Atelier Tanaka

Book 5: Chapter 2 (12)

Dark Continent (2nd)

After Christina transformed back to her loli form we flew back through the trees and landed near the chocololi.

The noble mage had stored her dress in his bags. For the first time in a while, I was able to see the loligons shaved vagina. Tonights meal for my son has been decided.

is that really the Ancient Dragon?

The loligon had finished changing.

Goggoru-chan couldnt hide her surprise. 

This question was expected. The massive dragon had transformed itself into a loli smaller than even the chocololi. I was even more surprised when I first saw her in this form. Actually, I didnt even know she was the same dragon I had fought previously.

Yes, it is.

I nodded as I gave her my answer.

I noticed the noble mage eyeing Goggoru-chan before saying,

Brown skin, white hair, and that tail.

Is something wrong, Fahren-san?

Is this girl a member of the Goggoru tribe?

You know about them? She was the first person I met after arriving here and has helped me out in many ways. Ive heard some say that shes a member of that tribe, but even if shes not human, I want to treat her the same as anyone else.

Because, even if she isnt human, shes a beautiful girl.

I need to take every chance I get to win her over.

Fortunately, she has some understanding of magic, so the noble mage shouldnt be too hard on her. As long as someone isnt completely magic illiterate, he doesnt care what their status is.

But I was still curious to hear what hed say.

No members of the Goggoru tribe are known to live on the Dark Continent. Its possible a few members have migrated here from elsewhere. That being said, the Goggoru people are not too dissimilar from humans. Considering the number of dangerous creatures that exist on this continent, a Goggoru would be a welcome addition to our party.

You think so?

There are many ways to make use of a Goggorus ability, but it would be too great a risk to ask her to touch every creature we come across. In fact, their power becomes less useful when a lot of creatures are involved.

The noble mage began talking about something that only he understood.

I couldnt understand what he was saying nor could I read his face to get an idea of what he was thinking.

But the loligon seemed to react to his words.

[.]

She didnt say anything, but she left the noble mages size and made her way closer to Goggoru-chan. She gave her the same inquisitive look that the noble made had done previously.

It was a face she normally wouldnt make.

Whats going on, you two?

[arent you a High Goggoru?

High Goggoru?]

Now that I think about it, there was something like that in her status.

I hadnt really thought about what exactly the high part of her race meant.

H-High Goggoru!?

After hearing Christinas words, the noble mage took to the air and flew some distance away from us. The loligon flew to his side as well. The noble mage was noticeably more nervous than the loligon. I could even see his eye twitching.

Fahren-san?

Whats going on?

According to his own words, Goggoru-chan is a rare creature. I wouldnt expect someone like him to want to keep his distance from such a specimen.

I vaguely remember reading about a tribe of Goggoru that called the Dark Continent home. Was it in one of the libraries of Academy City? No, thats not it. It was the annals of the Great Holy Kingdom. Yes, that was where I read it. Im certain.

Fahren-san, what do you know about her?

I had to ask him again.

The sudden change in atmosphere is worrying me.

Its like I just told him he was holding a cockroach not a stag beetle.

You said you met her here. Is that correct?

Yes, it wasnt very far from here.

I recalled my first encounter with the beautiful chocololi.

Her cute little hovel with a barebones bed. Poor girls are the best. Its one of my top qualities for girls that Id want to marry. Obviously, its second to still having their virginity.

However, the look the noble mage gave Goggoru-chan was worrying.

if thats true, then what she said is most likely true.

The she he was referring to was Christina.

But I still didnt understand.

Theres something that the both of them know about the race of Goggoru that Im unaware of. I feel like Ive heard of them somewhere before, but I cant quite recall it. It was probably around the first time I arrived in the Penny Empire.

A High Goggoru? I guess thats her race, as she said, but why is that a problem? I think youre taking it a little too far by putting so much distance between us. Its unfair to her.

I mean, Ive seen her stats, and she is strong, but the loligon is much stronger than her. Is it really necessary for them to stay so far back? Arent they just being rude to Goggoru-chan?

youre saying you understand the situation youre in?

I understand enough.

Goggoru-chan is a homeless girl squatting in a cave.

I am the new baron of the Penny Empire.

I can easily see a future where the gracious new baron welcomes a homeless Goggoru into his home.

Aand youre still going to stay by her side?

Yes, do you have a problem with that?

.

The noble mage was in complete shock.

I still cant understand why the noble mage is reacting how he is, so Ill change the person Im questioning.

Christina-san.

I called her name and when our eyes met, she quickly shifted her gaze and began staring off into space.

Even an Ancient Dragon is worried by Goggoru-chan? No, that cant be right. Comparing stats alone, the chocololi is no match for the loligon. The loligon would normally take every chance she can to prove her superiority.

So, why is she acting like this?

I really cant think of anything.

What is going on with you two?

I really cant understand why theyre acting this way.

When I asked them once more, the noble mage was the one to speak.

This might be rude to say right in front of her, but I cant feel comfortable standing next to someone that I know is capable of reading my thoughts. Ive never been face-to-face with such a creature, but now that I am, I cant help but focus on keeping my mind clear.

read your mind? What are you talking about?

You dont know?

No, Ive been trying to tell you for a while that I dont understand why youre behaving like this. Why did you move so far from us? Its like one of us had the plague.

.

[.]

As soon as I said this, the noble mage and loligon exchanged glances and appeared to communicate something with just one look. I couldnt help but feel jealous. I also want to be able to communicate so easily with the loligon.

This isnt the time for that.

Sorry, but could you tell me more about the Goggoru tribe?

Y-Yeah, sure.

The noble mage continued after clearing his throat.

The Goggoru people read the minds of those they come into physical contact with. This is an important fact to understand. This ability is used by many aristocrats for their plots and schemes. Their ability causes them to be disliked as a race, but there is still without doubt a demand for them. There will always be a position amongst the nobility for a member of the Goggoru tribe.

This isnt the first time Ive heard this.

I remember now.

Sophie-chans father said something similar.

Yes, he mentioned something being used as a lie detector.

So thats what you meant.

I got lucky.

I never did much to physically sexually harass her. I was saved by my own self-restraint. Its good that they got here when they did. If it had been much later, Im not sure I wouldve been able to restrain myself. Im so curious to know what her dark skin feels like.

As expected of the noble mage. He appears at the most opportune time to offer sage advice.

Safe. Just barely, but thats good enough for me.

If thats all, then.

However, the rarer species of High Goggoru that are only known to inhabit the Dark Continent are not limited by physical contact. It is said that at will they can read the mind of any creature they see. The range of this power was reported in ancient texts to be around the length of a spear.

.

I honestly never expected to come into contact with one. Its an ancient and powerful race that was believed to have disappeared a century ago.

Im not safe at all.

Ive been completely exposed.

Goggoru-chan was standing right in front of me. Her eyes were locked on mine. I could easily reach out and touch her. If she were holding a spear, shed be able to stab me. No, the blade of the spear might not hit me because were so close.

So, in other words, umm

Hello.

hello.

No way.

She understood me.

A deep connection with Goggoru-chan like Ive never had with anyone else before.

End of Chapter