233 – Signs of the Manticore

『The traveler I mentioned is a woman who came to visit our village.
She was injured by a monster… Detoxification was needed, so we set out to gather the ingredients to make an antidote.』

Hibi informs me by [Telepathy].
As I listen, I grow more and more uneasy.

It can’t be.
But I don’t have the evidence to deny it.
What I’ve heard so far fits my suspicions too well.
Isn’t there anything I could ask to prove it one way or the other? As I think that, an idea strikes me.

Where was the traveller injured? I question her, watching her face while hoping against hope.

『Where, you ask? She was injured is near the base of her stomach.
Fortunately the attacker left her with a shallow wound, but even so…』

My suspicions condense into conviction.
I’m nearly certain it’s the manticore.
After receiving my [Poison Fang], it must have used [Humanisation Technique] to infiltrate the Lithovar village.
To eat their children and then pretend to be a traveller in need of their assistance, it’s got guts. 

Leaving it alone would be bad.
It’s probably planning on eating more of the children after it heals up.

I look in the direction of where I left the wight.
Sorry, wight, it looks like it’ll be a while longer until I can return.
I need to check in on your hometown, so please wait a little longer.

Noticing the movements of my eyes, Baron tilts his head curiously.
He might be thinking that I noticed the presence of a monster or something.

I change the direction I’m looking, and Hibi closes her eyes and frowns.
Oops, that was dangerous.
I lightly shake my head to obscure which way I was looking.

As she is now, it woudl be bad if the wight were spotted by the Lithovars.
[Telepathy] lets my thoughts be read, so depending on the situation, I can’t be confident that traces of what I’m thinking to myself aren’t picked up on.
I’d like to think that it can only pick up on thoughts that I intentionally try to transmit, but seeing as I can’t use it, I don’t know its extent.
It would be best to be cautious here.
Even though it’s convenient, I should avoid having the miko use [Telepathy] as much as possible.

I want to quickly go to their village, and quickly return, so I need to get the two of them to guide me right away.
I crouch down.
Urging the two of them to get on my back, I lower my head to the ground.

I’m counting on the two of you for guidance.
Hibi slowly climbs on top of me, but Baron stops in place.
He sticks his spear into the ground, closes his eyes and inclines his head.

By some chance, could there be a rule that only mikos can ride me? I’m starting to wonder if the previous generation was a womaniser.
As a local custom, I can appreciate it.
But is it really ok to leave Baron behind as a result?

“Baron, please take care of the herb gathering.”

“Hah! Even by myself, I will produce results!”

Ah, they’re dividing up their roles.
Though they didn’t talk before deciding their roles, so the only-the-miko-can-ride-me theory is still going strong.

But will Baron be able to fend off an abyss by himself? They can suddenly disappear from sight and hide their presence.
I haven’t been able to confirm it yet because I really don’t want to look at them for long, but I think they must have some sort of stealth skill.

I rub more of the thick yellow liquid off my arm as I think.

In Baron’s battle against an abyss earlier, Hibi kept shouting something.
I thought it was some sort of incantation, but it was probably telling Baron where to move.
When the abyss disappeared, Hibi was quick to shout out.
She probably used [Presence Detection] or something similar.

It could be that without her assistance, Baron would have fallen to the abyss’ surprise attack.
From what I could observe of the situation, it looked like he was only able to get the upper hand thanks to her help.

If possible, I’d like for you to postpone the herb gathering until later.
If my prediction is correct, they won’t be needed anyway.
Besides, if you tell me what to look for, I’m sure I’ll be able to find them quickly.
Though I’d like to escort the wight and treant to the shrine first.

Still, [Telepathy] and [Presence Detection], huh.
This Lithovar miko really is outstanding.
There’s just the matter of the rough guy bowing his head.
There’s a chance wight might remember him.
If so, that would be wonderfully convenient.

“Gaah”

“Ubuhaah! Dragon-god-sama!? What are you… What are you…”

My partner, who’s been behaving herself until now, has suddenly picked up Baron with her mouth.
Separated from the ground, his legs are kicking feebly.

Eh? W-wait a minute, what is this kid doing?

She places Baron down on her back and looks at me with an impatient expression, as if to say that this is fine. 

Please be a little more considerate… I got seriously worried there, you know.
For that matter, there’s teeth marks on Baron.
She didn’t draw blood, but that’s still bad, right?

We’re monsters, after all.
Even for trivial things, each of our movements is terrifying to humans.
Baron was seriously frightened there you know? If we’re unlucky, there could be lasting effects.
In the future, for these sorts of things…

“Th-the marks of dragon-god-sama’s teeth… H-Hibi-sama! Hibi-sama, please look! This here… see, please look!”

Baron joyfully exclaims, examining an indent on his side, his face bright red.
Making a huge fuss, this half-naked man is twisting around, trying to show off his side to the young lady sitting in front of him.
Describing it is one thing.
The experience of it occurring before my eyes, or rather on my back, is even tougher.

…This person, he’s become a little perverted.
I’m started to get a little scared of visiting the Lithovar village.
Not everyone will be like this guy there, right? If people start clamouring for me to give them tooth marks too, I’ll be in a pinch.
If that happens, I’ll have to do my best to pretend to not understand them.

“Gaa…”

It seems my partner is also pulling away from him.
I can read a grimace on her face.
She’s stretching out her head, trying to put as much distance as she can between herself and Baron.