Chapter 526

Bear-san, Picks Up Something In The Lake

It was dark outside, and the light of the magic stone slightly illuminated the streets.

I was walking along the shore of the lake, holding Hugging Bear in my arms. The lake was dark, and the moonlight was the only thing illuminating the lake. The lake where the hot springs were located in the Land of Harmony was beautiful, but the lake in this town doesn’t lose to it.

A pleasant breeze was blowing.

“Hugging Bear, let’s go for a little stroll and then head back to the inn.” (Yuna)

`Ku~u 〜 n’

I decided to enjoy a nighttime walk on the lakeshore with Hugging Bear.

Because it was nighttime, there were no people around the lake.

I wonder if anyone likes to come to such a dark place. If they did, they might be couples or drunks.

The lake reminded me of the Land of Harmony and made me want to go to the hot springs. When I get to the inn, I might use the bear gate to go take a dip in the hot springs.

But since I left Swaying Bear behind, he would sulk.

I’ve asked Swaying Bear to escort Noa. I would feel sorry for him if I left him behind. When we return to Crimonia, we should all go together.

`Ku~u ~ n’

As I was thinking about the hot springs, Hugging Bear cried.

“What’s wrong? We’re going to the hot springs together with Swaying Bear.” (Yuna)

`Ku~u ~ n’

Hugging Bear shook his head and stretched out his right paw with all his might. I look in the direction pointed by his right paw.

A person?

I immediately thought of hiding Hugging Bear, but stopped myself. It was because the figure was dressed suspiciously. The figure was wearing a hood over his head to hide his face in spite of the heat.

I can’t really say that to others since I am usually dressed as a bear, but today I’m in uniform. So, that one was clearly suspicious.

Just in case, it’s better to hold Hugging Bear.

If we continue as is, we will approach the suspicious hooded person.

Hmmm, what should I do?

Should I proceed without concern, or should I call off the walk?

While I was wondering what to do, the hooded figure suddenly took something out of nowhere. It glows a little in the moonlight.

The figure reached out toward the lake.

The hood swayed.

Wind magic?

At that moment, I thought that the object in his hand flew toward the lake as if it were flying out of his hand.

My eyes followed the flying object.

Something flung out of the hooded figure’s hand and went far away, reflecting in the moonlight, and fell into the lake.

What did he shoot into the lake?

When I looked back at the hooded figure, He was already gone.

I wonder what that was?

I don’t think he was just throwing his trash.

He even went through the trouble of using wind magic to make it fly.

It bothers me. Even if I pretend I didn’t see it and go back to the inn, it’s a pattern that I can’t sleep because it’ll keep bugging me when I get back.

`Ha~a’

I can’t help it because I’m curious. If I can’t sleep, I’ll be in trouble.

After checking my surroundings, I put down Hugging Bear and took out my bear costume from the bear box.

It’ll be a little stuffy, but I wore my bear costume over my uniform.

Ugh, I’m still wearing my uniform, so it’s uncomfortable.

I had to finish quickly; I held Hugging Bear in my arms and used my [bear water walking] skills to walk on the lake. Then I moved to the spot where I think the hooded figure threw it.

It’s around here, right?

It’s under the lake, so of course, it was pitch black and I couldn’t see anything.

I used light magic. A bear-shaped light floated in front of me.

I still couldn’t see what was dumped at the bottom of the lake.

I use the [bear underwater swimming] skill that I learned when I defeated Orochi in the Land of Harmony.

Well, as the name suggests, diving was an excellent underwater skill. Though there were not many chances when I could utilize that skill.

Using the [bear underwater swimming] skills, my body slowly sunk into the lake.

When I entered the water, I was in a ball of air. More precisely, I am in a bear-shaped air bubble.

At first, I thought this skill might get shelved since I thought I wouldn’t use it for a while, but as an ex-gamer, I’m curious. If I were to use it suddenly, I might be in trouble.

Therefore, I have checked it. Since it has been confirmed before, it can be used normally.

When I first used it, I didn’t notice it, partly because I was in the air bubble, but upon closer inspection, the air bubble was in the shape of a bear. When I looked up, the ears were there, and behind, the round tail was there. You don’t have to be this obsessed with bears, God.

I descend to the bottom of the lake with Hugging Bear in my arms.

The [bear light] shines through the lake.

Where is it?

I think it’s around here.

I’m searching for the place where the hooded figure was supposed to have thrown something.

`Ku~u ~ n’

The Hugging Bear in my arms cried and stretched out its paws.

I looked in the direction of Hugging Bear’s paws, and something glowed in the illumination of the bear light. I approached slowly.

“Magic stone?” (Yuna)

At the bottom of the lake was a magic stone

And it’s big.

“Etto, it was thrown away, so I can pick it up, right?” (Yuna)

I picked up the magic stone.

It’s about the size of a Kraken’s magic stone.

“I can have it, right?” (Yuna)

`Ku~u ~ n’

My soliloquy made Hugging Bear cry that could be heard in either direction.

“You’re my accomplice in this.” (Yuna)

`Ku~u ~ n’

I am in the lake, so no one would be watching me, but I felt a little guilty, so I scurried around to check my surroundings. I put the magic stone in the bear box and returned to the shore.

Then I turned off the bear light, took off my bear costume, and hurriedly escaped from the place, heading straight for the inn.

When I arrived at the vicinity of the inn, I repatriated Hugging Bear before entering the inn.

The innkeeper was concerned about my late return, but I explained to him about Noa and went into my room.

I brought it with me.

I placed the magic stone on the table, which the hooded figure seemed to have thrown away.

Illuminated by the light on the ceiling, I could see that the magic stone was green.

“Oh?” (Yuna)

Is there a magic circle drawn on the magic stone?

I have no knowledge of how magic circles work.

I tried to use the [bear’s eye] to see if it could tell me anything, but all it could tell me was that it was a magic stone. It seems that it can’t even tell me about the magic circle.

I sometimes wish I had the skills to decipher magic circles in these situations.

There’s no use in asking for something I don’t have.

But I brought it with me, it’s not really important to the city, right? Actually, it’s possible that the hooded figure didn’t throw it away.

Hmmm, it’s good that I picked it up, but on the other hand, I wouldn’t be able to sleep worrying about it.

Maybe I’ll ask Cereille tomorrow. It could be something needed for that lake, and since she was the daughter of the lord, she might know if this magic stone has something to do with the city. If she doesn’t know, I can ask Cereille’s father.

That’s what I told myself.

I put the magic stone with the magic circle on it in the bear box and summoned Hugging Bear.

Then, I took a bath together with Hugging Bear.

After the social event, I was sweating quite a bit. With my bear costume, it was comfortable to move around, but with a uniform underneath, it was hot.

After getting out of the bath, I wore my polar bear costume to rest my tired body from the event.

Hugging Bear looked happy to see me dressed as a polar bear.

“We always look the same when it’s bedtime, don’t we?” (Yuna)

`Ku~u ~ n’

I took Hugging Bear in my arms and moved to the bed.

“Good night, Hugging Bear. Wake me up in the morning.” (Yuna)

`Ku~u ~ n’

I was concerned about the magic stone, but whether it was the fatigue from the event, the sight of the white bear, or the cuddles of Hugging Bear, I soon fell asleep.

=====

The next day, Hugging Bear woke me up, and after changing into my uniform, I went to the school to meet Shia and Noa.

I’m used to changing into my uniform by now.

After crossing a long bridge, I came to the front of the school and saw Noa and Shia.

“Good morning, Yuna-san.” (Shia)

“Yuna-san, I’m sorry I fell asleep last night.” (Noa)

“You were tired from cheering. That’s how hard you worked to support us. So, why are the two of you here?” (Yuna)

“I thought it would be a problem if anyone saw Swaying Bear-chan, so we left early and waited for you, Yuna-san.” (Noa)

Apparently, they took that into account.

“Thank you so much for lending me Swaying Bear-chan.” (Noa)

Noa returned Swaying Bear.

“Thank you for escorting Noa, Swaying Bear.” (Yuna)

`Ku~u ~ n’

I pat Swaying Bear’s head in gratitude. And then I repatriated him.

Noa looked a little disappointed, but Noa understood it, so she didn’t complain.

“Well then, let’s get ready to play in the lake.” (Shia)

“Yes!” (Noa)

Noa responded cheerfully to Shia’s words.

We moved to the lakeshore.

At the lake, students already dressed in swimsuits were happily playing.

“Noa, Yuna-san, I’m going to change over there.” (Shia)

There was a small building at the end of Shia’s line of sight. Was that a changing room?

“I’m good, you two go and play.” (Yuna)

“Yuna-san, you’re not going to play?!” (Noa)

“I have to talk to Cereille for a while. So I might not be able to play with you. So you should play with your sister. When we go back to Crimonia, you won’t see her again for a while.” (Yuna)

“…Yes, I understand. But when you’re done talking with Cereille-sama, let’s play together.” (Noa)

Noa and Shia went to the building to change into their swimsuits.

I passed the time by watching the students playing on the lake until Cereille arrived.

Lurina told me that they have proper swimsuits. But those were simple swimsuits, not cute ones.

But still, were they really as old as I am?

Like a certain part was bigger than the other person. Perhaps they stuffed something in it.

The students were playing happily, and the fatigue of fighting for two days was a lie.

Just don’t use water magic to do the splashing.

Nevertheless, Cereille never showed up.

Maybe she’s not coming or something? If so, could I see her at home? It’s possible that she was somewhere in the academy. When you think about it, I can’t just search for her aimlessly.

While I was wondering about it, the girl who used wind magic at the match yesterday, came over to me.

“Don’t you want to play in the lake?” (Wind Magic GIrl)

The girl was dressed in a bathing suit, and her body and hair were wet.

“I’m waiting for Cereille,-sama because I have something to ask her.” (Yuna)

Since she seems to adore Cereille, I will mention honorifics since I don’t want her to complain about it.

“Cereille-sama? Come to think of it, I haven’t seen her today. Cereille-sama is not good at this kind of thing, but she always shows her face anyway. I wonder if she has some errands to run? Do you need anything from Cereille-sama?” (Wind Magic GIrl)

“Yeah, kinda.” (Yuna)

I nodded and answered vaguely because I couldn’t tell her about the magic stone.

“Wait a minute. I’ll ask around.” (Wind Magic GIrl)

The girl said so. Then she ran to the girls playing in the lake. After talking to the students, she came right back.

“No one seemed to see her.” (Wind Magic GIrl)

The girl was catching her breath as she told me that.

“Thank you. I’m going to go over to Cereille-sama’s house then. If Cereille-sama came here, can you tell her I need to talk to her?” (Yuna)

“Okay.” (Wind Magic GIrl)

After asking the girl, I told Shia and Noa, who were playing at the lake, that I am going to Cereille’s place.

“I’ll be back as soon as I’m done with my business, and Noa, you mustn’t leave Shia.” (Yuna)

“Yuna-san, when you come back, we’ll play together, okay?” (Noa)

“If we still have time.” (Yuna)

I refused in a roundabout way.

“Yes, I’ll be waiting for you.” (Noa)

But it seems that it didn’t get through to the pure Noa. At times like this, I felt my heart was dirty.

I went to Cereille’s house alone.

When Cereille’s house came into view, the horses jumped out.

“Cereille?” (Yuna)

Cereille was riding on the galloping horse. But Cereille did not notice me and rode away.

It was only for a moment, but Cereille had a pained, tensed look on her face.

Before I could even think about it, I was running after Cereille.

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