theyre going to react to the horns after all.

Perhaps thinking it would be bad if they hear, she nods her head in assent. She seems to have at least some sense of caution, then.

What should she say to start with? At a minimum, she needs to convey that shes a traveller. The fastest way to get in would be by pretending to be injured like the manticore, but theyd notice shes not right away. Besides, any minor wounds would heal right away.

Should we try begging for food, saying she was attacked while bathing and lost her supplies? With her pretty face and slender frame, they shouldnt be too suspicious. Its clear she doesnt have any weapons, too.

Weve only got about fifty minutes of humanised time left. If we get delayed too long well have to run away when theres a chance.

Partner, please focus on getting across that you mean them no harm, and that youre a traveller.

Gaa?

I feel her expression becoming tense. A bead of sweat trickles down her cheek.

This feeling, she doesnt know what to say, does she? Should I do it after all?

anyway, just try not to look hostile. Ill tell you what to say later.

The trio come close enough for me to see their faces. All three of them are half-naked, well-built men. Two of them have their bows ready, the leader his spear.

Seeing my partner, the spearman lowers his weapon, visible relief showing in his expression.

Its a woman. Shes unarmed. Drop it.

Persuaded by the spearman, the two bowmen lower their weapons.

Thats good timing.

Yeah.

The two bowmen whisper between themselves. Good timing? Whats that about?

Hey, shut it. Ill talk to her.

The spearman glares at the two of them. They shudder, their mouths snapping shut.

Girl, why have you come to this forest?

Umm, Imon a journey.

Probably from nerves, she stutters a bit in her reply. She was talking loads earlier, but theres none of that fluency any more.

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The two in the back leer at her, doubts clear in their eyes. I start to panic, but the spearman glares at the two, and their faces become expressionless, their shoulders trembling.

How many are with you? Where are they?

Whos with us, huh. He would ask that, right. This area is way too dangerous for solo travellers.

I think it was a group of two that came across my home way back. But this area is a hundred-fold more dangerous, so a group of eight would be about right. Abysses are crawling all over this area after all. If she says she came here as a pair, theyll question just how strong she is.

Umm, I-I came here with my partner, the two of us.

Shes no good, Im at my wits end. Maybe she half-picked up on my thoughts and relayed them as-is.

Just the two of you?

The spearman frowns, looking around my partners body for something. This is bad. Now the leaders suspicious too.

Ah, Ive got it! Lets say shes a famous white mage! I think Miria had a white mage title skill. Probably, thats a mage who specialises in healing magic.

This way if they ask for proof we can use [High Rest], and if that goes well they might even feel in debt to us. If they think her personal combat strength is low, then that should get them to lower their guards.

I-I may look like this, but Im[1]quite famous as a white mage, you know.

Ah, you should also say that your partner has died. If they think hes still nearby, theyll be on their guard.

My partner Umm, he got eaten by a big bug and died.

The abyss suddenly shows up. It became a trauma for her after all, didnt it.

An abyss? I see. Thats quite unfortunate. You must be tired you should come rest in our village.

Not only does he lower his guard, he also invites her into the village.

Eh? N-no, Im grateful for that and all. But didnt that move forward a little too fast?

Ah, it must be the beauty effect. I thought this guy was ultra stiff, but hes unexpectedly smooth.

Girl, come this way. Rest your body in our village, then well guide you to safer parts.

The spearman turns around and starts heading back to the village. This guy, hes so cool. Its great that theyre being kind, but that also means that it would be just as easy for the manticore to get in.

The two bowmen stand up straight, their backs rigid. However, when the spearman passes between them, they exchange a glance and raise a hand to their mouths, calling out to him.

Hey, Y-Yarg

Later. I told you, Im doing the talking. Until we get back to the village, neither of you are to open your mouths.

It seems the spearmans name is Yarg. The two he called out to frown, as if they find something difficult to accept. But Yarg walks on in silence, and the pair soon follow.

Girl, come quick. If you stand around like that, youll get eaten by an abyss.

It seems theyre the natural enemy of this village, too. Those guys are all over this forest after all. I never want to meet one again, but I doubt Ill be so lucky.

R-right.

She nods her head and sets off after Yarg.

Im a bit suspicious of them, but theres no reason not to follow. That was our objective from the start, anyway.

[1]Shes still referring to herself withore.