Chapter 33 (1/2)

Translator: Luk2048

Editor: Ghost Ape

”Oh no! The town is being buried in mud! If I don't hurry and turn it back everyone's going to sink and die―!”

That was the first thing out of the Saintess' mouth, who had regained her consciousness. At first she was panicking, being practically in a half-crazed state, but when she had heard the clanging of instruments and seen the scenery of the band and people indulging in the festival while playing in the mud, her movements gradually eased up.

”Good morning Lady Saintess. Your body alright already?”

”Mr Lizard? Ah, erm… What is everyone doing…?”

”It's a festival. No need to worry. It looks like everyone was antic.i.p.ating when you were going to make the mud well up.”

It seemed Lady Saintess was aware they were using the mud, and yet she could never imagine that everyone would be even more grateful for changing the whole town into a swamp. Seeing how well they were prepared means the same thing should have happened several times in the past, but her memory of the demon times was most likely fuzzy.

However, even though she should be happy and relieved in these circ.u.mstances, for some reason she was rather dissatisfied.

”Aha, is that so… Hmph… Good for them!”

Then she once more sat timidly holding her knees facing the materials at the corner of the plaza. Apparently her pride as a demon was clas.h.i.+ng with her being delighted by everyone's safety. When I peered at her face from the side, she was quivering like a jelly with a bright red face.

”You don't have to be so frustrated. It's not like you still want to sink this town.”

”Shut uuup! I can do it if I try! I will make them fear me a little! Eiyaa―!”

Immediately after Lady Saintess screamed, the ground turned no more than slightly softer. Subsequently, from somewhere came a shout of joy ”Even more mud of blessing welled up!”. Lady Saintess, stunned by the blow, flopped down onto the bed sulking.

This town will surely continue to be peaceful.

Relieved, I stealthily entered the ring of festivities. It was a good time to treat myself to some fresh vegetables. Ariante was keeping watch―― after that, the town's guards had stopped following me, ”The Evil Dragon”, around persistently.

Still, I'd stand out too much if I were to wait my turn in line, so I headed to the back of the kitchen inside where the vegetables were being processed.

It was a s.p.a.ce where the water was drained from the ground and sprinkled with dry soil and ashes, with a number of horses fastened.

If their hooves would be buried in mud for a long period of time, the horses wouldn't be able to calm down from the stress. Although the permanent stable and cattle pen were operating using submersion countermeasures, due to the overwhelming flow of merchants some of their horses were being sheltered here. They were able to give them the leftovers from cooking like that, so the convenience in feeding animals was high.

I slipped between the horses with an innocent look. Those were horses only reared by merchants, so they were gentle. Even if I got close, they wouldn't make noise or become frightened.

”Sorry, share some of the leftovers with me.”

Neigh, the horse made a sound. I wasn't able to communicate with animals, but I thought he gave me an okay. After all, there was a vast amount of leftovers produced from the festival. They wouldn't be able to dispose of all of it by themselves. I just had to hide in the horses' shadow and get the carried in sc.r.a.ps.

Still, an unforeseen accident had occurred.

”Ah, Doradora! You were still in town!”

From the kitchen, the children came running carrying a large amount of vegetable leaves. Seemed they wanted to play and feed the horses.

Immediately, my heart gave off a dreadful alarm. How could that be. The children's existence had totally slipped my mind. I couldn't be seen called Doradora by Rēko. It was obvious she'd blow up.

However, running away through all that mud would be difficult. I'd probably get caught by the children soon enough. The desperate measure I took against the approaching children with sparkling eyes was,

”… Meeh”

I tried to pa.s.s off as a normal animal which can't speak, the hopefully-mistake-dragon-for-something-else plan. The thing was, I had completely no idea what sound a lizard makes, so unintentionally I let out a goat-like voice.

”Ehh? Doradora?”

”Meeh”

”He doesn't talk.”

”Maybe he's hungry?”