112 - Deal
It was a strange sensation.
Mei of the Kirin was before my eyes, and I looked around my surroundings.
At the same time, Mei also seemed a bit bewildered.
Mei jumped in the form of a Kirin, and as they landed, the cloth on their arms fluttered.
They took on a human form, holding their head with their left hand.
"Hmm, what an interesting skill. I wonder if it's because the tenth one I saw was a completely different skill?"
The information I was obtaining through my skill was probably being shared with Mei as well.
I understood that this was what it felt like to be connected.
The information I possessed—the map of the surroundings obtained by the skill, and the reactions of allies and enemies—was being shared.
Furthermore, even the field of vision Mei was seeing was visible to me.
"...I feel like I'm going to get a headache. The amount of information increased all at once."
When I held my head, in Mei's vision, I was holding my head. It was an absurd situation where I was seeing both my own vision and Mei's vision.
From the Jewel Orb, the Seventh Generation gave me advice.
Liel, limit the amount of information. Can you do it? Do not share everything up to the field of vision—the five senses. For now, you don't need to give the skill information to the other party either.
At that, Mei's eyes widened.
"I'm surprised. You really are having a conversation."
Apparently, Mei could hear the voice too. I operated the skill by intuition, somehow reducing the amount of information.
Once I no longer had to look at the other's vision, I shook my head.
The Fifth Generation spoke to Mei.
That's right. This is how Liel and I have conversations. No other voices reach us... but you noticed.
At the Fifth Generation's gentle voice, Mei brought both hands to their chest and began to shed tears.
"Fredricks... I'm sorry... I couldn't keep my promise."
Seeing a girl crying in front of me made me feel somewhat uneasy.
The Fifth Generation spoke in a gentle voice.
It's alright. I lied too. Because I probably knew we wouldn't be able to meet again.
Mei wiped the tears with their finger and answered with a smile.
"But, I can talk to you again like this. I'm happy about that, Fredricks."
However, the Fifth Generation—.
...Sorry, Mei. The real me is already dead. What remains in this Jewel Orb is the skill, memories, and heart of the person known as me—Fredricks Wolt. It's like a recorded imitation.
When they spoke sadly, Mei became flustered.
That was likely because the presence of the Fifth Generation within the Jewel Orb was so identical. So much so that I thought I had sealed it in.
It is my responsibility that the promise wasn't fulfilled. Don't worry about it anymore.
"But... but!"
Mei reached out and touched the Jewel Orb hanging from my neck. Then, the scenery suddenly changed.
(This sensation... am I being pulled in?)
It was the hut that appeared frequently in the Fifth Generation's memories.
Various animals were being raised around the area, and I was standing there together with Mei.
"Mikel, Angelo, and Maya... why. But, everyone should be dead already."
A surprised Mei tried to touch the horses and other animals they called by name. However, they couldn't touch them, their hand passed right through.
Then, Mei looked at the room where they once lived.
From there, a girl wearing a white dress came out of the room and spoke to the animals.
The animals seemed to be responding to her, as they approached the girl.
A large dog approached Mei and licked their face, and Mei looked happy.
"...Zelut."
When they called the name, Mei made a sad expression and looked down. Then, footsteps were heard.
Turning around, the Fifth Generation appeared from the entrance of the hut.
...I didn't think such a thing would be possible.
I became certain.
"The Memory Room, is it? But, why even Mei?"
The Fifth Generation held their head and shook it.
How should I know? I can only think that they connected with us through your skill. But, it's been a long time since we met like this, Mei.
Mei, who had started crying, leaped at the Fifth Generation just as they were. Their form was that of a Kirin.
"Fredricks! I've grown. I'm an adult now, so I've become able to create my own herd!"
The Fifth Generation hugged the large Kirin's neck and stroked their skin.
You've become splendid. I see, you're an adult too... I'm truly glad. As I thought, I was concerned. But now I understand. I wasn't able to see you at the end. Well, I'm glad you've become splendid.
To the Kirin who tilted their head, the Fifth Generation explained.
...Our memories only go up until we let go of this blue orb that has now become the Jewel Orb. There are no memories after that. That's why I don't know how the end turned out.
Mei pressed their forehead against the Fifth Generation and let themselves be petted.
It was as if Mei was showing through their actions that it was fine.
Hey, Mei. Won't you grant me a favor?
"A favor?"
Mei peered into the Fifth Generation's face.
...Please help Liel.
The Fifth Generation asked Mei to look after me.
Inside the forest.
Once my consciousness returned, I decided to return to the village.
Since Mei had blown away the gathered monsters with lightning, the work was mostly finished.
While confirming the surrounding situation with my skill, I proceeded to check the place where the three boys had fled.
"This is it. Honestly, even if you're going to throw them, don't scatter them. It's a pain for me to collect them."
Picking up the last silver coin and putting it in the bag, the total count was fifty coins.
Is this all of them? The rest are probably with the boys.
Sighing and looking back, I saw Mei.
In human form.
And despite wearing clothes that were clearly inappropriate for entering a forest, Mei stood there in a pristine state.
There were no scratches or snags on their clothes from tree branches or grass. Even though the ground was muddy, they seemed fine despite wearing footwear like sandals.
Despite being in the middle of the forest, they followed behind me with a nonchalant face.
"Do you really intend to come along?"
Mei looked at me, appearing curious.
"That's right. Because it's Fredricks' request. I've only ever been helped by Fredricks and couldn't return the favor. Well, my goal is also to defeat monsters. So, it's no problem to work from a human perspective."
I checked the collected money, put it in my pocket, and spoke to Mei.
"Listen, coming with me means that you'll become an adventurer, you know?"
Mei looked at me with an exasperated expression.
"I don't mind. Because among my comrades, there are those who are adventurers in the same way. I'm not the only one who is full of curiosity."
While I was surprised by this unexpected fact, Mei looked at me with a smile.
"Ah, but you can't tell the difference. See?"
Touching the horns that grew diagonally behind their ears, the horns became small and disappeared.
"Now the appearance is the same. There are humans with skills who can occasionally tell... but if they try something, we'll fight back."
Though surprised, I said,
"You can tell by the skill, though."
"It's surprisingly hard to get caught. In fact, many humans pretend not to notice even if they can tell. Though there are some idiots occasionally."
I could understand what happened to such idiots without asking.
(Meaning they run away if they're found out)
With poor skill, one wouldn't be able to capture a Holy Beast. And if they had enough skill to capture one, they should have enough skill to make a living without forcing a capture.
Mei looked down slightly.
"Besides, if Fredricks' story is true, we can't remain unrelated. About three hundred years ago in your terms, I think. At that time, it seems our numbers decreased significantly. For the sake of one human."
Agrissa—.
My grandmother's lineage, if traced back, leads to Agrissa, who was called a beauty that could topple nations.
Celes, who shared that lineage, had similarly tried to move the country significantly.
"Did they decrease that much?"
Mei told me, while saying they didn't know the details.
"There were some of our kind who underestimated them. And they were captured. They were apparently turned into taxidermy, or human tools using horns and scales, and their flesh and blood were eaten. Humans aren't lacking in things to eat, so I wonder why they do that."
It seemed to be an emotion Mei couldn't understand.
"Is that the only reason you're helping me?"
Then, Mei put a hand to their chin and looked at me with a serious expression from my toes to the top of my head.
"Since Fredricks isn't here, I'll rely on you, his descendant. Hey, shall we have children together? Two, if possible. Actually, I want about five."
I burst out laughing, and the Fifth Generation spoke from within the Jewel Orb.
Meiii!! Save that kind of thing for something more important!! Don't say it like that!
They were making a fuss, and the Sixth Generation grumbled.
With animals, they use this approach, but with us, they were telling us to hurry up and make them, or give birth... I just can't accept it.
I looked at Mei, who was tilting their head.
"Do you even understand what that means? I mean, ask a male of your own kind."
Mei laughed at me through their nose.
"I wonder if you're the one who's okay? Among us, whom you call Holy Beasts, there are no males. Besides, I know about making children. That's why I can take a human form. Ah, but... if you tell me you prefer it while I'm in the form of a Kirin, I'll be troubled. I've never heard of such a special hobby until now."
Looking at Mei, who was blushing and scratching their head, I shouted.
"Are you an idiot! Who would say such a thing!"
"Then it's fine. Man, when you're long-lived, the numbers inevitably decrease. Recently, monsters have increased, so it felt like the balance would collapse if things stayed as they are. Well then, shall we make children once we return?"
I shook my head vigorously.
"Why? Do you have a mate? Come to think of it, there were many girls... ah, could it be a harem-like thing? But that's strange. I heard humans don't make harems to that extent. Ah! I've got it!"
Mei seemed to have reached a conclusion within themselves.
"Fredricks had a harem too, so you're a species that makes harems or something. Yes, yes, there are certainly human males who make harems, so there's no mistake!"
"It's all mistakes! Can you even live in human society with that kind of perception!"
I tried to correct the mistakes, but—.
"But the females around you had feelings for you, didn't they? I can't understand humans. But, I want your seed, so I'll follow you. I'll lend you my strength, and you'll sow your seed in me. That's fine, right?"
"It's not fine! Everything is too wrong, I don't even know what to correct... anyway, that kind of thing has to be between people who like each other!"
Then, voices came from within the Jewel Orb.
Starting from the Third Generation.
I don't know what to do, I can't agree with Liel's values.
I mean, if we can borrow the power of the Kirin with that, isn't that fine?
Mei, who was so cute... I mean, aren't Liel's values strange?
Seventh Generation... didn't you mess up the education?
Well, Zenoa and I were perfect as a couple. It's only natural that Liel would be envious.
It was irritating that the Seventh Generation was casually bragging, but I had heard my grandmother criticizing the Seventh Generation.
She had gently taught me, saying, Be careful of Liel.
(I'm not even a noble anymore, so there's no such thing as a political marriage! Besides, 'let's just make children'... who the hell am I supposed to explain that to my comrades!)
Having heard Mei's outrageous request on the way back, I returned to the village with a tired face.
"Listen, absolutely do not talk about making children. Really, don't! Especially, absolutely do not do it in front of Novem."
Then, as if remembering something, Mei said,
"Novem? Ah, that child with the tied-back hair. That child, I found them very mysterious. Your harem seems to have many oddities, but that child is especially so. I wonder... I feel like I've known them for a long time."
What are they talking about? Just as I was about to ask back, my comrades—Novem and the others—burst in near the entrance of the forest to look for me, so I stopped asking.
After returning from the forest, I went to the village chief's house and reported on the matter.
The village chief, who was sweating profusely, let out a deep sigh after hearing my story.
"In other words, there's no such thing as the Kirin destroying this village, right?"
"Yes, I've settled the matter. The Kirin also said that as long as the balance of the forest isn't disrupted further, they'll stop at just threatening."
I couldn't tell him that Mei was that Kirin.
The trio seemed to be locked in the village warehouse.
Apparently, when the trio returned and talked about angering the Kirin, the village fell into chaos.
And, naturally, the village chief was blamed.
While he was thinking of a response, I returned, which is why we were talking.
"You've saved me. But, how to make the village people understand that... some idiots are even saying we should kill those three and offer them to the forest."
Even if I explained that doing such a thing was meaningless, the current village chief had no means to stop the panicked villagers.
I turned my gaze to the village money placed on the table.
Then, the Third Generation spoke from within the Jewel Orb.
Ah, I've thought of something good.
While thinking it was definitely not something good, I touched the Jewel Orb and asked the Third Generation for an explanation.
It's the best method for both Liel and the village chief. We'll have Mei cooperate, but first, shall we make a deal with the village chief, Liel?
The Sixth Generation also thought it was interesting and agreed with the Third Generation.
That sounds good. The reward would be the report of the exam results to the guild, right?
The Fourth Generation too.
Instead of receiving the request fee later, I was thinking of that method too... certainly, in such a bad situation, the village chief is likely to lend us his strength. Moreover, we can even put him in our debt!
The Fifth Generation said,
I don't want to involve Mei in your shady dealings, but I guess it can't be helped.
The Seventh Generation said,
Both have merits. Liel... this is helping people. The village chief will be recognized by the village, and you will gain an evaluation that allows you to challenge the labyrinth. It's a happy deal for both.
What on earth are these people thinking, while the village chief is desperately pondering right in front of me...
However, since I couldn't think of a way to get through this situation either.
"Village chief, a word."
"What is it?"
And so, I made a deal with the village chief.