Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear

~Edited

(Editor’s note: We’re changing giant snake/giant serpent here to Orochi. Yes, it’s not a pure 8 headed snake with 8 tails like in the Japanese folklore, and its physically more akin to a Lernaean Hydra, but the author keeps referencing it to it as Orochi and Giant Serpent in his author’s notes, so in retrospect, we’ll edit it as such.)

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The King Makes His Move

Yesterday, I met a girl dressed as a bear that Sakura said she saw in a dream.

When I first received the report, I had no idea what it meant, but it turned out to be a girl dressed as a bear.

According to the reports, she is about 15 years old. Not much different from my daughter.

Just by looking at her, I don’t think she is strong enough to beat Jubei. I don’t know how Shinobu could recognize that girl dressed as a bear as the beacon of hope that Sakura is talking about.

If there had been no reports of the battle with Jubei, I don’t think I would have believed Sakura’s words about that girl being the beacon of hope alone.

A girl dressed as a bear fought Jubei and defeated him. Jubei is one of the strongest in the country. There are very few who can win against him.

Even if Jubei took it easy on her because his opponent was a child, he wouldn’t lose easily.

But the reports say the result was that the girl dressed as a bear won.

Still, it’s a happy miscalculation. This proves Sakura’s words. Even those who had objected to the decision had no choice but to shut up when they saw the result. No one would dare to speak out after what had just happened.

I apologized to the bear girl for testing her. One wrong move, and we would have lost the beacon of hope.

But the bear girl accepted my apology and agreed to fight Orochi.

I never thought I would entrust the future of my country to such a girl.

The bear girl has reported from Shinobu that the three of them are going to the island of Reenes today to meet Kagali.

A report arrived saying the girls would cross over the ocean on top of the bears.

And the report I received from Shinobu said that they were going to the island on that black and white bear. Apparently, the report we received at the very beginning was not wrong.

It said that a girl dressed as a bear came from the sea on a bear. At first, I only thought that she came on a boat riding a bear at that time.

But, true to Sakura’s words, the bear came, running over the ocean.

Still, Bears running on the ocean?

We can’t help it. No one would believe a report of a bear running over the ocean.

But it was true. Today I heard that Sakura’s wish was to go to the island on top of the bear.

At that time, Shinobu told me not to tell anyone about the bear running over the sea.

Who am I going to tell?

If I were to tell my subjects that a bear had crossed over the ocean, they would think I was crazy.

When I hear the words “the bears are running over the sea,” I don’t think anyone would believe what I, myself, couldn’t believe in the first place.

So there’s no way I’m going to say it in the first place.

Besides, if the girl dressed as a bear wants me to keep it a secret, I shall do so.

If Sakura is right and the girl dressed as a bear is the beacon of hope, she will not be in a bad mood.

If the bear girl can save the country, I will hang on to every sliver of hope. Like no matter how small that beacon of hope may be.

Still, I would have liked to see the bears run on the ocean.

Kagali, on the island of Reenes, has been the guardian of this country for many years. She has saved the country every time it has been in danger. Kagali is a fox that has lived for hundreds of years. Her appearance has not changed since ancient times.

Only a limited number of people know about Kagali. This is because she is constantly in trouble for her longevity and good looks.

I’ve known her since I was little, so she’s like a sister and mother figure to me. Therefore, she knows many things about me, which is troublesome. That’s why I often have a hard time keeping my head above water when it comes to Kagali.

As I work to figure out what to do in the future, I got a report.

I heard that monsters had appeared on the street.

At first, I wondered why they would report such a thing to me, but apparently, there were too many of them. So, apparently, the Adventurers Guild contacted me asking me to send out soldiers.

I gave the order to send out a squad of soldiers. I ordered the unit commander to be in charge of the field.

After receiving a report of monsters’ rampage and working for a while, a small white bird enters through an open window.

The little white bird flew round and round in the room and perched on my hand when I held it out.

It is a messenger bird of Shinobu. A small tube is attached to the neck of the little bird.

What’s going on? Shinobu should be with Sakura and the girl dressed as a bear to visit Kagali. So what’s wrong? For a moment, the thought occurs to me that Kagali may have done something outrageous to the girl dressed as a bear.

I hastily remove the tube’s lid and take out a piece of paper from inside. It was written in short sentences, “There are monsters attacking on the island, and the seal is feared to been broken.”.

It was different.

It was even the worst situation.

Monsters were gathering. I am reminded of the report I just received.

Only one thing that comes to mind.

That’s what caused it!

I stood up from my seat and instructed the ministers to gather immediately.

At that moment, a messenger came and received a call for reinforcements from the troop commander who had left earlier to defeat the monsters.

It seems that the number of monsters is increasing.

Someone pulled out a map and checked it against reports about the monsters.

I knew it; they were all moving to the vicinity of the island of Reenes.

It’s possible that similar things were happening on other parts of the island.

No, it’s definitely happening.

“The place closest to the island of Reenes is the most dangerous.” (King)

“What do you mean, your majesty?” (Minister)

“I got a message from Shinobu earlier, who’s on the island of Reenes. It seems that monsters are gathering on the island.” (King)

“No way.” (Minister)

It seems the others had an idea of what I was talking about.

“It is said that in the past, when Orochi appeared, many monsters were also present. I believe this is a sign of that.” (King)

Everyone became noisy with my words.

“Check the island immediately. And hurry up the preparation of the troops.” (King)

I gave instructions for defending the entrances to the city and securing the city roads.

Some were moving on the streets. They must be protected with the highest priority.

Then, I told them not to leave each town or village.

“Then send the women you have gathered to fight Orochi to the island of Reenes.” (King)

If the Orochi had indeed been resurrected, I don’t know how useful it would be, but since men are not allowed on the island, we have to rely only on women.

At the very worst, we will have to get Sakura back. Sakura is a memento of my late sister.

“What about the mages?” (Minister)

“Orochi has not yet revived. The priority now is to protect the people from the monsters. Send them to defeat it.” (King)

Damn it. I thought we still had a few more days.

I was going to consider our course of action in the future based on Kagali’s assessment of Bear Missy. Kagali’s opinion would be the most important in this matter. So, depending on Kagali’s evaluation, how to treat Bear Missy would change.

Kagali. In your eyes, did Bear Missy become the beacon of hope? Or did you feel nothing?

Even if I wanted to ask her that, It’s not possible right now.

We have to defeat the monsters that are gathering right away.

Then, I told them that I’m leaving the castle and royal capital to others and going to the harbor.

“The King should stay in the castle.” (Minister)

“As for the monsters, I’m sure you guys will be fine. But if Orochi were to resurrect, the scene would be in chaos. What should I do if I don’t step forward!” (King)

“But…” (Minister)

“I know. I will not do anything dangerous. If something happens, I will just give you instructions. Save your soldiers and mages as much as possible. However, if the residents are in danger, you must spare no expense. As for the monsters, I’ll leave it to you. If there is an emergency, send a messenger to the port.” (King)

“I, I understand. As you wish, Your Highness.” (Minister)

After giving instructions to the respective ministers, I head for the port.

“As soon as the ship is ready, we will depart.” (Captain)

At the port, preparations are being made for the ship’s departure.

Soon after, the ship is ready, and we board it.

The island is visible, but the situation is not clear from here.

The ship gradually approaches the island.

“Your Majesty! The island.” (Soldier)

A soldier observing the island reported while panicking. He’s in a hurry beyond words.

I looked at the island through my telescope.

There’s smoke rising from the island. I can see pillars of fire.

And there’s another big thing moving around.

What……?

……The giant serpent, Orochi has returned.

There’s four people on that island. Kagali, Shinobu, Sakura, and the girl dressed as a bear.

What’s going on over there? Was Sakura safe?

“Get the ship closer to the island.” (King)

“But Your Majesty!” (Captain)

“I just want to check something.” (King)

As the ship approaches the island, the situation becomes more apparent.

That’s a giant serpent, one big red serpent head. And there’s something small moving around it.

That’s Kagali and the bear!

Maybe they’re fighting!?

What about Shinobu and Sakura?

The only thing I can think of was that Kagali and Yuna were fighting, while Shinobu was running away with Sakura.

But was there a safe place on the island now that the giant serpent has been resurrected?

Still, I can only see one head.

If it’s just one head, we can still manage.

Ahead, we can see a boat carrying the women who were supposed to fight Orochi. But it’s not heading for the shore.

What are they doing!

If they don’t hurry, Sakura will die.

I saw a little bird fly by.

The messenger received it and confirmed the message.

“Your Majesty!” (Soldier)

“What!?” (King)

“It says here that the women who saw Orochi were so frightened that they wouldn’t go to the island.” (Soldier)

“What are you talking about now!” (King)

At my outcry, the messenger’s face becomes tense and he looks troubled.

I know he’s just reading it out loud, but I still tell that to the messenger.

Moreover, after all my grumbling and collecting so much stress, this might result from it?

The girl dressed as a bear that Sakura said was a beacon of hope is fighting.

“Messenger! Have the mages gather at the port.” (King)

Worst case scenario, we’ll lure Orochi away from the country!

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Author’s Note:

Sorry for the delay.

But I think my next post will be late as well.

Please understand.

I hope to settle down around the end of Golden Week.

If there are any readers who have purchased volume 9, please enter the giveaway.

For details on how to enter, please refer to the obi of volume 9 or click on “Comicalization” below to see the details from Pash Comic.

Thank you in advance.

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