"Wooly and the Black Beasts" #Spin-off: Messenger of the Moon Arc - Part 2

Once again, we bring you a
spin-off work of "Wooly and the Black Beasts."

Click here for the previous part☟

Well then, let's get started(^^♪

A Sudden Encounter

Early morning, the day after yesterday's commotion. As always, the morning at the "Chatterbox Shop" comes early. Even though it is barely bright and still mostly dark, voices can be heard. I became aware of my consciousness slowly waking up, half feeling resigned that "it has begun," and half wondering where I should direct my anger. In any case, I had been thinking that I needed to write a letter today in my role as a messenger, so this was convenient. A brain just waking up is well-suited for writing letters.

I decided to go wash my face at the simple washbasin set up outside the room. I went outside in my loungewear and headed toward the washbasin. Then, I saw someone's silhouette already at the washbasin. Without paying much attention, I gave a slight nod and washed my face. Feeling someone's presence next to me, I continued washing my face, and after finishing, I wiped it with the towel I had on hand, thinking, "That's refreshing." Apparently, that person was still there. As the sun rose higher, I couldn't help but see the face of the person next to me.

"Good morning!"

The moment our faces met, the man greeted me. I was startled and momentarily forgot the timing for a return greeting. This was because the man was none other than the hero Wooly.

"Oh, good morning."

Wooly
"It looks like it's going to be hot today; this continued dry weather is quite a problem, isn't it?"

The man began making harmless small talk. Was it just a social pleasantry? Or did he want to talk to me? At the very least, I felt that treating him coldly here would cause problems for our future relationship, so I immediately replied.

"That's right. It does look like it's going to be hot."

Wooly
"Right! It's unbearable! By the way, brother, I don't see your face around here very often."

Oh, my apologies for the late introduction. I'm a merchant who recently moved in next door.

Wooly
Oh, may I ask your name?

Of course. My name is Gosho. It's a pleasure to meet you.

Wooly
Gosho-san, is it? I'm Wooly. It's a pleasure to meet you too. How are you? Have you gotten used to this country yet?

No, not yet. Compared to where I lived before, the environment here feels quite harsh. With the timing coinciding with a water shortage, I'm feeling a bit of regret.

Wooly
I'll apologize on their behalf for that. Sorry about that.

No, no, Wooly-san, you don't need to apologize. It's my own responsibility for moving here at such a time. I'm sorry for making you feel bad.

Wooly
Hahaha! You're very kind, Gosho-san. Please, don't worry about it.

What is this!?

This comfortable atmosphere!! Is this the kind of personality that makes someone worthy of being chosen as a hero? From my perspective, the existence of Wooly is by no means a good relationship. If anything, he is on the enemy side. I am well aware that we haven't revealed our true identities to each other. I know that we can only have this kind of casual conversation because we are strangers. Despite that premise, I cannot help but feel the tempo of this man's conversation, his speaking speed, and above all, his consideration for the person he is talking to that makes me think, "I want to keep talking to him!"

No!

I must not empathize with Wooly. I have my own mission. I must fulfill the important task of inspecting enemy territory entrusted to me by Queen Rubon. I felt that staying like this wouldn't be good for my position, so when I said, "Well then," and tried to leave, Wooly interrupted me.

Wooly
Sorry. I know it might be strange to talk about this to a complete stranger, but actually, I was appointed as a hero yesterday.

!?

Wait, you're telling me that part of the story now??

As a messenger, I cannot end the conversation here. I really wanted to say out loud, "Yes! I know!" but I held it back and pretended to be ignorant.

Huh!? A hero?? What do you mean?

Wooly
You don't know about what happened at the plaza yesterday? Yes, just as I said. I have become a hero.

“Oh, a hero, you say? That sounds tough.”

Wooly
“It really is! Listen to this! The Tarikii Kingdom is being hit by a terrible drought right now, right? And it seems the cause is the illness of King Acoon. I don't care about that, though! And then, they say the cause of that illness has something to do with some kind of evil energy.”

Wooly wouldn't stop talking. Perhaps this was the most talkative and rapid-fire he had been since we first met. Without waiting for my reply, Wooly continued.

Wooly
“For starters, what even is 'evil energy'? And besides, it's King Acoon's fault for not going to a doctor sooner. More importantly, isn't it weird that the whole country is drying up just because the King is sick?”

“Well, that’s just how the setting is, so it can’t be helped,” I thought, letting those strange words circulate in my mind, while nodding in sympathy to keep the conversation going.

Wooly
“So anyway, I was chosen as a hero by some high-and-mighty sage to deal with this evil energy, but honestly, I don't think I can do it. I mean, I have no experience with this kind of thing. I'm just a day-laboring salaryman. Lately, even Kaiser’s gaze has been harsh. Oh! Kaiser is my wife.”

“Wow, this guy is a day laborer? He’s really having a hard time,” I thought, a slightly sentimental feeling budding as I heard about Wooly’s situation. I couldn't help but feel a sense of pathos in Wooly’s back, not just his heart.

“Then, why were you chosen as the hero this time, Wooly? If you don't mind me saying, if you truly have no special merits, there must be some reason you aren't aware of.”

Wooly
“You’re good at this, Gosho-san. Your way of keeping the conversation flowing is exquisite.”

“Not at all.”

Wooly
“No, well, yesterday there were some conditions for becoming a hero at the plaza. It seems I fit them perfectly. And listen to this. They suddenly made me eat a 'Meuboshi,' you know, the one famous for being sour. The sage just shoved it into my mouth while grinning from ear to ear.”

“That sounds rough.”

Wooly
“After that, my memory gets fuzzy. When I came to, it felt like things were different from my usual senses. It was like the people around me were strangely bright. But I wasn't surprised by the situation. I felt like I had experienced the same thing when I was a child.”

“A different sense than usual? What do you mean by that?”

Wooly
“It felt like my own body, but also not my body. I can't explain it well unless you experience it yourself. I'm sorry.”

“Hmm, that part is very concerning,” I thought, feeling impatient inside. That is because I know what is happening to Wooly. Yes, Wooly has a body that glows when he eats a Meuboshi fruit. However, even if I told him, “You glow when you eat a Meuboshi,” he probably wouldn't believe me.

Before I knew it, the sun was already high in the sky, and the heat was intense. Yet, there stood the hero, looking troubled and confused. I am an envoy from an enemy country. The information I can gain here is undoubtedly valuable, and it is information I must convey to Queen Rubon. Without thinking, I grabbed Wooly’s hand and said:

“If you don't mind, would you be willing to eat a Meuboshi again right in front of me!”

Wooly was surprised by having his hand suddenly grabbed. Then, his astonished face quickly turned into a friendly smile as he spoke to me.

Wooly
"Mr. Gosho, I must politely decline that."

What on earth was that all about!!

Wasn't it supposed to be about "eating"? My heart was racing, a mix of embarrassment and anger swirling inside me. Even if I am a "Moon Messenger," I must not let him sense these emotions. With a composed face that showed nothing, I gently let go of Wooly's hand. (As an aside, I felt that this man's hands were quite hairy.)

"I'm sorry. I made an unreasonable request out of the blue.
It's strange for a man you've only just met a few minutes ago to ask such a thing.
Please forget it."

Wooly
"No, no, I'm the one who should apologize for rambling on, taking advantage of your kindness, Mr. Gosho. I will decline your request, Mr. Gosho, but I will report my recent status to you whenever we meet in the future."

"I'd love that!"

I replied eagerly, and Wooly said, "Well then!" as he gestured toward me while leaving, and then he departed from the washroom.

What an intense period of time that was. Is this what they call "the early bird gets the three-tariki worm"? Thanks to this, I was able to learn about the current situation of the hero. Also, being able to build a friendly relationship without my identity as a messenger being revealed is a major harvest.

I picked up the now-dry towel and hurried back to my room. My heart is racing because I must convey the current situation to Queen Lebon in a document.

Important Document

"Phew, done."

I wipe the sweat from my brow with the hand holding the pen and take a breath. I feel relieved that I have successfully finished creating the important document. The sun has fully risen, and the room is stiflingly hot.

However, these past few days of infiltrating the enemy Tarikii Kingdom have surely been the most productive in terms of gathering valuable information. Beyond learning about the kingdom's situation, the biggest achievement is that I was able to make contact with the hero without my identity being exposed. Queen Rubon will surely be pleased when she reads this important document.

"That's it! Today, I'll treat myself to a luxurious meal for the first time in a while," I think, slipping the document into an envelope. As a messenger, I wonder if it's appropriate to question this, but I can't help but feel that there must be a better way than still having to exchange such confidential documents via letter paper, all while I prepare to head out.

It will be another hot day in the Tarikii Kingdom.

I heard that the restaurant adjacent to the market serves that famous banana cuisine.
"I wonder what kind of delicious food I'll get to eat," I think as I disappear into the town.

That is all ♬

This was my own little delusional story.

Did you enjoy it?

If you have any more requests,
I will let my imagination run wild and create something else for you 😊

Well then, see you later.
Excuse me.