Chapter 535: Chapter 531

Bear-san, Getting Ready

Cereille shouts Keith’s name. But Keith, who is lying in the distance, doesn’t respond.

“Is Keith alive!?” (Cereille)

“He is still alive. If he was dead, I wouldn’t be able to keep my promise to Cereille-sama.” (Man)

!!

If I could use my detection skills, I would be able to confirm if he was alive or not, but since I am not wearing my bear costume, I can’t use it. It’s really inconvenient.

“How is it? Isn’t it a wonderful sight?” (Man)

The man spreads out his arms to present us with the spectacle of a horde of monsters.

There are wolves, tiger wolves, goblins, and even orcs as far as the eye can see.

But why aren’t those monsters attacking Keith?

“How did you get all these monsters?” (Cereille)

The man looked thrilled at Cereille’s question and began to explain.

“Ah, that’s right. I, who your mother had mistreated, met a man a short time later. The man said he was a mage who served in the castle. But he had been kicked out of the castle by the king and studied various things to take revenge on the king. As one who shares the same desire for revenge, I got along with the man, and we decided to study together. Finally, we were able to control monsters at will.” (Man)

Revenge on the king. Manipulating monsters. Some interesting words came out.

“There is no way you can control a monster.” (Cereille)

I know of a case of someone manipulating monsters.

I’ve never met him, but there was someone who collected monsters.

“Is that so? Incidentally, Cereille-sama, your younger brother is in the middle of a monster horde, but he’s not being attacked? Why? Because I’m ordering them not to.” (Man)

The man was right. With all those monsters, they just walk around Keith, and no one tries to attack him. It’s not that the monsters were friendly to Keith. Even from a distance, you can see that the monsters were about to pounce on Keith at any moment. They’re like ravenous beasts that were holding back on their food.

“Still, if you don’t believe me, why don’t you let me attack your brother for a test? Like ripping off an arm or two.” (Man)

The man laughed and asked Cereille.

“I believe you, so please don’t do it.” (Cereille)

Even if she doesn’t believe it, she cannot simply say, “Do it,” because Keith’s life is at stake.

“So what are you going to do with all these monsters? Is Keith not enough for intimidation?” (Cereille)

I felt that there’s no reason to collect these monsters in the first place. Cereille’s mother, whom she’s avenging, has already been killed by this man. Conversely, that man’s weird notion of ‘revenge’ against Cereille, or her mother, was already over to begin with.

“The role of the monsters? To destroy the city ruled by the man who took her from me.” (Man)

So his target was Cereille’s father all along.

Indeed, from that person’s perspective; Cereille’s father was the one who took Cereille’s mother away from the man.

“That’s not what you promised. The inhabitants of the city shouldn’t be involved.” (Cereille)

“The promise is the life of your brother. I have never mentioned anything about the inhabitants of that city.” (Man)

That’s how he does things. He didn’t mention the residents, so he made no promises about ít.

“How many inhabitants will die now that there are no adventurers, I wonder?” (Man)

“No adventurers?” (Cereille)

Cereille repeated the man’s words.

“Fufu, Miss Cereille-sama, don’t you know that there are few adventurers in the city.” (Man)

“Cereille. There are no monsters in the vicinity of this city, so the adventurers left.” (Yuna)

“Is that true?” (Cereille)

Apparently, she didn’t know about the situation in the adventurer’s guild.

“No doubt, I’ve heard it from the Adventurers Guild.” (Yuna)

I was told that in the past few years, at this time of the year, adventurers would go to other cities to work because of the lack of monsters.

“You’re quite informed, young lady. Now that there are no adventurers, it is easy to cause damage to the city. There aren’t many adventurers and soldiers in a city this small, to begin with. These monsters should be enough.” (Man)

“You mean you’re the reason for the lack of monsters during this time of the year?” (Yuna)

“You’re young, but you are quick-witted. That’s right. I live far away from the city to study monsters. Sometimes I go to the city, and whenever it’s nearly Cereille-sama’s birthday, I observe her. I also practice controlling monsters while I’m at it.” (Man)

“So, that’s why every year around this time, there are no monsters?” (Yuna)

“Yeah, it may have been a coincidence. But it may also be God’s way of arranging for me and Cereille-sama to be together.” (Man)

That god doesn’t exist—only a perverted god who enjoys dressing up weak girls as bears.

“But the city is walled, so wolves and goblins can’t get in.” (Yuna)

No monsters can easily enter. That’s what the wall was for. Unless it was a flying monster, they can’t enter the city.

At my question, the man looked up, amused.

“Fufu, look at the sky.” (Man)

Cereille and I looked at the sky.

“…Wyverns.” (Yuna)

Three wyverns were flying in the sky.

“As soon as the wyverns break down the gates, the city is finished.” (Man)

He has the same method as the guy in the royal capital.

There were wyverns at that time, too. However, because they were sleeping, I was able to subjugate them easily. But I had also fought a significant number of wyverns on Targui and in the Land of Harmony recently. It feels underwhelming now.

And he only has three of them. Or does he also have a hidden trump card? Like the worm during the incident in the royal capital?

Well, if he has one, I’ll just burn it from the inside out with an army of flaming bears.

“Can I ask you a question?” (Yuna)

“What is it, young lady?” (Man)

Even if I’m the one talking to him, he’s feeling so good that he would reply with a smile.

“What happened to the man who tried to take revenge on the king?” (Yuna)

“Fufu, fufufu.” (Man)

When I asked, the man burst out laughing.

“I’m sorry. Sadly, he failed. He used all his magic power, even his life force, to gather about 10,000 monsters, but he failed spectacularly. According to my research, he was defeated by an A-rank party, who annihilated all the monsters, and the king himself killed him. Unlike me, he was not so lucky.” (Man)

He speaks ruefully, but he seems gleeful.

I would like to say, “You were not so lucky either because I’m here”, so badly.

“Aren’t you colleagues who have done research together?” (Yuna)

“We are not colleagues, just collaborators for the same means, he said. Besides, we had different goals. So we were not supposed to interfere with each other’s work.” (Man)

But you were doing the same research; there’s one thing that’s odd, though.

“You just said that it takes a lot of magic power and life force to control a monster, but you don’t seem to be using any of it.” (Yuna)

I’m not really interested in it, and I vaguely remember it as well. I only heard from the king that the man collected monsters by cutting down his own magical power and his life to control them.

“I’m not going to take revenge until I’m dead like him. Because, you know, if I die, I won’t be able to be together with Cereille-sama.” (Man)

His face was saying what are you talking about? He looked at me as if I were an idiot.

“Then, how can you control so many monsters?” (Yuna)

That’s the only thing I don’t understand.

This man was emaciated, but he was lively. Does he possess that much magical power?

“It’s simple. Just minimize the number of monsters, simplify the orders, and supplement the magic power with other things. Young lady.” (Man)

I understand the meaning of reducing the number of monsters and simplifying the instructions.

But compensating the magic power with other things?

Like another person’s magic…… or magic stones?

I felt like a puzzle piece had clicked into place in my thoughts.

“A magic stone?” (Yuna)

“Hoh, you understand well, young lady.” (Man)

The man was surprised at my words.

“Yes, Magic stones. The magic stone has a magic circle drawn on it, so that simple commands and instructions can be activated.” (Man)

After the man said it, he suddenly rolled up his clothes.

“A magic stone in your body?” (Yuna)

A magic stone was embedded near the man’s heart.

“If you kill me now, the order will be lifted, and the monsters will attack your brother. So please do not think of killing me.” (Man)

So that’s why he was confident while talking with us. This explains why we can’t attack the man.

“And there’s a copy of it hidden somewhere in the city. If I die, it will be activated a few hours after the sunrise, and the monsters will head to the magic stone in the city.” (Man)

“!?” (Cereille)

“But if Cereille-sama becomes mine, I will tell you where the magic stone is hidden.” (Man)

Cereille was gritting her teeth and contemplating something.

“Aren’t you being too generous for someone who’s seeking revenge against her father? I don’t see the benefit of teaching us.” (Yuna)

“No, I’ll tell you properly. So, Cereille-sama, what will you do? Will you come with me? Or will you die with everyone?” (Man)

Cereille looked at the monster horde. Then she opened her mouth.

“I will go with you. So please tell us the location of the magic stone hidden in the city.” (Cereille)

“Cereille!?” (Yuna)

“Yuna, when you hear where it is, please tell my father.” (Cereille)

“You can’t be sure that this guy is always telling the truth.” (Yuna)

“But Yuna, you can leave this place.” (Cereille)

“Fufu, I like smart women. Now then, take off your clothes.” (Man)

“What!? Why do you want me to take off my clothes?” (Cereille)

“If you have a concealed weapon, I’ll be in trouble. Also, when you take off your clothes, please put this around your neck.” (Man)

The man took something out of his item bag and threw it at Cereille. It fell to the ground. It looks like a collar.

“Cereille-sama, you can also use magic after all. This is a magical tool to suppress magic.” (Man)

Cereille tried to pick up the collar with trembling hands.

“Cereille, don’t pick it up.” (Yuna)

“What do you mean by that, young lady?” (Man)

“It’s just that. This guy is not going to tell us where the magic stone is right now.” (Yuna)

“That’s not the case. I’ll tell you properly.” (Man)

“Lake.” (Yuna)n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“!?” (Man)

He reacted when I mentioned the word “lake”.

Now I am convinced. There’s nothing more to hear from this man.

The magic stone I picked up yesterday at the lake. That was the magic stone that this man threw away. So the hooded figure was this man. No wonder I recognized him from somewhere when I saw him.

It’s all clear now. I took out my bear costume from the bear box.

At any rate, since it’s an emergency, I’ll wear it again over my uniform.

“What are you doing?” (Man)

“Yuna?” (Cereille)

Let’s see, put my feet in, ah, the skirt rolled up inside the bear costume. But now was not the time to worry about that. If this had been transparent, my skirt would have rolled up and my panties would have been on full display, but since I’m in my bear costume, no one can see them.

“So, what are you doing?” (Man)

I slide my arms in. Oh, it’s hard to put it on because the uniform is in the way.

“Are you making fun of me!” (Man)

“I’m not fooling around.” (Yuna)

I’m still in uniform so it’s stiff.

It’s uncomfortable.

Finally, I put on my bear hood.

“What’s with the outfit?” (Man)

“It’s a bear.” (Yuna)

Alright, it’s been a long time since I was in my perfect form.

I’m safe, no matter what.

“Why did you dress up as a bear in this situation?” (Man)

“To beat you to a pulp, kill all the monsters, and save Keith and Cereille.” (Yuna)

I pointed my bear puppet at the man.

=====

Author’s Note:

This is one of the things I wanted to write about in this story.

I wanted to write a story where she suddenly puts on the bear costume in a serious scene (lol).

Now, it’s Yuna’s turn.