Chapter 8

After finishing the meaty breakfast at Rezail, a fruit called Nyada appeared as dessert.

It looked like a super giant coconut, as hard as it appeared.

I tried to crack it but failed, and was about to give up when Dilnan easily broke it for me. I was amazed by his strength.

I was already grateful that he broke it for me, but Dilnan even cut the fruit flesh into small pieces with a knife before giving it to me. A capable man is different, indeed.

Despite its tough exterior, the inside tasted very much like an apple mango, incredibly sweet and delicious.

It was so huge that I couldn't finish more than half, but Dilnan ate the rest. It would have been a waste to leave it, so I was glad.

After breakfast, Dilnan started to clean up.

I couldn't just stand there and watch, so I helped by folding the blanket and doing what I could. Being so small, I might have been more of a hindrance than a help. After all, I don't even reach Dilnan's waist. I'm less than half his height. *sniff*.

"Yuri, where are you going?"

While cleaning, Dilnan asked me, but I had nowhere to go. So I shook my head honestly.

Later, I might ask him if he could take me away from here, even though I didn't expect much.

"I see, I understand."

Saying that, Dilnan put his hand on his chin, looking tall and handsome.

He can break a giant fruit with his bare hands and hunt two dinosaur-like Rezails. How strong is he?

He can pick up a scared child and keep watch while they sleep, showing his kindness.

And he's the captain of the cooking team at the Northern Demon Castle, which sounds like a good job.

To top it all off, he can cook delicious meals and feed them to you.

You, reality-filled person, explode!

...I bit my tongue at the crucial moment. *sigh*.

Ignoring my inner turmoil, Dilnan stored the cleaned items in a subspace. It was magic.

I couldn't help but clap, impressed by his demon race abilities.

"Well,"

After finishing the cleanup, Dilnan squatted down to my level.

"It's dangerous here. If you have nowhere to go, come with me. I'll take care of your food, clothing, and shelter."

"Really?"

Surprised by Dilnan's unexpected offer, I asked hesitantly. I had only hoped he might take me away from here.

"Of course. A kid like you isn't much of a burden."

What... is... this.

How handsome is this guy! To so easily accept a stranger's child?!

To be patted on the head with a gentle smile, I felt a rare heart-flutter.

"I have work to do, so I can't stay here forever. I'm going back to the castle."

"Castle?"

Eh, are you taking me with you?

Is that okay?? But if Dilnan says so, it must be fine.

"If things go well, I'll put you in my team. I'll train you to survive and eat well. If not, there's a village near the castle. I can arrange for a guardian I trust."

"Plenty of delicious food!?"

What a surprise! Seriously, Dilnan?

If things go well, I can work with you, which means you'll be my cooking master in this world!? Even if not, with food, clothing, and shelter guaranteed?!

Despite my excitement making my words sound funny, he nodded and smiled. Is he just saying all these convenient things? Is there a catch?

"Before we go back to the castle, there's one thing I need to confirm with you."

"Okay."

Dilnan suddenly became serious, so I straightened up and replied. It's a given that my reply wasn't very firm.

I'll do anything, but what is it?

"Your magic level. Do you remember using any?"

"No."

Magic? I've never even touched a single letter of magic.

After I answered, Dilnan nodded.

"Then, let's try to make a fire. Put your hands together."

I put my hands together.

"Imagine a flame inside and slowly open them."

A flame. Matches, lighters, candles, stove flames. I remember the color of the flame changes with temperature. I'll imagine it and slowly open my hands. Okay.

When I slowly opened my hands, a small flame appeared, fitting in the palm of a child's hand.

Wow, I did it! I'm a little witch!!

"It worked!"

Overjoyed, I showed the flame to Dilnan with a silly grin.

"..."

Eh, Dilnan, what's that lukewarm smile? Come on, say something.

After that, I was asked to try the other elements: wind, earth, water, lightning, and darkness. I did as instructed.

I thought all of them would be the size of a child's palm, but the water element appeared as a basketball-sized ball.

It was a beautiful water ball with a marine blue color and rainbow marble patterns.

"I did it!"

After confirming all the elements, I wiped the sweat from my forehead, feeling satisfied. I did it!

Then, Dilnan burst out laughing. Huh?

"Big brother?"

"No, it's nothing. Well done."

He tried to cover it up with a cough, but it didn't work.

When I got a pat on the head... more, please.

"We've done what we needed to do, let's go back."

While I was enjoying the head pat, Dilnan stood up and whistled. What's going on?

"Coming soon."

When I tilted my head, Dilnan smiled meaningfully.

It didn't seem like he would tell me more, so I waited.

A shadow fell from above.

I think I noticed the shadow and the figure in front of me at the same time.

A huge body with white fur and black stripes.

I know this yellow fur, but smaller. I met it at the zoo as a child. It was a fierce beast eating a piece of meat in a cage.

...It's a tiger. Tiger.

It's right in front of me, so close I can feel its breath. (Escaping reality)

"Whoa!"

By the way, I just made a sound, but it wasn't a scream.

For some reason, I'm being licked. Its tongue is huge. The licking force is too strong.

It's purring, but you're not a cat, are you? I'm not catnip.

...I just fell backward. Hey, don't play with me with that huge body, I'll be crushed!

When I was about to be smothered, Dilnan picked me up and rescued me. I'm safe...

My face was covered in the tiger's saliva, but Dilnan took out a towel and wiped it off.

He then combed my hair, cleaned my clothes, and straightened them. I really appreciate it.

"Retsu, it's good that you like it, but don't get too attached."

"Grrr"

When Dilnan scolded him, Retsu made a dissatisfied sound.

Oh, the reaction is human-like. Maybe it's cute.

"Yuri, this is Retsu. My riding beast, a Tygar."

"...'riding beast'?"

"A magical beast that can carry people and run on the ground, and even fly in the sky."

A magical version of a riding horse, a riding beast.

Retsu is a Tygar. The Tygar in front of me is named Retsu. Understood.

Still,

"Can it fly?"

"Retsu doesn't have wings, so officially it runs. A Tygar with an appearance like Retsu that doesn't run in the sky is called a Tygar."

Oh. A normal tiger that doesn't run in the sky is called a Tygar. Among them, Retsu is a species that can run in the sky.

"Retsu, amazing."

Without thinking, I praised Retsu, and Retsu washed his face with his front paw. Wow, Retsu is blushing. The reaction is so human.

Retsu is definitely a fierce beast, but I don't feel scared at all.

The first impression was so strong that I didn't have time to feel scared. Also, there's no sense of danger or hostility from Retsu. It feels more like I'm being welcomed.

However, Dilnan's eyes are cold when he looks at Retsu. "You're an idiot," they seem to say, Retsu.

When Dilnan, still with a slightly cold look, gave the order, Retsu lay down. Dilnan then picked me up and easily jumped onto Retsu's back.

Looking closely, there was a harness-like collar with reins, but no saddle. Riding this requires strength and balance. I can't do it. I know that, but I have a new ambition.

"Big brother—"

"Hm?"

"I want to touch the fluffy fur."

It's embarrassing to beg after being over thirty. It's fine if it's about food.

But Retsu's fluffy fur is silky and makes my heart flutter.

"Huh?"

No good. The reaction is lukewarm. Ah, fluffy fur.

"Uh... oh, fluffy fur."

When I was about to give up, my body floated and I was on the fluffy fur.

As expected, the touch was nice. I lay down and rubbed my cheek against it, petting it.

Tygar, right? Tigers are the best.

After enjoying it to my heart's content, I returned to Dilnan's lap.

"...Let's go."

Held securely from behind, Dilnan took the reins.

At the signal, Retsu ran, and the huge body floated up.

The blue sky, the clouds, are close.

The green of the trees spreads below.

A different view from an airplane.

On the third day of my life in another world, I flew through the sky!