I Gained a New Comrade
I Gained a New Comrade
"Huh? You're saying you didn't create the barrier?"
The girl in the gothic dress asked again in surprise. I made the earth doll nod.
'Even if I tried to deceive her, I wouldn't be able to do it properly.'
I hesitated about whether to tell the girl the truth or not, but ultimately ended up honestly telling her about my current situation.
The amount of information I know is next to nothing. In this state, even if I lied to the girl in front of me, I'd be found out immediately.
-Yes. I haven't been awake for long. The barrier existed even before I woke up.
I conveyed my intent to the girl by writing letters in the dirt. This was the only means of communication I had.
The girl who was pleading to be accepted into this place looked quite desperate, but by telling her about my current state, the girl will also be able to make a proper judgment.
"That can't be... How did I come all the way here... No, but..."
The girl who received an explanation of my situation looked quite shocked. The girl mumbled something, then, as if having made a decision, looked at the earth doll and spoke.
"Even if that's the case, could you still accept me? As long as I can live on this land, it's fine even if you make me your subordinate."
'...That seems like too hasty a decision.'
-Hold on, calm down. You seem too excited.
"Ah, is, is that so?"
-Yes.
It looked like the girl had made a decision too hastily, so I hurriedly stopped her. I also couldn't accept her carelessly because I didn't know her true intentions.
"Hoo, yes. I've calmed down. I showed you an unsightly appearance, I'm sorry."
-Yes, good job.
The girl, who took a deep breath for a moment, seemed to have calmed down, so I decided to ask the questions I was curious about.
First, the reason for the girl's urgency.
-Why do you want to settle on this land? And so urgently at that?
"Well... Actually, it's because the outside isn't a landscape suitable for me to live in. The forest is enemy territory, insects are caught as soon as they're born... I tried to disguise myself and live in hiding because there are many people, but mages keep finding me, as if they smelled something... And also..."
-Hold on, hold on. It's too long. In short, the outside is too hard to live in?
She seemed to have calmed down. Looks like she's just naturally talkative.
"Ah, yes. That's right. I was pushed around here and there and hid in the mountains, where I felt a powerful force... Drawn to it, I came here and this was the place."
-Is this place good for you to live in?
"Yes, it truly is a wonderful place! The lushly grown trees, the fully bloomed flowers, every single one of them is overflowing with vitality! I'm sure even the insects will live here happily!"
Hmm, it probably isn't the case, but it strangely felt like she was complimenting my body, so it felt weird.
But if I'm not mistaken, I think I heard the word insects.
-Insects?
In response to my question, the girl answered with a smile.
"Yes! They are my very lovely kin!"
-...It was insects?
The earth doll stared intently at the creature's body.
It looked human no matter where you looked. Except for the fact that its eyes were reversed.
"Fufu, this appearance is just a disguise. If I release it for a moment... Ta-da!"
'Wow.'
The girl's body momentarily shone, and a butterfly roughly the size of a small child revealed itself. Arms covered in a smooth, chitinous material waved and greeted me.
-That's amazing...
After a moment of appreciation, the girl, who had disguised herself as a human again, continued.
"Hmm... To be precise, I am the embodiment of humanity's fear of insects. In short, a Goei!"
-A Goei?
"Ah, perhaps you don't know the word Goei either? There are many things I can help with!"
The girl's eyes sparkled as if realizing there were many things she could help with. It seems she really wants to live on this land.
Of course, I wasn't in a position to refuse help either, so I readily agreed.
-I'd be grateful if you told me. I'll compensate you too.
"Do you promise? Hmm, where should I start explaining... First, a Goei is a being born from the gathering of human fears. Fear of darkness, fear of death, and so on."
'Born from the gathering of human fears...'
I recalled the Lingering Thoughts that had been appearing since before. Maybe those guys would also be called Goei?
"Ah, not all Goei are born that way. Among them, there are also individuals that seem to have no relation to humans whatsoever. The reason is unknown though."
As if having relaxed quite a bit, the girl glanced at me cautiously before crouching down again and starting to observe ants. Her true form looked like a butterfly, seems she likes all insects regardless of species.
-Are there many Goei outside?
"Hmm, should I say it depends on the period? In the past, there were more humans than Goei, but lately, many new Goei are being born. Perhaps because of that, many guys who go out hunting Goei have increased, making it very hard for weak Goei like me to survive..."
-Humans hunt Goei?
"Yes, among humans, there are guys with superpowers. Also, there are groups that specifically target Goei, so it's really dangerous."
Humans having superpowers. In my memories, humans had no power? For now, I'll just keep this question in mind.
-Is there a separate reason why humans hunt Goei?
"Hmm... Well, I'm not sure about that either. Maybe because they're dangerous? Among Goei, there are many individuals that are threatening to humans."
-Seems like they're being hunted because of general perception.
"That seems to be the case."
Indeed. I roughly understood the reason why the girl wanted to settle on this land. Since the girl was also watching my reaction, I gave her the answer she wanted.
-Yes, that's enough. Thanks for the info.
"Does that mean..."
-You can live here. If you're okay with it.
"Really?! Thank you!"
The girl smiled brightly. Perhaps her disguise slipped, as orange butterfly wings that appeared out of nowhere fluttered gently.
Actually, since she was the first being I could communicate with, I intended to accept her as long as she wasn't of a very evil nature.
At this point, not only was I satisfied, but I also thought it would be fine to be together for a long time.
So I guided her to my dwelling. Since she was my only neighbor, I hoped we could live as close as possible.
While walking to the dwelling, I asked her a very important question.
-What should I call you?
"Huh? Ah, are you talking about a name?"
-Yes.
"Hmm... I haven't really thought about it. Cases of Goei calling each other by names almost don't exist... Ah, perhaps do you have a name?"
At those words, I briefly tried to search my memories, but I couldn't recall my name from my human days.
'Looks like I don't have a name either.'
-No, I don't really have one either.
"Is that so... Ah, then how about this? We name each other! Isn't it somewhat romantic and nice?"
-You talk somewhat like a human.
"Well, that's because I was born from humans! Isn't it the same for you?"
-I... don't really know.
How should I define my current self? A human who became a Goei? A Goei who was a human? I don't know.
I'll probably be able to answer this question someday. So I decided to focus on the present for now.
-Anyway, I'm in favor. Should I go first?
"Yes, that's fine!"
-Cynthia. How is it? Looking at you, I somehow felt this name would suit you perfectly.
"Cynthia... I really like this name! Thank you!"
-Seeing you happy makes me happy too.
She must have been really happy, as the wings of the girl, Cynthia, who had been fluttering since earlier, fluttered even more.
"Hmm... Then it's my turn! Is that form your true body? If so..."
-No, this form is not my true body.
Cynthia seemed to think the earth doll was my true body. I corrected her mistake.
"Huh? Then what kind..."
-This land is my true body.
".....Huh?"
Seeming unable to believe it, Cynthia's footsteps stopped. Looking at the girl's expression filled with doubt, I moved the surrounding earth.
'Make it as... impressive as possible...'
After all, isn't she someone who entrusted her existence to me? I must show the most powerful form possible so that Cynthia can also feel reassured. I left only the minimum power and concentrated my consciousness on the earth.
Gugugung...
The surrounding land shook. Behind the earth doll, a giant hand-shaped form revealed itself. Its size looked twice as big as the surrounding trees.
"Wow..."
Cynthia, seemingly very surprised, had her mouth slightly agape and didn't know how to close it. While maintaining my consciousness, I made the giant hand open and close, and finally made a V sign as I spoke.
-How is it? Is this believable enough?
"...Yes, it really is."
She stared at that hand for a long time, then soon smiled brightly.
"It seems like a great fortune that you accepted me! I hope I can repay this favor someday!"
-Yes, I hope so too.
It was the first time I used my power to this extent, so mental fatigue washed over me, but seeing Cynthia's smile made me feel proud.
Cynthia flapped her wings and spoke.
"The entire land being your true body... I thought of names related to earth spirits, but that doesn't match at all. Hmm... What would be good..."
'An earth spirit. Maybe it was a name like Gnome.'
Should I call this fortunate? It seems a name like Gnome won't be given. After all, a person's name can't be Gnome, right?
'Sorry, Cynthia.'
While having such trivial thoughts, as if having finished contemplating, Cynthia let out an "Ah" sound and spoke.
"How about Gaia? It's the name of an earth goddess said to have existed a long time ago, and it seems like a name that suits you very well!"
-Gaia...
For some reason, it felt familiar. Maybe because I've lived as the land for several months, I saw the earth doll nodding its head before I knew it.
-Yes, it's a good name. Thank you, Cynthia.
"Ehehe... Don't mention it, Gaia-nim!"
Cynthia laughed brightly. I also drew a smile on the earth doll's face.
And so, I gained a new name and a new comrade.