Published: September 10, 2025
Satou here. Running into acquaintances in unexpected places always sparks lively conversations. Sometimes, it feels like you met during the day, but before you know it, the sun has already set.
â—‡
“What a beautiful sight,”
“Yes, this must be the famous great river of Duke Oyugok’s territory,”
Ms. Zena murmured, and Princess Sistina responded.
Right now, we are ascending the great river in a small airship.
The others are happily viewing the scenery from the upper observation deck.
Since this area is protected by the magic of the “canopy,” there’s no risk of the wind flipping up skirts—a safe design.
“What a nice view~”
“Tama, it’s dangerous to stand like that!”
“It’s okay~”
Still, I think standing firmly on the narrow railing like Tama is pushing it.
“Master, I report a flock of migratory birds.”
“Hmm, flamingos.”
Where Nana and Mia pointed, chubby pink birds were crossing the great river.
They looked a bit different from the flamingos I know, but here, those must be flamingos.
Arisa, who had been lazily watching the view below until now, suddenly looked alert and raised her arm.
“Those who are free, look to the port side!”
“Arisa? That’s the starboard side,”
Lulu corrected Arisa’s mistake.
Judging by Arisa’s embarrassed expression and her theatrical tone earlier, it was probably some kind of parody.
“Master, I already caught two birds. Are roasted whole flamingos tasty?”
In Liza’s hands were two flamingos hanging from wired spears.
—Liza is fast.
“I think they taste like mild chicken, so let’s make grilled chicken skewers.”
“Understood! After draining the blood, I’ll wash and set aside the clean feathers.”
“Yeah, thanks.”
I once ate flamingo while traveling overseas, but I never imagined I’d eat them in another world too.
That evening, we reached the Grape Mountain Range.
Since there was still time before the boats stopped sailing on the great river, we went to see a herd of celestial deer near the summit.
“Prey~?”
“This time Pochi will do the hunting!”
“No, you can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because no.”
The beast girls wanted to hunt the celestial deer, but since we owed them a bit, I stopped them from getting involved.
Pochi looked a little disappointed, but I couldn’t give in here.
After that, we negotiated with the manager of the Phantom Firefly Grotto and got permission to partially submerge the small airship and navigate directly through the grotto.
“Oh my! So this is the famous Phantom Firefly Grotto! Ms. Rithumaier once boasted about coming here on her honeymoon.”
“Huh, that stern principal, huh~”
The princess and Arisa, both seeing it for the first time, talked about a mutual acquaintance while looking around the grotto.
Likewise, Ms. Zena, also a first-timer, looked up at the ceiling so intently she lost her balance and almost fell backward.
“Eek!”
“Are you alright?”
“Y-Yes! Thank you, Mr. Satou.”
Supported by me, Ms. Zena blushed shyly, perhaps embarrassed to have been seen like that.
“Pfft, you naturally set a flag again!”
“Hmph, guilty.”
Arisa and Mia muttered something, but without any trouble, we all enjoyed the grotto.
No matter how many times I come, it’s always fun.
â—‡
After greeting the prefect in Grylian City, we changed into commoner clothes and strolled the streets.
Since we were a large group, we split into smaller squads.
Together with me were Arisa, Miss Karina, and Sera.
“So this is Grylian? I prefer Ankoromochi,”
When leveling up in the labyrinth, we defeated a plant-type monster called the Azuki Shooter and got giant azuki beans. While making sweet red bean paste, I once made bean paste mochi.
Come to think of it, Pochi and Tama ended up with bean paste all over their faces too.
“Do you eat it with your hands?”
“Yes! The proper way is to bite in boldly, not nibble with chopsticks!”
To Sera, who was confused and from the nobility, Arisa taught her this absurd etiquette.
She stuck her face forward, as if telling me to wipe the bean paste from around my mouth.