Chapter 217- Getting back to the City

[Luna POV]

Progress was very slow as we made our way through the forest while dragging the boar.  By the time we made it a good distance away from the fungus infested part of the forest it was starting to get dark.

“Shall we stop here for the night?” (Luna)

“Might as well.” (Velvet)

“Yeah.  Also, big sis, can you put up a barrier or something around the boar that cuts off the smell, it’s driving me crazy.” (Soleil)

“I was going to do that anyway since I get where you’re coming from.” (Luna)

I stopped dragging the boar, used more chains to tie it down, and put up a space barrier over it to cut off the smell coming from it.  Then we got to work setting up camp.

{Oh, Luna, Mio, there is something the two of you need to know.}

My mirror floated out of my inventory as Tamamo spoke.

“What’s up?” (Luna)

{After this festival is over, I’m going to bring Mio here since Fenrir wants to spend some time with her.  She said she would only keep her for a mortal world day.}

“Oh nya.  Sounds fun nya.  I’m looking forward to it nya.” (Mio)

Mio’s two tails made the shape of a heart as she said this which I thought was adorable.  Mio then started to get her stuff ready while happily humming away.

“Hmm.” (Luna)

{Something wrong?}

“No.  It’s just I realized something.  Like, is this what I was like since I was five when we started to be able to talk with each other all the time?  I mean, those two met for the first time not too long ago, but now Mio seems like she’s head over heels for Fenrir.” (Luna)

{Well, aside from a few days, they have been talking and getting to know each other with those magic tools since then, so I feel like this was the only way this relationship could go.}

“I agree with Tamamo on this one, Luna.  Though I haven’t met with Fenrir that much, I do know that she is really easy to get along with and, taking Mio’s personality into account, there is no possible way they would take long to get together.  Especially if Fenrir is the one that fell first.” (Skadi)

“You know, you’ve said you weren’t very social, but you seem to know a lot of gods, Skadi.” (Luna)

“That comes with being a demigod and living long enough.  Just because I wasn’t as sociable as I am now, doesn’t mean that I never interacted with other gods.” (Skadi)

“I wasn’t trying to criticize you or anything, I was just voicing an observation I made.  Sorry if it came out wrong.” (Luna)

“I didn’t take any offence, so you’re all good.” (Skadi)

As we conversed, the night evening turned into night.  We all rested and, once the sun rose, we began our trek once again.  As we were walking, Ophidia was looking at the chains and the Gates that they came out of.

“Master, how exactly does this work?” (Ophidia)

“Well, the concept of the entire thing is really simple, though the chains are a bit special.  The concept of the Gates themselves is just me opening up the space magic inventory, having a weapon partially exit it, then shooting it out with mana.  The more mana used to shoot the weapon out, the faster and more deadly it will be.  The chains, on the other hand, are a gift from Grey.  I inject my mana into them and then I can move them around however I want.” (Luna)

Another Gate opened by me and a chain came out and started to move around like a snake.

“I see.  At some point where we have some free time, can you help me practice doing this myself?” (Ophidia)

“I don’t mind.  At the same time, Soleil can start working on her stellar magic again.  I feel like we’ve been putting it off.” (Luna)

“Ok, but that will have to wait a little after the festival.  Me and Velvet have plans after all.” (Soleil)

“Got it.” (Luna)

The day passed slowly as we walked through the forest.  By noon, we reached about halfway to the city.

“Now that I think about it, did you even announce your participation in the festival Lunya nya?” (Mio)

“I asked Lia about it at one point and she said that it doesn’t matter.  All one needs to do is bring in a boar.” (Luna)

“That’s good nya.  It’d be embarrassing to show up with this big guy but not be accepted since you forgot to sign up to participate nya.” (Mio)

“I know right.” (Luna)

“So, are we going to show up last minute to make the most of it, or are we just going to walk in when we get there?” (Velvet)

“While it sounds more interesting to wait, I won’t take that option.” (Luna)

“Any reason for that?” (Skadi)

“Not really.  Just feel like it.” (Luna)

“That’s as good a reason as any.” (Skadi)

We made more progress before setting up camp again.  While I was sitting by the fire and looking at the moon, Tamamo started to talk.

{Luna, you look worried about something.}

‘Yeah.  It’s that fungus infested part of the forest.  It’s been stuck in my head for a since we first found it.  Like, you know that bird that I burned with fox fire?’

{Yeah.}

‘When I killed it, I didn’t get anything.  And I don’t mean in the sense that it was such a small amount of exp that it just didn’t register, I literally got nothing from it.’

{I don’t get why that makes you worried.}

‘It means that I didn’t kill it.  Remember what I said, that bird was already dead and being controlled by the fungus?’

{Yeah.}

‘What I’m thinking is that all of that fungus is one giant thing.  As in, it’s all connected and not good for the forest.  Of course, I could be wrong and that whole part of the forest has been like that for forever, but if I’m not, then what?’

{Wait, it’s all one thing?}

‘Yeah.  Stuff like mushrooms are, sometimes, just like the leaves of a tree.  It’s the mycelium that is the main body of the fungus.  Now, I’m not completely sure if there is a fungus monster out there in the world like this or if I didn’t get exp just because it’s treated as a plant, but still, it’s worrying that there is parasitic fungus in this place.’

{Then maybe you should consult with Lia and Mimir about this.}

‘That’s the plan.  Now, that’s enough with the serious talk.  Is there anything going on for the new year in the divine domain this year?’

{Hmm.  Not that I know of.  Why?}

‘Just wanted to know.  I feel like we’ll be at the shrine for the new year this time and I was going to set up a domain to spend it with you.  And maybe inviting the others too.’

{That’s a lovely idea.  I’ll ask them if they would like to do that.}

‘Thanks.’

Like that, the night continued on.  Over the next two days, we would make steady progress back to Ygg and I was ready to see the reaction of all the people there when we arrived.

Chaos Realm:

Atmos:...

What's up, Atmos?

Atmos: It's just, Luna and the others that can show up here haven't been back in a while and I was wondering what was up.

Well, things have been pretty busy on either side, so there is that.

Atmos: I guess you're right.

Hehe.  Don't worry, I get the feeling that they will show up here again soon.