CH 34

“The Wolf Girl”

I reached out my hand to the wolf girl.

– Ugh…

She was so light even someone like me could carry her.

In fact, she was unusually thin.

It was hard to tell as a wolf because she was covered in fur, but she’s literally just bones and skin.

– Takaya! Are you okay!?

Tsubakibaru rushed to see how I was. Her hair was already back to normal and her horn had retracted.

– I’m fine. I think this girl used up all her remaining strength and fell unconscious.

In my arms was a very slender girl with silver hair and dark circles under her eyes.

– I doubt she can hurt me while in this state.

Tsubakibaru sheathed her sword after confirming there was no danger. It broke in only one strike, despite how much time it must’ve taken her to forge it.

Where does this girl hide so much strength? What race is she?

– *Cough*

The girl retorted and coughed some undigested food.

She must’ve eaten random mushrooms around the vicinity due to extreme hunger, which caused her to get poisoned.

– It was a Grenbenni. When a human eats it, it burns its insides with devastating pain. The poison is so strong it could kill a person in a matter of minutes. (Takaya)

I could tell immediately. I can identify almost all the mushrooms growing around here with my skills.

The one she ate is probably the most poisonous around. Especially in the conditions it’s growing.

– First, we have to make her vomit the rest. Then we can give her an antidote. We should-

– Hold on, Takaya. Are you planning on aiding this thing?

Tsubakibaru looked at me dumbfounded.

– Should I… not?

– Of course not. We should get rid of it while it’s weak.

She has a point.

This girl might look like a defenseless husk, but she can also turn into a fierce wolf.

Once she wakes up she might attack us again. No, in fact, we attacked first, so she’s obviously going to be on the offensive.

Still, I turned my back to Tsubakibaru and decided to help the girl.

– Takaya, are you OUT of your MIND?

– Maybe I am. I can’t tell anymore. It doesn’t matter if she looks like a girl, she’s still a beast. It’s unreasonable of me to try to help something that perceives us as prey.

But…

– She reminds me of me when I got separated from my old group. Alone, scared, careless…

Looking at the girl, she still seemed very young. Her parents should be somewhere close.

But they’re not.

There are people that are worried about you. Or they were, but they abandoned you.

I know that pain more than anyone.

– I want to help her. I know it would be better to leave her to rot, but I don’t want to become that kind of human.

I wouldn’t be any different from -those- people.

– Even if I were to abandon you here at your own luck?

I nodded.

I am decided. I won’t hesitate anymore.

– Goodness gracious. Out of all the qualities you could’ve inherited from the Grandmaster during this month. A troublesome one you are.

Tsubakibaru gave up and decided to help me.

– Tsubakibaru-san…

– Get going already, we have no time to waste. She might look tough but the sooner we detoxify her the better.

After extinguishing the fire we picked up our luggage and started walking.

Tsubakibaru is willing to cooperate with me for once.

She might not show it often but she’s a good person at heart.

– I’m sorry for troubling you with such a selfish request.

– ….Akane.

Her face a slight red, she uttered those words.

– Huh?

– Akane. That’s my name

– So what is “Tsubakibaru”?

– That is my family’s name. Just like yours is “Nagami”, if I recall correctly.

– I see.

So the culture in her hometown is similar to my original world’s. Maybe there’s a connection.

– Thank you for telling me, but can I ask why you decided to tell me now?

– Tch.

– I’m sure the Grandmaster already knew. Why did you hide it?

– Gh…

Her face became fully reddish.

– Well, obviously because… Whatever! Shall we end this conversation already!? Please hurry up if you so wish, you imbecile.

Akane picked up her pace. Greatly so.

By the time I realized, she was so far ahead I could barely see her back.

– I don’t really get it but should I assume you trust me more now!?

Akane kept walking without answering me. I was left behind carrying our luggage and a mythical-creature-girl.