I had stepped into the territory of the Kooshi Tribe, spirits in the form of dogs.
Since Lassie told me to wait in the room, I couldn’t go outside. This was a spirit village that was harsh to outsiders. It was probably best to stay put and not move carelessly.
As I sat on the sofa and vaguely stared at the green lamp on the desk, a small Kooshi suddenly appeared before my eyes. It was the one who had been scolding me earlier.
“Hey, you’re still here? I told you to get out!”
“No, I can’t do that. Lassie told me to wait.”
“Are you an idiot! That tomboy young lady doesn’t understand. What will happen if the boss finds us?”
Boss? Ah, you mean the leader of the Kooshi. Would I be killed if I were found? But I felt like I would be discovered if I went out now.
“I’ll make your forms disappear with magic.”
“Can you do something like that?”
As I tried to stand up from the sofa, my vision blurred. I felt my feet float, and the room began to disappear.
“Tsk, we’ve already been found? Too bad, bye.”
“Wait… What, what is this place?”
When I came to, I was in a completely different space. Was this a forest? Glowing grass growing here and there vaguely illuminated the ground. Was I dreaming? But my companions were here too, having similar reactions. Sharin was wary, his hand on the hilt of his sword.
“The room changed?”
“No, I think we were warped.”
Was the warp that Elana mentioned the same magic the White Witch used? Then, the depths of the dark forest began to glow green. What appeared there was a staircase, and beyond that, a throne.
“Hmm, so these are the outsiders?”
Sitting on the throne was… Lassie? No, that’s not right. She looked similar, but was a different person. She had a more alluring and mature aura. Was this the Kooshi King? He sat askew, looking down at us with lowered eyes. Beside him was what looked like a butler, a black and white Kooshi.
“Heh, rather interesting. That child understands what she’s doing.”
She had long, glossy hair, beautiful claws, and slender limbs. At first glance, she looked like a woman, but her voice was masculine. I won’t be fooled this time; it’s a man.
The Kooshi King descended from the throne and glided towards us as if slipping. In an instant, he was right in front of us. His slender nose came close. I tried to turn my face away, but for some reason, my body wouldn’t move. Glancing at everyone with only my eyes, I found they were also frozen.
“Mmm, it stinks, the scent of the outside world.”
Damn it, saying whatever he pleased. I could see Nina desperately trying to break free from the paralysis. Her body was trembling. After a thorough once-over, the King returned to his throne.
“Now then, what shall we do? Let’s have a trial!”
A trial? Something else was starting. When the King clapped his hands, several Kooshi appeared. Then, from somewhere, he took out a large fan.
“The charge is trespassing! The penalty is death! Those in favor?”
The summoned Kooshi raised their hands. Wait a minute, this trial is not fair. We weren’t allowed to say anything. Seeing that, the King narrowed his eyes, looking amused.
“Hmm, fufu, you think it’s unfair? Well then, you there, man, I grant you permission to speak.”
With a snap of his fingers, the paralysis broke as if a string had been cut. I took a deep breath. I had so much I wanted to say, but calm down, be rational.
“Why is it the death penalty?”
“Because you committed a crime. You entered someone else’s territory, so you should be judged by our laws.”
“Don’t you know what a trial is? Or is this how you do things here? To be killed with a single word. Do you dislike listening, or can you not understand?”
His eyebrows twitched. His mustache moved up and down erratically. The air around us felt heavy.
“Hmm, are you insulting me?”
“No, I just thought it was a trial different from what I know. If we are to be fair, first, I will lay down my weapons.”
I placed the dagger at my waist on the ground.
“We don’t need force to be judged by law, do we?”
“Hahaha, no, no, that’s interesting. Truly delightful. What’s your name?”
“Hiroaki. And yours?”
When I asked back, the King laughed even wider, opening his mouth. White teeth lined his mouth, which was split like a fox’s.
“I am called King or Boss. Talented mages do not reveal their names. If their true name is known, they will be defeated.”
True name, what’s that? Does it mean a real name? I don’t know anything about magic, so I don’t understand at all.
“Well, Hiroaki. As you say, this is an unfair trial. So, I’ll give you a chance. To make it fair. Well, sit down.”
My vision blurred again, and another room appeared. This time, it wasn’t a forest but a beautiful room. On a table covered with a tablecloth, there was a silver candlestick. The heat from the flame seemed real. Furthermore, the scent of tea wafted gently. There were even cookies and cake. It looked just like a room in some rich person’s mansion.
“The scenery changed again?”
“Just sit down!”
A chair flew from behind me, and I was forced to sit. It might be more accurate to say I stumbled rather than sat.
