Narikin on the Move

First, instead of suddenly [Posssessing] Narikin, I [Possessed] the smallTran bird to scout the surrounding situation. It was a wooden room, a cabin on a ship. It seemed they are heading to the Holy Kingdom by ship.

On Narikin's shoulder, I signaled by chirping in a 3-3-7 beat pattern: "Pi-pi-pi, pi-pi-pi, pi-pi-pi-pi-pi-pi-pi."

"Oh, is that you, Master? I'll try telepathy—"

[—how about this?]

[… That really is convenient. I'm glad I made you a Living Armor, Narikin.]

It seemed that telepathy can be used by default when becoming an inanimate monster with a will.

However, it seemed that only Rokufa and Naana, who was "possessed" by Toy, are nearby. ITran couldn't speak with a bird's throat, but Narikin should be able to talk normally.

"… You're right about that, aren't you?"

"Narikin, what did Master say?"

[Ah, the bird itselfTran can't use telepathy so I can only communicate with Narikin… Well, that's fine.]

I briefly explained the situation to Rokufa.

[Looks like we can still possess you two. As planned, I'll possess you once a day. Go back for a day and wait… is what I'd like to say, but that'd be a bit hard on a ship.]

"Ah, I didn't think that through."

[After arriving, even if there's no contact, wait for a day on standby. There's a possibility I might forget to contact you or the timing might not match.]

"Understood."

"Narikin, what did Master say?"

He briefly explained what happened to Rokufa.

… Maybe I should have used a magic sword instead of being stingy. That way we'd have been able to have a conversation all at once.

"Master's words will be conveyed by me through telepathy, so don't ask every time, Rokufa."

"I got it, Nariki—… Hmm? What's going on here?"

"Rokufa? … Ah, it's Rokuko-sama…"

Her atmosphere suddenly changed. I see, so that's what it looked like when someone was being possessed.

As expected from the blue-haired Rokuko's appearance, when Rokuko actually possessed her, she looked almost entirely like Rokuko.

[Hey, Rokuko. Follow the procedure.]

"Huh? Is that Kehma? … How cute!"

[Whoa!? Stop it!]

Flapping and struggling, I protested as Rokufa suddenly grabbed me. I somehow managed to free my right wing from her grasp and slap her hand with it.

"All I hear is pii pii and don't know what you're saying but you're so cuuute~!"

"Excuse me, Master said to follow the procedure and to let go of him."

"Oh, really? I was thinking of putting him between my breasts. He'd fit so nicely."

"Please stop it."

With Narikin's intervention, Rokufa (Rokuko) released me.

… Rokufa might be barely safe, but what was she trying to do putting me between her breasts? I flap my wings and land on Narikin's head.

Instead, Rokufa placed the little birdSceiver that was on her shoulder snugly in her cleavage.

[Haah… Lately, Rokuko has been quite, um, assertive, or maybe… a handful…?]

"Ah, about that, Kehma-sama. Could I comment?"

Naana (Toy) raised her little hand. I wonder if she could hear telepathy, or if she's reading my mind… Well, it doesn't matter.

[What is it?]

"Regarding Rokuko-sama's behavior, I heard a rumor at Pavuera's bar that [Recently, a succubus has been appearing]. Perhaps that could be the cause?"

[Is she being negatively influenced by a Succubus…?]

"Yes, after all, dungeons are influenced by concepts."

"Huh?"

I tilted my tiny head at Naana (Toy)'s remark.

[Isn't it because she's been listening to lewd stories from the Succubus sisters?]

"Ah… that might be a factor as well. But dungeons are demigods, right? It's only natural that their reputation would influence them… Didn't you know that?"

[… Say what now?]

Demi-gods. If the Dark God was their [Father], then they were undoubtedly children of gods. Their lifespan was unknown.

The gods of this world… each had something they governed, right? And if each Dungeon Core governed its own dungeon…

Come to think of it, I feel like the dungeon's influence affects things like their preferences for alcohol, baths, and food, and even their intelligence.

So does that mean that Rokuko's recent behavior is due to… the dungeon's pinkish reputation, making things more difficult to handle?

…

Huh? Then, wouldn't remodeling the dungeon to make it easier for the Succubus Village to enter be a bad idea?

"I feel kind of dizzy…"

"We are on a ship."

"A sea voyage… Ah, come to think of it, it's the sea, isn't it? I'd like to see the outside of the room too."

"How about coming tomorrow afternoon? It's night now and the sea is dark and dangerous at night, so you can't go out on the deck."

The two were having such a conversation.

[Thanks for the important information. You helped me think through my dungeon remodeling a bit, so that's enough for today. I'll contact you again tomorrow.]

"Yes, understood. We'll be waiting for you tomorrow."

"Oh? Kehma, you're going back? Then I'll go back too. I'll use Sceiver tomorrow."

When I returned to the dungeon's Master Room after ending the [Possession], Rokuko was sleeping defenselessly next to me. She wasn't there when I had started to sleep.

Then, her eyes suddenly opened.

"Good morning, Kehma. Don't go off on your own next time; make sure to call me too."

"Ah, didn't I tell you today's trip was on a ship? I thought it would be over quickly and that it'd be fine."

"Geez! What do you think I prepared Rokufa for? Seriously…"

Rokuko pouted and sulked… Yeah. I still needed to revise part of the plan for the dungeon remodeling.

Maybe I should add more futons.

For now, I was working diligently on adjusting the [Gluttony] gimmick. I'd continue to ask Ichika for help.

Next was [Wrath]… or maybe [Envy]?

Ah, but while it's one thing for Rokuko to become a big eater, it would be a bit troublesome if she became short-tempered or overly jealous. I should reconsider that part as well…