Old Men Talking

  “Time is of the essence.”


  Kathe stood up and ran out of the room. Her tail was moving happily up and down.

  She was going to head for the water dragon settlement in spite of it being night time.

  “Kathe! Wait a minute.”


  “Hmm? What is it?”


  I called to her. Kathe turned around with a puzzled expression.

  “It’s already late. You can go tomorrow.”


  “But it would be better to hurry.”


  “That’s true, but if you went out now, everyone will be surprised and wonder what’s going on.”


  Kathe thought about it and then nodded.

  “You are not wrong.”


  “Right?”


  “Very well. I will head there tomorrow then.”


  “That’s better.”


  “And so I shall play tonight instead.”


  Kathe said as she ran off. She was probably going to return to the children.

  “Groof-groof!”


  Grulf immediately reacted to the word ‘play.’ He followed after her.

  “Hmm? You want to play too, Grulf?”


  “Groof!’


  “You should go then.”


  We had things to talk about here.

  A pup like Grulf would find it boring.

  “Cluck-cluck.”


  On the other hand, Lord Gerberga sat on my lap with a cool expression.

  It was as if he were making a show of not being a child.

  I stroked his feathers and then turned to Danton.

  “Perhaps I should inspect the mansion and make sure no magic tools have been brought in?”


  “Would you really do that for us?”


  “Of course. I do not mind at all.”


  Danton thought about it.

  “.……But, it will be a lot of work. It is a large mansion.”


  “I’ll manage it.”


  “No, Locke. Considering the reason, you will have to search through the other houses as well. Not just the mansion. Surely that is too much work for you.”


  Danton was right.

  It was true that most information came from the mansion of the chief.

  However, it was also possible to gather information by planting magic devices in the other houses as well.

  “I always meant to check the other houses as well. Of course, I realize that it may not be the most welcome thing for the residents……”


  “I don’t mind that…… But it does not feel right to have you do so much, Locke……”


  “It’s why I came all the way here. If I’m going to do it, I should do it right.”


  “So you really don’t mind?”


  “If I’m only going to search for magic devices, then Magic Search should be enough.”


  I could use Magic Exploration to find out what a device does once it had actually been discovered.

  So it shouldn’t be that much trouble.

  “In that case, may we rely on you?”


  “Yeah, I have plenty of time. I could even reinforce your walls with magic while I’m at it.”


  “.……You would do that for us?”


  “Sure. You know, Miss Shia and Nia have helped me a lot.”


  “Thank you.”


  The mansion of the beastkin chief was an anti-vampire fortress.

  It would be good to strengthen it.

  After that, Danton, the old chief, and I discussed the order that things would be done.

  “Well then, it is settled.”


  “Yes, thank you.”


  “Sorry for troubling you, Locke.”


  “Don’t mention it.”


  I put Lord Gerberga on my shoulder and left the room.

  Then, Kathe’s cheerful voice entered my ears.

  “Gahahaha!”


  “Groof-groof!”


  “Ahahaha!”


  Kathe was using her tail to play with Grulf and the children.

  The children hung on her tail. Grulf ran in a circle around them.

  I was glad that they were having fun.

  Serulis was with the younger children and read to them.

  Then Danton approached me.

  “Locke. The men are all going to the baths.”


  “Ah, that sounds great.”


  Danton and the other male chiefs were headed for the baths.

  “Grrr? Groof?”


  Grulf ran up to me when he heard this. His tail was wagging.

  He preferred to play over long meetings, but he liked bathing more than anything.

  That was how much he liked to bathe.

  However, I didn’t think it was right to bring a beast into someone else’s bathing room.

  “Grulf, not today.”


  “.……Groof?”


  I don’t know what you are saying. That’s what his expression seemed to say as he tilted his head.

  “Groof!”


  Then he put his paws on my shoulders and licked my face.

  I want to take a bath!

  “Grulf. I’m sorry, but you can’t take a bath today. It’s someone else’s house.”


  “.……Grrr……”


  Gruld looked dejected. I felt bad for him now.

  Danton watched us and said,

  “Hmm? Locke. I don’t mind if Grulf comes.”


  “Really? You don’t have to worry about us. He doesn’t actually have to bathe every day.”


  “Groof!”


  Grulf protested.

  Danton patted him on the head.

  “Oh, it really is alright. I’m not just saying it to be polite. Of course, you may also bring Lord Gerberga.”


  “That’s very kind of you…… But won’t the other chiefs mind?”


  “Perhaps not a dog, but Grulf is a great wolf. And a spirit beast. No one in our tribe will mind.”


  “Exactly. Spirit beasts are like close relatives for us.”


  Another chief chimed in.

  So spirit beasts really were special to them.

  “And Lord Gerberga is a god. No one will be angry.”


  “I see. Thank you very much.’


  And so it was decided that Grulf and Lord Gerberga would go with me to the baths.