Chapter 181: Telepathic Communication
“Eh… what was that…?”
“What’s wrong?”
“Did you just hear Phonia’s voice?”
In response to Rio’s question, I directed my words toward Phonia, as if to confirm what I had just heard.
“‘Eh?’”
It seemed that only I could hear it, as Rio and Ivan exchanged puzzled glances and turned their attention to Phonia.
“Did you hear something?”
“Yeah, I heard Phonia say that Ivan-nii was no good.”
“What’s wrong with me…?”
Ivan, who had been mercilessly criticized, slumped down with both hands on the floor.
‘I did it…! I can communicate with big brother now!’
“Ah, yeah. I can hear you just fine.”
What is this? When I appraised Phonia, her status indeed showed that she was tamed. I must have tamed her, but it seems Ivan doesn’t have a skill like Tame.
‘But can’t big sister hear me?’
“Looks like it.”
Now that I think about it, when I called Nil at the military harbor, she came right away. If I could call out like that, maybe I could have a conversation with Phonia too?
“Hmm, I can’t hear anything, but it just looks like Shuu is talking to himself.”
Lost in thoughts about conversing with Phonia, I was interrupted by Rio’s slightly irritated voice.
“That’s not good… I don’t want people thinking I talk to myself at this age.”
‘By the way, Phonia, can you hear me?’
I tried to reach out in my mind, and Phonia’s ears and tail perked up.
‘I can hear you!’
Her five tails wagged joyfully. This could be quite handy. If only I could communicate with Rio like this… Wait! Could this be a skill called Telepathic Communication? If that’s the case, I should be able to do the same with Rio!
“Hey, Shuu, what’s going on?”
My thoughts about wanting to speak with Rio through telepathy snapped back to reality. Oh right, I was supposed to be checking on Ivan’s situation.
“Ah, sorry, it’s nothing. More importantly, it’s about Ivan.”
Looking at Ivan, who finally stood up, his expression had turned sullen.
“Seriously, Phonia being a fox monster and all… there are just too many unexpected things happening, and I’m confused. But there’s one thing I can say.”
He stared at Phonia, who had grown slightly taller than him, and clenched his fists.
“Phonia is still a child, so I have to support her.”
‘Ivan-nii!’
Phonia immediately retorted, glaring at Ivan.
“W-What is it…?!”
“Ha ha, it means don’t treat her like a child.”
“Well, that’s how it is.”
“Hey, hey! Don’t bite me!”
Ivan tapped Phonia on the neck, signaling his surrender, but she showed no signs of letting go.
‘I’m stronger than you now, Ivan-nii!’
So she doesn’t deny being treated like a child. If she’s aware of that, then Phonia is indeed quite mature for her age. Seemingly satisfied after managing to hold Ivan down, Phonia puffed out her cheeks and wagged her tail.
“Alright, alright! But I’m coming with you!”
Well, it feels a bit chaotic, but as long as it all comes together in the end, that’s what matters.
“Then let’s all head to the Guild.”
“Sounds good. Ivan should register as an adventurer while we’re at it.”
‘Yay! Let’s all go together!’
“Woof!”
Nil was also excitedly playing with Phonia. Given their size difference, it looked like a puppy was frolicking with an adult dog. In human form, she was about the height of a lower elementary school student, but in beast form, she was nearly twice that height. I thought the same when Nil shrank, but the law of conservation of mass seems to be slacking off too much.
“Let’s go before the Guild gets crowded.”
Thus, the three of us and our two companions left the inn and headed toward the Empire’s Adventurer’s Guild.
After asking for directions at the inn, we arrived at the nearest Adventurer’s Guild. The building, adorned with a sign depicting a sword and shield over a Magic Circle, was located in an area where the affluent resided, giving it a neat impression.
Upon entering, I ignored the stares that pierced through me as usual. It was refreshing to see Ivan looking somewhat anxious. In Lebros, adventurers were ranked on the first and second floors, but I wondered how it worked here. From a quick glance, it didn’t seem like there were any beginners around.
“Welcome. How may I assist you?”
The woman who greeted us spoke in a polite tone, dressed impeccably in a butler’s uniform. She looked quite impressive.
“We have four requests.”
“Yes?”
“First, a report on the completion of a quest, then the registration of this child as a Tamed Monster, followed by his adventurer registration… Lastly, I’d like to request the issuance of Adventurer Certificates for me and her.”
“…Issuance, you say?”
Upon hearing my fourth request, the staff member’s eyebrow twitched in response. She suddenly looked displeased. What’s going on?
“Surely you’re not saying you need a reissue because you lost them?”
Ah, so that’s it.
“No, it’s not a reissue. I heard I could get them stamped here.”
I placed the C Rank Adventurer Certificate and the smooth, unmarked Mithril Plate on the counter. Similarly, Rio placed her Adventurer Certificate on the counter, causing the staff member’s expression to freeze.