777 Bear, tells the secret - Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear

Kagari and I watched as the ice dragon flew away. "Kagari, what do you think about the ice dragon's words?" "If taken literally, it seems there was someone with magic power akin to ours. Although I can't imagine someone similar to me existing." I can't think of anyone like that, either. It would be more realistic if there were family members of Kagari, born in this world. Perhaps a kitsune child. "Does magic power even have similarities or differences?" "I have no clue. I'm neither a scholar nor a researcher. And I don't know any scholars or researchers." "But you can tell if there's magic in ice or snow, right?” "I can sense whether magic exists or not. But I can't tell them apart." Well, sensing the presence of magic might be possible, but identifying a person's lineage just by touching their magic seems far-fetched. Even if there were something like a magic power test, akin to a blood test, it might reveal something. Kagari tucked her tail in and said, "Let's head back," since sitting around here wouldn't change anything. We returned to where Liese and the others were. "Yuna! Kagari-chan!" As soon as we entered the room, Liese rushed over to us. "Are you two okay?" "We're fine." "So, what was outside?" "There was a loud noise and the ground shook." The old men asked. It seems the ground shook when the ice dragon landed. I looked at Kagari for guidance. "There's no point in lying. It'll be obvious if they go outside." The stable was destroyed and a hole created where the dragon landed. "There was an ice dragon." "An ice dragon!? Was everything okay?" The commotion grew. "It's gone now, so there's no need to worry." "But when the ice dragon appeared, it demolished the stable." I felt a little guilty, even though it wasn’t my doing. "I see. But it's good that you two are safe. Thanks to Yuna, the horses are fine. We can use another structure for a shelter." Apparently, there are other buildings used for storing mining tools, taking breaks, and meeting rooms. There were indeed several shacks around. "Have you ever encountered the ice dragon here?" "We've only seen it flying overhead." "When we see the ice dragon, we hide." That's only natural. Whether it eats people or not is unknown, but it might attack. Hiding is understandable. If a dinosaur were to appear in the real world, I'd hide too, just to blend in. Once everyone calmed down, we ate and prepared to sleep. "Where will you sleep, Yuna?" There was only enough bedding for Liese and her group. It’s understandable, as they never had guests before. "We'll sleep outside, no worries." I explained about the Bear House, and with Liese's help, they explained it to the old men, who had already seen it in town. Having previously made a bear bath added to the credibility, so everyone was curious and followed us to the mine's exterior. The blizzard had lessened, likely to stop by morning. When I set up the Bear House at the mine entrance, everyone was amazed. I offered them to sleep in the Bear House, but they politely declined. "In that case, what do you plan to do about them?" Inside the Bear House, Kagari seated herself on a chair and asked. "Hmm... I'm not sure. Even if we leave, I don't know what Liese will choose. I also feel uneasy about just leaving them." “I understand how you feel. But there are things we can and cannot do.” I know that too. Even with my bear equipment, I’m not a deity. "And there's the matter of what the ice dragon said. Aren’t you curious, Kagari?" "I would be lying if I said I wasn’t curious. But after living for centuries, I've moved past familial ties. I don't long for them. All I wish for is the happiness of those around me." Kagari retrieved a drink and took a sip, exuding a maturity befitting an adult. Well, Kagari is indeed an adult. "Are you curious about it?" "Honestly, yes. In this world, it shouldn’t be possible for me to have relatives." "Are you sure? Perhaps they’re distant relatives?" There shouldn’t be any relatives—or even distant ones—in this world. It's simply inconceivable for a deity to summon my parents here. Distant relatives aren't impossible, but it’s not absolute. I can't know what a deity might be doing beyond my knowledge. I debated whether to share this with Kagari. After some thought, I created a magical bear circle on the table. “What’s this—a contract magic circle?” Having seen it once before, Kagari quickly recognized it as the bear's contract magic circle. "Does that mean it's something you can't talk about? Then there's no need to force it. Everyone has things they can't or don't want to discuss." "That's true." “And if I can't solve it for you even after I hear it?" I shook my head. “Would it help you if I listened?” "..." “Sure, talking sometimes brings clarity and allows you to sort through your feelings. I’m here to listen if that would help.” “Telling you might be a nuisance for you, Kagari.” “Is it life-threatening?” I shook my head. “No, it's not dangerous. It’s just... unbelievable.” “You freed me from the darkness of the great serpent. If it isn’t dangerous, then it wouldn't even be a return of favor.” Kumayuru and Kumakyu came to my sides with concern. “Then, will you listen?” “I will.” I told her everything: about coming from a different world, being brought to this one by someone who called themselves a god, receiving the bear's power, and having no way back to my original world. Kagari listened silently. “A different world from here... It's hard to believe. And a god…” “It's unbelievable, right?” “It’s not that. There are many unbelievable things in this world. My existence is proof enough, isn't it?” That much is true. “That’s why few know about me, and even those I've told are sworn to secrecy. So I understand why you’ve kept it quiet until now.” It’s not something to brag about. People would look at you strangely, thinking you're crazy, or they might be scared. If Fina saw me like that, thinking I was insane or scary, it would be devastating. “But a bear given by a god, huh? Could it be that this bear is a divine beast, just like Sakura mentioned?” Kagari shifted her gaze to Kumayuru and Kumakyu. “Kuun.” Kumayuru and Kumakyu proudly cried out. "They don't really look the part." "Kuun." This time, they protest with a whine. "There, there, don't be upset. You two don't actually think of yourselves as divine beasts, do you?" "Kuun." Kumayuru and Kumakyu nuzzle up to me, so I give them a gentle pat. "So, I have no relatives in this world." "I understand why you don't believe in the ice dragon's words." "What do you think?" "It might be that the god you mentioned has summoned one of your relatives. It's not even certain that something like a god exists." "Is it okay to say that?" "People pray to gods. But their prayers are never answered. How many times have I prayed to them?" Indeed, when the serpent attacked, perhaps Kagari also turned her hopes to a god. Yet so many people lost their lives. "If there were gods, I'd wish for them to create a world where everyone can live with smiles." That might have been a wish Kagari made many times over. "Ah, if you’re truly a divine messenger, then perhaps my wish has already been granted." Kagari's wish. To have her land saved from the monstrous serpent. Since I defeated it, she’s not entirely wrong. Still, I want to deny it. "I'm not a divine messenger." "Well, just like the bears, you don't look like a divine messenger. More like a servant of the bears." Starting with the bear equipment, the bear magic, and my summoned beasts, Kumayuru and Kumakyu. I can’t deny being seen as a servant of bears. "If there truly is a god, I'd like to meet them and give them a piece of my mind." "We've never met, you know." "Is that so?" "I’ve only ever received one-sided letters from someone claiming to be a god." "Hearing that, it makes your role sound more like a priestess or shrine maiden than Sakura or her kin." When you put it like that, it does sound like I’m receiving divine messages. Though, these messages feel more like post-event summaries than prophecies. "So, the secret to your strength is a power given by the gods?" "I'd like to think that the skills in battle are my own." While I didn't possess magic in the real world, I did within the game—learning how to fight through it. Explaining games might not make sense to Kagari, so I frame it as a different world. "There are other worlds apart from where I was born, and there, I used magic and swords." "Are there other worlds too?" "I guess so, if you put it that way." The game was so realistic that it felt like another world. "In that world, I could use magic, but I couldn’t when I returned to my original world.” "Such a strange world." "In that alternate world, just like here, I faced monsters and even fought against people." "I see. Even if gifted with power, without knowing how to use it, it's useless. Even if Sakura were given magic or a sword, she wouldn't know how to fight." It's true for anything. Being given something doesn’t mean you can use it. Having an airplane or a helicopter doesn’t let you fly it. Having a knife doesn’t mean you can disassemble a creature. Even in games, it takes practice to master. You learn from failure and gain experience. Experience is essential for everything. "I understand a little more about the secret to your strength." Kagari nodded with a look of understanding. I performed the bear contract magic with Kagari concerning what we talked about today. It’s not that I don't trust her, but I’d rather not have things spill out if she gets drunk. Her fondness for alcohol seems unlikely to change anytime soon—she’s been drinking steadily, and I won’t be responsible if she can’t return to her adult form.