Chapter 549 - Chapter 489 Is This the Best Way to Become Friends?
We went back the way we came and then headed further east.
Along the way,
"Uu."
Kuro joined us.
As the eldest sister, Kuro's team (?) was apparently responsible for guarding the area beyond the bridge.
"Do monsters sometimes come from the other side?"
"Uu."
"Apparently, Ranziboa come occasionally. And the Armor Bear I defeated was one of them, too."
They said Ranziboa could be defeated with paralyzing blowdarts, but Armor Bears were tough. So, they were grateful I had defeated it.
Well, the Light Spirit's Flash was probably unexpected…
"Wafu."
"It's the bridge we saw earlier. But it looks a bit dangerous to cross."
"It looks like it's about to break."
The planks forming the bridge girders were missing, and the remaining ones were rotten, so it looked pretty difficult.
However, the current was gentle, and it seemed possible to cross a little upstream.
"Let's cross over there."
"Wafu."
The other side was beyond the Ghillie Dhu's sight, so we proceeded cautiously, relying on [Presence Detection].
I found a good spot with stepping stones, so,
"I'm going to check it out with Lupi's group, so Mion's group, wait here."
"N-no, I'll go with you!"
"Huh? Hmm, I'm scared of what might happen if strong monsters appear. It's tough to escape by crossing the river, you know…"
I probably think that the other side is a different area, and the enemies there will be stronger.
Mion is wearing a robe, so moving while soaked in water would be difficult for her.
"Oh, right. Wait a moment."
"Y-yes."
I went to the riverbank and checked the depth. This should be fine.
"[Stone Wall]"
Carefully avoiding damming the river, I added stepping stones with [Stone Wall]. The surface was flat, so no one should slip, but…
"Yeah, looks good. Lupi, Leda, Roy. Go ahead and scout it out a bit."
"Wafu!" ""Bau!""
When I asked them, Lupi's group swam across, splashing, without using the stepping stones.
Well, this is for Mion, anyway.
I moved to the stepping stones I'd created, making more as I went, until we reached the opposite bank.
"This should do. Be careful crossing."
"Yes."
First Shal crossed, then Mion and Sweee, and finally Kuro.
Watching Mion cross each stone carefully, I started to feel like this was a mistake…
"Mion, your hand."
"Yes. Sorry to keep you waiting."
Finally, I took Mion's hand and pulled her closer.
Um, being hugged tightly makes my heart race, so just a moderate amount…
"Nyan Nyan?"
"Ah, you're right…"
Why didn't I think of that?
"What's wrong?"
"No, I just thought, maybe I should have carried Mion in my arms."
"Ah!"
Being stared at with such expectant eyes also makes my heart race, so…
"Is it okay if I do that on the way back?"
"Yes!"
While we were having that exchange, Kuro arrived.
I had asked Rake and the other Ghillie Dhu to stay behind and keep watch in this area. There's always a chance monsters could cross the stepping stones I made.
"Alright, let's go to where we saw the horses."
"Wafu."
With Lupi in the lead, and Leda and Roy also on alert, we proceeded.
The horse we saw earlier didn't seem like a monster, so I wanted to get a closer look.
"Uu?" "Kuru~."
"Okay, but don't stray too far from Lupi's group."
I gave permission for Kuro and Raz to scout from the trees. But there might be snakes, so safety first; I won't let them take unnecessary risks.
After walking for a while, we reached the lake again, and moved to where we had seen the horse… As expected, it wasn't there anymore.
"This area seems to be a frequently used watering hole."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. The lack of undergrowth is probably because it's been trodden down."
There were also a few other footprints besides horse tracks. All of them disappeared into the depths of the forest.
If we headed northeast from here, we could probably reach the plains where I found cotton, but it seems we don't have enough time today.
The distance shouldn't be that great, but considering the possibility of monsters, I still need to proceed cautiously…
"Wafu."
"Uu" "Kuru ru."
Lupi barked softly, and the next moment, Kuro and Raz returned.
Activating [Shared Presence Detection], I sensed something quite large approaching.
"Shal, Kuro. I'm counting on you with Mion and Sweee."
At my words, Shal and Kuro stood firm around Mion.
I asked Sweee to give the order to retreat if things got dire, then headed towards Lupi.
"Lupi."
She didn't turn around even when I called, instead staring intently into the depths of the forest with Leda and Roy beside her.
Raz emerged from my hood and climbed onto my left shoulder. She seemed to be on alert, and the jewel on her forehead faintly flickered.
"Here it comes."
The creature slowly approached, then emerged from behind the trees, and then,
"Bururu."
It neighed softly and stopped. Lupi, Leda, and Roy were standing in its way, after all.
It was a different horse from the one I saw earlier, a white to grayish color. Is that called dappled gray?
The nameplate was white, the same as when I first found Lupi, but it clearly displayed [Frosty Grani]. Is it because my [Zoology Skill] is Level 5?
"Lupi. It's okay."
"Wafun."
When I told her that, Lupi moved slightly aside and sat down. But she was still clearly on alert.
I thought I wouldn't be able to use Appraisal unless I got closer, but the horse slowly approached me.
"Bururun."
"Wafun."
After greeting (?) the sitting Lupi, it leaned its head towards me.
[Frosty Grani: Interest: Hungry]
"Phantom Beast Grani. Specifically, stallions with a coat color close to white are called Frosty Grani. It has been ridden by the Scarlet Goddess since ancient times, and its usual temperament is very docile, but when enraged, it becomes uncontrollable."
…Anyway, it seemed hungry, so I took out some Dried Papu Fruit I had as emergency rations, and it put them into its mouth without hesitation, munching deliciously.
"Bururu ru."
"Ah, yeah."
It demanded more, so I gave it one or two… Do horses eat that much?
I'm almost out of what I have. Does Mion have any? I'll go back and ask.