Chapter 207 – Bear-san Departs for the Elf Village
Author’s note:
I made a mistake. (TL Note: probably a typo that has long since been fixed.)
We passed through the gates together with some merchants and carriages. I noticed that most of the leaving people had at least some sort of transport.
「Umm, we aren’t going to walk all the way there, are we?」
Ruimin asked with concern. Well, I understood where it was coming from. She must have started to worry when we just walked out the gates without getting a ride or giving any further explanations. We walked for a while before finding a deserted spot.
「Here should be fine, right?」
I stretched out my arms and summoned Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear.
「W-w-what are those?!」
Ruimin shouted.
「They’re Yuna-chan’s summoned beasts.」
For some reason, Sanya-san was the one who boasted about them. She did realize they were my summoned beasts right?
「They are Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear; you’ve already met them both, remember?」
「Swaying Bear-chan and Hugging Bear-chan? But, they were much smaller before.」
Ruimin said while gesturing how small they were in their cub forms with her hands.
「Those are their cub forms.」
I said and changed Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear into their cub forms. And then, Sanya-san was the one let out a shocked cry.
「Yuna-chan! What are these small bears?!」
Sanya-san cried out with her eyes wide-open in surprise. It seemed like she had never seen them in their cub forms before.
「Umm, just like I said just a moment ago, they are my summoned beasts: Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear. Earlier, they were in their regular form, but they can also change into a cub-sized versions of themselves.」
「Really?」
「I had no idea.」
They each picked up a Bear and held it tight. The sisters exhibited surprisingly similar behavior when I observed them closer. I got them to let my Bears go so I could return them to their normal size.
「How mysterious.」
「Yeah, it really is.」
「Okay then, can the two of you get on Swaying Bear?」
「Do you mean we’re going to ride them?」
「They’re faster than horses and way more comfortable, too.」
Sanya-san and Ruimin slowly approached Swaying Bear.
「This will be my first time riding a bear.」
「Normally, you wouldn’t be able to ride one, you know.」
Swaying Bear lowered its back, letting Ruimin and Sanya-san climb onto it.
「Umm, Swaying Bear-chan, please take care of us.」
I got on Hugging Bear, and gently patted it.
「Thanks for doing this, like always.」
Hugging Bear cried softly in response.
「I know you two are probably a bit nervous, but please don’t do anything rash while on top of it. Ready to go?」
And so, we departed for the Elf Village.
「We’re going really fast.」
「Yeah.」
「Is it okay for Swaying Bear-chan to run at such high speed?」
Ruimin asked, clearly worried about Swaying Bear. We were only going a little bit faster than we would on horseback, though… The bears could go even faster, but since we would be travelling for quite a while, lowering their speed should help conserve their stamina, which would also allow them to run longer than a horse. Plus, I really didn’t want to burden them too much, so I told them to take it easy. Besides, I wasn’t quite sure how much of my Bear’s strength should I reveal.
「We can take a break on the way if you are worried too much. Sanya-san, we’re still heading to Raruuze first, right?」
We had discussed where we would head first just yesterday. I hadn’t really grasped how far away the place was, but I figured it would be fine since Sanya-san and Ruimin could guide me. I only provided the method of transportation; the rest of the journey planning was up to them.
「That’s right, the city is right next to the border with Sorzonark, the country we are heading to. 」
Based on Sanya-san’s additional explanation, there were quite a few small towns and villages between the capital and Raruuze, but whether we would stop at any of them during our trip would depend on the situation. I really wanted to make a map of the whole area, but if we were only going to stop by the city… Not to mention the fact, because of my Bear Suit, I couldn’t just simply go sightseeing without getting bothered…
Well, it would be fine if I was traveling by myself, but I had Sanya-san and Ruimin with me, and I really didn’t want to trouble them.
I was still quite sleepy since we headed out so early in the morning. The sky was clear, and the sunlight hitting my face felt very nice, which made it the perfect time to take a nap. I just wanted to bury my face in Hugging Bear’s fur, but had to respond to the two chatting next to me.
「Anyway, why haven’t I ever hear about your bears’ cub forms before?」
「And you didn’t tell me they could turn big, either.」