I tied the poachers' hands and feet and made them chew the blindfold and gag just in case they might use their magic.
　With that in mind, we moved to the base camp that the poachers were using.
　We tamed a bear we met on the way there and asked him to carry our captives...
　I threw the poachers together in a suitable tent and threw them in.

　It may be a little rough treatment, but they are criminals.
　There's no need to be more concerned about them than necessary.
　Besides, it wouldn't be a problem for a day or so.

　Well.
　Now that we've got the poachers out of the way, we need to get ready to make camp.

"How's it going over there, Kanade?
Yeah. No problem, I think it works just fine.

　He called out to Kanade, who was examining the tent.
　Kanade peeked out of the tent's entrance and responded with a smirk.

　I didn't expect to cross the date, so I didn't bring my tent with me.
　It's bulky.

　So I'm glad to be able to use the poachers' tent.

'Well, Org and Kreutz...?'
"Those two would have said, 'You guys can use this place. We're going to camp a little farther away,' and then they'd go away.
Is that so?

　I didn't expect it.
　On the other hand, I was at least prepared to be told that we had to leave...

You've been paying attention to us by being a senior?
It's impossible. That's impossible.
'Yes. I thought Tania was right.
They must be thinking of something trivial, like ingratiating themselves or something.

　People have a lot to say about it.
　Well, I can't speak for others because I have a close opinion.

　People who are that high-handed don't change their attitude that often.
　It's better to think that there's some kind of a plan.

　That's true........yes.
　It's better to remain vigilant.

'Tania. Where did you say Aug and Kreuz would be camped?
'Hmmm, it's not important, so I overheard it...'
It's not far from here. They're going to camp by the river fifty yards to the north.
I see. Then.....

　We still have a tentative contract with the bears we met along the way.
　I have him waiting at the entrance to the base camp.
　We will move to that bear and give him new orders.

'Let me know if anyone approaches the tent we're using at night. I'm asking you to do it.
Guow!

　The bear barked as if to say, "I'll take care of it.

''Huh?''

　Nina shivers in response to the bear's cry.

　Nina is much stronger than the bear, but.....
　He's still a kid, I guess.
　I giggle a little bit.

'On!'

　In the meantime, apart from the bears, the pack of wild dogs that I had made a tentative agreement with returned.
　They each had a tree branch in their mouths.
　I had them gather them up to make a fire.

''........''

　The next thing I knew, Nina was staring at me.

'What's going on?'
Rain it's amazing. I don't know how many animals I can tame, but I don't know that I can...
As far as I'm concerned, it's pretty obvious.
It's not.

　Kanade and Tania's voices overlap.

''Hmm... by the way, is Rain's skill as a tamer the same as it was before?''
Yeah?　Well I feel like I'm improving these days compared to what I used to do. The time it takes to sign a contract is getting shorter, and I feel like our numbers are up.
I see.
'Luna, what about it?'
No, what. I was just wondering. I was wondering if Rayne's extraordinary tamer abilities are anything like those of the heroes I've heard about.
"To the power of the brave?　What do you mean by that?
'Don't ask so much. It's just an idea. I just thought it sounded like you.

　My power as a beast tamer becomes the power of a brave man...?
　If you ask me, I don't feel like it...
　It's probably just my imagination.

''Hmm, my instincts have never been off...''
I'd like to prepare some food.
Meow, food.
Nina, please.
... hmmm.

　Nina reached for nothing...
　The space shakes like a mirage and the tip of my hand disappears.

''Let's see ... first the vegetables ... then the meat ... then the spices ...''

　When I pulled out my hand, I found vegetables, meat and spices in Nina's hand.
　It's an ability that Nina of the God Race has, 'Subspace Storage'.
　She can store things in subspace and take them out at any time.

　Nina is still a child, so she can only store one meal, but........
　That's still enough.
　It helps a lot not to have to get local supplies.
　I had them prepared just in case, and it was a great decision.

''Hmm...?''

　Suddenly, Kanade stared at Nina.

'How ... what's going on?'
Does that mean I get to come inside?
'What?　So, Kanade, you're the kind of guy who likes to do that.
What kind of a hobby is this?
It's a mystery...
Well I can get in there, okay?　The creature can be stored, too.
'Oooh, great!　Hey, hey, can I try to get in there for a minute?　Maybe there's room for me now?
I have, but I don't think it's a good idea, okay?
"Nyanka?
Inside, it's dark and there's no sound and you can't move and you're scared to death.

　I can't move in the dark, no sound...
　Wouldn't that be called a seal...?

　Kanade's ears droop as he seems to have been frightened by the same imagination, and his ears droop in a huff.

''I knew I shouldn't...''
Hmmm.
But then again, Nina is amazing.
Whew!

　I patted Nina's head with a pomp, and her body shook with a twitch.
　Had I startled you?
　As I tried to take my hand away, Nina followed.

'....pet me.
Are you sure?
Hmmm.

　Nina nodded her head in a persistent way, so I just stroked her head.

What do you mean by me being amazing.........?
Isn't it amazing that you can use that kind of power for someone so small?
'Well, I guess...?　It's so obvious....I don't know, I don't know...
'I think it's great too, right?　We, the Cat Spirit Clan, can't be that dexterous.
I can't do that either, you know.
Sora and the others can do similar magic, but it's a degraded version.
'Hmm. It's no match for Nina's original home, subspace storage.
"Uh, uh uh... huh.

　When they all praised each other's mouths, Nina slumped down in embarrassment.
　She just seemed to be happy, and her three tails were wagging restlessly.
　It was kind of adorable.

'Well. I'll make you some food in a minute, just wait and see.
Let me help you with that.
Then Sora will...
Sister. Don't do that. It's not food, it's poison.
'I've been wondering for a while now, what kind of food does Sora make...?'
''I'm interested ... but I'm afraid to try it, maybe...''
'What do you all think Sola's cooking is!

　I heard Sola's angry voice and...
　Everyone laughed as he continued.



----------



Goooooooo!
What?

　Night.

　We finished our meals, went into our respective tents and slept....
　Suddenly, there was a sharp roar and he jumped up.

Is that...?

　That's the sound of the bear I tamed.
　That means we have an intruder.
　I set it up just in case, but who, where, and who would be in this place?
　........no, I'll think about it later.

　I hurriedly put on my gear and ran out of the tent.