When we returned from the survey near the mountain range, the first thing we did was mobilize all the adults to dissect the giant earthworm. Even before we could celebrate our safe return, we prioritized not wasting the giant earthworm which was a potential food source.
In fact, on our way back Woodsorrel said that she wanted to try eating the giant earthworm. I reluctantly cut off a piece and Chris cooked it for us… and it turned out to be tasty.
Even I, who generally consider myself taste-blind except for sweets, found the meat of the giant earthworm to be very delicious. It was juicy, tender, and bursting with flavor. Even Lorentz confirmed it was of the highest quality as meat.
It would be unfair not to share it with everyone. However, as a living creature, the freshness of the giant earthworm’s meat was deteriorating by the minute. That’s why the dissection of the giant earthworm became our top priority.
“Delicious! Seriously delicious!”
“This is the first time I’ve had such tasty meat just by grilling it!”
“Chomp, chomp… seconds, please!”
Once the dissection was completed, a barbecue party with the giant earthworm naturally began. Mika, along with others who were skilled in cooking, began grilling the sliced meat before sprinkling it with rock salt that we had brought. Though the dish was simple, it was met with an impressive response as everyone enjoyed it.
While my companions enjoyed the earthworm meat, I gathered Tigar, Marcellus, Decius, and Asumi for a meal and discussion. The topic naturally was about the giant earthworm we were currently eating.
“It tastes good; I’ll give you that… but it’s also dangerous.”
“Exactly. Imagine something so huge emerging from the ground? We might predict its arrival, but if it comes right underneath us, that would be disastrous.”
What worried me was if this giant earthworm would attack this land, which is our home base. It seemed unlikely that no one would notice such a large creature approaching, but not everyone could defeat it as easily as I could. If those who were not fit to fight were all that remained in the base, considerable damage could be done.
Soon, Sechs and Sieben who were sent from Aiwass would arrive. I had no doubts about their abilities, so I hoped they could devise a strategy against the giant earthworm. To prepare, I needed to inform them in advance. I decided to let Acht deliver the message and started looking for Lappy, who would probably be with him.
“Meow.”
“Miaow.”
“Meaow.”
“…What are you doing?”
To put it simply, Lappy was found quickly. She was munching on the giant earthworm along with the cats we had brought back. It wasn’t that I minded them eating, but Lappy was completely obscured by the cats clinging to her, with only her face visible.
The scene seemed to emanate a scent or something that attracted the cats irresistibly. Surrounding them were children eager to play with the cats and almost all the children in the area had gathered in this one spot.
“Chirik too; what’s going on here?”
“Beep!”
“Chirp!”
“Ah, ahaha…”
Chirik laughed awkwardly with the two chicks perched on his lap. Although I had dismantled the sand ship upon our return, the sand nest box was supposed to have been left intact. Had they managed to get out by themselves? If so, they were excessively active.
However, Chirik seemed troubled by his “passengers”. Unbothered by his confusion, the two cheks pecked amiably at the giant earthworm meat on his lap. Their appetite seemed as robust as ever.
“It’s better they get along than not. Lappy, I need Acht’s help.”
“Mm.”
Lappy cautiously emerged from the mound of cats and presented Acht, who was disguised as a hairpin. Perched in Lappy’s palm, Acht transformed into his favorite form of a small bird and cutely tilted his head.
“Acht, I need you to relay a message to your siblings. Ask them to come up with a plan against the giant earthworms everyone is currently dealing with.”
“Beep!”
It seemed Acht understood. He flapped his wings right there and seemed to be conveying the message to his siblings far away. The message was brief, and soon Acht stopped his movements and transformed into Lappy’s hairpin once again.
As soon as my task was completed, Lappy attempted to dive back into the mound of cats. However, the number of cats there had diminished. When Lappy was away, they dispersed to others who would pay attention to them.
Nonetheless, Lappy still gathered the remaining cats and together, they curled up and fell asleep. She really doesn’t care about her surroundings. I smiled bitterly and stroked Lapi’s head several times while she was sleeping.
When I turned to look at Chirik, the chicks were perched on his shoulders and gently nibbling at his earlobes. They seemed to have taken a particular liking to him, and Chirik did not appear to mind. Although his face showed a hint of trouble, there was a joyful expression there too.
At the same time, some of the children watched Chirik with envy. It wasn’t just the cats; the chicks also seemed to be popular among the children. Hmm, then…
“Would you like to take care of them?”
“Eh?”
“We will be busy creating a more comfortable environment and it will be difficult for us to take care of the cats and chicks in the meantime. It would be a great help to us if you could take care of them yourselves.”
Indeed, considering the upcoming arrival of Sechs and Sieben, the adults would not have the capacity to care for the cats and chicks. I don’t know how Sechs and Sieben would proceed with the town construction, but the adults were likely to be enlisted for physical labor, regardless of gender.
During this period, it was important to ensure that the cats and chicks, who would otherwise be neglected, were well cared for. I thought it best to assign this role to the children.
“Taking care of living creatures comes with responsibilities. It might be good to discuss whether you can handle it.”
“Understood!”
The responsibility of taking care would fall on all the children collectively. Therefore, Chirik couldn’t make the decision alone. It was necessary to discuss this with Magna and the others as well.
Even if they refused, it wouldn’t be a problem. I could simply create a sand cage and keep them inside it. I intended to make the cage spacious so as not to cramp them. However, maintaining the cage while working would honestly be bothersome. It would greatly help me if they accepted the responsibility.
Fortunately, Chirik was brimming with enthusiasm. With his current attitude, he would likely persuade Magna and the others actively. Moreover, Nana and Mia were enthralled with the cats. They would surely support Chirik and cooperate with him.
And so the morning after they had eaten their fill of the giant earthworm’s meat, the individuals who had stayed up through the night came to report something floating in the sky. Since I was always a light sleeper, I woke up immediately and stepped outside. I had a rough idea of what it might be, and looking up at the sky, I confirmed that my suspicions were correct.
“They’re here, huh?”
There was a flying disc in the sky with a rectangular container suspended from it by four ropes. For those unaware of the circumstances, it was only natural to panic at such an unusual sight.
However, I knew exactly what it was. After calming them down and saying that all was well, I leaped onto a platform made of sand and floated up towards the disc, soon coming close to it.
“It’s been a long time, Drei.”
“Ah, it has really! Long time no see!”
The floating disc-shaped luminous crystalline life form was Drei, one of the siblings of Eins and Acht. Having once ridden atop him, I could deduce that he had come here to transport Sechs and Sieben.
That meant Sechs and Sieben must be inside the rectangular container Drei was carrying. While I was thinking about this, part of the container slid open like a small window, and from it, a long-faced head suddenly appeared.
“Yah, Mister Antares! Remember me, right?”
“Of course, Sieben. Thanks for coming.”
“It’s the master’s orders, naturally! Big brother Sechs is here too, right behind me. Look, big brother.”
“…been’ a while.”
Perhaps because Sieben had rushed him, a small window opened in another place and a flat head was exposed. Sechs who was quiet and stocky, and Sieben who was active and slender. It was a reunion with the two who were cleaning up the Sea Emperor Whale that had swallowed me whole.
“How is Aiwass’ health?”
“Let me ask you this instead, can you even imagine the master catching a cold?”
“No, not really. What about Miss Hectia then?”
“Same as ever. She’s skipping the tasks the master asked her to do and getting involved with Mister Orvo who became a spirit… frankly, she’s doing whatever she wants. Right, big brother?”
“So careless….”
Hectia who was the granddaughter and also the disciple of Aiwass was a leading authority in spiritual research and has assisted Orvo in establishing methods to create demons. She is also the one who kept him in this world as a spirit. She was surely a top-class spiritualist, though her tendency to avoid trouble hasn’t changed.
It was hard not to laugh, despite the serious way in which he viciously criticized the main issue at hand. From the very first meeting, Hectia had tried to evade Aiwass’ request. Even the quiet Sechs had occasionally expressed his concerns, which only proved that Hectia’s habit of avoiding her duties was quite genuine.
“Let’s warm up our old friendship later. Has the message from Acht reached you?”
“…Yes.”
“Perfect! There are various strategies, but first, let’s take a look at the whole thing from above!”
It seemed that Acht had indeed fulfilled my request. Sechs and Sieben were planning strategies and were now observing everything from a higher vantage point, probably taking in the entire layout of the base. I was to wait quietly until they decided to descend.
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