Volume 4 Chapter 31 Return, and Then
It was getting late, so I gave all my dried meat to Tihuacan since he was hungry.
He complained it wasn't enough, but people and tigers eat very different amounts. He had to be patient.
The next day, Miloslav, Mr. Clepa, the town leaders, and I waited for Tihuacan at the town's south gate.
'Hey, are you sure this is safe? What if that tiger eats us...'
"It's okay. Tihuacan is quite smart. I think we can live together peacefully."
I told the worried townsfolk this to calm them down.
Well, he is a tiger after all.
He doesn't understand our language, so it's natural they're scared.
"Hey, he's here!"
Miloslav noticed first and said this.
I looked around and heard rustling nearby.
Then, a black tiger slowly appeared.
"...Huh? He's black again."
'This form tires me out.'
Oh, so it tires him.
Using magic power probably takes a lot of energy.
Still, the townsfolk, except Mr. Clepa, murmured as they heard the tiger's voice through the Magic Stone of Cashunat.
"Alright, let's start the negotiation."
'Negotiate? About what, human?'
"We're looking for a way for the town and Tihuacan to live together."
When Tihuacan sat down in front of us, I started by saying that we wanted a way where town livestock wouldn't get hurt and Tihuacan could eat enough.
'Is there even a way to do that?'
One of the townspeople looked at me with doubt, so I decided to give a more detailed explanation.
"Of course. For example, there are pests like moles in the fields and mice in the warehouse. We can have Tihuacan take care of them. Tihuacan will be fed, and it will be good for both of us, right?"
In short, I was asking Tihuacan, the tiger, to do the same job as a cat.
But it's a bit too big to be called a cat.
'Can a tiger really deal with moles and mice?'
One of the townspeople raised their hand and made a very valid point.
That's true.
It would be hard for such a big animal like a tiger to catch moles and mice.
But──
"You can do it, Tihuacan! You can use magic!"
'No problem at all.'
Tihuacan puffed out his chest proudly and answered.
With spells like Sleep, he could easily neutralize the mice and moles without harming the crops, and with that method, he could even catch birds.
For this tiger, just waiting in the field means food will come to him, so it's like a buffet.
"But if that's all, Tihuacan will just be working to feed himself, and he won't gain anything. We should offer him meat every few days or provide him with a cozy hut. Something like that would give him a benefit."
'I see, so that's what coexistence means.'
Tihuacan seemed to understand, and while watching the townspeople start to discuss among themselves, he relaxed and lay down.
Well, it looks like we can solve this peacefully, and that's what matters most.
* * *
The meeting with Tihuacan went well, and in 2 days, we from Sartzstadt will head back east.
I was surprised by how short our stay was, but the captain just said, "This is how it is."
We still need supplies while we are here, so maybe that's just how it goes.
I was saying goodbye to Mr. Clepa on the dock.
Things had turned a bit sour between us, but solving the Tihuacan issue seemed to have built some trust.
"Thank you for the useful information. I think it will take time, but I plan to clear up the misunderstandings about Lady Abnella that are spreading in the eastern continent."
'As long as you have that intention, we won't stop our dealings, but don't forget that promise.'
After that exchange, I shook Mr. Clepa's hand firmly.
I might not visit this continent again.
But I will continue to deal with the people here, and maybe someone from the town will visit Sartzstadt.
For that reason, solving the issue of Abnella being treated as an Evil God is a challenge I must tackle.
* * *
We passed through 2 inhabited islands, then took a slightly different route back to Sartzstadt.
I was glad there were no krakens on the way back, but──
"I can't believe this was what was calling the kraken!"
Leaning against the deck's edge, I mutter to myself as I casually touch the 'Magic Stone of Elmusca' hanging from my waist, enjoying the sea breeze.
I learned on this journey that it's named after the benevolent god Elmusca, a magic stone that enhances the power of My Enchant magic.
This artifact, with power close to Abnella's, is said to summon demon beasts, as Tiywakan mentioned during our parting.
But I have no intention of letting go of this magic stone.
Its ability to bestow strong enchantments from a distance could be incredibly useful in a pinch.
In the past, it has helped me many times over.
"If a demon beast appears, I'll just defeat it. No need to worry too much, right?"
Lost in these thoughts, I hear a scurrying sound behind me and turn to see the captain in a flustered state.
He must have been conducting a long-distance communication in the communication room, as we're getting close to Sartzstadt.
I wonder if something happened.
"What's wrong?"
"...I was in contact with Sartzstadt, but the situation over there sounds really bad."
"...Let's take a deep breath and calm down."
Trying to make sense of the captain's incoherent mumbling, I decide to settle him down first.
I have no idea what's so bad.
After taking a light, deep breath, his face still pale, the captain finally spoke up.
"It seems that large-scale riots are breaking out across the Beistein Kingdom."
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