“First of all, why were you in such a weakened state in that Shinto shrine. And, did a large amount of people disappear around 500 years ago? If you know something about it, then please tell me.”
When Shin’s question was heard, Yuzuha closed its eyes and folded its arms like it was thinking about something. After several seconds like that, Yuzuha began to talk.
“Well, err… When Yuzuha was there, I was having the most painful experience from the inside. It was very painful, so much that I collapsed.”(TL note: Yuzuha sometimes refer itself as “Yuzuha” when talking.)
“Is that so? Did you understand the drawing on that floor?”
“No~, I didn’t know it.”
Shin thought it was some sort of relief feature that delayed the condition, but Yuzuha didn’t seem to remember it.
“I understand. How about the people who had disappeared?”
“I don’t know. People didn’t come very much.”
“Now that I think about it, there was some kind of erected barrier that made people stay away from there.”
Shin remembered that a barrier, around the Shinto shrine, affecting one’s mind had been erected. A person might not come near it because of that.
“Eventually, what was Yuzuha doing in such place?”
“Uhm, I was basking under the sun, when suddenly the ground went ‘bam’, the wind blew ‘byu byu’ and the mountain went ‘clang’. Yuzuha was surprised and jumped. After that, I tried my best so that the ground would not be wrecked apart.”
“…In other words, the natural disaster occurred, and you tried to suppress it?”
“It is likely so, I have no doubt if it is Yuzuha.”
“Eh, is that true?”
When Schnee chimed in with an agreeable response, Tiera was amazed and had wide eyes.
Though Shin didn’t know what kind of technique Yuzuha used, the Element Tail was a monster that corresponded to all attributes. The possibilities of interfering with the natural disaster by some special method was high.
“A lot of power was used while I kept at it, then I took a rest in the Shinto shrine. Because my power could not be held in my body then, I thought I was gonna die soon when Shin came.”
“It was just at the last minute when I came, huh?”
“When the unpleasant wind blew, I was scared.”
When he heard about unpleasant wind, Shin was reminded of the miasma. Perhaps both of the 【Curse • Ⅹ】 and the 【Poison • Ⅹ】 at that time, were caused by the miasma. A number of monsters and levels were increased in an area with a lot of miasma during the game. Moreover, to a player, it was a troublesome way to be given an abnormality state responding to status at a regular intervals. Apart from the monsters, they had to drink potions regularly because of the abnormality state, although it didn’t affect high-ranked players too much.
“It was thanks to Millie that Yuzuha was saved. I wouldn’t have gone there if not for Millie’s advice.”
“I will give thanks when I meet Mi-chan again.”
“That’s right, let’s take some souvenirs.”
Because of the forecast ability, Shin couldn’t say it clearly. Whether Yuzuha understood it or not, it matched with Shin’s way of talking.
“Hey, who is Millie?”
Tiera looked puzzled.
“She’s a child who lives in the orphanage of the kingdom. I happened to meet her by chance. If you know Wilhelm, think of the orphanage he is protecting and you will understand.”
“Ah! that guy.”
“You know Wilhelm?”
“He comes over once a while to meet master. But I rarely meet him. However, I thought it was strange that he bought sweets while he was here on occasion. I wonder if he was going to the orphanage, if so, it is understandable.”
Wilhelm seemed to buy the cakes which Tiera made.
“It is because the cakes that Tiera makes are delicious, right?”
“No, it is because it’s cheap. Master’s cake are more delicious. Even the king’s messenger has come to purchase it. Because I learned mine in an elf’s village, it is only fine.”
They praised each other, although both of them seemed delicious.
“When you said learned it in an elf’s village, which one was it?”
“Uhm, it’s a baked confectionery called Cayfal, have you heard of it?”
“No, I have never heard of it.”
In the first place, he didn’t remember any kind of setting called skillful bakery in any elf’s village. Because cooking was not his specialty, there were many dishes which he couldn’t cook or make, even if he had the recipe.
“That Cayfal is like a financier*, huh? It will be nice to distribute it to children because the cake is as big as a mouthful.” (TL note: Financier is a small French cake)
“Though I displayed it on a whim, one or two sale items have to compete at the present time. Because I originally lived in the forest, my strong point is making cake using honey.”
“Is that so? But wait, since Tsuki no Hokora is not a store that mainly sells foodstuff, are there any other sales?”
Shin looked at Schnee while asking that.
“Because Shin was absent, there are a few items for sale. I am an amateur with smithery, and for replenishing the goods, only Shin can open the storehouse where the arms were kept.”
Therefore, Schnee had to replenish unskilled stock from somewhere, and it seemed difficult to replenish goods because of competition over that right. It was only natural that if the maker went missing, there would be a shortage of inventory.
“How should I say it…I’m sorry. Schnee is doing a good job to keep the store open.”
“Even if it is open, there aren’t many things that are able to be put up for sale.”
“…That’s true. Even if it’s open, it won’t solve anything.”
During the game era, the store was barely continuing in business. It was no wonder.
“When I have time, I will replenish the stock with the ones I have saved.”
“Roger that. By the way, the talks have derailed from the subject. Yuzuha, can we continue?”
“Yup. But, because I was in the Shinto shrine the whole time, I don’t know more than you already know.”
The interference to the natural disaster, it seemed to be an impossible task, even to an Element Tail. Although it said that it didn’t know about the world’s situation, because it made a great effort to decrease the damage of the natural phenomenon since the Dusk of the Majesty, there’s no reason to blame it.
“I see, tell me when you recall something, just in case.”
“Yes, I understand~ Umm, Tiera-onee-chan, that Cayfal just now, is it done yet?”
When the conversation settled down, Yuzuha asked about the pastry matter to Tiera. Was it interested in it that much? Even the things about the smithy was forgotten. As Yuzuha approached Tiera, its tail shook with flutters.
Such an appearance also suited its age.
“Excuse me, but there is one more thing. I have to talk to Shin.”
“…What?”
Though Schnee was in a serious mood; it was different from a while ago, as she put a stop to the air trying to clear.
She appeared to have been looking for the right time to begin the talk.
“Actually, there is a person I would like you to meet. I understand that you may have various things to investigate, but please make this the first priority this time.”
“Then, who is this person you want me to meet?”