We were able to fight and safely drive off the Killerbee, the natural enemy of the Honeybee.
And so, we were able to help our Hanenashi companions.
“Ah, thank you, adventurers.”
“You saved us, you saved us.”
Everyone is thanking us in their own way. It seemed they hadn’t expected adventurers, whom they always faced as enemies, to become allies, so they were a little bewildered.
“I never thought a Hanenashi would be useful.”
“I can’t believe you showed up.”
The Hanenashi looked complicated as her companions praised her.
After that, they continued to guide us.
“Our territory ends here. Thank you for helping us.”
She bowed deeply.
“No, thank you as well. Thanks to you, we didn’t get lost.”
“What do you mean, ‘thank you as well’? You were running away!”
“Gah, Nina, did you see that?”
The three of them are holding back laughter. It seems they saw everything.
“It can’t be helped! I’ve never fought anything!”
“Heh heh, it’s fine, Hiro. Be yourself. Besides, you gave precise instructions, didn’t you?”
Philiana patted my head like a mother. It made me more embarrassed.
“Well then, Hanenashi, goodbye.”
As Sharin raised a hand and was about to leave, Hanenashi replied in a small voice.
“I wish I could become strong like all of you.”
“Don’t worry, Hanenashi, you’re already brave enough.”
Piyo took Hanenashi’s hand. But she continued, still looking down.
“No, I knew my companions were in danger, but I tried to let them die. I made excuses that I was weak because I couldn’t fly, and I’ve always been like this.”
“Hiroaki, even though you’re not good at fighting, you jumped in there voluntarily.”
She looked up and stared straight at me with her big, dark eyes.
