As my magic storehouse is at full capacity, I was forced to have to drag it back to town.
zuur zuur zuur zuur
When the massive snake was brought to the village square, the children watched with wide eyes.
According to Itsuki, the basilisk is not poisonous and its meat is delicious. The skin can be processed, and the fangs and bones can be used in many ways.
Itsuki stepped forward and attracted the attention of the villagers.
"The basilisk has been eliminated. Now everyone in this village will be able to live in peace again. Also, tonight we will have our first feast in a long time, so whoever is available, please help prepare the food."
Itsuki looked at me as if trying to say; "follow me."
He still wants to talk.
I told Kaede and Frau to go home.
As we walked deeper into the village, Itsuki looked around.
"I know it's late for this, but I want to thank you for everything you did."
"There's no need to thank me."
"No, I have to, because without you, slaying the basilisk would have been an almost impossible thing to do. Besides, you have extraordinary power, as well as the strength of a majestic wolf-warrior."
"Y-Yes..."
Perhaps "wolf" is a compliment to them. I've never been used to compliments. I think it's because I hardly ever received any, so this is new to me.
"May I ask who you are?"
"I'm just an ordinary warrior."
"You don't have to hide it. Are you the hero of some country?"
"No."
"Trust me, I'll keep it a secret."
Itsuki nodded his head, as if he understood everything.
I don't know what he expects me to tell him. I'm just an ordinary warrior.
"By the way, today the White Wolf God's messenger came. Have you made any progress? There's still time before the banquet, if there's anything bothering you, don't hesitate to tell me."
"Yes, everything is in order."
"Are you sure? I can't wait to hear your performance."
I think I should rehearse a bit. Depending on Itsuki's reaction, it will be decided if we can see the White Wolf God.
"Actually, I could use some help."
"Okay, I'll help you."
The sun began to set and gradually night embraced the sky.
One after another, people gathered in the banquet hall at the back of the village.
A bonfire was lit and dishes made from the basilisk's corpse were served.
Two large stone statues of wolves were placed facing each other in the hall, and further inside was a hut with an unusual design.
I wondered if it was some sort of temple dedicated to the White Wolf.
The inhabitants prayed in the hut before eating.
I looked around and searched for the White Wolf's messenger.
"I don't see anyone new here."
"Uh, I'm starting to get nervous."
"Me too. I've never done anything like this in front of so many people."
"Kyu~"
"You'll do well. Itsuki already praised you."
Kaede and Frau were nervous. I don't blame them, there are almost a thousand people present.
It's natural to feel uncomfortable when you know everyone is looking at you.
Even though I look calm, my hands won't stop sweating.
Agh, I'm starting to feel like running away.
I hate doing this, I don't like drawing attention to myself. Please give me a break.
Itsuki, dressed as a priest, appears in the hallway and knelt in front of the hut.
"White Wolf God, we thank you for giving us the opportunity to enjoy a great feast and live another day. Please listen to our guest's song."
The two stone statues glowed slightly.
All the people kneel and bow their heads in unison.
In addition, Itsuki lets out a howl, and the inhabitants also direct several howls towards the sky where the full moon is shining.
After that, the light from the stone statues disappeared.
"Everything is ready now. Please, you may begin."
"What about the messenger? He hasn't arrived yet."
"Don't worry, he's already here."
I glanced around the place again. But again, I didn't see anyone new.
Does that mean he's watching us from afar?
We go up to the stage and each take an instrument.
Kaede will play the flute, Panda the drum, Frau will sing and I will play the guitar.
I activate my imitator and copy Itsuki's musical skills.
In addition, I activate my newly acquired job, [Illusionist].
I lightly touched the strings.
This was the signal for Panda to hit the drum with the stick in his mouth.
Taking advantage of the rhythm, I played the guitar vigorously.
The soothing sound of Kaede's flute joined the tune, making the melody more harmonious.
"They're small breasts, but I don't know if that's bad or what's really stuck in my chest ♪ It doesn't matter if they swell or deflate ♪ But I wouldn't mind if they had more weight♪ Times can't catch up with these small breasts ♪"
I played the guitar madly to the sound of Frau's singing.
The sound was a shriek and a pop inside me.
With a snap, the performance ends.
I looked up and saw that the people in the room were frozen in place.
Itsuki and Obi were standing there without moving a muscle.
An uneasy feeling quickly came over me.
I wonder if the music I played with my [Illusionist] job was not well received here, where people like relaxing music.
"What kind of music was that, it was amazing! You're great, old man!"
Someone raises his voice and starts clapping, it was the boy I had made cry.
Seconds later, a wave of cheers swept through the crowd.
They were screaming for more and more.
Our gazes met and we began to play the next song. Some begas to dance with uncontrollable impulses. Other wolves began to howl as they danced.
We played five more songs and when we finished, all the residents of the place surrounded us while praising us.
I guess it's true, wolves really love music.
"Quiet, all of you! We have guests here."
The villagers regained their composure at Itsuki's words.
"Follow me."
He leads us inside the hut.
We enter and for some reason Obi is sitting there waiting for us.
"So what did you think?"
"This is the first time I've heard such novel, innovative and truly enthusiastic music. I have already obtained Yatsufusa-Sama's permission. He will admit the entry of the white fox god Kaede Tamamo."
"I am relieved to hear those words."
Itsuki ducked his head and Obi nodded.
The roles between them had reversed. I thought Obi was Itsuki's subordinate.
"I'm sorry for misleading you."
"Hm?"
"As you may have guessed, I am part of the white wolf clan led by Yatsufusa-Sama. I will be the next chief of the white wolves."
Obi takes off his wolf-shaped mask.
A young man with a fearless face appeared from below.
The mask must have also had a disguising function.
His hair, wolf ears and tail had changed to a beautiful white color.
"You're the next chief of the white wolves? I apologize for our rude attitude earlier-"
"No need. It was I who deceived them." Obi responds politely to Kaede's apology.
Itsuki, for his part, remains silent and then bows softly before leaving the hut.
Frau, Panda and I just stand and watch.
What kind of function does this hut have? There's nothing special about it.
Compared to the rest of the houses in this village, it is too simple. I dare say it would be better to live outside.
Obi stands up and touches the large mirror at the end of the hut.
Immediately, the mirror ripples like water, and his arm sinks into it.
"What is that?"
"It's a portal to the realm of the celestial beasts."
"What does that mean?"
"On the other side is where the white wolves live."
Hmm, I don't understand anything.
What is the realm of the celestial beasts?
Obi passes through first and disappears.
"Let's go, Master."
"Let's see what kind of creatures these white wolves are."
"Kyu!"
Through the mirror, I found myself on a red bridge. Before me is a mansion of unknown design.
"I can't believe there's a blue sky and a river beyond the mirror."
"Kyu."
Frau and Panda peered down from the bridge, admiring the dazzling sunlight reflecting off the water.
So this is the realm of the celestial beasts... How is it that they can live in such a place?
Butterflies fluttered in the warm air.
In the distance, flowers swayed in the wind along the riverbank.
"It's a very nice place these creatures live in."
"Yes, it is."
"It's very different from the White Fox village."
Obi was waiting in the middle of the bridge.
"I have to ask, why did you pretend to be of the wolf tribe?"
"It's a task we do in peacetime to keep an eye on our family. Even so, I would have approached them naturally, but it's still better to act in the shadows."
So he takes it upon himself to watch over the people of that village without their knowledge.
Obi bows slightly before me.
"I know it's late, but I want to thank you for slaying the basilisk. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that the damage was kept to a minimum thanks to you. That enemy was a bit of a nuisance to us as well."
"No problem, I'm glad I got to eat such delicious meat like that."
Obi heads towards the mansion, "I'll take you to Yatsufusa-Sama."
Obi's tail began to sway, followed by Panda coming over and biting it.