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 . "