Atelier Tanaka

Book 5: Chapter 2 (10)

Dark Continent (2nd)

It took the Sylphs nearly a half hour of using their magic water to extinguish every last one of the Dragon’s flames burning the forest. When it was all finally extinguished, the Sylph village was flooded and the ground was muddy.

The beautiful Sylph village was now gone.

“House is gone.” “I lost my home.” “I need to make another house.” “Where are we gonna sleep?” “Mou, I’m tired.” “Sleepy, sleepy.” “I want to sleep in my home.” “I don’t have a house.” “My house is gone.” “But, I want to sleep.” “It’s already getting late.” “We can sleep outside.” “Outside is dangerous.”

Their conversation was pitiful to overhear.

After hearing this, I couldn’t help but say,

“My house is still standing.”

“Unfair.” “ That’s not fair.” “I’m envious.” “We also want houses.” “Home, home.” “A home is important.” “Why, why, why?” “Why did our homes have to burn?” “We deserve homes too.” “Why, why?” “Unfair.” “Unfair.” Unfair.” “It’s unfair.”

“…you really don’t have anything left.

“….” “….” “….” “….” “….” “….” “….” “….” “….” “….” “….” “….”

The way this is going, they’re likely to turn on me again.

The way they’re just silently staring at me is reminiscent of what they did when I first met them.

None of them are smiling or laughing.

— Even when they were going to attack me, they still had smiles on their face.

Their familiar hehehes have completely disappeared.

“It’s all gone. Nothing left at all.”

“….” “….” “….” “….” “….” “….” “….” “….” “….” “….” “….” “….”

Their silent stares continued.

I could easily see a future where they turn on me again. This is the Dark Continent after all. Even if they look like cute fairies, they’re not the same as humans. They’re somewhat animalistic and their ability to choose between reason and instinct is lower.

As someone that lost their home before, I want to help them out if I can.

I’ve got a suggestion if you’ll hear me out….”

I had thought of a solution which I hoped they’d agree to.

The Sylph that was closest to me yelled to get the others’ attention.

“The flat yellow is gonna say something!”

They all looked impatient. Perhaps they’ve been through this before. Still, it’s strange how such an adorable creature can also be so terrifying.

I’m not sure if they’ll all agree to my offer.

“What is the flat yellow going to say?” “What is he going to say about our home?” “Is he going to mock our homes?” “I don’t have one left.” “Home, home.” “Home, home, home.” “Where does the flat yellow one sleep?” “We can’t show the flat yellow any hospitality.” “Will we have to sleep outside with the flat yellow?” “Will we, will we?”

“I can understand how difficult being homeless is, which is why I want to give you a home as a gift.”

“A home?” “Home, home.” “Flat yellow’s home?” “Sylph’s homes are trees.” “Does the flat yellow live in a tree?” “All of the wood is burnt, how can he make us a home?” “Everything’s been burned, there’s nothing left.” “Is the flat yellow trying to lie to the Sylph?”

“I’m not lying. I’m not sure if it will be good enough for you, but I’m hoping it will give you a place to live until you can find a new, permanent home. I have to be honest with you though, I’m not certain I can do it.”

“You can make us a home?” “You really can?” “I want a home!” “Home, home!” “I want to sleep inside.” “Nothing’s better than sleeping in your own home.” “That’s so true!” “I loved my home. I want a home.” “Flat yellow home, home.” “I’d be so happy if you could give the Sylph a home.” “Sylph would all be happy.” “Happy Sylph.”

What powerful emotions.

Owning your own home truly is a wonderful thing. The Green Sylphs understand this fact. I quite like the fact that, even though they’re a different species from humans, we’re still able to understand each other so well.

“The only thing I ask in return is for a few of the wings from the Sylphs that passed in the fire. I don’t need a lot. Just a few will be plenty for me.”

“That’s no problem!” “Take as many as you need!” “Take ‘em, take ‘em!” “You can take them all!” “If you give us a home, you can have as many as you want!” “Give us a home!” “Home, home.”

Nice, the negotiations ended quickly.

I’m one step closer to reaching my Elixir of Youth.

Your dream will reach out to you if you reach out to your dream.

“If that’s settled, I’ll get started on your home.”

I built an entire human city on the Radius Grasslands. I learned many new ways to use Stonewall in that time and that experience will come in handy here. I’ll obviously need to make changes to accommodate the small size of the Sylphs, but that shouldn’t be difficult to accomplish.

Let’s make the Sylphs a beautiful home.

***

It only took me a few minutes to finish the first house for the Sylph.

If this was all I had to do, I’d be finished in no time at all. However, there are nearly a hundred Sylph in total. With it taking a few minutes per house, it was after dark before I finally finished the last one.

“…what amazing magical power. I don’t think a human is capable of something like this.”

Goggoru-chan was standing beside me and muttered this.

Her eyes were locked on my newly finished constructions. The design was stupidly simple and was reminiscent of a basic bird house. Each of them sat atop a pole that was around 5 metres tall.

We changed locations from the recently burned village of the Sylph to a section of the forest where the trees grew denser, not far north from their original homes. I learned from my experiences yesterday that an area without coverage from the sky is vulnerable to attack from Dragons and other monsters capable of flight.

Incidentally, their new homes are fire-resistant. I know this for a fact because my Stonewalls withstood an attack from a Phoenix yesterday. It would be stupid to build them out in the open so each house was built to blend in with the thick undergrowth. It’s also for this reason that I built each of the homes inline with the trees.

“Amazing, flat yellow!” “Amazing, amazing!” “Flat yellow really made us homes!” “It made houses! It made houses!” “My new home is so cute!” “My new house is cool!” “My new house has a flat floor!” “Flat floor from flat yellow!” “Flat!” “Flat!” “Flat!” “Flat!” 

It’s starting to feel like they’re no longer complimenting my work.

Well, they’re all smiling and back to making a lot of noise. They seem happy with the result which is what’s most important. They kept flying in and out of each other’s homes admiring my work.

This created a sense of fulfillment in me that I hadn’t felt since I built Dragon City.

Work that gets your creative juices flowing is important from time to time.

It’s definitely better than constantly dealing with nobles.

“I’m happy that you all seem satisfied.”

Their happiness made me smile.

I noticed one of the Sylph frantically flying around her home, inspecting every inch of it. After seemingly being satisfied with its construction, she flew down to the ground before flying straight at my face.

Of course, I put as much effort into her home as any of the others, but does she have something for me?

She held out something light green in her tiny hands.

“Is that…?”

“The wing of the Sylph that the flat yellow wanted.”

“Wow, thank you so much.”

This one must have got the item I asked for.

This is similar to removing the clothes and armour from a fallen companion. I don’t know exactly how she went about it, but I’m glad I got what I was after.

“Take it, take it.”

“Thank you.”

I held out my hand for her to place the wing out.

The busamen achieved his goal of obtaining a Green Sylph wing.

I actually did it.

One step closer to creating the Elixir of Youth.

When she placed the wing in my hand, her fingertips came into contact with my palm which caused me to get a little nervous. This is a secret that I’ll take to my grave. A rare experience with touching a girl who’s completely naked. I almost fell in love right there.

“…I’m sure you’re relieved.”

“Yes, I am, and I have you to thank for that.”

A beautiful yet still cute voice beside me.

Goggoru-chan.

What a nice Goggoru.

Goggoru, goggoru.

I want to grab her pink tongue between my index finger and thumb as it pokes out of her cute mouth. I’m sure it would be covered in her slimy, warm saliva. I hope that one day I can be woken up by a kiss infused with that same saliva.

“…it’s not like I did much.”

“I wouldn’t have made it this far without you to help me.”

“….”

This might be the first time meeting a normal girl since I first met the infololi. Every other girl I’ve met in this world has some strange habit or fetish. I can’t remember any other girl that I’ve been able to have such a normal, casual conversation with.

I want to spend every day talking with Goggoru-chan like this.

The desire to stay on the Dark Continent and never return to the Penny Empire is steadily growing within me.”

“Which is why I need to thank you. So, thank you for all of your help.”

“…I didn’t do much.”

Goggoru-chan turned away, probably too shy to show me her face.

Is it really happening? Am I entering my popular phase…no, my harem phase?

The legendary hustle time has arrived!

I want to creampie Goggoru-chan.

“….”

“….”

The conversation naturally died out after a few moments of me getting lost in my own thoughts.

A man of few words is also cool.

“You saved the Sylph, flat yellow.” “Flat yellow treated us with kindness.” “The flat yellow one scared away the dragon.” “It built me a home.” “The Sylph don’t possess enough words to show our gratitude.” “I’m so, so happy!” “So happy.” “So, so happy!” “The flat yellow makes the Sylph happy.”

“Flat yellow makes us happy.” “Happy, happy!” “Flat yellow is a human.” “Human made us happy.” “Humans make us happy.” “But what is happy?” “What makes humans happy?” “Happy? Happy?” “The flat yellow makes us happy.” “What would make the flat yellow happy?” “What makes humans happy?”

They want to give me something to thank me, but this wing is more than enough.

I’ve also been able to openly admire their exposed bodies this entire time. For that, I am eternally grateful. I look to my right, exposed breasts; to my left, naked vagina. What a great time to be alive.

Having said that, if they’re offering, I’d be happy if one of them could accompany me. There are so many of them though that I wonder which one would be the best.

“….”

No, I don’t know how I’d explain it if I came back with one.

They already gave me what I came here for, so I suppose it’s time to say goodbye.

“I’m happy that you all want to thank me in some way, however, I have to decline anything else. I still have many things to do and I’ve spent too long here already, I’m afraid it’s time to –”

It was as I was about to say goodbye that a loud explosion went off not far from us.

“Wha –!?”

The words of goodbye were lost and I prepared myself for an attack./

Goggoru-chan did the same.

While the Sylphs began to panic.

“There was a loud bang!” “Bang! Bang!” “What made the sound!?” “What was that sound!?” “It came from over there!” “Over there, over there!” “There’s a bright light in the night!” “Why is there a light at night?” “Over there, over there!” “What’s making that light?” “What’s happening over there?”

“Fire, fire!” “Fire! The trees are burning!” “Why is it burning? Why?” “What caused it to burn?” “The fire caused it! The fire!” “What causes a fire?” “Something started it! Something started it!” “What can start a fire?” “Ah….”

A massive silhouette could be seen moving through the branches of the trees.

“”“A dragon!”””

Just as the Green Sylphs said, a massive dragon could be seen hovering in the sky.

It must be the same Dragon that attacked their village previously.

“It’s come back for revenge….”

This may be a case of it’s pride guiding its thoughts rather than its mind.

This Dragon is different from that bird.

Based on the fact that the Dragon was spewing flames all across the forest, it was clear to me that it had come back for revenge. My attack had hurt its pride and now it was taking it out on the entire forest in the hopes of killing me, the Sylphs, and anything else in the area.

If I let this go on, the Sylphs new homes will be engulfed in flames. I have to prevent that at all costs. As a former homeowner, I can’t allow that to happen.

“Everyone, run, I’ll figure out something.”

I took a step in the direction of the dragon, but was quickly stopped by the words of Goggoru-chan.

“Wait a moment.”

“I don’t have time to wait!”

“That’s no ordinary Dragon. It’s an Ancient Dragon. You may not have as much luck as the last time. It would be better if we proceeded with caution and worked as a team. We’ll go with our previous plan of me being the vanguard while you attack from the rear.”

“…an Ancient Dragon?”

Another loligon?

If that’s true, I need to take this seriously.

“Which is why you need my help.”

“But that would put you in danger.”

I checked her status previously and she is quite strong. However, an Ancient Dragon is on an entirely different level. Considering her stats, it would be like an ant trying to take down a human.

Ah, right.

I suppose I should check this Dragon’s stats to confirm its strength.

Even something like the Ancient Dragons would have differing levels of power.

Seriously?

It’s not another loligon; it is the loligon.

Her job is even set to mayor.

It was strange seeing someone I recognized, especially when that someone is a dangerous monster. In fact, everything I’ve seen over the last several days has been wild and unknown to me.

Aside from that fact, what is she doing here? Last I remember she left for the capital with the noble mage and now she’s suddenly on the Dark Continent. I don’t want anything to do with her right now.

“….”

“….”

Let’s focus on the loli next to me for now.

She hasn’t noticed us yet either.

If I leave her alone, she’ll burn everything around here. In the grand scheme of things, that’s not going to cause any major issues on the Dark Continent. It’s just a small forest fire. However, the new Green Sylph village will become a casualty of her flames. Is there anything I can do?

“Umm, excuse me.”

“What?”

“Can you just leave this to me?”

There’s no way I can risk Goggoru-chan against the loligon.

If it’s just me, I should be able to calm her down.

“What do you mean ‘leave it to you?’”

“I’ll explain later, but, trust me, you don’t have to worry.”

I met her gaze and hoped she’d trust me.

This is the best way to avoid any more damage.

“…I get it.”

“Thank you.”

After receiving a nod from Goggoru-chan, I took to the sky using my flying magic and went to face the dragon.

***