Chapter 40: Meanwhile, around that time?

  Let's go back a little in time.

  The story goes back to when Rion parted ways with Uru and Fricka.

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  xxxxx

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  "Sorry to get you involved."

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  "No, it's fine."

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  I never thought that the fact that I still can't make my own Return Stone would have such a negative effect.

  I really need to learn how to infuse mana into magic stones... Why do they always break no matter how many times I try?

  Rion said that the magic stones can't withstand my output, and that it might work if a better quality magic stone were used, but... Good quality magic stones are valuable, so I haven't had a chance to try it yet.

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  "Anyway, I felt it would be better if you were not in that vilge..."

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  "... That may be true."

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  Fricka frowned, perhaps remembering the clinging gaze of that sloppy, overweight man. If Rion had been with her, he wouldn't have been able to y hands on her, but it would have been inevitable that she would have to constantly feel uncomfortable.

  And I wouldn't say it aloud, but... It's dangerous to have someone who can't act quickly in the unlikely event that we have to resort to force. Rion's close-combat skills are a bit questionable, but if there's only one person to be guarded, with Liese there it should be manageable.

  In addition, there was one more thing I wanted to ask of her, so overall it would probably be best to have Fricka accompany me.

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  "You're more worried about Rion-sama than me."

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  "... It's about Rion after all."

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  Maybe because Rion grew up in a different world, her senses and common sense are off... Well, I can't really say much about other people.

  I'm not worried about her abilities as a miko, but I can't help but feel like she'll cause some trouble...

  Fricka and I both gave a wry smile, as if we were thinking the same thing.

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  "Should we leave this area?"

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  Fricka said as we left Airo Vilge, crossed a small sand dune, and walked to a pce where we were no longer visible from the vilge.

  Rion's policy changed halfway through, and she no longer used the Return Stone in public. I also become numb in about this, but this item is so convenient that it's understandable why.

  However, this time our purpose is a little different. I grabbed Fricka's hand as she took out the Return Stone and stopped her from using it.

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  "Sorry to bother you again, but I'd like you to accompany me on an errand."

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  "... An errand...?"

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  Fricka tilted her head, unable to imagine anything. We had already found the vilge we were looking for, and unless we wanted materials like Rion, there was no reason for us to be in the desert. I didn't want to stay long either.

  I felt a little bad for Rion for acting on my own without discussing it beforehand, but... I never said a word about going home.

  I nodded, then gred at the sand dunes that continued on - in the direction away from Airo Vilge - and shouted.

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  "Come out, whoever's hiding there! If you don't show yourself within the count of ten, we'll consider you our enemy!"

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  I heard Fricka mutter "Huh?" and counted slowly.

  One, two, three... Just as I counted to eight, two heads popped out from the dunes. Fricka's eyes widened at the shape of the heads she saw.

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  "Huh?... A lizard...?"

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  "That seems to be it."

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  I've had sensed their presence ever since we were in front of Airo Vilge, but... It was the lizards are in the middle of all this.

  One of them has a few scales on his cheeks, just like me, but the other has a protruding mouth and looks more like a lizard monster. Some might mistake them for one. But maybe that's why they're acting as a pair.

  Well, I hope we can get some information. They came out so readily so they probably have no intention of being hostile, but whether they're friendly or not is another matter.

  I moved to shield Fricka, then turned to the two slowly sliding down the dunes and asked.

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  "Answer me. Why were you following us?"

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  "... It's going to be tough for two women to cross the desert. I was going to call out to you two when we were far enough away from the vilge."

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  "You got chased away, so you'll understand, but we can't let the vilgers find us."

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  "Fumu?"

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  I'd forgotten about it because I'm used to the Return Stone, but it's true that traveling through the desert is tough for the average traveler. Although we have the handy items that Rion made that make it a lot easier, I'd rather not have to go back on foot.

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  "So it was just out of kindness?"

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  "Yes. If you're a hyuman I would have abandoned, but... If it's a compatriot I can't do that."

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  ... A compatriot.

  I touch the scales on my cheek.

  Honestly, maybe because my memory is completely gone, I don't really feel anything, but... It's better than pointlessly fighting him. I wouldn't feel any pain or discomfort if I were to be hostile, but Rion cares about me. There's already something too big on those small shoulders. I don't want to do anything to increase the burden.

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  "Why were you there? If you don't want to be found, then you shouldn't have gone near the vilge?"

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  "..."

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  They exchanged looks at each other at the question again. Well, even if they were fellow lizards, it's not like they would easily trust someone they've just met.

  Even so, he didn't immediately deny it, so he might be hesitating.

  As I waited with my arms folded, the lizard-faced man spoke.

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  "Let me answer your question with another question... Why did you all come to Airo Vilge?"

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  "Because Rion... It's because our miko wanted to meet the miko of that vilge."

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  "... I saw her from afar, but was she the real deal?"

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  It seems like there are very few mikos these days. It must be pretty rare for two mikos to gather in one pce.

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  "So that means you guys are... Joining Airo Vilge."

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  "Huh? What you mean with join?"

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  "The miko of Airo Vilge is persecuting us! If you go to meet him, you're becoming our enemy, right!?"

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  The other man clenched his fists and shouted in a distressed voice. Anger, sadness, disappointment - many emotions were packed into his voice.

  I don't understand what he's talking about, but... He blurted out something that's bothering me. But before I ask him about it, I need to calm the situation down.

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  "Wait, wait. Aren't you forgetting the basic premise?"

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  "What are you talking about?"

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  "Rion was with me, you know?"

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  "... Ah."

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  There's no way that a person who wants to persecute the Lizard would bring me along with them.

  As if he had finally realized such a simple thing, the man's fury was instantly weakened.

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  "To begin with, today was our first visit to Airo Vilge. We don't know anything about the situation there. If Rion had known, she probably wouldn't have taken us."

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  "I, I see... Sorry for jumping to conclusions."

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  He bowed his head obediently to my remark. Fumu, he looks a bit like Regulus.

  The lizard-faced man didn't seem to be plotting anything either, so it would be better for the future if I told him clearly.

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  "Rion never judges people by their race alone. As long as you don't try to be hostile towards her, there is no way she will be hostile towards you."

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  Rion responds differently based on the other person's attitude, not their race. This may seem obvious, but it's surprising how far she applies this "obviousness."

  Surely there is no one other than Rion who could invite in Zephyr who is a monster to her house.

  The lizards seemed convinced by my assertion, and the atmosphere around them seemed to soften.

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  "... You asked "why did we come to Airo Vilge", right?"

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  "Yes. You mentioned persecution earlier... Is this reted to that?"

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  "... It's a long story. It's hot to just stand there in the desert, and it would be bad if the people from Airo Vilge found us. Let's move."

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  With that, the lizard-faced man turned away without waiting for our reply.

  Fumu, perhaps he's pnning to take us to their vilge or some kind of hideout. If so, that's a lot of trust.

  Before I started walking, I gnced at Fricka.

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  "... The conversation has gone off track... Is that okay?"

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  "... As long as Uru-san is there, it should be fine anywhere. I'm curious too."

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  "Yes, leave it to me. I won't let anyone harm you so lightly."

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  We nodded to each other and started walking.