Chapter 60
By the time evening was approaching, Karl drove the truck over to pick up all the coworkers from the park.
Before they arrived, Lynn and the others had already set up everyone’s tents. They would be resting here tonight.
The Junk Star people who came back were all smiles. They had had a wonderful time on this outing. The boss, who worked as a prison guard, had even borrowed Yomi’s optical brain and taken a great many photos. At this moment, they were all gathered together sharing them with one another. As the first trip of their lives—and with their families along too—the happiness of it all was beyond words. Every now and then they would secretly glance at Boss Little Sheep, who was fiddling with the campfire. Finally, after much nudging and shoving, the boss was pushed forward to present Yomi with a bouquet of flowers they had secretly picked, as a gesture of thanks.
Seeing the flowers, Yomi shook his head. “You can’t roast these flowers. If you want something vegetarian, you can pick some wild greens nearby…”
The boss, who had originally been nervous, froze. Then he shook his head hard. “No, no! They’re not for eating—they’re for you! Um… thank you for bringing us out to have fun. Everyone had a wonderful time.”
For him?
Yomi stared blankly at the bouquet, then reached out and hugged it to himself. “Th-thank you…”
Both the tall tough man and the tiny Yomi felt awkward, especially Yomi. He had actually assumed they meant to roast the flowers and eat them! What a stereotype. Who said tough guys could not have tenderness?
After the boss left, Anxius returned too, carrying a wild ox he had hunted. The moment he noticed the flowers in Yomi’s arms, he became instantly alert.
“They gave them to me,” Yomi said, pointing toward the tough-guy group. He lowered his head to smell the flowers, then looked around as though thinking about what to do with them.
The strongman group were all basically married men by now. Since they were not romantic rivals, Anxius immediately relaxed. He plucked one purple flower from the bouquet and tucked it behind Yomi’s ear.
Yomi: “…”
Seeing Anxius staring fixedly at him, he immediately ran to the camper to look in the mirror.
Oh my, it actually looked pretty nice. So he took the larger flowers and stuck them into a cup inside the camper, then hugged the rest and passed them out to everyone, pointing at his own flower-blooming head and asking them all to put flowers in their hair too. That way, everyone would look like one team!
Staring at that gorgeous flower-decorated little sheep, everyone struggled with all their might not to clutch their chests: “…”
Ahhh, Boss Little Sheep is so cute!
In the end, everyone cooperatively tucked a flower behind an ear. For a while, all across the camp, every monster had a little flower pinned to its head.
Everyone except Anxius. In his eyes, only Yomi was the most suitable person in the world to wear flowers.
Yomi thought Anxius simply did not like it, so he did not force the matter. Yet after Anxius finished processing the prey, he went and gathered a large bunch of flowers, then enthusiastically decorated Yomi’s entire head with them…
“Ah, I…” Yomi stammered. I’m not a flower vase!
Yomi, now decorated with flowers like a sunflower, thanked Anxius’s kindness with great effort and walked around with the feeling that his head had become very heavy.
A moment later, Karl and the others—who were now roasting the large wild ox—turned around for a look and nearly coughed up blood from the sheer cuteness.
…What little sheep? That was clearly a sunflower with horns!
“What’s wrong with all of you?” Yomi walked over, his arms and legs moving stiffly in sync. It was not out of shyness. It was just that all the flowers on his head were making him nervous. He was afraid that if he took one large step, all of Anxius’s hard work would go to waste. The man had spent so much time arranging those flowers.
“N-nothing…” Karl shook his head hard, asked Meikai to take over for him for a while, then pulled out his camera and started snapping pictures like mad.
Yomi, having once worked as a doll model, knew exactly how to respond in front of a camera. The moment he saw Karl begin filming, he instinctively struck a peace sign. “You’re taking pictures of me?”
“Yes! This look is great. Let’s take a few more!”
Yomi immediately began switching poses and striking different looks. At the same time, he called the others over for a group photo too. “Lynn, Arlo…”
The friends who were not busy at the moment ran over excitedly. Lynn wanted to scoop Yomi up with his tentacles, but before he could touch him, the tiny and slender Yomi was suddenly lifted up by a monster that had appeared out of nowhere and placed on his shoulder.
“Anxius? You came too?” Yomi sounded both surprised and delighted. He had not expected Anxius to like taking pictures too, so he quickly sat steady on the man’s shoulder. “Once everyone is free later, let’s take one big group photo.”
Over there, Karl nodded with a smile.
The young men took over ten photos before noisily running back to the fire to roast food. Karl had just been about to put away the camera when, at that moment, the monster changed back into human form.
Anxius’s human form was tall, well-proportioned, and sharply handsome, his features carrying an innate sense of distance. Yet when he stood before Yomi, he felt more like a dependable but stern elder brother—though in truth, Anxius had never once been stern with Yomi.
At this moment, Yomi lowered his long lashes and was fiddling with the flowers on his head. He was over twenty centimeters shorter than Anxius. After fixing the flowers in place, he tilted his head up to speak to him.
In the darkness, unable to see Yomi’s face clearly, Karl for one brief moment actually felt that Yomi, with his whole head full of flowers, looked almost like a little sister coquettishly asking something of her older brother. The sight softened his heart beyond words.
Yomi: ?
“I want to take these flowers off.” That was what he had actually said.
“Are they uncomfortable?”
“Not exactly. I’m just afraid they’ll fall off, so I don’t dare walk naturally.”
Without another word, Anxius removed the flowers from his head. Then he called out to Karl, who had just been about to leave. “Take another picture for us.”
Karl: “Of course!” He had known the Crown Prince would want a two-person photo!
Anxius gathered the flowers he had taken off into a small bouquet, tied them together with a bit of string, and placed them in Yomi’s hands.
Holding the bouquet as a “prop,” Yomi stood side by side with Anxius and smiled toward the camera.
The tall man lowered his gaze and looked at Yomi.
That group photo afterward stayed tucked in Anxius’s wallet for a very long time.
That evening’s food was abundant. There were the tea eggs they had brought, little bread rolls, fruit, dried meat slices, and jerky. The cooked food was the wild ox Anxius had hunted. Part of it had been boiled into soup, while most of the rest was being roasted fresh over the fire.
The wild ox hanging above the flames was so huge that Yomi could not get too close. While Meikai and the others brushed on their favorite seasonings, Yomi could only stand on tiptoe and brush a tiny bit of honey onto the ox’s butt. After that he had to wipe his sweat and pant for breath.
Anxius: “…”
He reverted to his original form and brushed honey—the kind Yomi liked—onto the legs and the better cuts of meat, absolutely refusing to let Yomi eat ox butt.
This picnic truly felt wonderful. Though the nights were cold, there was the campfire. Everyone sat around it eating fragrant roast meat in large mouthfuls, drinking mountain spring water when thirsty, and also the homemade wine they had brewed on the farm.
Yomi only drank a little rice wine. He had poor alcohol tolerance, and even a little alcohol made his face flush. With his cheeks bright red, he ate fruit, then in the middle of everyone’s lively chatting, would tilt his head up to look at the stars before lowering it again to keep listening.
The atmosphere was beautiful in exactly the right way.
But the night itself did not remain peaceful.
After the tough-guy group finished talking about the fun things that had happened at the park, a pigeon suddenly flew over from not far away. The pigeon was enormous, obviously the original form of a Junk Star native. After stopping on a tree about a hundred meters away, it actually bowed to them. “Greetings, Lord Sheep.”
!
Still a little tipsy, Yomi widened his eyes. “Ah?” Was he dreaming?
Everyone else: “…What’s going on?”
Anxius took one look and recognized the figure. “You’re the one who was spying on us at noon?”
Hearing this, the pigeon was so frightened it nearly jumped! As expected of Sheep Asura’s subordinate—even his actions, which he had thought were so well hidden, had been discovered. Afraid of causing misunderstanding, he hurriedly explained, “Not spying, no! If you went any farther forward, you would have crossed into the territory of our Skull State… I’m a subordinate of Black Feather, lord of Skull State. Watching the borders is part of my duty.”
The moment Yomi heard that, he became tense. Even his brows knitted together. “Are you trying to drive us away?”
“Ah, no, no, not at all!” The pigeon instantly broke out in sweat. “The great Sheep Asura honoring us with your presence has made our lord very happy. How could we possibly leave you camping in the mountains? Our lord has sent me to invite all of you to stay a night at his castle!”
So it was simply hospitality. Yomi relaxed. “Please thank your lord for me, but we’re fine here. We’re leaving tomorrow anyway, so there’s no need to make another trip.”
The others all felt the same way. Not to mention whether the invitation was sincere or had ulterior motives, even if it truly was hospitality, there were so many of them that staying in another person’s home would be constraining. This place had everything they needed, and for many of the employees, this was their first time camping in the wild. They were having a great time.
The pigeon asked eagerly a few more times, but when he saw they truly had no wish to go to the castle, he finally left in disappointment.
The group of carefree young men paid little attention to this interruption. Karl, however, was uneasy and went over to ask Anxius whether they should move elsewhere.
Anxius shook his head. Back on Snar, he had already investigated the whole Ghost State area thoroughly. Although Ghost State contained many factions, they were scattered and chaotic, easy enough to bring under control. As for neighboring Skull State, though it did have a lord, that lord’s abilities were even more mediocre. Taking him by force would not be difficult either. The rest of the factions were equally disorganized and posed no real threat… The weapons Anxius had prepared had not even been intended for dealing with people on Junk Star.
It was getting late, yet many people still had no sleepiness in them. Watching a bunch of monsters laughing, chatting, and rolling around on the grass, Yomi was suddenly reminded of his first childhood camping trip, when he too had been too excited to sleep.
Feeling deeply in tune with them, tipsy Yomi even went over and sang a few songs with them. They were all local Junk Star songs, very easy to learn. Yomi had them down after hearing them only once and swayed his head from side to side as he sang with everyone.
Half an hour later, Boss Little Sheep had tipped sideways on the grass and fallen asleep.
Anxius carried Yomi back into the camper’s second floor. He opened the roof, because not long ago Yomi had said he wanted to fall asleep at night while looking at the stars.
Even though Yomi had already fallen asleep, if he happened to wake up in the middle of the night, he would still be able to see the stars this way.
The sky was full of stars, which promised good weather tomorrow. Anxius planted one deep kiss on Yomi’s cheek, then another after it, and another after that, until finally he simply pressed his lips against that warm, soft cheek and closed his eyes.
This trip passed by quickly. After daybreak, everyone spent another half day playing by the waterfall, then some of them went shopping near the park before getting ready to return home.
But while they were packing up the tents, that giant pigeon from the night before appeared again!
Everyone: Again?
This time, the pigeon had quite a few people behind him, and even a vehicle.
While Yomi was still frowning in thought, the leading pigeon shouted loudly, “Black Feather, Lord of Skull State, has come to pay his respects!”
Yomi: “…”
Yesterday he had thought the wording was just a slip of the tongue, but now they were saying the same thing again today. Clearly they really did believe he was some sort of lord… Who on earth was spreading these rumors about him?
Everyone else’s reaction was not much better than Yomi’s. They all stood up and looked over with serious expressions. Since they were on someone else’s territory and had been approached like this, no one assumed it meant anything good. Still, with so many of them together, they were not afraid.
When Yomi saw the vehicle stop and a glittering, black-feathered, rather ugly-looking monster climb out, he judged that must be Black Feather, lord of Skull State.
At a crucial moment like this, he could not act cowardly. Though he was afraid inside, Yomi stood as straight as possible.
“Our lord wishes to speak with Lord Sheep Asura. We hope Lord Sheep Asura will grant us this honor,” the pigeon said ingratiatingly.
Yomi nodded. He was going to hear exactly what the other side wanted.
Anxius had already transformed back into his original form and went forward together with the still-tense Yomi, whose hands were clasped behind his back.
At last they met in person!
Black Feather stared fixedly at Yomi, then glanced at Anxius, who radiated murderous pressure all over, and gave a small smile. Only then did he lower his voice and address the little figure in the cloak. “Lord Sheep Asura, I have already guessed what you want. There’s no need to keep probing me. Let’s just speak frankly, shall we?”
Yomi was shocked. Even the hands behind his back clenched tightly.
How had this person seen through the nervousness in his heart? Was he really not relaxed enough?
Black Feather’s sharp eyes stayed fixed on him.
Yomi hunched slightly and lowered his head. Even the hands behind his back dropped to his sides. “Go on, then.”
“Could you please not attack Skull State?”
“?” Yomi jerked his head up, wearing an expression that clearly said Have you mistaken me for someone else?
Even Anxius was surprised. He had thought the man had come to provoke them and had already been prepared for bloodshed.
Black Feather showed not the slightest sign of joking. Perhaps it was because of the supposed bewitching power of Sheep Asura. Originally he had still wanted to maneuver and bargain a bit, but now, looking at the bright, curious eyes inside the cloak and the disarming little face that made people drop their guard, he lost himself for a moment and unconsciously began spilling everything about Skull State in full detail: “Our state already suffered a disaster not long ago. We can’t withstand a war now. Things are only just beginning to improve again… I truly do not want a major conflict with you. And besides, your Ghost State is much larger than Skull State. There’s no need to be thinking of our little territory. More importantly, if the other states saw us fighting and decided to step in at the very end, then wouldn’t they be reaping the benefits while the two of us did all the damage? How about this instead—we work together and build up our homes first? Looking at you, I don’t think you’re someone unreasonable…”
“Th-that’s fine,” the completely confused and half-dazed Yomi replied. He chose to put his hands behind his back again. Even if the man had misunderstood him, as a listener he still supported peaceful coexistence. “That sounds good.”
One second earlier, Black Feather had still been regretting that he had failed to hold firm under the supposed bewitchment and had blurted out all his trump cards. He had never expected to receive such an answer.
Could Sheep Asura really be this easy to reason with?!
But the more he thought about it, the more it seemed there might still be some scheme hidden behind it! Just look at that little smiling face and those eyes that seemed to carry some deeper meaning! Absolutely must not let his guard down!
This had to be a test.
Fortunately, Black Feather could withstand tests. He had sincerely come seeking cooperation in the first place, so he raised a hand toward his subordinate. “I’ve prepared a gift for you, as a sign of sincerity.”
…There was even a gift? Such a hospitable man indeed.
Yomi hurriedly looked over—and then saw Black Feather’s subordinate leading a clean, healthy-looking mountain goat out of the vehicle.
Yomi froze.
Black Feather introduced it solemnly. “This is a little she-goat, the prettiest goat in Skull State. Yesterday I conferred upon her the title of princess. Would you be willing to accept this marriage alliance?” Seemingly afraid the other party might dislike the gift, he added, “There are no people in Skull State whose original form is a goat, so we could only settle for the next best thing… If you raise her well, perhaps she may even become somewhat intelligent… Please rest assured, from now on we’ll send you one goat every year. Male or female, you may decide.”
At once, Anxius’s face went black as coal, and his fists clenched with crackling force.
Black Feather, seeing that Sheep Asura’s subordinate looked as though he were about to die of anger, was baffled. Then he looked at Sheep Asura himself, who also wore a furious expression. Only then did he begin to panic. “I really did choose her carefully!”
“I am not a breeding ram!” Yomi exploded in anger. “Take this goat back, and don’t ever do something like this again!”
Black Feather hastily apologized. “I’m sorry! Then perhaps you can simply keep her for display, in case you get lonely…”
“I’m not lonely!” Yomi rejected Goat Princess with absolute righteousness. This was far too absurd. Skewers of mutton would have been a better gift. What exactly did they think he was—a breeding ram?
Seeing how frighteningly furious Lord Sheep Asura looked, Black Feather did not dare continue. He had no choice but to have his subordinate lead the goat away again.
“Then… will you still cooperate with me?” he asked in a rather pitiful voice.
“Mm… yes, we can.” Yomi still wanted to open factories, after all. More people meant more customers. Still a little unhappy at having been treated like a breeding ram, he handed over his business card. “If anything comes up, you can contact this number.”
To get Sheep Asura’s personal business card this easily?
“Thank you! Many thanks! May our cooperation be smooth and pleasant!” Black Feather accepted it excitedly, then immediately shot a rapid look to his subordinate.
He had actually also brought an entire refrigerator full of ice cream. Although that counted as expensive snacks here, they were still only snacks. If he personally presented them, it would seem too shabby, almost like paying protection money with children’s treats. Better to have a subordinate offer them instead.
A few seconds later, Yomi saw that giant pigeon come over carrying a huge refrigerator. The pigeon opened the refrigerator and displayed the ice cream inside for Sheep Asura to see. “This is ice cream imported from Snar. Our lord especially reserved it for you. We hope you won’t find it too humble.”
The moment he saw the refrigerator and the ice cream, Yomi’s eyes lit up. He ran over and touched the fridge on tiptoe with admiration. “This meeting gift is far too precious… Refrigerators aren’t easy to buy on Junk Star!”
Black Feather, who had originally only meant to give the ice cream: “Ah… well…”
“Thank you. I’ll give you a return gift,” Yomi said. Then he immediately turned around and called Lynn and the others over. Climbing onto the refrigerator, he began handing out ice cream, and while busying himself nearly toppled straight into the fridge. Fortunately, Anxius got there in time to steady him.
Before long, everyone was happily eating the “protection money” ice cream.
After distributing it to everyone else, Yomi picked out one especially large tub for Anxius. That tub was almost as big as his own head. As for himself, he took the smallest tub, opened it, and started eating immediately. After one bite, he glanced shyly at the ugly monster across from him. “It tastes really good. Thank you. I haven’t had ice cream in a very long time. People from Skull State really are very warm and generous.”
Hospitable Skull State—he would definitely remember that. In the future, he would come here often to trade!
Black Feather: “…”
