Black haired wise man Chiyuki

　The inland sea of Caird is sandwiched between three continents, the central, western and southern.
　Perhaps because it is an inland sea, the waves are calm and are less affected by the outside world, which carries rain, and there are many areas that are dry.
　The northern part of the western and southern continents is particularly dry, forming a vast desert area.
　In the northeastern part of that arid southern continent, in the Sanukila Desert, lies the land of the Gypseal.
　The kingdom of Ishus is located in the northern part of Gipsyal, at the mouth of the Niall River.
　It has a population of about 15,000.
　Most of the inhabitants, however, are not ordinary people.
　Most of the citizens are beastmen, or beastmen with the heads of cats, dogs, sheep, birds and other animals.
　The land of Gipsyll is famous for its numerous beastmen who live together.
　This is evident from the fact that many beastmen are depicted in the murals of the temple of Istia.
　This is a rare sight in the world.
　Normally, if this many different species gathered together, a conflict would arise.
　In fact, other than the Gipsyll, the beastmen (beastmen), including humans, are fighting with each other.
　However, they coexist in the Gypseal.
　It can be said that this is all due to the strength of the Gypseal gods and their attendants, the Sphinx tribe.
　This Gypseal is peaceful because they rule over the beastmen.
　And Rage and I have come to the Kingdom of Ischthia.
　I look out from the second floor of the Ischthian Temple.
　Outside, we can see the Niall River.
　I can feel the strong heat.
　It feels like a lie that we were in the Kingdom of Eldo just a few hours ago.
　I'm moving from the eastern part of the central continent to another continent at once.
　It really is convenient to use magic.
　I've seen a lot of beastmen in the plaza in front of the temple, and when I look down, I see a lot of beastmen coming and going.
　By the way, this is not the first time I've seen these beastmen.
　Many of them live in Gipsyll, but some of them travel outside of Gipsyll.
　I've met caravans made up of people from Gypseal in the past.
　The caravan was a very motley crew of various beastmen, humans, dwarves, etc.
　They lived in wandering around the region in wagons.
　However, the beastmen are to be eliminated in the eyes of the cult of Odis and Feria, who only recognize the gods of Elyos as belongings of their gods.
　Therefore, they can be the target of persecution.
　But even so, they sometimes interact with humans in the outer city and other places where they are relatively free from persecution.
　When they do, they earn money by showing their fortune telling, singing, dancing and other tricks.
　Songs such as the love story of the catman Gypsiel's daughter and the human youth are particularly famous.
　However, some of them use their agility to steal from others.
　There is nothing wrong with stealing from others. But that's one of the reasons why they are persecuted.

'Chiyuki. There you are.

　Rage comes upstairs and calls out to me.

'Rage-kun. Are you ready to go to Arnac yet?

　Arnak is the home of the gods in the heart of Gipsyll.
　We will now head up the Niall River to it.
　It would have been nice if we could transfer directly to Arnak, but that is prohibited for defensive reasons.
　Therefore, we have to move from the Kingdom of Ischus, where Ishtia can transfer to.
　What a troublesome thing.

''Even so, it's an interesting place. Gypseal is.''

　Rage says as he looks at the landscape.
　'It's quite different from the eastern part of the central continent where we usually operate.

''Yes, it is. You wouldn't see a sight like this in any other part of the world. We'll all come back when Sirone-san is back to normal.''

Yeah, I know.

　We both look out.
　Then I suddenly feel a look.

'Yeah?　What's going on? Mr. Rage?

　I look and see Rage staring at me.

'You look good in it.
Oh, yeah. Thank you.

　I reply curtly.
　I'm now dressed in my Gypseal costume.
　A white sheath dress, a belt of gold and silver thread, and various jewelry.
　Blue eyeshadow on my eyes. My lipstick is made of magenta from Gypseal.
　She also wears gold and silver ornaments on her arms and legs.
　It's a moderately elegant outfit.
　All of these were borrowed from Ishtia.
　It's very fun to wear these exotic outfits.
　However, if there is a problem, it is that the slit is from the tip of the foot to the waist, so you can see to the point of the thighs.
　It's a bit embarrassing.
　However, in front of her, who came to GypsysyLee with me, I think it's not a good idea to be embarrassed by this level of exposure.
　While I was thinking about this, someone comes upstairs following Rage.
　The ones who came up are Ishtia and her companion cats.
　I'm not embarrassed because this Ishtia is here.

'You're here?　You two are so close.

　Ishtia laughs.
　Ishtia is also dressed in a gypseal outfit, just like me.
　She has more skin than I do.
　Her breasts are so big that they look like they are about to spill out from her wide open chest, and her slit goes up to the top so high that you can almost see her buttocks if she moves just a little.
　I can't see the line of my underwear though the slit goes up quite a bit, probably because I'm wearing no pants.
　It is a ridiculous eroticism.
　In front of this bombshell s*xy erotic goddess, I feel ridiculous for being embarrassed by this level of skin exposure.
　If you are beside me, all the men are bound to look towards Ishtia.
　If there's anyone who can compete with this goddess, it's only the goddess Raina.
　That's why I returned the praise from Rage curtly.

I'm sure you're ready to go. Let's get going.

　Unaware of my feelings, Ishtia gives me a charming smile.
　We are taken down from the second floor by Ishtia.
　We are now heading to the port.

'We are ready. Goddess.

　In front of a large palanquin, a cat person dressed in a luxurious costume crosses his arms in front of his chest and bows his head.
　Crossing their arms in front of their chests and bowing is the country's way of bowing.
　The cat-man who bowed at the front of the line, her name is Batshept.
　She is the God's Representative (Pharaoh) of this kingdom of Ishus.
　The Pharaoh is the same as the king in human terms.
　However, the distance between the gods and the king is quite close.
　We are told that the gods of Elyos do not interfere much with humans, whereas the gods of Gypsies often do.
　We ride in the palanquin prepared by Batochept.
　It's not that far from the temple to the port.
　I don't think it's necessary to use a palanquin.
　Or can't we just let the gods walk the same way as the people's grass?
　And the security seems to be too tight.
　There are too many jackal-headed dogmen guarding us.
　But this is not our country.
　Let's follow the ways of this country.
　The palanquin carrying us starts to move.
　We're going to be carried by human slaves.
　Even in Gypseal, where there are many beastmen, there are humans.
　However, they are in a lower position than the beastmen.
　Some of them seem to be slaves.
　Having received a modern education in Japan, I am resistant to slavery.
　But now is not the time to complain about it.
　We should prioritize saving Shirone now.
　I'm going to ride on a palanquin quietly.
　The dark-skinned people of this region carry the portable shrine on the road.
　The palanquin is huge, and there's still plenty of room for me, Reiji, Ishtia, and Bat Shept and two handmaidens.
　Ishtia sits down facing us.
　I cross my legs and I'm about to see something I shouldn't be able to see.

'How is this country, Rage, how is it?'

　Ishtia says with a huff and a laugh.
　In the first place, this Ischthian kingdom was dedicated to Ischthia.
　It was originally a different name, but Ishtia had it renamed.
　Bat Shept is ruling this country on behalf of Ischtia.

''It's an interesting country. I never thought I'd see so many beastmen.

　Rage looks out.
　In the city center, which can be seen through the gap in the thin silk curtain, the people of the Ishus Kingdom are prostrating themselves with their foreheads on the ground.
　If this is a normal scene, it's going to be hard to just go out.

It's certainly the first time I've seen this many beastmen (beastmen): ......

　I look out as Rage does.

'Yeah?　What's that?

　I could see something moving behind the people who were prostrating themselves.
　The shadow was moving to match the Mikoshi.
　There was something unpleasant about that movement.

'Oh, I see that Chiyuki has noticed too. It looks like someone is targeting us from a while ago.

　Rage seemed to have already noticed it.

'Hmmm, looks like you're after me. Interesting.

　Ishtia seems to be enjoying herself despite being targeted.

''I'm sorry! My great God! I didn't expect to find such an offender!

　Batshept puts his head on the floor and apologizes. 'I don't think I need to do anything that bad.

'It's fine. By the way, do you know who he is?'

No. ....... I don't know anything about it. I don't believe there is someone out there who wants to kill the great God.

　Perhaps it was because of the presence of an infidel in the country under his own control, but Batshept was shivering pitifully.

'Oh really? I was wondering if you knew anything about this, since the security is tighter than usual.

　Apparently, I didn't overlook the fact that the security is too tight.

'That's what I'm talking about: ....... That ...... recently. The Great Sphinx has sent word to me to increase security.
　There was a triple the security for that reason.

　Batochept doesn't seem to know anything about it.

'Tight security? I wonder what's going on?

　Ishtia tilts her head.

'Well, good. All we have to do is get those guys over there. They might know something.'

'No! No! I'll have security come and get you right away! Men! Catch the transgressor!

　Batshept hurriedly tried to move security.

'You're late. They're coming at us.'

　That was when Rage said that. An explosion occurs on the road ahead where the palanquin is advancing.
　You can hear the screams of the people.
　The portable shrine is lowered. The bearers of the portable shrine and the dogs draw their swords and prepare for it.

What are you doing? That smell?

　Mixed in with the smoke from the explosion, I smell a strange odor.

"Disgusting smell. Probably for the dog people.

　Ishtia is right, the dogs out there will start to suffer.
　Most of the country had no idea we were coming in the first place.
　And yet, they are able to do all this in spite of it.
　They were certainly preparing to attack us at any time.
　I activate my magic and see the raiders in the smoke.
　Those in front of me in black are coming at me with their swords raised.

''Mr. Rage! shu......

　I'm about to say that we have to do something about the attackers, when I notice that Rage isn't there.

'Chiyuki. If it's Rage, he's already out there.

　You're fast. I didn't notice.
　I follow Rage's shadow with magic.
　Rage is standing on a portable shrine.

"I don't know who or what you are, but it's my job to protect the beauty. I'm going to take her down.

　Rage says this and draws his sword of light.
　He's still unnerving.
　My head hurts.

'Rage-kun!　They're human!　Don't kill them as much as possible!

　I'll send word to Rage with magic.
　My magic tells me that the attackers are human.
　Maybe they are being manipulated.

'Ok!　Chiyuki!

　Rage moves.
　Its movements are lightning fast.
　In the blink of an eye, they take down the attackers.
　And in a few seconds, he defeats all the attackers.

''Thank you, Rage-kun.

　When all the raiders are defeated, Ishtia and I get off the Mikoshi.

That's my girl. You're good. Rage.''

　Is it because Rage protected me? When Ishtia gets off the palanquin, she says happily, "You could have managed it without me.

I'm sure you can handle it without me. I'm sure you can handle a guy like this.

　Rage looks behind us.
　I turn around and see someone behind me.

'Pi?! Pistis God?!!!!

　How long has he been behind me? I didn't notice it at all.
　Pistis shouldn't have been with us in the first place.
　And he didn't fall for my magic earlier.
　He might be a pretty good user of hidden forms. With his power, the attackers would have been fine without Rage.
　In the first place, even Ishtia, a god, should be stronger than a human.
　In other words, there was no danger to Ishtia at all.

'Hmmm, you're right, there was no danger. There was no danger. But as expected of a brave person like you, Raina. There aren't many people in the god race who can notice Pistis.''

Thank you for that.

　There's a good vibe to it.
　But I can't do that right now.

''That Ishtia. I'm sorry to see you enjoying yourself, but I think you should treat the guards and the people around you ....... Besides, we need to check out the attacker.

　I say, and Ishtia gives me a look that says she's just noticed.
　She doesn't seem to be interested in the attackers or the injured.

'Oh, well. 'Batshept. If anyone is injured, you should treat them.'
'Yes, great God! If any of you are conscious, return to the palace immediately and bring help!

　Batshept orders the dog people who didn't fall in the smoke.
　Some of the dogmen start running.

"Well, the attacker," they say. It looks like a human, but who do you think it was? If you're being manipulated, we need to help you: ......

　I approach one of the attackers.
　The attacker is all in black. I can't see his face.
　Then I notice the crest on the hilt of the attacker's sword.

"Is this the emblem of the evil eye? Could it be that you are a worshipping snake!

　I exclaim.

'Oh, you know a lot about this. 'Oh, lady. That's right. Those guys are definitely the snake congregation.

　Pistis says with a sly smile.
　Apparently, Pistis was aware of the identity of the attackers.
　The worshipping serpents are people who worship Diadna, the queen of snakes.
　I found out about that cult when I did some research on Diadna before.
　They are also known as the Murderers, an evil cult whose mission is to sacrifice many human lives to the Queen of Snakes.
　We don't know when such a cult was born, but according to the literature, it is speculated that it was created by a human whose mother is Lamia or Gorgon.
　I didn't expect to meet the worshipping snakes in a place like this.

'I didn't expect to find a congregation of Deirdona in a place like this. Is this the reason for the heightened security? What do you know about it?　Pistis?
No, Lady Ishtia. I don't know exactly why, but something is happening. But something is happening.
　I'm pretty sure that the '20/20'

　His tail wagged as Pistis laughed, his tail wagging.

'I see. What's going on here? Sounds interesting.

　Ishtia smiles inappropriately.
　Why is that? His smile is similar to Rage's.
　Maybe he likes roughing it up just as much as Rage does.
　I wonder why? I felt like there was trouble waiting for me where I was going.