Chapter 262- Taking a Break from Sailing

[Luna POV]

Over the next few days, we continued to sail the river.  We were still in the Beast Kingdom but were getting close to the border with the Celestia Kingdom.  Every so often we would pass by small villages and towns whose residents would all wave to us as we passed by.

“Luna, mind if we stop in the next village or town for a bit?” (Velvet)

“I don’t mind, but can I ask why you want to?” (Luna)

“We want to walk around a bit more than just on the ship if that makes any sense.” (Velvet)

“Ah, sure.  Next town or village I see, we’ll stop and look around.” (Luna)

“Thanks.” (Velvet)

“It’s no problem.  Oh, I think we’ll be able to start flying soon as well.” (Luna)

“Alright.  And can I ask for a few of those snack things?  I want to play that game with Soleil again.” (Velvet)

“Take the box with you.  Give it back when you’re done and share with Mio, Skadi, and Ophidia if they want some.” (Luna)

I tossed Velvet the box and she caught it with a smile.  She went below and I spent the rest of the day sailing the river.  On the next day, I saw a town in the distance and started preparations to stop sailing.

“So, we’re taking a break from sailing?” (Skadi)

“At the request of Velvet and probably Mio and Soleil.” (Luna)

Skadi looked towards the place I was planning on stopping.

“Oh, a minotaur village.  I haven’t been to one of these in a while.” (Skadi)

“I thought minotaurs lived in the Demon Empire.” (Luna)

“Some do, but most live in the Beast Kingdom.  Though all of them are lumberjacks, no matter the country they live in.” (Skadi)

“This’ll be interesting then.” (Luna)

Once we reached next to the town, I dropped the anchor and the ship stopped.  All of us got off the ship and entered the town.  All the buildings were large and the people walking around were taller than anyone I’ve seen.  Many of them carried around axes while others seemed to be working on lumber and other woodcrafts.

“Seems nice.” (Soleil)

“I agree nya.  Smells nice too nya.” (Mio)

“Sawdust, smells good but irritating if it gets in your nose.” (Luna)

“Happened before?” (Ophidia)

“Both in this world and the last one.  Though it’s better than it getting in your eyes.” (Luna)

“Do I even want to know how that happened?” (Velvet)

“Gust of wind at a bad time.  It’s not like I would just rub sawdust in my face.” (Luna)

“…” (Velvet)

“Velvet, we need to have a talk one day about what kind of things you think I do just to see what would happen.” (Luna)

“Luna, I’ve seen you snacking on sky creatures when you are bored even though they are all poisonous to some degree according to you.  You have lost any right to talk to me about that.” (Velvet)

“Tch.  I thought I hid that well.” (Luna)

“Not at all.” (Velvet)

“I can’t help it; they taste strangely good.  The poison adds a weird sour, spicy taste that’s actually kind of addicting once you get used to it.” (Luna)

Everyone in my party started looking at me weirdly.

“Oi, don’t look at me like that.” (Luna)

{Ufufufu.  Don’t worry Luna, even if the others think you are weird, I just think you have refined taste.}

‘That’s just because you are immune to weak poison like that so you can share in the indulgence.’

{And I agree with your sentiments on the taste of sky creatures.}

“Lady Tamamo, please don’t enable her even more.” (Skadi)

{Ufufufu.}

“Anyway, I wonder what will happen here?” (Luna)

“What do you mean, master?” (Ophidia)

“I’m hoping something happens that will alleviate my boredom that has been accumulating for the past while.” (Luna)

“I actually agree with you on that, big sis.  Now that I don’t really need to make talismans to level my skill, I’ve had nothing to do as well.  Sure painting and playing that game with Velvet is fun, but I still want other things to do.” (Soleil)

“Heh.  Sisters together, bored.  Just think of the things we can get up to.” (Luna)

“We really need something to happen.” (Velvet)

“Yes nya.  And soon nya.” (Mio)

We continued to walk around and look at various woodcrafts that some of the minotaurs sold.  I bought a few things that looked like they had Norse themes for some reason before we looked for a place to stop for lunch.  The minotaurs here were surprisingly nice as well.  Most greeted us with smiles and some were even more friendly and patted out heads.

‘Is this a minotaur thing?’

{I believe so.  They pat the heads of others to show they mean no harm and are welcoming you to their town.  I think it has something to do with how they were seen in the very distant past.}

‘Interesting.’

We then turned a corner and I saw something that I wasn’t expecting.  In what I assumed to be a detached part of town was the silhouette of a massive bull.  It easily towered over the buildings of the town and if I had to guess, it was a bit bigger than the boar we caught in the Elf Nation.

“Something is definitely going to happen here.” (Luna)

“Why are you so confident about that now?” (Skadi)

“Because you don’t see something massive like that and expect nothing to happen.” (Luna)

“…I wish I could deny that, but I can’t.” (Skadi)

“You can’t?” (Velvet)

“Nope.  Most times something that big is around, something happens regularly.  It’s just the way of things.” (Skadi)

“Velvet, are you done playing the part of commenting on everything ridiculous today?” (Soleil)

“Yeah.  Though I kind of do miss doing that all the time.  It’s somewhat fun.” (Velvet)

“Nyahahaha.  Velvet, while you play the straightman role well nya, nyone of us are suited to the role nya.  Nyone of us are men or straight nya.” (Mio)

“Pfft.” (Luna)

“Can we get back to finding lunch now?” (Ophidia)

“Alright.  I’ll start following my nose, as it hasn’t let me down yet.” (Luna)

“Master’s nose knows after all.” (Ophidia)

We soon found a place that smelled like food and we went inside.  The interior of the building was just as big as I assumed it would be from the outside.  Even the tables were huge.  When we sat down at one, someone came and asked what we wanted to eat.  We ordered the recommended and waited.  When we got the food and started eating, everyone let out content sighs.

“Like I said, master’s nose knows.” (Ophidia)

“As long as it doesn’t involve something that smell horrible, then I feel like I could find anything.  Especially food.” (Luna)

“Hahaha.  And we’re all thankful for that.” (Velvet)

We all enjoyed our lunch and the rest of the day walking around the town of minotaurs before heading back to the ship for the night.

Chaos Realm:

Atmos: No no no, you idiots, don't do that!

Order: What's happening, Atmos?

Atmos: These idiots!  That's not how you pull a prank!  That's just reckless endangerment of your hometown.  Aaaand they've done it.

Atmos.

Atmos: *Sigh* Well, Luna's hunch was right, something is happening.

Figures.  You didn't have anything to do with this, did you?

Atmos: You know I didn't.  I always run any changes of fate by you before I do anything, never after.

True.

Fenrir: Hello, is now a bad time?

Order: Hello Fenrir, I don't think so, you actually came at the perfect time to witness something.

Atmos: Oh great, now the pranksters are badly injured.  Just how dumb can you be to get caught up in your own prank?

Order: See.

Fenrir: Yep.

Atmos, while I do see where you're coming from, they are just young minotaurs.

Atmos: Doesn't matter.  Any good prank is only successful if you don't get caught up in it and everyone can laugh afterwards.  None of that is the case this time.  It actually annoys me at how bad this is.

Fenrir: On second thought, I think I'll come back later.

Order: No, stay, you won't be targeted by her.

Atmos: She's right.  I have four targets to take my annoyance out on in the divine domain already.  They don't even get the privilege of tasting cakes I made myself, they get the gross ones that I can make from nothing.