5-8. Shadow Stalker (2/2)

”Unyu~, food?”

”Not that, wake everyone up since I feel some presences from the forest.”

Among these members, Pochi is the easiest to wake up. The one with the worst waking habit is Liza.

”It's not morning but wake up nodesu~.”

She steps on Tama's stomach and knocks on Arisa's head with a whack. Lulu gets up hearing Pochi's voice.

”Liza wake up too nodesu.”

Liza's body is swaying from the shaking but she's only groaning without waking up. Tama get on top of Liza's stomach to assist Pochi. However, while half-asleep, Liza catches the two and hugs them.

”Mugyu~.””Wake up~?”

Looks like the two will be like that until Liza wakes up.

Arisa is coming to the bonfire while yawning with her mouth wide open. Lulu puts her hand in front of her mouth and begins yawning cutely. Where is this difference in girl power coming from?

”Fuwaah~ is it enemies?”

”They're still far, but there are three coming.”

”Judging from the atmosphere, they're not powerful.”

I teach her about the enemies' types and characteristics.

”They're not undead right? Then they're easy preys with mind magic.”

When she gets to the bonfire and sees Mia who is sitting besides me, Arisa does an exaggerated gesture by opening her eyes wide while saying, ”What a fearful girl!”. Who is she imitating?

”Hey wait, you have me if you want to do it with someone!”

”Stop saying those stupid things. I was just hearing her rough situations.”

”Then why is she clinging to your arm?”

Come to think of it, Mia is clinging to my right arm before I knew it. I thought we were separated after I activated the light hot plate earlier. Since I'm used to be hugged by Pochi and Tama, I didn't mind it.

Mia parts her hands after being pointed out by Arisa.

'”I didn't hug him.”'

”She didn't hug me she says.”

”That's a lie! I saw you separating just now.”

'”It must be a mistake.”'

”If you're an adult, don't fuss too much over it.”

”Gunununu~.”

I receive a cup of tea from Lulu who's handing it. Am I thinking too much for seeing Mia who casually sits beside me after getting the tea?

”Liza, here nano desu.”

”Nya, my tail hurts~.”

Following the two, Liza has woken up.

I wonder if Pochi and Tama dislike tea, they're drinking plain boiled waters that Lulu had put. By the way, Tama can drink hot water just fine. She drank soup just fine too.

”Liza, it's about time to wake up.”

I said so to her, and her loosened face began to rapidly tighten. After confirming me visually, to keep up her appearance, she greets me with composed face.

”G, good morning, master.”

”Good morning.”

It's not morning though.

I should make them get ready soon.

”Enemies are closing in. Wash your face and keep awake.”

Everyone begin the preparation, only Tama who keeps staring at the top of a tree. There aren't enemies there according to the radar.

”Is there something over there?”

”Those birds, weird~?”

Birds?

There are around 20 owls nesting there. It's certainly a bit scary.

◇

It seems that the shadow stalkers have noticed the bonfire, they're enclosing in to this camping ground. They're at the other side of the owls' tree.

The three beastkin girls are in charge of the middle. Arisa will deal with the enemis on the right. Me and Mia are left to deal with the enemies on the left. Lulu is taking refuge in the wagon for safety.

I'm hearing fluttering sounds from behind.

Is it the owl earlier?

I look back for a bit to confirm it.

It is really an owl from earlier. It has a single red head-feather as its characteristic. Since the place where the owl landed is the place where we buried the boar remain for dinner earlier, it's probably attracted to the smell.

I'm convinced with that and look back to the front.

Right at that time, a red dot indicating an enemy suddenly appears on the radar--- Furthermore, it's at point blank range.