kscans

Chapter 57 - Bonfire, and the Maidens Who Dance with Wolves

"Alright, I'm going to summon her,"

I said. Kalpana nodded.

"By the way, are there others who are wandering for the same reason?"

"Yes, we are known as the Ten Wandering Tribes. We have not lost our loyalty to Laciel-sama."

"...Loyalty, huh. That's reassuring..."

So I'm going to get pestered by nine other tribes to summon Laciel? Sounds like a special kind of hell.

"We would never do anything to trouble Mash-sama. We have our own network. I will convey Laciel-sama's revelation to the other tribes."

Sensing my enthusiasm wither, Kalpana added this in a hurry. Famu drew closer, likely to support me in case I fainted after the summoning. Mizuki remained silent, her disapproval still evident. Myra watched me, holding her breath. Cecily and Aira were expressionless, perhaps recalling the day of the duel.

"Okay, here I go. Using my special skill."

"Yes. Please proceed."

Kalpana nodded once more.

"Goddess Summon!"

I shouted, pouring my will into the words, but nothing happened. A day and a few hours had passed since the last summoning, but it seemed it wasn't enough. I'd built it up so dramatically, too. This was mortifyingly embarrassing. What should I do? I glanced at Mizuki for a lifeline. She just stared back at me, saying nothing.

"...What?"

"Uh, it's not activating."

"It's because you're Misch, isn't it?"

Her response was cold. Looked like I'd have to get myself out of this one.

"...So that's how it is. I got your hopes up, but it seems she's not going to answer the summons today."

I decided to make it sound like Laciel's fault, not mine.

"Oh, is that so..."

Watching Kalpana's shoulders slump, I felt a pang of guilt.

"I think tomorrow will be fine,"

I blurted out, trying to smooth things over. It was a slip of the tongue.

"Um, Mash... Misch-sama, would it be possible for you to take me with you?"

"Mash is fine. Are you planning to come with the caravan? You'd have to ask Claire about that."

Traveling with thirty carriages... That would be quite the spectacle.

"No, just me. I wish to be added to your party."

"That's impossible. Levante already has six members."

"Mash-sama. Won't you please reconsider?"

Kalpana persisted.

"..."

Even if she told me to think about it, I had no intention of changing my party members. Cecily and Aira were only with us until Miglutt, but would they really leave? I didn't want to think about it. As these thoughts crossed my mind, Cecily stood up.

"Why not? Then I'll leave. It was only a promise until Miglutt, anyway,"

she said, and started to exit the tent.

"Wait. I'm not kicking anyone out."

Whether my words reached her or not, she left. I stood up to go after her.

"She is your slave, isn't she, Mash-sama? Now that I think of it, she was splashing you with water earlier."

Kalpana looked surprised. She probably thought I could just use the Slave Mark to order her back.

"Sorry. I'm going after Cecily. Famu, I'm leaving things to you."

"Yes,"

Famu nodded. I followed Cecily out of the tent.

Outside the tent felt like a banquet hall. The area was lit as brightly as a festival night by countless torches, and everyone was eating, drinking, and making merry. Instruments were playing, and some people were singing. I scanned the crowd, but Cecily was nowhere to be seen. Avea called out to me.

"Heard these folks called you over. You know them?"

"No, they just knew of me. More importantly, I'm looking for Cecily. Have you seen her?"

"She headed back to your tent."

"Got it."

I nodded and walked toward our tent. It was a large tent that could fit six people, but it was dwarfed by the size of Kalpana's ger. Cecily was there. She was sitting in front of the tent, hugging her knees to her chest.

"Hey, your panties are showing."

"I-I'm showing them on purpose!"

I considered sitting down in front of her for a better view, but she immediately stopped hugging her knees and covered herself. With a sigh, I sat down next to her. Cecily shifted again, turning her back to me.

"Did you let her join?"

Cecily mumbled.

"No, I didn't."

"Why not?"

"I want to keep going with the six of us."

I hadn't even imagined swapping out members, so I didn't know how else to answer.

"And when we get to Miglutt?"

"Even after we get to Miglutt."

Hearing my words, Cecily sighed.

"I'm leaving the party. Is that not okay?"

"I'd like to hear your reason."

Going to Miglutt might not have been what she truly wanted, but she had agreed. I thought of her as a companion, and we were traveling together. It had only been five days, and our destination was still far away.

"There's no reason. We were enemies to begin with."

"That's not true. You were the first ones to help me when I came to this world. I haven't forgotten that."

Come to think of it, that was the first time a girl had ever been kind to me.

"And yet you went and stole the girl from the very people who helped you."

"I couldn't help it; I thought she was cute. Besides, you were the one who came on to me."

It was Cecily who had made a move on me by the pond.

"I just didn't think you'd make a move on Aira, too."

"That was because Aira initiated it."

That night had been a confusing situation. Thinking about it, the only ones I'd actively pursued were Famu and Mizuki.

"..."

Cecily fell silent.

"If you really hate it, I'll set you free in the next town. But I don't want that. I want you to continue traveling with me."

"...Haaah."

Cecily let out another sigh.

"Why is it that when I come to you, you make a blatantly annoyed face? Why do you egg on my pranks so Aira gets mad at me?"

So that's what was bothering her.

"I'm sorry about that. But it's because you're always getting in the way."

She was interrupting when I was getting cozy with Myra or Mizuki.

"That's not it. You've slept with all of us. You're trying to love all of us at the same time. Yet, when I come over while you're with someone else, you think I'm in the way."

"Well, isn't that natural?"

Isn't that a normal reaction?

"In a one-on-one romance, yes. But you can't think that way. If I show up, you have to accept me just as you accept the girl you're already with. Because you love all of us."

"...I see. You're right. I'd never thought of it that way."

It was like scales falling from my eyes. She was absolutely right. But was it really possible to act like that? Cecily, who had her back to me, turned around to face me. She pressed her lips against mine.

"Just so you know, if we're alone and another girl comes over, and you welcome her... I'll be mad. I want a one-on-one romance!"

Cecily stood up. She took my hand and pulled me to my feet.

"The wandering folk are playing instruments and singing. Let's go listen."

Cecily started walking. I fell into step beside her. In the end, what was the right answer? Would she stay with the party? Cecily, what is it you really want?

A circle of people had formed around the central bonfire. Some were eating and drinking. Others were playing instruments. Mixed in with the sound of percussion was the melody of an accordion. It must have been brought over, or perhaps made, by someone from another world. People were dancing to the rhythm. Famu and the others were there. We joined them.

"Is the discussion over?"

"Yes. It's been decided that Kalpana and the others will travel with the caravan to the city tomorrow."

So, it would be a do-over for the Goddess Summon tomorrow night. I looked up at the night sky. Smoke rising from the bonfire dissolved into the Milky Way. The moon was bright tonight, so the river's luminescence was only a faint glow. I shifted my gaze back to the central bonfire. The music being played was familiar.

"It's the Oklahoma Mixer,"

Mizuki said. It was a song used for folk dancing. This, too, must have been brought here by a transmigrator.

"I always thought it was the Oklahama Mixer."

"And what beach would that be, exactly?"

I quipped, and Mizuki played along with a jab of her own. Surrounding the bonfire, everyone was dancing to the idyllic tune.

"How nostalgic. We all danced to this at the sports festival. Mash, let's join the circle and dance together!"

Mizuki grabbed my hand.

"You... you'll hold hands and dance with me?"

"What kind of nonsense are you spouting now?"

"It might be a fond, fun memory for you, but for me, this song is a sad reminder of how I never had anyone who would properly hold my hands with me..."

Another piece of my mysterious past was laid bare.

"There's no one like that here!"

Mizuki pulled me by the hand.

"Master, I want to dance too. But I've never seen this dance before."

"It's okay. It's simple and just repeats, so you'll learn it just by watching the person in front of you in the circle. Let's all join in,"

Mizuki answered for me. Myra, Cecily, and Aira joined the circle as well.

We stepped in time with the music. Left hand to left hand at waist level. Right hand to right hand over the shoulder. I moved forward, holding hands with Mizuki. Our shadows flickered along with the bonfire. Mizuki's face, illuminated by the flames, seemed to dance as well.

"Mizuki, you know... you have a really beautiful face."

"Don't say things that'll make me blush."

She averted her gaze. Her cheeks might have been flushed red, but I couldn't tell in the firelight. Just like that, we twirled, a phrase of the song ended, and my time with Mizuki was over as she moved on.

Next to appear before me was Famu.

"Master, I'm nervous."

"You'll be fine. You'll get the hang of it in no time."

She took clumsy steps, looking as adorable as a little robot. We proceeded with jerky movements. As she struggled through it, she spun and flowed back into the line.

My next partner was Cecily. She was much smoother than Famu.

"You're pretty good. Did you know this dance?"

"Nope, but something like this is a piece of cake!"

As she stepped forward and back, she almost bumped into Aira in front of her.

Then it was Aira's turn. She was stepping beautifully.

"Do you like to dance?"

"Mhm, and I like to sing, too. Cecily and I used to sing together when we were little."

I wondered what kind of songs she sang. I wanted to hear her someday.

"There's something I've been wanting to ask you. You really do hate stag beetles, don't you?"

"That's not true. I like them more than I like you, Mash."

"..."

Right. I should probably stop playing pranks on her with insects.

I twirled, and my next partner was Myra. Her steps were a little clumsy.

"Finally... finally, my turn has come."

Her chest swayed with the flickering of the flames and the rhythm of her steps.

"Will I be able to meet Laciel-sama tomorrow?"

"Barring any unforeseen circumstances, I'll summon her."

"Unforeseen circumstances... I have a feeling something will happen. But I have so many questions for her."

"Do you think Laciel will give a revelation to the wandering tribes?"

"I believe in Laciel-sama. But I also hope it doesn't become the spark for a large-scale war, like the Holy War a hundred years ago."

"Getting the children here involved, you mean."

Before Myra could even nod, our time together came to an end.

Avea was in front of me now. She'd joined in, too? Her shoulders were higher than mine, and the arm I put around her felt tight.

"...Aren't you cold in that outfit at night?"

"It's perfect for cooling down my heated muscles. You should try on those Boomerang Briefs I gave you."

"Maybe later,"

I replied noncommittally.

"That's a promise. Let's go crush a goblin nest together."

I pictured myself heading to a goblin nest clad in nothing but briefs. Just a common pervert. Avea flowed back down the line.

I placed my palm on Claire's. The arm around her shoulder brushed against her small wings. The feathers felt harder than I'd expected.

"I saw you join the circle, Mash, so I joined too."

For someone who'd just jumped in, her steps were quite skilled. I glanced around and saw Mercedes two people ahead. Beers was in front of him, too.

"Did you know this folk dance?"

"No, but it's somehow fun."

One step forward, one step back. And just like that, my time with her passed as well. The night slowly, peacefully, deepened.