Nero! Where are you?
A beautiful soprano's voice echoes through the forest.
But all that came back were the rustling of trees and the cries of birds and animals. And I felt no sign of human presence at all.
"...I've already looked in several places for a spot. And I don't see a single clue..."
Tet scribbles a cross on the map. Keeping a wary eye on his surroundings.
Ner. The object of his search. Sought the nourishing mushrooms that would make his mother well. When Nero's father gave him a ma. He also told him where the mushrooms grew.
But when we arrived at that point. We couldn't find the Nero boy. I drew a lot of hazing. And I'm about to run out of guesses (…).
"... Nero are you somewhere completely different...?"
"If you are returning to the village on your own. That's good. But you may be lost or lying in a hard-to-see place.... Or by demons...
The words that came out of Tet's mouth were the most realistic of possibilities. It's cruel to say. But it would be difficult for a child to survive for hours in this 'Demon Beast Forest'.
But Makina did not allow that possibility to be stated. And denied it with a strong will.
'... We must not be the first to give up. Ner. Your father is waiting for you. Believing that his son is safe and...! We will get him out. I promise!"
"... Ha!"
At the moment. I can't say for sure. Now that I've made a promise. There's no other way but to find Nero as soon as possible. While praying that he's safe.
But… The forest is too big for Makina and her friends to find the boy alone while fighting off the attacking demons.
Finally. Every spot on the map was marked with a cross. There are no other places where mushrooms grow intensively anymore.
The sun is setting. When night falls. The danger level in the forest will jump.
"...It's difficult to search any further. Princess. You can decide whether to return or continue...
"っっ...."
I'm at a loss because I'm stuck in all directions.
But thinking of Nero's father. I can't just back out of this empty-handed.
I'm still wondering if there's anything more I can do. I'm wondering if there is some kind of useful magic that can be used in a situation like this.
"...!"
Suddenly. The thought that came to my mind – I smacked myself on the head with my magic wand! I smacked myself hard with my magic wand.
Princess?
Yes and no.... I'm just trying to get my head straight..."
She looks down. Pulling back the brim of her triangular witch hat to hide her red face.
I don't remember any magic that is effective for searching people. But if you don't have i. You should (・・・・) learn it (・・・・) now (…).
Just in front of me is a young man – Tetteh.
In fact. I've been able to clear up some problems by doing so.
(That doesn't mean that...! (That's not true. Tet and...! O. N. That's not...!)
But no. That's the only thing. He shakes his head.
I don't care how much it's to save a missing bo. It's not like he's going to 'pull a stunt' in the woods.
The most important thing to remember is that if you make such an offer. You'll be severely disillusioned. The Princess of Grande. What a slut (・・・・) she is.
That's what I'm afraid of. And that's why I've kept all my 'experiences' to this day quiet from Tet.
"... Princess..."
"Is yes...?"
As I was thinking about this. Suddenly. Tetteh called out to me.
I look up. The other end of the line. The beloved knight was staring at me.
"... T. Mr. Tett...?"
"..."
It was a look that was feverish and had some strong emotion in it. This kind of expression is rare.
No way. I thought my thoughts had leaked out.
It may or may not have been realised. But it may have stimulated Tet's inferiority complex through the action of lewdness or something else.
It's no wonder. All of the men who have ever been with her have looked at her with a disgusted gaze. Trying to somehow taste Makina's limb. And they have not hidden their desires.
But Tet had never shown any pretence of such a thin. For he was the only one who was a childhood friend and loyal subordinate.
But Tet is also a healthy boy. It was unlikely under the circumstances. But still – there was no chance that he would ask for his own body on the journey.
"Princess...!"
"N. N. Mr. Tet. We're...! We are...! ♥♥
Tett closes the distance. He makes an excited sound. He reaches out a hand towards himself.
She knows it's wrong. A line she shouldn't cross. But her mind and body are ready to accept him…
"–Do you see anything beyond the tree...! It looks like a house...!"
"... What?"
Tette walked past him and pointed with an outstretched arm to the far side of the forest.
Indeed. His finger pointed to a man-made wooden house through a gap in the tree. Although it was very difficult to see.
There it is...!
"... Yea. Yeah.... I see...."
Just– Before we could even confirm it to each other.
Makina wished she could bury herself in the ground first. Her head turned pink.
"There's no reason not to go...! Let's g. Princess! ... Princess?
＊＊＊＊＊
"'The Dining Place'..."
"... 'Cat's Collar Pavilion'...?"
I read the words on the sign and understood that the small house with the cream-coloured exterior wall was a 'restaurant'.
At the same time. He is surprised and suspicious. He wonders if anyone would be crazy enough to open a shop in such a dangerous forest.
"Let's go into..."
"Ha!...!"
But even the slightest clue will do for now. Maybe there was a Nero boy inside this restaurant. There was no reason to go through with it.
Clutching their staffs and swords. They open the entrance.
The doorbell attached to the door rang lightly. But as soon as they entered and closed the door. Silence returned to the forest of magical beasts.
Welcome!
Y. Welcome to the Cat's Collar Pavilion:...
Two waitresses greeted Makina and her friends as they entered the restaurant.
Rather than a waitress – the outfit was that of a 'maid' in the service of a noble or wealthy person.
Young girl. Younger than Makina. These two girls are dressed in frilly maid uniforms and bow their heads to me.
It was as if he had known from the very beginning that he was going to visit this restaurant.
"Two guests. Right? Today's recommended menu is–"
N. No. We're not here to eat..."
To the left of Makina and the others. The girl with peach-coloured hair tied in twin tails responds with a cheerful smile.
But he interrupts her and tells her only what he wants.
I'm looking for a boy who went missing in the woods. He's a dark-haired kid named Nero..."
"Hmmm.... I don't know about it. It's not the kind of place where kids go."
The pink-haired maid girl puts her finger to her chin and thinks. But she doesn't seem to have any idea.
But Tetteh didn't miss that statement.
"... How can you open a shop in a forest where so few people pass by? And you let a child serve you...."
Without hiding his alar. Tet leaks his fighting spirit. In this situation where everything is in doubt. I will not let my guard down as a knight protecting Machina.
The girl with long blue hair standing on the right side of the room let out a small scream at Tetteh's spirit. She must have looked very intimidating. She was scared with tears in her eyes.
But the pink-haired maid was unfazed. She answered the question without losing her customer service smile.
'Our restaurant caters to adventurers passing through the forest! There are no other rest points. And we're quite in demand. We are Nunna and Nen. The daughters of Pap. The owner and chef (chef)!"
The lively maid with pink hair was named Nunn. And the blue-haired one who looked somewhat withdrawn was named Nena.
He explained that he and his father. Who is now in the kitchen? Run this restaurant as a family.
"... I didn't know that. This was rude of me. Sorry."
N. N. No! Don't worry about it. Your brother is handsome. So it's no problem!"
Then let's go back. Princess. It seems she doesn't know anything. And we must continue our search."
Without seeing Makina's reaction. Tet spun away.
And reach for the doorknob – before you reach for the doorknob.
O. Wait!
Nunn. The mai. Stopped Tetteh.
Pleas. Take the time to enjoy your meal! I'll serve you!"
He keeps Tetteh and the others company as he explains this and that on today's recommended menu.
Makina already had a growing distrust of the restaurant and Nunna. But without any conclusive evidence. It might really just be a cooking shop. Without any sense of hostility or magical power. There was little basis for judgment.
When she was thinking about this. Makina's stomach rumbled.
"...Wel. It's not safe to go back into the forest. Where it's going to be dark... Now. Shall I take you at your wor. Princess?"
'Ye. That's right. Well, the. Nunna-sa. I'd like to say that two people have entered the store. Please."
"Ye. Sir! The. Please come here~"
Nunna somehow manages to catch a customer and happily shows Tet and Makina around.
Nnenna modestly bowed her head. "Thank you." And followed Nunna.
Guided by the backs of these two. Tette and Makina stepped into the depths of the "Cat's Collar Restaurant.
**
'Well, the. I'll take your sword and cane! Please leave any other dangerous tools here. Like knives or sharp-edged objects."
Before they sat down to ea. Nunna pointed to a large wooden box that looked like a shoe box. I guess he wanted us to place our weapons on top of this.
"Since... We are the only ones serving you. That.... To prevent food and abuse. Please help us... To... Prevent food and abuse."
Nena begs in a hush. Small voice.
For adventurer. Their prized possessions are like their lives. But at the same time. Nunna and Nena are anxious about the same thing. A helpless girl is no match for an adventurer with a weapon.
I understand that this is a necessary response for both parties to enjoy their meals in peace.
"... Okay. Don't lose it."
'Of course! Thank you for your cooperation!"
Tet put his sword on the table. Though he seemed reluctant to do so. Makina also put down her magic wand as well.
The two disarmed men went straight to the dining table at the end of the door – without reaching it.
I opened the door and walked into the next room. Which was a small private room.
'We have brushes and towels for you to clean your body.
"... Cleanliness is important to u. So..."
Tet and Makina had indeed been running around in the forces. So they were a little dirty. The restaurant wanted them to enjoy their meal with a clean body.
"... Is this correct?"
Tette scrubbed her face with a wet towel. And Makina brushed her hair. Etc. And brushed off all the dirt from her body.
Seeing thi. Nunna nodded in satisfaction.
Perfect! Then there's a change of clothes! ... But since men and women are together. Please follow me. Brother."
Do you want me to take off my clothes too? That's a very thorough hygiene policy.
The private room had two doors leading to the next room. Tet was taken by Nunna to the door on the left and Makina to the door on the right.
Well, the. Nen. Make sure you show your sister around."
'U. Yeah.... I know. Nunna-chan...."
Makina smiled at Nenna's nervousness as she parted from Tet and Nunna and followed the blue-haired maid.
The door opened onto a long hallway.
–It's obviously a wacky structure. When I saw the "Cat's Collar Pavilion" From the outside in the forest. It was not a building with such a large area.
But from Nena walking in front of you. I still don't feel any hostility.
"... Hah... Hah...!"
"... Nena?"
I notice something's wrong.
Nena's breathing is getting rougher. But even s. I don't feel the flow of bad magic power.
The corridor still continued. Nena tried to walk unsteadily. But finally slumped into place.
"Haa...! Co. Oooh...!"
"He. Are you okay? Nena? Someone call...! Call Nnenna at...!
I turned on my heel to go back. But Nena's outstretched hand grabbed the hem of my skirt as I slumped down. The impact of the tug almost made me fall down.
I checked Nena's side. Wondering what was wrong – and was surprised by two facts.
"This is...!
For one thing. Nena's face is red. Her eyes are moist and her breathing is erratic.
But it was not the kind of sickness or fever – which I know well and have experienced (…) – But the face of a 'rutting' human being.
"... You just.... Your sister said... That she was looking for 'Nero'. Didn't you say that...?"
The second surprise. It's Nena's skirt part.
It was adorned with the pretty frills of a maid's uniform. But the crotch area lifted the cloth and made a 'small mountain' – a bulge that would never be created unless it was a boy.
"O. Help m. Please...! I'm that Nero...!
Nena-sa. Nero-kun...!"