Elevators and Cars

Author: Ryusui
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2121hw/31/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

When I look at the rooftop of the building again, they seem to have noticed me after all, and they’re staring this way. When I think our eyes meet, they bow. It’s a little embarrassing, so I want them to stop.
When I come down in front of them, the three bow deeply again.

“Welcome, Guardian of the Spirit Forest, Lady Rita.”
“Uwah… How do you know that? Eh? Have you been watching my stream from that far back?”
“Of course.”
“Eeh… Are you that free…?”

Ah, they stalled. That might have been rude. Sorry.

‘Rita-chan, are you in a bad mood?’
‘No I think she just thought that and asked’
‘You know? A word-knife is sharper when there’s no malice’
‘You can tell by looking lmao’

Ahem, the man thinks, and continues.

“Lady Rita, we have prepared a light meal. How would you like that?”
“A light meal? A snack?”
“Yes. A snack.”
“I’ll take it.”

I really want a snack. I very much want it. When I nod, the men put on somehow kind smiles. I wonder what that is.
I go into the building with the men. This room doesn’t seem to have anything in particular, just a mysterious door and stairs. What’s that door. There’s nowhere to hold.

“Weird door. What is this?”
“An elevator.”
“Erebeetaa… Elevator!”

An elevator is a box-like vehicle, right. You get in, press some button, and it takes you to another floor on its own. Amazing, I wanted to ride one once.

“First time on an elevator.”
“Eh.”
‘Eh.’
‘Eh.’

‘Ahh! Ahh! That’s right! Rita-chan hasn’t ridden an elevator!’
‘Now that you mention it, she hasn’t ridden a car or a train either!’
‘Can’t be helped. Almost all of Rita-chan’s interest is in food’

I am interested in convenient vehicles, but I still think delicious food is more important.
Anyway. Led by the men, into the elevator. The elevator is wider than I thought, and something like a soft carpet is laid down.
When a man presses a button, the elevator goes down. Slow at first, then gradually faster. Except for the elevator door the walls are transparent, and I could look at the scenery outside the building.

Not as good as the view from the sky, but this isn’t bad either. And from here you can see people’s movements better. In other buildings people are coming and going, or doing some work at desks, all kinds of things.
Looking like this, there really are a lot of people. Really, a lot.
Soon the elevator arrives at the first floor, and the door opens.

“This way.”

I follow as I’m led. There were a lot of people around, but everyone seems to be watching the surroundings warily. Are the people guiding me important people or something.

‘No’
‘Probably Rita-chan’s security’
‘She’s become quite the person of the moment…’

“Huh…”

That means I might just be causing trouble. But I can kind of tell that even if I say something they probably won’t change it.
So I’ll just quietly follow along.
What we were shown to then was a black car. Come to think of it, this is my first time riding a car too. A little exciting.

“This? We ride this?”
“Yes. That’s right.”
“It’s a car, right. Cars, if you get in they move automatically, right. I wonder what it’s like. Exciting. Super exciting.”

‘Excited Rita-chan’
‘Isn’t Rita-chan’s understanding of automobiles a little off?’
‘Automatic or not, you still need someone to drive’

But if there’s one person, the rest moves on its own, right. Amazing.
And around the car there are lots of people on small vehicles too. I’ve heard of this. Baiku, was it. Right, bikes.
That looks fun too. I want to ride one, but you need special training, I think. Too bad.
I get in the car still excited. The back seat. Two of the people who guided me sit on either side of me, and the other is in the front right seat. A weird round thing is attached.
When he grips that weird round thing, the car starts running slowly.

“Ohh…”

It’s a little hard to see because people are sitting on both sides, but I can still see the scenery outside from the window. Slower than flying myself, but still really fast considering this many people are riding.
And it doesn’t shake much. Easygoing enough you could even sleep. That’s something I can’t do if I fly myself. Amazing.

“Cars are amazing…”

‘Even from a witch’s view cars are amazing, huh’
‘I don’t know, I feel a little proud’
‘We didn’t make them though lol’
‘True though lol’

No no. I think Earth’s people can be prouder. This is really amazing.

“If I may, Lady Rita.”
“Mm?”
“For security as well, could you cut the stream once?”
“Mm.”

So we don’t get attacked, or some reason like that. Then it can’t be helped.

“Then I’ll cut it once. Later.”

‘Okaaay’
‘Do your best, Rita-chan!’

When I cut the stream, the sphere of light and the black board vanish.

“Thank you.”
“Mm.”

I don’t have anyone to talk to anymore, so I’ll just wait at an easy pace. The ride is nice, and I get sleepy. I’ll doze. I just have to be careful not to actually sleep.