Chapter 16 - A Stop In Konda Village

Amused by the hesitant expressions on Ayaka and Thoma's faces, Yae Miko pressed her middle finger and ring finger against her thumb to make the gesture of a fox head. Then, she smirked and walked toward them as though nothing had changed in the world. Ivan happily followed since he wanted to say hello either way.

"Greetings, Guuji Yae… and Ivan," Ayaka greeted with a robotic bow. Her brow tensed up with slightly visible wrinkles. Moving her gaze to Ivan at Yae Miko's side, her eyes wavered a little as though conflicted. No matter what was going through her mind at the moment, however, she attempted to maintain a pleasant smile.

Playing the part of a dutiful assistant, Thoma bowed in tandem without speaking. 

"Good morning, child of the Kamisato clan," Yae Miko replied, her voice pleasant and friendly to match her smile.

Waving casually, Ivan greeted, "Good morning, Ayaka, Thoma. How are you both?"

"Well," Ayaka curtly replied.

In contrast, Thoma grinned and waved while replying, "Not bad. How about you?"

"Doing great, actually. Lady Yae helped me remove one of my curses last night."

"Oh, great! Nice to hear some good news today, then!" Thoma replied, giving a thumbs up.

Ayaka nodded and finally smiled in a more natural manner.

"What might the two of you be doing here in Konda Village this morning?" Yae Miko asked, her tone curious.

Shifting her weight, Ayaka's eyes flickered briefly. She hesitantly observed the famous Guuji for a few seconds. Next to her, Thoma chuckled awkwardly and rubbed the back of his neck. Behind the two of them, the Konda Village Elder looked at the four people with a puzzled expression. The old man could not figure out why the atmosphere seemed unusual.

Sighing, Ayaka hesitantly asked, "Guuji Yae, may I ask what your current thoughts are on the Shogun's decree?"

Raising her hand in front of her chin in a contemplative gesture, Yae Miko calmly answered, "Perhaps I have some opinions on it, child, but also, perhaps I might not."

Ivan quietly observed the woman.

'I wouldn't mind helping her with Ei a bit if I was stronger, but even then, my bad luck would probably just make the situation worse. Maybe if I can remove more curses before the war progresses too far, I'd be able to help before the canon events? Hm. Now that I think about it, maybe Yae helped me in the first place hoping I could have some part in helping Ei.'

The moment he thought that, a yellow exclamation point alongside the words 'New Quest' popped up in the corner of his vision before slowly dissipating. He opted to check it later so that he could focus on the current conversation.

"Oh… I see," Ayaka said, frowning a little.

Sighing, Ivan said, "Don't worry, Ayaka. She's just teasing you."

"Eh?"

"Aw~. Why must you ruin my fun, young man?"

"Maybe I'm bummed about having to do paperwork."

"Heh~? Is that so? If you would rather sweep the mountain steps, I can arrange it."

Grimacing at the thought, Ivan replied, "Paperwork is fine, thanks."

Yae Miko giggled a little at how quickly his facial expression warped.

Ayaka blinked as though puzzled by the strangely friendly banter between the two people. One of the two was an elusive Guuji and attendant of the Shogun while the other was a random unfortunate foreigner with no background to speak of as far as she knew, yet somehow their conversation made them sound like two friends who had known each other for a long time. It made her feel… strange. She didn't quite know what to make of it.

"So, child, are you here because of the decree?" Yae Miko asked, returning her focus to Ayaka.

Flinching slightly, Ayake sighed and answered, "That would be the case, yes. I came here to discuss the situation with Elder Konda."

"I see. Well, do as you see fit," Yae casually said with a wave of her hand.

Ayaka and Thoma looked at each other, but then Thoma shrugged. Neither could guess the Guuji's intentions. Even so, Ayaka faced Yae Miko again and asked, "May I ask about your business together?" 

"Young Ivan here volunteered to help me with some things out of the goodness of his heart, you see."

"She's putting me to work since I broke some of her floorboards."

Thoma chuckled while Ayaka frowned a little.

"Now, now, Ivan. No need to make yourself look bad."

"Hm. Good point," Ivan muttered, rubbing his chin. Then, he raised his eyes to meet Ayaka's troubled gaze and added, "By the way, Ayaka, I'll probably have a bit of free time after today if you need any help with anything. You too, Thoma. Just looking for stuff to do to pass the time for a bit."

Smiling, Ayaka replied, "It is kind of you to offer, but I don't particularly need anything at the moment."

"Uh… We could probably use some help with some things, but since you aren't much of a combatant…" Thoma said, his voice slowly trailing off. His statement earned a sharp but brief glare from Ayaka.

"Well, about that," Ivan replied in a mysterious manner while raising his hand. Then, purple sparks jumped around his arm. "As you see, I'm not completely helpless anymore. I'm considering signing up with the Adventurer Guild in town since it might also be a good way to spend time."

'And get connected with the Cryo Archon eventually, maybe,' He mentally added.

Both Thoma and Ayaka widened their eyes, though the village elder behind them frowned due to not fully understanding the situation.

"You got an Electro Vision?" Thoma couldn't help asking.

"Something like that."

Both caught on that it was not a Vision but refrained from saying anything after briefly glancing at Elder Konda.

"If you two are heading into town, then would you mind if we walk with you?" Ayaka asked. "I have some business there today, and walking together should be safer."

Thoma glanced at Ivan and sighed. All of a sudden, he felt like his day was going to become an exhausting one even though he enjoyed Ivan's company aside from having to fight a lot.

"That would mean I will have to walk the whole way," Yae Miko answered in a tone of faux disappointment, earning a confused gaze from Ayaka, but then her voice softened to a normal speaking tone, "but I would not mind extra company."

'You mean you won't have to bother working up a sweat in a fight now, right?' Ivan thought.

With that decided, Ivan and Yae Miko walked back to the main path, leaving Ayaka and Thoma to finish their discussion with the elder. 

Eyes focusing on Ayaka and Thoma, Yae asked Ivan, "Are you okay with telling them about your power?"

"Those two? Yes. They are unusually kind people. I guess there are at least a few decent people in this world I don't feel the need to hide anything from."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah. I'd say you are one of them, too, though I doubt I could hide much from you in the first place."

Yae Miko faced Ivan and met his eyes. Seeing no hint of lying in his expression, she felt her heart stir a little, but then forced it to calm itself.

"Who knows? Perhaps I may use information about you against you one day?"

Resting his hands on his hips, Ivan said, "Heh. Even if you did, maybe I'd play along. Could be fun."

Reading into his tone and body language that he didn't believe she would do such a thing to him, the woman's purple eyes flickered briefly, but then turned away. The conversation ended there since Ayaka and Thoma approached them. 

The group of four set off toward Inazuma City. Some Electro slimes popped up along the way despite the relatively short walk. Thoma fended them off quite easily, though. Unfortunately, the next instance of 'bad luck' didn't turn out as easy.

Along the road, the group encountered a large migrating clan of Hilichurls. There were at least a dozen regular Hilichurls, a few Mitachurls, and even an Electro Lawachurl. Everyone in the group glanced at Ivan with pity in their eyes.

"Uh… Sorry, I guess?"