74 – Piy’s advice
“Druid. “This looks like a good place to camp.”
“That’s right. “There is a stream nearby, so let’s camp here tonight.”
As I ran diligently, the sun was already setting.
I accepted the opinion of the leader Centaur and instructed my party to prepare for camping.
“Centaurs, please make sure the surroundings are safe and come back. “The nannies prepare meals, and Kaa and Shizu provide shelter in a suitable place.”
“Yes, I understand. But what are you going to do?”
“I will go to the stream and give water to the deer and wolves. We also have to bring drinking water for ourselves. “I sweat a lot while running and I want to wash it off.”
“…… Are you going to shower now?”
“Uh. Why? Are you trying to steal my body again? “There are other kids too, so don’t do that.”
“Bo, you don’t want to see me?”
With everyone joining forces, camping preparations were completed in an instant.
Shizu used her natural magic to create a simple wall and even lit a warm brazier in the middle, creating a fairly cozy campsite.
Because there were elves and tree spirits, we couldn’t make a bonfire, but sitting there with the flame stone brazier in the middle made me feel like I was healing.
“Candidate. Here’s a warm stew. “There is a lot, so please let me know if you want more.”
“Yes. “I’ll eat well.”
More than anything, I really liked the fact that I could eat warm and delicious food.
When I traveled to the west of Shizurang Forest, I only ate tough beef jerky, but when I traveled with her married women, I was provided with full-fledged camping food.
Of course, if the travel period was long, she would run out of food ingredients and would have to eat preserved food, but since this trip lasted about three or four days at most, she did not have to worry about eating the tough beef jerky.
Because she is surrounded by reliable colleagues, she feels at ease even in the dangerous forest.
Sipping hot stew in chilly weather fills me with a pleasant feeling of fatigue.
It was a natural result that conversation blossomed among her companions in such a harmonious atmosphere.
“What about the centaurs? “Does the food suit your taste?”
“It’s delicious. “I think I can keep eating.”
“hehehe. You can feel free to eat it. Ah! By the way, what is your name? “For your information, my name is ‘Aemula.'”
Now that I think about it, her companions didn’t even introduce themselves.
Under the leadership of Riddin’s mother, Amula, we finished our brief self-introduction by saying each other’s names.
I feel like a sense of intimacy is forming as we reveal each other’s names and even share food.
It seemed like I wasn’t the only one who felt that way, as Piyi, who was lying on my lap, smiled and asked the centaurs.
[But why were the centaurs chosen by the male god of the wild? It doesn’t seem like you just made the choice without any reason. Do you have any guess?]
When I asked Mahesar a similar question, he simply answered, ‘I only responded because the prayer came up.’
I assumed that among the centaurs, who were monsters, there was an individual who awakened to religious beliefs, and that thanks to that, they were selected by the male god of the wild and achieved the evolution of the race.
In response to Piyi’s question, the centaurs nodded with bitter expressions.
It seemed like he could guess who was sending prayers to the male god of the wild.
“Hmm. “It’s probably because of ‘Renisha the Short Horn.'”
[Renisha?]
“Okay. She is a curious and strange centaur. She loved watching humans and beasts. “I tried to tell her that it was dangerous, but she didn’t listen.”
[Ah. It seems that her curiosity led her to observe other races and realize the concept of God.]
“I think so. Now that I think about it, I think Renisha is an amazing female. “I didn’t even know what God was until I saw it for myself.”
The leader of the centaurs, ‘Mathicus the Black-footed’, finished his answer by nodding his head.
But his expression did not look that happy. On the contrary, he seemed annoyed when he mentioned Lenisha.
Did Renisha’s actions have a negative impact on him?
I asked as I took Matikus’ bowl and filled it with stew.
“Why are you so gloomy? In the end, it worked out well because I received the blessing of wild nature, right?”
Matikus, who took his bowl, shook his head slightly and answered.
“I don’t know. “It seems like the centaurs have become weaker due to the blessing of wildness.”
I have actually become weaker due to the blessing of wild nature. What kind of nonsense is that?
I gently retorted, pointing to the child who was sleeping soundly, wrapped in fur.
“What do you mean you have become weak? Didn’t you see me running today? That’s the power of your wildness. “If only this child learned how to use his wild nature, he would become much stronger, right?”
Of course, it may have been difficult for centaurs who did not participate in evolution to feel the change.
It is said that he had wild blue mana, but he could not use magic unless he was a beastman.
At most, it would be about improving physical abilities or extending lifespan.
But it was clear that the newly born children would become stronger.
Because the wild nature of the demon race and the green race had a potential that far exceeded the physical capabilities of the centaur.
However, Maticus, the leader of the Centaurs, seemed to think differently.
He looked at the sleeping child and opened his mouth with a deep sigh.
“That child was born last year. But he can’t even run yet. “A child born as a beastman is very weak.”
“Hmm? “I was born last year, so of course I can’t run, right?”
“Once a centaur child is born, he can run on his own. But the blessed child cannot run even after a year.”
“… ….”
What? When a centaur is one month old, can he run? These guys were truly monsters.
I answered Maticus with a puzzled expression.
“Well, that might make you look weak. “I guess it’s a physical difference that makes me stand out as a child.”
“There are many difficult problems because of such differences. Even though spring has passed and winter has come, we can’t move. Now the centaurs are living a settled life because of their children. If things continue like this, we will be discovered by human adventurers. “We desperately need the druid’s help.”
“A human adventurer? “Is this the first time you’ve heard of this?”
“We are still recognized as monsters by humans. That’s why these adventurers attack us, aiming for our heads. Normally, they would avoid pursuit by moving around their residences, but since the children cannot run, they now end up staying in one place for a long time. “Maybe that’s why more and more adventurers are flocking here.”
“Ah… If the target of subjugation does not move, forming a large-scale subjugation force will not be wasted….”
“I think so.”
After answering, Marty Kus put his nose into his bowl and began to eat the stew.
I thought I could teach them child-rearing knowledge and help them hunt monsters, but the problems they had seemed to be more complicated and difficult than I thought.
‘I didn’t know there would be trouble with humans.’
More than anything, I was concerned about the friction with the human side.
Because Shizu and Kaa were with me, I wouldn’t be pushed back by force, but being hostile to humans itself was stressful for me.
I feel like this mission will be a big turning point for me.
In the atmosphere that suddenly became quiet, I just pecked Piyi’s cheek.
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“Gaul. What do you plan on doing to keep watch?”
At that time, Kaa, who had finished eating, sat down next to me and asked.
Now that I think about it, it was essential to stay on guard when camping in a major forest.
Because it was the end of autumn, the scaly monsters had disappeared, but the fur-like monsters and various monsters were still active.
I answered Kaa, shaking off the complicated issues with a small sigh.
“The centaurs must be very tired. It was a long journey, but we started right away without stopping. “Let’s three of us take care of the night shift today.”
“Three people?”
“Me, you, Shizu. “Let’s have three people stay on guard like this.”
“Hmm. It feels strange to be tied up like that. So what should be the order? Any time zone is fine for me.”
“The first is Shizu. The second is me. How about you take charge of the last one? “It would be enough to write every three hours.”
I will be in charge of the most tiring middle hours of the night watch.
Kaa smiled softly, wagging her tail at such a sweet and gentle suggestion.
“You are truly very considerate. “You must be tired from running. Are you okay?”
“Don’t worry. Because it’s okay.”
“Okay. “Then I will follow your suggestion.”
Kaa seemed happy that I was considerate of her, her face blushing and she hugged her tail.
Of course, I was in charge of keeping watch to be considerate of my companions.
However, there was another reason for removing Shizu and Kaa from the first and last divisions.
‘If they wake each other up, the whole group will wake up.’
Kaa awakens Shizu. Siege awakens Kaa.
When I pictured that situation in my head, all I could think of was a mess.
In order for everyone in the group to get a good night’s sleep, it would be better for me to suffer a little.
With that thought in mind, I immediately started laying out a sleeping bag in preparation for the night watch.
At that time, Piyi, who was quietly watching me, spoke softly.
[Are you starting to get better at handling Kaa and Shizu?]
I smiled and nodded.
Because this is something I have been feeling desperately these days.
When I sympathized with his words, Piyi smiled mischievously and continued.
[Without even knowing that it was digging his own grave.]
“… ….”
As the blood cools, goosebumps appear all over the body.
I looked at Piyi with my mouth wide open.
Pi pointed at Shizu and Kaa and said sharp words to me.
[Don’t keep giving me room. You can’t handle it later?]
“Ugh!”
Pi’s words become a dagger and pierce my heart.
How is he so knowledgeable about love issues despite being a tree spirit?
“Ah, okay….”
However, it was a comment that had absolutely nothing to refute.
I had no choice but to nod my head.