Chapter 793

Bear-san, Listening to the Town Stories

Today’s cleaning was over, and the rest would be done tomorrow.

I think I could at least get some sleep.

The magic that Kagali-san and I used was very useful.

At first, everyone was surprised to see me, someone dressed as a bear, and Kagali-san, a little girl, using magic.

Normally, a girl at Kagali-san’s age couldn’t use magic. But in reality, she was a mysterious creature that had lived longer than anyone here.

But, of course, Kagali-san couldn’t say that, so she told everyone, “I’m special, so don’t try to imitate me.”

Then, as the sun began to set, Bollard-san came back.

Lize-san’s family, including me and Kagali-san, gathered in the room.

“So how was the town?” (Lize)

“All the people who were frozen are safe.” (Bollard)

“That’s good.” (Lize)

Listening to Bollard-san’s story, Lize-san looked relieved.

However, it seemed that in the area where the Ice Dragon landed, there was more damage than expected.

After that, Bollard-san went around the city to understand the situation.

The ice was starting to melt everywhere, and the residents were cleaning up their frozen houses.

“No one noticed that they had been frozen for three years.” (Bollard)

“Yeah, just like us, I suppose. I remember the Ice Dragon appearing, and it’s getting cold, but I don’t remember anything beyond that.” (Linse)

“It feels like yesterday to us.” (Bollard)

“But an explanation is necessary. The fact that they were frozen for three years remains unchanged. There will be no more contact with other towns, and some people will start to think it’s strange.” (Bollard)

If ships didn’t come from other towns, town residents would find it strange.

They needed to be told the truth.

“I met with Bende and Baran, and we discussed the future. So we decided to gather the important figures of the town and discuss the matter with them first. I’ll have Lize come too.” (Bollard)

“Me too?” (Lize)

“I’ll have Bende and the others come too, but I don’t know how much town residents will believe us without any evidence. Looking at us, they might not be able to recognize how we’ve changed since three years ago. But Lize is different. She’s changed a lot in these three years.” (Bollard)

The changes in appearance of Bollard-san and the others were too subtle to tell that three years had already passed.

But those who knew Lize-san could see that she had grown a lot in these three years.

“I’m sorry to make a spectacle of you.” (Bollard)

“No, don’t worry about it. I’ll help you if I can.” (Lize)

“Thank you.” (Bollard)

This was something only Lize-san could do.

Bollard-san talked about the current state of the town and what the future held.

Bollard-san and the others had already started to walk the path they should be on. We were no longer needed.

“Bollard-san, we’ll be going back tomorrow too.” (Yuna)

After I said that, Bollard-san turned his attention to me and Kagali-san.

“I’d like you two to join us in the celebration regarding the defeat of the Ice Dragon.” (Bollard)

“No one will believe that we fought the Ice Dragon. Besides, there’s no need to say it. It’s not like we saved the town.” (Yuna)

No one would believe that a little girl and a person in a bear costume fought the Ice Dragon.

It would not be convincing.

“That’s right. Even if we all talked together, no one would believe us. You can just tell them that three years have passed and that the Ice Dragon has left.” (Kagali)

“Then at least accept my thanks.” (Bollard)

“No thanks are necessary.” (Yuna)

“I don’t need it.” (Kagali)

“From now on, it will be hard to rebuild the town. So don’t worry about us.” (Yuna)

I thought about finding a place to build a new Bear House or a small house, but this time I decided to put a Bear Transfer Gate in an inconspicuous place instead.

“Not only did you fight the Ice Dragon, but you even gave us its horns and scales, and we haven’t thanked you at all.” (Bollard)

“That’s right. I haven’t been able to thank Yuna-san and Kagali-chan properly. We can’t even recount how much we were helped by the two of you.” (Lize)

“It’s not like I wanted a thank you or anything.” (Yuna)

I also got the Ice Dragon’s materials, so I was personally satisfied.

Bollard-san said “I understand” to our words.

“But if you have any trouble in this town, please let me know.” (Bollard)

That was the compromise.

“I’ll let you know then.” (Yuna)

After the matter was settled, Kagali-san spoke to Lize-san.

“Lize…” (Kagali)

Kagali-san had a serious expression.

“I think you’ll have a hard time from now on. You’re different from Bollard and the others as you look different from three years ago.” (Kagali)

“…” (Lize)

“People might look at you strangely.” (Kagali)

“…” (Lize)

“There might be people who avoid you or say things behind your back. People tend to avoid others who are different from them.” (Kagali)

“Kagali-chan…” (Lize)

Kagali-san was right. It was like a middle school kid had suddenly transformed into a high school student. She wouldn’t have any friends of her age.

Even if she thought someone was her friend, it didn’t mean that the other side would treat her the same way.

Three years made a big difference in growth when it came to children.

“You have spent three years that no one else could experience. It was not a waste. It will surely be your nourishment.” (Kagali)

“… Yes.” (Lize)

“So, never give up.” (Kagali)

Lize had yet to meet her previous friends.

She didn’t know how they would react after seeing her.

What Kagali-san was talking about was just a possibility.

Of course, it would be best if that never happened, but if a friend of mine suddenly grew up three years overnight, I wouldn’t know how to treat her.

Even I didn’t know if I would be able to treat Fina the same way if one day I woke up and found that she had grown three years overnight.

This was something they couldn’t know until they met each other.

“Kagali-chan, thank you for worrying about me. I can’t say it’s okay, but I will never give up. I promise to look forward and move forward.” (Lize)

“You’ll be okay because I’m here. No matter what happens, I’ll protect Lize.” (Rua)

Rua, who was listening to the conversation, answered.

“That’s right. Your family can protect you. Don’t forget that you’re not alone. Just remember that.” (Kagali)

“Yes.” (Lize)

Kagali-san believed Lize-san and Rua’s words and didn’t say anything more.

That night.

Kagali-san and I were given a guest room and decided to stay there.

It seemed that Lize-san had decided to sleep with her mother Linse-san and her older sister Rua.

I collapsed onto the bed.

What was the “bear signpost” pointing to after all?

I took the “bear signpost” out of the bear box.

It was no longer glowing. It didn’t show any reaction.

I shook it, tapped it, but there was still no reaction.

“Is that the thing that was shining towards this town?” (Kagali)

“Yeah, I think there must be a reason, but I was wondering what it was.” (Yuna)

What had happened since I came to this town:

I met Lize-san and friends. I met the Ice Dragon. I talked to the Ice Dragon. I got Ice Dragon materials. I saved the town.

Maybe it was just a magic tool that pointed to places where people were in trouble, right?

“Is that so?” (Kagali)

“Kagali-san, do you have any idea?” (Yuna)

“I don’t know. I could only assume that it was indeed pointing to this town.” (Kagali)

“I see.” (Yuna)

“I can’t answer unless I understand what the light really was pointing to. If you intend to use it again, don’t be swayed easily and be careful. Also, if it continues to point you in a direction in the future, you will be able to understand its purpose eventually.” (Kagali)

Just as Kagali-san said, it couldn’t be determined by one phenomenon.

If it continued to shine like that in the future, I should be able to understand its purpose.

So, for now, I put the “Bear Signpost” away in my bear box until it shines again.

It may shine, or may not, in the future.

That, I wouldn’t know.

The next morning, Kagali-san and I got up and prepared to leave.

“Well, I guess it’s time to go home then.” (Yuna)

“It turned out to be a bit of a long trip.” (Kagali)

I had contacted Fina once to tell her that I was going out with Kagali-san for a little while, and told her to contact me on Bear Phone if anything happened, so I wasn’t worried.

I thought about telling Sakura about Kagali-san, but Kagali said that I didn’t need to, so I didn’t tell anyone.

“I hope Suzuran didn’t come over.” (Kagali)

Kagali-san’s body was trembling.

I wondered if Suzuran-san was scary when she was angry.

I think she would be worried since Kagali-san had disappeared without notice.

When Kagali-san and I arrived on the first floor, Lize-san and the others were gathered there.

Bollard-san, Baran-san and his wife, Grandpa Bende-san, and the six people from the mine.

“What’s wrong everyone?” (Yuna)

“I heard you two were going home.” (Baran)

“I thought I’d say thank you.” (Bende)

“I’ve gotten thanks so many times already.” (Yuna)

I did try to go home many times earlier, and each time I had already received thanks from everyone over and over again, so it was just the right time to go home.

“Are you two really going home?” (Baran)

“Yes.” (Yuna)

“Let me see you off at least.” (Bende)

“I know it’s going to be hard, but do your best.” (Yuna)

“Compared to the three years we’ve lived together as a family, it’s not going to be hard.” (Bollard)

“You’re right. All that awaits us is fun and hardship.” (Baran)

“Oh, if it’s a hardship that you can deal with along with our family, I’m grateful.” (Bende)

“Also, I’ll give this to you two.” (Bollard)

Bollard-san handed me a card.

“This is a special card issued by the lord. With this, you can enter the town freely. If you show it at the town entrance, they’ll connect you to me or Lize.” (Bollard)

In other words, he wanted me to visit again.

There was no reason to refuse, so Kagali-san and I accepted the cards.

“Yuna-san, Kagali-chan, please come again.” (Lize)

Lize-san shook my Bear-san puppet and Kagali-san’s hand.

“Yes, I’ll visit again.” (Yuna)

“I’m worried about you, so I’ll come see you again.” (Kagali)

“You promise.” (Lize)

We said our goodbyes and left the mansion.

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