778 Bear, helps shovel snow - Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear

The next morning, I was awakened by Kumayuru and Kumakyu. It seemed that no monsters had appeared during the night. Checking with my detection skill confirmed there was an Ice Golem right at the edge of my detection range. It might be a good idea to take care of it for future peace of mind. I glanced over at Kagari, who, like me, was being roused by Kumayuru and Kumakyu but grumbled about being sleepy and resisted waking up. In the end, Kumayuru climbed onto her face, forcing her to get up. "So, what are we planning for today?" Kagari asked while getting dressed. "I've been thinking about it. We can talk to the Ice Dragon, right?" "I'm not sure if that one-sided speech can be called a conversation, but it certainly understands human speech." "And the fact it didn't attack us means it doesn't see us as enemies, right?" "Perhaps it considers us beneath its notice." "If it doesn't see us as enemies, there's room for dialogue or negotiation. Maybe we can ask it to leave." If it can understand words, surely, it can engage in a conversation. "Still, it might crush us if it gets offended," Kagari pointed out. I understood Kagari's concerns. If I say or do something displeasing, it might attack. "We're not going to force it out with violence." Fighting isn’t the only solution. "I think I'll try talking to the Ice Dragon first." Regardless, I need to act if I want to resolve anything. "So, Kagari, you..." Before I can tell her to return to the Washu Kingdom, Kagari interrupts. "I'll go with you." "It's dangerous." "I can't let a young girl go alone. Besides, I'm already involved. I won't abandon the ship mid-journey. I'll stick with you to the end." Though she refers to me as a young girl, Kagari is the one who looks younger. But I'm grateful for her sentiment and gladly accept her offer. With today’s plan set, we step outside the Bear House to find Liese and others shoveling snow. "Good morning, Yuna, Kagari," Liese greets us. "Good morning. Shoveling snow?" "We need to clear at least the area around the mine and cabins because it's inconvenient otherwise." While the snow isn't knee-deep, for someone like me who grew up in the city, it feels like a lot. "I'll help." I decide to help with the snow and postpone telling Liese about the Ice Dragon. "I'll help too," Kagari offers. Kagari and I use fire magic to melt the snow. "The snow is melting rapidly." "We won't have much to do." "But the ground is getting pretty soggy." True enough, the melted snow creates numerous puddles, making the ground slushy. "Given time, it will dry. The snow is more troublesome than the water," Liese points out. Liese is right. Seeing news about heavy snow on TV is daunting: impassable roads, stalled cars, snow-covered rooftops. For the average person, snow is a nuisance unless you're at a ski resort. So Kagari and I focus on melting the snow, and within an hour, the area around the mine is clear. The trade-off is that the ground is now covered in puddles, which might freeze but are still better than snow. After working up a sweat shoveling, the three of us head for a bath. The manager's wife and the fisherman's wife stay behind to prepare meals, while Kumayuru and Kumakyu remain vigilant in case anything happens. "Thank you, Yuna, Kagari. It was a big help," Liese says. "I'm glad we could help." "So, when are you planning to leave?" "We haven't decided yet." "I see..." Liese looks relieved for a moment, then seems to struggle with wanting to say something, occasionally glancing our way. "Is something the matter?" "Feel free to tell us," Kagari encourages. "Though there are things we might not be able to do." With our prompting, Liese finally speaks up. "...Everyone's been telling me to leave this place." Apparently, like the conversation Kagari and I had the night before, Liese and others had their own discussions. They all seem to want Liese to move away and find happiness. "I'm grateful for everyone's feelings. But how can I leave them all behind?" "You must." "Kagari?" "It's clear to see everyone cares about you deeply. You're like a grandchild, or perhaps a daughter, to them. It's only natural for adults to want happiness for a child they cherish." "Hehe, Kagari, you really are a peculiar girl. You seem much more mature than me." Bullseye. Kagari is actually a grandmother. As I think this to myself, Kagari splashes water on my face. "I've told you before; your thoughts show on your face too much." Was I that obvious? I thought I was pretty good at keeping a poker face. "Besides, leaving comes after we handle a few things," Kagari hints, looking at me suggestively. "Right. I have something to discuss with everyone." And so, after leaving the bath, we join the manager and others for lunch, where I plan to bring up the topic. "So, Yuna, what is it you want to talk about?" Liese asks, curiosity evident in her voice as the meal starts. "I plan to meet the Ice Dragon." Everyone pauses, utensils hovering in the air. "Yuna, you want to meet the Ice Dragon..." "There’s something you all don’t know about the Ice Dragon. Yesterday, when we encountered it, it actually spoke to me." "The Ice Dragon spoke human words?" "Yes, although it was one-sided." The disbelief is apparent on everyone’s faces. I can’t blame them; even I was shocked. "If I talk to it, maybe it’ll leave this place." "That's dangerous!" "You’ll be attacked!" "It's a suicide mission." "Please, don’t do this for our sake. If you don’t come back..." Voices opposing my plan rise around the table. "Why are you doing this for strangers like us, young lady? Do you know anyone in this town?" I shake my head. "No, meeting this town was purely by chance." Or rather than by chance, perhaps I was guided here. I've been contemplating whether the bear signpost was meant to lead me to the Ice Dragon. Especially when the Ice Dragon referred to my magic as nostalgic. "Then why..." "Well, I suppose it's because leaving without doing anything would make me worry about everyone," I replied. I couldn't help but think, are they alright? Were they attacked by monsters? Are they safe? Do they have enough food? Although I could set up a bear teleport gate and visit whenever I want, that doesn't solve the root problem, and it doesn't feel right. Besides, something might happen while I'm away, and I would regret not having acted sooner. I don't claim to be a saint, but I don't consider myself heartless either. "That's why I'm going to talk to the Ice Dragon." "Kagari, please say something. Stop Yuna!" "It's impossible. This one is a bit of a do-gooder, meddling in matters that don’t concern her." "I'm not that much of a do-gooder." "That's only your perception. But worry not, I'll go with her." "Kagari, you're going too? That doesn't make me feel any safer." "Indeed," someone else added. "You don't need to take such risks for us." "If it's destiny..." Maybe everyone had given up at some point. After three years of surviving without any real actions, they chose to live, hoping Lisa could find a brighter future outside. "It’s too soon to give up." “Yes, giving up means there’s no future. As long as we’re alive, we must keep struggling,” Kagari said, as if reassuring herself. "We can't do anything about the Ice Dragon." "That's why we're here. You’ve persevered and met us because you kept living for those three years. Whether that feels late or early, who’s to say?" "If you think everyone here has given up, take a chance on us as your last hope." "...Yuna," Liese murmured. "Just, if negotiations with the Ice Dragon fail. I don’t know what will happen..." In such a case, it might turn into a fight, and I hope we can win. If not, I'll escape with everyone. "Yes, if we're just going to die doing nothing, I'll place my bets on the two of you." "Indeed. For three years, we've only lived in fear of monsters, unable to do anything but watch over our frozen family." "Nobody came to rescue us. The young girls are the first to offer help, despite knowing the risks. We'll entrust our lives to them." "Either way, if we do nothing, we’ll just die in this frozen town, so we’ll leave it to you." "Even if the Ice Dragon gets angry and seeks revenge, we won't hold it against you." I can't let that happen. If the situation becomes dangerous, I'll use the bear teleport gate to evacuate everyone. "Thank you." "Just, please, prioritize your safety." I thanked them for their sentiments and resolved to head towards the mountain peak where the Ice Dragon resided. But before that, I took down the Ice Golem within my detection range.