I was struggling with the food choices of the raccoon when I was called out to.
By the way, the barrier and invisibility magic tools shattered completely. Well, I guess I’ll have to remake them with stronger materials.
When I turned around, there was a demon accompanied by a wolf.
He wasn’t that tall—more like the height of a 13 or 14-year-old boy—but his demeanor was calm, so despite his appearance, he was probably older inside. The fact that the magical tools broke due to exceeding their capacity indicated a significant level of strength.
Could he be the one called Yuuhi?
What should I do? I thought I had chosen a place where no one would come for five years. But if he’s a demon, is that really a problem? He probably doesn’t care about land ownership at all, right? Wolf-kun, don’t bring in any weird people.
And how did he manage to come back here? Oh, it must be the raccoon! He used the raccoon as a landmark!? The collar of the familiar wasn’t that strong—well, I hadn’t intended to have a familiar beyond just moving around, so it was somewhat makeshift.
Specifically, after removing the collar, I made sure I couldn’t be tracked, but everything else was off-limits!
But still, this could be a chance to get some legs and manpower? I don’t have the familiar collar, though. How about I come back in five days or so? No?
“I found you, Yuuhi!”
Just when I was thinking that, another unexpected guest showed up! He wore white armor and had platinum blonde hair tied back in a ponytail. He looked like a knight in shining armor.
With his voice came a slash aimed at me. Isn’t that a bit harsh? I dodged it, though.
I dodged it, but the ancient house that was in the best condition behind me?
“Ugh… Asahi!”
The demon and the wolf took a battle stance.
Asahi, Asahi… that’s the hero, right? If he’s a hero, that means he’s human, right? Isn’t it terrible to encounter a person on the second day, not even five years in? I’ve only just finished leveling the ground.
“My ideal house plan…”
How awful.
“A house…?”
“A house…?”
The demon and the hero exchanged questioning glances without taking their eyes off each other. It’s fine, really, you don’t have to worry about me.
If you could just fight it out and take each other down together, that would be great. Wolf-kun will handle that.
I’ll strip your gear, okay? In exchange for the old house. Materials soaked in mana are extremely expensive, you know? I just picked them up, too.
Hero Asahi is a young man around twenty, with blonde hair and emerald eyes, dressed in a way that doesn’t allow for any disorder. Demon Yuuhi—I’ve heard he’s a twin, but there’s a noticeable age difference? Well, his appearance probably changed while soaking in mana.
Still, something about the hero looks familiar…? Is it the impression from a poster in the Adventurers’ Guild? It was a drawing, though. —A drawing? Something feels off.
“I don’t know how you ended up here, but please step aside. After I defeat Yuuhi, feel free to do as you like.”
The hero spoke politely, but I could sense a vibe that suggested I was viewed as just a roadside stone.
“You seem quite composed in this overflowing mana. I’m aware that you sustained injuries in the recent battle.”
The demon answered the hero with a faint smile.
“Oh. After it’s over, if I can have this land freely, I’ll watch quietly.”
Even if I’m treated like a roadside stone, I’ll take the leeway given.
My leveled ground might get dug up, but restoring it wouldn’t be much trouble. The scenery of this land overflowing with mana should return quickly.
I collected the raccoon and distanced myself from the demon, the wolf, and the hero. If I put away the old house, I’ll definitely stand out. Should I just give up?
“Wait.”
“Wait a moment.”
Huh?
Oh, wolf-kun has circled around. He’s not going to take me to safety, is he?
“You seem human, but are you planning to escape with Yuuhi?!”
“Where do you think you’re taking my master?!”
…
“Demon raccoon? Hey, you’re a round one, but you’re a demon?”
Even though the raccoon has some influence from the mana, are you the twin of that handsome hero!? You’re calling yourself a demon? When you’re round?
I alternated my gaze between the raccoon, the demon, and the hero.
“Is this raccoon Yuuhi, the demon? There are plenty of raccoons, aren’t there?”
There’s no way this one is just a raccoon, is there?
“The presence of Yuuhi-sama cannot be mistaken by Kasane.”
“There’s no mistake. I tracked the aura of the injury I inflicted.”
Both of them are overflowing with confidence. Kasane has a polite demeanor, but the hero is different, isn’t he? They have different styles.
“Isn’t it fine to just call him a raccoon? If it’s a raccoon, it won’t cause much trouble, right?”
I went through the trouble of healing him overnight.
“Fine. Stand back.”
The raccoon spoke!?
While I was surprised, the raccoon slipped out of its wrappings and transformed. He turned into a young man in his twenties.
“The raccoon transformed?!”
You managed to become human!?
“…”
A large leaf from a zelkova tree fluttered down onto the silent raccoon’s head. So, you need leaves to transform, raccoon.
With light warm grayish hair, orange eyes, and chocolate-colored skin—I could feel the remnants of the raccoon in his coloring. But raccoon, isn’t that appearance kind of deceptive?
He looked like a wild version of Asahi with his hair untied. The white and black pair faced each other—
“Wait. You guys are connected to the Saintess, aren’t you? I recognize that illustration!”
Just like my demon form, both of them have appearances taken from illustrations in novels. There’s no doubt about it.
“Illustration…?”
“Saintess…?”
They reacted to my words while glaring at each other. They seem fairly easy to get along with?
“You don’t know the Saintess? You two are connected to Arisugawa Alice and Rui, aren’t you?”
“You know Rui…?”
The raccoon, now Yuuhi, narrowed his eyes.
“Is there someone that I don’t know, a friend of Rui…?”
Asahi seemed a bit riled up, like his pride had been pricked.
This is starting to feel a bit stalker-ish.
