While the villagers evacuated, Selene and I prepared for pursuit.
「Well… Selene, this.」
I took out a bracelet-type item box magic tool from my item box.
「What is this?」
「It is an item box magic tool. With this, you can take things in and out like I do.」
「Fwooooooo!! Amazing!!」
I slipped the tool onto Selene’s wrist and taught her how to use it.
「You cannot put living things in it. People or live fish cannot go in, but you can store items like weapons. It is perfect for that.」
I drew a bare sword from my item box and swung it.
「Wow!! Amazing!!」
「Then let us try. That stone over there is fine. Imagine it sinking into water.」
「Yes!」
Selene held both hands forward and repeated 「Sink, sink, sink…」
Gradually, the stone sank. She was good…
「I did it!! It worked!!」
If Selene had a big tail, it would be wagging hard enough to make noise. She was adorable…
「Now let us try taking it out. Imagine dropping it into this circle.」
I drew a circle and designated the spot. She began groaning 「Mmm mmm mmm…」
The stone dropped from about two meters up with a plop.
「I did it!!」
I patted the head of the approaching Selene. She looked a little embarrassed.
「Then practice taking the stone in and out for a while. Ideally, make it smooth.」
「Understood!!」
「I will check on everyone’s evacuation.」
「Understood! Take care!」
◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆
While walking around the village helping carry preserved food and supplies, I ran into the elder.
「Ah, Elder-san. How were the things I gave you?」
「Yes. Thanks to Kaminagi-sama, the inside of the shrine is very bright.」
「I see. That is good. By the way, how is the air circulation in the shrine?」
「Air circulation? Hmm… I have never thought about it.」
「With many people inside for a long time, it could lead to oxygen deprivation…」
「Oxygen deprivation?」
「Yes. Staying in a place with poor ventilation can make you feel sick or, in the worst case, be fatal.」
「Th-that is serious!?」
「Yes. Shall we check it out?」
I called to Selene, who was practicing, and headed to the shrine. Inside, I confirmed there was an air vent deep in the cave and a hole in the ceiling.
「How is it?」
「Yes. Air is flowing in and out, so it should be fine. If anyone feels unwell, take them outside. To be safe, it would be better if everyone stays outside as much as possible.」
「Understood. We will mostly stay outside then. If enemies come, we will flee inside.」
「Yes. That is good. And these…」
I took out tents with defensive magic and defensive magic tools from my item box.
「If you pour magic into them, they can block attacks for a while, about half a day. If an emergency happens, break this.」
It was a magic tool Yuffie made, modeled after a security alarm. Breaking it would alert me. Of course, it also served as a port, so I could teleport there. She had made several for Suzume-chan and Yuwa.
「Understood. Thank you for everything…」
「Not at all. This is Selene’s home, so I will do my best.」
「Selene really found a good person…」
◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆
After returning, I had Selene practice summoning her odachi while freely storing and retrieving the stone. She would get used to it quickly, so I decided to prepare food in the meantime.
「We do not have enough rice, so bread will have to do… Stew should be fine, then?」
When I asked the women, including Sere-san, for cow or goat milk, they brought fresh milk from the village cows.
「Then please cut the vegetables into bite-sized pieces.」
「Yes, yes～」「Leave it to me!」「What is he making?」「Maybe capital cuisine?」
The women looked curious but cut the vegetables. About 170 portions… Hmm, would the roux be enough?
「Well, if it runs short, I can add flour or grated cheese.」
I took out five kilograms of roux while thinking.
「Yuuki-san, what is that white cheese-like thing?」
「We simmer it with vegetables and meat. It becomes a delicious soup.」
「I see. Then let us cut the meat and simmer it too.」
Sere-san went to instruct the men to bring meat.
◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆
The finished stew surprised everyone but satisfied them.
「All right. It is a bit late, but let us depart.」
I put on my cloak and stored the children’s portion of stew while calling to Selene.
「Yes! Father, Mother, I am off!」
「Take care, Selene.」
「We leave everyone to you, Selene.」
「Yes!」
「Kaminagi-sama, please take care of our daughter!」
「Leave her to me.」
Waved off by the villagers, we ran in the direction the attackers had gone.
「Selene, this way.」
「Yes! Hop.」
While running, I scooped Selene up and leaped over the hill in one bound. Then men emerged from behind the trees.
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