When I Reincarnated, I Became Even More of a Gorilla - 11

An hour has passed since I left my homeforest. As adventurers observe from outside the forest, we speed across the plains, and in the distance, our apparent destination comes into view———– the largest city in Gladysbalt frontier county, Capital City Grandis. We were now walking through the vast fields, being careful of pedestrians.

Elena, who had been giving instructions while holding onto my back, looking slightly tired, now shares information about the Capital City.

[There’s the Capital City Grandis. Its main industries are the cultivation of vast farmlands and livestock farming that have been developed by reclaiming this extensive land. Additional characteristics of our territory include a large number of adventurers thanks to the presence of nearby dungeons and the fact that many of our knights are known for their abilities due to our proximity to neighboring countries.]

[Ooooh. Oogo oogo? (Heehhh…… Arehh? Dungeons?)]

Listening to Elena’s story, one question crosses my mind. Observing the landscape we’ve traveled through so far, the industries make sense, and I can imagine the role of a frontier count from novels, so the strength of their knights is also understandable.

However, if dungeons exist in this area, I couldn’t help but wonder. Why were adventurers coming to the forest where I lived?

Aren’t adventurers supposed to go to those dungeons?

Elena provides an answer to my question. It seems that my thoughts leaking out to her isn’t all that bad.

[It’s true that exploring dungeons is part of an adventurer’s job, but they also earn money by subjugating monsters and gathering vegetation. Monsters don’t only exist in dungeons. It’s also the case in the Sage’s Forest, right? Adventurers go where there are monsters.]

[Oog. (Unn.)]

As we were talking, we walked through the middle of a field, and the outer wall that I had just seen appeared in front of us. It was taller than I am, more than twice my height. (My height while walking on four limbs is 2.5 meters)

Since Elena and I came here to enter the city, I’d definitely like it if we could head straight to the gate. But unfortunately, I’m unmistakably a monster.

It wouldn’t be strange for them to be surprised if a monster as big as me comes out of nowhere. Even now, there are many people coming out of that gate.

Elena reassured me that everything would be fine, but with all this commotion, I couldn’t help but become even more worried about whether things were truly okay.

[Ooga? (I wonder if it’s gonna be okay?)]

[Don’t worry, Gorimatsu. I’m here, so it’s gonna be alright.]

That’s what worries me the most though. Actually, on the way here, I changed how I carry Elena. Instead of having her on my back, I now carry her on one arm like when we just left the forest.

It was Elena’s instruction, but I honestly think doing that was a mistake.

After all, don’t we now look like a kidnapper and his victim?

[Really? I can’t see how though.]

Elena having such carefree thoughts is fine and all, but what’s important here is to understand the reason why all those people emerged at that moment.

Let’s perk up my ears and listen for a bit.

＊＊＊

[Everyone quickly set up battle formations in front of the outer wall! The enemy is an unidentified monster. It seems to be of the Kong lineage, but that lineage is made up of clever monsters! Be on your guard!]

[But Captain, it has a hostage! Wouldn’t we be unable to charge like this!?]

[That’s right! It cunningly took the young lady hostage! In any case, we must not provoke it now!]

[Hah!] (everyone)

＊＊＊

It really was as I expected! Well, should have known. We do look that way after all. Ahh, we screwed up.

[Oog? (What should we do?)]

[Hahaha, sorry. I didn’t think things really would turn out this way. Alright, I’ll inform them first.]

When I told Elena what I had heard, she lightly apologized, as if she really hadn’t expected it, and said she would persuade them.

However, if I just let Elena go by herself here, won’t they go charging at me? Eh? I’m gonna be alright even if they did? Well, that’s probably right.

It’s just, I don’t know how strong I am compared to them, so I couldn’t help feeling anxious.

That said, I guess we really have no other choice here. Alright, you go ahead and tell them. I’ll stay here and keep quiet.

[I’ll be going then.]

Elena got off from me in high spirits and walked towards the group that was setting up their formation. She looked so confident, but she kinda has this absentmindedness to her, so seeing her acting like that does nothing more than make me uneasy.

A few minutes later, Elena returns and says she got permission for me to enter. I was listening in and heard everything, but I guess it’s better not to say anything huh.

By the way, do you want to know what happened? It can’t be helped.

＊＊＊

[Everyone! It’s Elena Gladysbalt! I have returned from the Sage’s Forest. I’m safe as you can see. Disband the intercept formation.]

[Princess! You’re safe! That gorilla must have been scared in front of our knights! Now, now, the Master is waiting for you. Let’s go. All troops, aim for the gorilla! Ready……]

[Stop right there! He’s not a bad monster! That’s why, stop trying to take him down! Look, he’s a Goldback! The Sage of the Forest in the recent rumors!]

[…………What?]

[That’s why, I said don’t try to take him down!]

[However, that’s a monster and must be subjugated.]

[Like I said, I told you he’s not a bad monster!]

[Princess!]

[Captain!]

[Princess!]

[Captain!]

They started arguing about whether or not to subjugate me. Seeing this, the knights around looked troubled, and I was also troubled.

At that moment, the savior arrived.

[Hey, what are you arguing about!? I told you that that Gorilla-san saved us! Onee-chan too, you tell him that it’s Gorimatsu-chan!]

[Is that that gorilla?]

[Uuu, you’re right. Sorry.]

Yes, it’s the 8-year-old Misha. Thanks to her, their argument ended and my situation was explained in an instant.

Well, it’s a relief that I’m not attacked.

＊＊＊

And so, even though I hadn’t committed any wrongdoing, my supposed sins were forgiven. After that, Elena returned to me and confidently said “I got permission”.

With her looking that confident, I can’t really say she got help from her little sister huh. Well, I think that just makes them close sisters though.

Anyway, I was allowed in, so I walked out while carrying Elena in one arm like before. This time though, they’re looking at me very favorably. This does feel more comfortable than the wary looks I had received earlier.

When I arrived in front of the Captain, who was giving others instructions, and Misha, I put Elena down.

And while Elena proudly boasts about something trivial, saying “Hehe, how’s that!? He’s obedient and smart, isn’t he!?”, I take out the branch pen I’ve been using back in the forest and look down at the ground, ready to write.

Unfortunately though, I couldn’t write because of the cobblestone pavement. However, I’m not one to give up. With the road like this, there’s something else I can do.

I picked up a large stone nearby and exerted my strength on it. If I don’t have it, make it. With my gorilla strength, I grind the stone into sand. By spreading the sand around, it would make a great scratchpad.

Just as I was about to write a letter, I suddenly felt eyes on me, and when I looked around, I saw that all the people in the area were looking at me. Was the sound of the stone being crushed too loud?

Well, whatever.

I started to write words. This is addressed to Misha.

*scritch scritch*

When I finish writing, I tap Misha on the shoulder and show her what I wrote. But then, I realized that she can’t read words yet. Right, she couldn’t read yet.

However……

[Ah, Gorimatsu-chan. Is that for me? Errr, “Misha, gratitude”! No, you’re welcome. Ufufu, I can read a little better now too! Surprised? I’m also glad Gorimatsu-chan remembered my name. Thank you.]

[Oog. (Thank you too.)]

[Gorimatsu said “thank you too”. Isn’t that great, Misha?]

[Unnn.]

Elena naturally translated my words to Misha. Well, she realized that I overheard and is now blushing red.

[I- In any case, we can go into the Capital now, right? I won’t take no for an answer.]

[I understand. But Princess, how are you going to get through the streets with its…… his stature? As expected, we can’t just shoo away the people aside, right?]

I certainly thought about that too. There’s no way that a city with so many knights and such a large outer wall wouldn’t be bustling with people. How am I going to go through all those people?

[Ahh, don’t worry. What do you even think is the reason why I went here from the academy?]

[No, we weren’t told anything.]

[You’re looking for a familiar, right, Onee-chan!?]

Now that she mentioned it, she did say that. I did agree to become her familiar so……

[Oog ooga (Elena can just tell the people I’m your familiar, right?)]

[Hmm, that might work for adventurers, but it’s doubtful that anyone in these frontier lands knows about mages owning familiars. There’s even a possibility that they don’t know about familiars at all. In fact, even after I’ve explained, the Captain doesn’t seem to understand either. Like, even if I continued explaining to him, he wouldn’t understand.]

[Oooog. (I see.)]

That makes sense. I wonder if that’s alright though? Even so, does that mean there aren’t that many mages in the world?

I just heard that “Mages” is the name for the “Magicians” who can control more than one attribute. It seems that there are many magicians and few mages that exist.

And so, what’s gonna happen now?

[It’s this.]

Saying that, Elena takes something out from her waist pouch. A choker? A bangle? Anyhow, it’s some sort of large ring. I don’t know how, but Elena’s mana is infused into it and magicules cling to it nearby. It’s quite large in size.

[What’s that, Onee-chan?]

[This, you see, is a magic tool worn by familiars.]

Elena said that with a triumphant expression on her face, but am I going to be made to wear that magic tool now!?