Chapter 76

I feel as if I already heard this conversation before .

"That was pretty terrible . "

Feeling my legs going numb after I was finally released from Saya and Karen's scolding session, I complained with a tired face .

I never kneeled down for that long in my life .

"It's your fault, Yato-kun . "

"Yeah, you reap what you sow . "

Still mad, the both of them threw those words at me with a displeased expression .

Well, they're actually right, after all .

It's my fault for getting entranced by that magnificent scenery .

Next time I need to be careful .

As I was reflecting on what I did, Rouga, with a concerned expression, rushed over me .

"Chief, are you okay~ ?"

"Yeah, I'm fine . You did well earlier by defeating that octopus . Good job . "

I answered her with a smile as I patted her head . She's the hero who saved them this time and a hero deserves to be praised .

After spending a while patting Rouga, I went to ask the girls about the voice I heard before the attack .

"Hey, didn't you hear a strange voice before that octopus appeared?"

"Voice? Ah, yes I did hear it!"

"It was the voice of a little girl, right?"

"Yes, it was a little girl . "

Apparently, the three of them heard the same voice .

So it wasn't just my imagination .

Confirming that I wasn't the only one who heard it, I recalled the phrase of the voice .

"Eliminating all intruders . "

I'm pretty sure that was something of that annoying kid's creation .

"So does that mean that the voice was responsible for the assault?"

Lina ended up with the same conclusion as mine .

"Probably . "

"But why an Octopus?"

Confused by our conversation, Saya asked while inclining her head .

Lina replied to her question .

"This island was remodeled just for fun by Metron-sama . He probably installed many other antics just because he thought it would be fun to do so . "

He hide a giant octopus just because he thought it would be fun .

I kinda agree with that decision of his, but that was not the problem .

"Lina, don't you know anything else about this island? Like some sort of defense mechanism or whatso?"

In order to confirm my theory, I asked Lina who then made a face that seemed in deep thought for awhile as she was leaning her head .

"All I know is that the island is full of things Metron-sama made for his merriment, so nothing in particular . "

She then shook her head, implying that nothing came to her mind .

So we're left with no hints .

The only thing I know is the fact that the little girl's voice has something to do with him .

That octopus didn't seem to be an earth creature .

Yeah, it's definitely related to that kid as well .

"What are we going to do then? We can't resume playing around here at this rate . All that's left is —"

"The only option is to look for the origins of the voice . "

Lina continued my words before I was able to finish them first .

That was the only possible choice anyway .

I turned to look at the dense forest behind us .

We need to look for it in this huge forest...

It won't be a problem if it was only me and Lina, but we shouldn't drag Saya and Karen in this .

When I took a glance at the both of them, they guessed my current thought and made a suggestion .

"We want to go as well . "

"Yeah, we need to punish the little girl who's responsible for that octopus . "

Saya was willing to go with us out of pure curiosity while Karen's will had a connotation of revenge for what happened to her earlier .

But even when they insisted, I couldn't immediately allow them, out of concern .

When I remained quiet for a few moments, Lina answered in their favor instead of me .

"Why not? If it's me and you, we can readily protect them . Even if something was to occur, we can just have you teleporting them to a safe place . "

Persuaded by her suggestion, I decided to follow her words after pondering them for a few more moments .

"Well, guess that's fine too..."

She was right . The both of us can easily protect Saya and Karen and even if something was to happen, I can just teleport them somewhere .

It's decided then, we will go together .

"I will do my best~"

Rouga who probably heard our conversation, enthusiastically shouted .

I was intending to teleport her back home, but It should be fine to let her go too .

She could serve as a good bodyguard for Saya and Karen .

"Do your best to protect Saya and Karen, Rouga . "

"Yes!!"

Rouga replied with an eager telepathic voice . I think I can safely rely on her at this rate .

"I'm leaving it to you . "

"Understood!"

When I indicated my expectations to her, she gave a firm reply .

Lina and the girls who saw our conversation had a perplexed expression on their faces .

"I understand that you guys are having a conversation, but it only looks like you're talking to a silent wolf . "

"It's weird . "

They looked at me with an appalled expression .

I feel that I already heard this conversation before .

It can't be helped . Although I was seriously talking with Rouga, everyone sees it as if I'm talking with a normal wolf, but that's the only way for us to interact with each other .

I can use telepathy as well, but I find it better to use my mouth instead .

I'd like them to stop looking at me that way, Honestly .

"B-But there are some strange people who talk with their beloved pets! I don't think it's that weird . "

Surprisingly enough, Saya desperately tried to cover me up with an argument .

She's my only ally in this place .

Although what she said didn't help in backing me up .

I mean, she admitted that everyone who talks to their pets is strange .

"Well, whatever, let's move now . "

With that, all of us headed toward the dense forest of the island and submerged inside its many trees .

—————————————————————————————–

Bonus

Conversation

"Do you always need to speak with your mouth when talking to Rouga-chan?"

"No, I can use telepathy too, but I find it easier to talk normally . "

"Then how about you try using telepathy to for once? That way, people wouldn't find it weird . "

"Yeah, give it a try!"

"... well, alright . "

"......" ← telepathy

"......" ← telepathy

"This too, kinda gives off weird vibes . "

"They're just staring at each other . "

"How surreal . "