-No One's P.O.V-

A few days have passed since the Shadow attack and the possessed Shiori from the Targum Village incident.

So right now, the Gourmet Guild members were continuing harvesting the seedlings...

Kokkoro: (Elder, are you well? I am working hard in my guild, along with my beloved lord, Miss Pecorine, Miss Karyl, and (Y/N). In Targum Village, we faced an incident involving strange monsters called Shadows, but we successfully completed our first quest. Our Gourmet Guild has completed many more quests since then, and we have earned words of praise from Miss Karin of the Guild Association. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to experience these priceless days.)

Kokkoro thought to herself with a smile on her face upon remembering all of the days she went through with the Gourmet Guild.

Karyl: Hey! Those seedlings aren't aligned! You need to double-check after planting each row!

Pecorine: We're so lucky to have her around.

Kokkoro: It's wonderful that Miss Karyl is so meticulous.

-Mini Time Skip-

A few hours later into lunchtime, the Gourmet Guild decided to take a lunch break after harvesting the plants around the area.

Pecorine: Mmm! Yummy! Most of Landosol's rice is harvested here, you know!

Kokkoro: It certainly is picturesque.

(Y/N): Indeed.

Pecorine; You know, the princess of Landosol loves rice, so she was determined to start raising rice crops.

Kokkoro: I see. So that's why it's called "princess rice."

Pecorine: Yes!

(Y/N): Hehe, that sounds a little funny to name the rice, ain't it?

Karyl: Sounds like it.

Pecorine: But it seems like there's been trouble with wild animals damaging the paddies lately.

Karyl: Oh, you mean like wild boars and birds? Are they eating the crops?

Pecorine: Correct! The farmer has tried to get rid of them, but nothing seems to be working. Which is why...our latest quest is to help the farmer! The reward is princess rice from these paddies!

Karyl: You only pick quests that involved food! Pick some that offer real rewards!

Kokkoro: This quest to help the farmer is wonderful, though. My lord seems to enjoy it.

(Y/N): If that farmer has trouble getting rid of the animals from damaging the crops, the quest is just really easy.

Kokkoro: Correct.

That's when Yuuki pulls out a scarecrow beside him and shows it to the group.

Kokkoro: That's our Lady Ameth scarecrow, Lady Amethy. My lord and I made them together.

Kokkoro then pulls out another scarecrow as you let out a small chuckle.

Pecorine: Lady Ameth?

Karyl: Is that what she looks like? I guess you're okay with anything if Yuuki likes it, huh, Koro-ster? Anyway, next time, pick a quest that pays out some good money.

(Y/N): Yeah, we need more-

You were interrupted by Pecorine who shoves a small scrambled egg into your mouth. You were caught off guard by this until chewed the food before swallowing it until a delightful expression appeared after eating it.

(Y/N): Mm, tastes good! Your cooking is still good as ever, Pecorine.

Pecorine: Thank you for the compliment!

(Y/N): You're welcome, but you didn't really have to just shove the food in my mouth, dum-dum.

Pecorine: Ehehe, my apologies~

Pecorine says with a smile on her face as she starts humming while Karyl began to have a flashback of the other day.

-Flashback-

Karyl: That concludes my report on Targum Village.

???: Karyl...

Karyl: Y-Yes?

Karyl asked nervously.

???: Are you nervous?

Karyl's boss asked until Karyl felt the Shadows surrounding her.

???: I never told you about the Shadows, did I? Incidentally, about that boy in your little play-guild, along with the other hero boy...

Karyl: Yuu...ki? And...(Y/N)?

???: I want you to observe them both, as well. If anything happens, you need only report to me, just like you are now.

That's when the white-haired woman uses her fox tail to raise Karyl's chin up.

???: You can do that, can't you, my sweet Karyl?

Karyl: Yes...Your Majesty.

-Flashback End-

Karyl thought about it as she looks at her reflection on a small cup from her bottle.

(Y/N): Gotcha, you slippery little bastard!

You said as you caught the frog from the water in the crops.

Yuuki: Nice catch!

Pecorine: (Y/N)! Let's have that dinner tonight!

(Y/N): Oh jeez...

Karyl: Is there really any point to observing them?

-The Next Day-

Upon arriving back at Landosol, the five of you were looking at a quest board to see anything that was up.

Pecorine: (Y/N), (Y/N)! Let's do this one!

(Y/N): Hm? What's up?

Pecorine: It's to assist fishermen, and the reward is all the fish we can it!

(Y/N): Ahaha, as much as I would like to go for it, can't we just pick a better quest, Pecky?

Pecorine: Why not~?

Pecorine asks in a whiny voice.

(Y/N): Uh...I'm just saying.

Kokkoro: What do you think, my lord?

Kokkoro asked as Yuuki kneels down and picks up a quest paper.

Kokkoro: That one?

All of you looked at the quest paper and it reads...

Kokkoro: "Seeking a master"?

Pecorine: "We are looking for a kind teacher to teach us about working as a guild."

Karyl: "We'll give you lots of rewards. They'll be amazing." What's that mean?

(Y/N): How odd. Who would post something like this for kids?

Yuuki: Good question.

Karin: Oh, that flyer's been posted again? I'm sorry. I'll take it down now.

Kokkoro: Miss Karin...

Karin: This is not an officially-approved quest. I keep taking it down, but the next thing I know, it's been replaced.

Karyl: You heard her. So, that quest is out, then.

...

Eventually, the five of you left the guild while Yuuki was carrying the strange quest flyer in his hand until all of you hear a childish cry from behind.

Misogi: Wah! Wah, wah, wah, wah!

Mimi: Don't cry, Misogi!

Kyouka: Don't give up!

Pecorine: I wonder what's that about?

(Y/N): (Wait, aren't those kids look familiar...?)

Karyl: They're probably practicing for a school play. Let's go

Karyl says as she was about to continue moving, but the three little girls quickly got in front of her and did a dramatic crying act.

Kyouka: Misogi!

Mimi: Poor Misogi!

Karyl: Wh-What!?

(Y/N): Oh dear me...

Pecorine: There's more to the play?

Suddenly, the girl with the light brown hair, Misogi, fires a sticky bullet into the quest flyer.

The five of you took realized that the three girls were the ones who put the quest flyer in the guild.

Misogi: Are you...interested in that quest, by any chance~?

-Mini Time Skip-

The five of you along with the three little girls who were now at the Cockatrice's Nest restaurant as the three girls explained the quest.

Pecorine: To be your master?

Kyouka: Yes. We don't know what real guilds actually do...

Misogi: So, we were looking for someone to teach us!

Mimi: Please be masters for us, the members of Little Lyrical!

Karyl: A bunch of kids pretending to be a guild, huh?

Misogi: We're not pretending!

Karyl: Is that so? Why do you want to do guild stuff so much, anyway?

Karyl asks as the Little Lyrical members looked at each other before answering Karyl's question.

Kyouka: We want to protect the peace in Landosol.

Karyl: (Anyway, next time, pick a quest that pays out some good money.)

Pecorine: (The reward is all the fish we can eat!)

Kokkoro: (My lord and I made them together.)

(Y/N): Uh...

That's when Kokkoro, Karyl, and Pecorine regained their composure.

Karyl: I-I get it. We feel the same way.

Mimi: You do?

Kokkoro: Peace is very important to Landosol, after all.

Misogi: Right?!

Pecorine: You three are truly admirable.

Kyouka: N-Not really...

You sweatdropped at what had just happened to Kokkoro, Karyl, and Pecorine.

Misogi: Please, be masters for our guild!

Yuuki: Mm!

Misogi/Mimi/Kyouka: Yay!!

-Time Skip to Night-

In the evening, the Gourmet Guild members were prepping for the next day when they teach the Little Lyrical members how to do basic Guild training also known as a field trip guidance.

Karyl: Where's a place that looks just safe enough, just dangerous enough, and just difficult enough to get through?

Karyl: *Sigh* I feel like a school teacher deciding to go on a field trip.

(Y/N): That's a big mood, Karyl, hehehe.

Karyl: Shut up...

Kokkoro: You would be a great teacher, Miss Karyl.

Karyl: Stop joking around. I can't stand kids.

Kokkoro: Is that so? But you're always very kind to me.

Karyl: You're way more responsible than most adults.

(Y/N): Hey Pecorine, what are you making?

You asked as you see Pecorine working in some kind of a wooden birdcage.

Pecorine: Ehehe, you'll find out tomorrow!

Kokkoro: Ehe, I guess even we are getting excited about this.

Karyl: What's even Yuuki doing?

Kokkoro: My lord is making the treasure we'll use in the quest.

(Y/N): Hold on. Let me go take a look at what he's working on.

Karyl: Go right ahead.

You went over to see what Yuuki was making until you had a horrified look on your face upon what Yuuki just made.

(Y/N): Oh my freaking god...!

Pecorine: What? What's wrong?

You let out a nervous laugh before speaking up.

(Y/N): Y-You three might wanna look at it for yourselves...

Karyl, Pecorine, and Kokkoro went to look at Yuuki's drawing until they see what he was drawing...

Kokkoro, Pecorine and Karyl: Eek!!!

-The Next Day-

So right now, upon arriving at the location. The Gourmet Guild and the Little Lyrical were all standing in line and getting ready.

(Y/N): Alright, kids! Stand up straight!

You said in a commanding tone as the Little Lyrical stands straight upon hearing your command.

(Y/N): Okay. Now...count off!

Kyouka: One!

Misogi: Two!

Mimi: Three!

(Y/N): Good, good! Now then, let's all begin with everything that we had prepared, got it?

Kyouka/Misogi/Mimi: Roger!

(Y/N): Alright. Pecorine?

Pecorine: Yes!

(Y/N): Do you mind explain the kids what are we operating today?

Pecorine: Of course!

You stood back as Pecorine gets in front of the kids and pulls the map from her back pocket.

Pecorine: This is the quest you will undertake today!

The Little Lyrical members were in awe upon seeing the map as Pecorine begins to explain.

Pecorine: Now, the treasure is located at this point on the map.

Pecorine explains as she pointed her left index finger at the top of the mountain where the treasure was located.

(Y/N): And be sure to bring it back, understood?

Kyouka/Misogi/Mimi: Got it!

Kokkoro: Did you bring the camping gear we told you about yesterday?

Mimi: Yes! Here we go...

The Little Lyrical pulled their camping gear from their bags.

Misogi: We have lunch...

Kyouka: ...a canteen...

Mimi: ...and some snacks!

(Y/N): Mm, not bad. Seems you have all requirements you need.

Pecorine: Yuuki, take good care of them, okay?

Yuuki: Mm!

Kyouka/Misogi/Mimi: Thank you for helping us, Master!

And just like that, Yuuki and the Little Lyrical headed off...

Karyl: Will they be alright?

Pecorine: If they follow the map, they won't run into any dangerous monsters.

Kokkoro: That's right. And my lord is with them.

(Y/N): Welp, I guess that's that.

You said as you start to fly up in the air until Karyl spoke up.

Karyl: H-Hey! Where do you think you're going!?

(Y/N): I'm just gonna meditate somewhere else. You three go do your own thing, okay?

You said as you fly off at high speeds, leaving Kokkoro, Karyl, and Pecorine by themselves.

Karyl: Great...

Pecorine: I guess we're on our own, hehehe...

Kokkoro: So...what do we do now?

Karyl: *Sigh* You know what? We should just follow Yuuki and those three girls, who know if that idiot does something wrong.

Pecorine: Well...I guess we should go with that.

And just like that...Karyl, Pecorine, and Kokkoro start to follow behind Yuuki and the Little Lyrical girls.

-Time Skip-

Throughout the whole trip, Yuuki chose the wrong path he takes with the Little Lyrical girls following him from behind while Karyl, Pecorine, and Kokkoro fought the monsters on the way to protect them.

So right now, Yuuki and the Little Lyrical members decided to eat lunch because they were hungry while Karyl and Kokkoro were panting from exhaustion after getting rid of the monsters.

Karyl: How did we get stuck defeating those monsters?

Kokkoro: I'm hungry.

Suddenly, the two girls heard a loud footsteps from behind.

Pecorine: Kokkoro! Karyl!

Karyl: Ahh!!

Kokkoro: Eek!

Both Karyl and Kokkoro around to see Pecorine who was still wearing the monster outfit and it was damaged because the Little Lyrical girls took down Pecorine a while ago when Pecorine tries to scare them using the costume.

Karyl: Don't scare us like that, Dumborine!

Pecorine: I'm sorry. I can't get this costume off. Most importantly, they're heading toward a giant bird's nest! They're in danger!

Karyl: A monster bird's nest?

Pecorine: I come here to collect its eggs on occasion. They're super tasty! (Y/N) liked them when he ate them yesterday, remember?

-Flashback-

(Y/N): Mm, tastes good!

-Flashback End-

Karyl: Those were a monster's eggs?! Why'd you feed (Y/N) like that?!

Kokkoro: We should call off this quest...

Misogi: Master!!

Everyone looked up to see a giant-sized bird flying in the air and in its mouth was...

...none of other than Yuuki.

Kokkoro: My lord!

Karyl: What is that idiot doing?!

-Time Skip to Sunset-

After following the giant bird for a few hours until it was sunset, the Little Lyrical arrived at the nest.

Kyouka/Misogi/Mimi: Master!!

Once they entered the bird's nest, the giant bird spots them as its body landed down almost onto the three little girls as it lets out a roar.

Kyouka: I'm scared...

Misogi: We have to work together to beat that thing!

Kyouka & Mimi: Yeah!

Misogi pulls out a small bomb and she starts to blow some air into it until the bomb itself gets big.

Misogi: Trick Bomber!

Mimi: Bunny Slash!

Kyouka: Cosmo Blue Flash!

The Little Lyrical fired all of their attacks, but the giant bird deflected those attacks which caused a great gust of wind and it sends the three girls flying.

Outside of the battle, we see the Gourmet Guild members rushing into the nest.

Pecorine: It's in there!

Karyl: Are those kids alright?!

Upon arriving at the nest until Pecorine points up in the sky.

Pecorine: There they are!

Everyone looked up to see the giant bird picking up the unconscious Little Lyrical girls as it puts them into the nest.

Karyl: They're unconscious!

Kokkoro: Where's my lord?

The giant bird chicken sees them as it crushes them using its body, but Kokkoro, Karyl, and Pecorine managed to evade the attack and continue running away.

Pecorine: Can we call (Y/N) for help!?

Kokkoro: Good idea!

Karyl: (Y/N)!! WE NEED YOUR HELP!! GET YOUR BUTT OVER HERE RIGHT NOW!!

Karyl yelled out at the top of her lungs as if her words were reaching you.

-Back to you-

Meanwhile, you were meditating in a forest alone because you find the atmosphere relaxing...

...Until your Super Hearing is picked up by the sound of a familiar voice...

Karyl: (Y/N)!! WE NEED YOUR HELP!! GET YOUR BUTT OVER HERE RIGHT NOW!!

It was the sound of Karyl screaming out to you. You stopped meditating as slowly opened your eyes and stood up.

(Y/N): *Sigh* What did they do now?

You questioned as you quickly fly over to where Karyl's location is.

-Back to the Nest-

In the nest, we see Kokkoro using her spear to cut through the sticks of the nest as she finally arrived at the center of the nest and sees the unconscious Yuuki and the scarecrow.

Kokkoro: My lord! And...Lady Ameth?

Karyl: Is this huge bird the one that has been damaging the fields?!

Kokkoro: No wonder the farmer couldn't do anything about it.

That's when they hear the sound of the bird roaring as we turn to the scene of Pecorine trying to run away from the giant bird's beak.

Karyl: Oh no! Grim Burst!!

Karyl fires her spell at the giant bird and the attack has barely affected the creature.

Kokkoro: Perfect, Miss Karyl! Hit it with more magic!

Karyl: C-Can't.

Kokkoro: Eh?

Kokkoro looks over to Karyl and sees that Karyl was in a weakened state.

Karyl: I've been fighting monsters all day. I'm out of magic. So are you, right?

Karyl says until we see Pecorine going for an attack, but was hit by the giant bird's beak, knocking Pecorine down.

Karyl: What happened to that ridiculous strength of yours?!

Pecorine: I-I'm so hungry, my strength's all gone! I missed lunch because I couldn't get out of this costume!

Karyl: That costume is going to be the death of us! And when is (Y/N) getting here!?

And speak of the devil, the nest's wall was broken causing a big hole as everyone looked at the broken big hole.

Karyl: Heh...about time...

The shade clears and it is revealed to be you who arrived just in time.

Kokkoro: (Y/N)!

(Y/N): Sorry I'm late y'all.

You said with a smile on your face until the giant bird goes after you with its beak wide open. You gave it a dirty eye glare until you quickly dodged the attack by flying around it. You then raised both of your fists in the air and slammed them down onto the bird's head, giving it a hard bonk as the giant bird was knocked back down to the ground, instantly knocking the creature out.

(Y/N): Whew...that should do it.

Karyl: Thank goodness...!

You descended down to help out the others until you see Pecorine who was still inside the suit and was struggling to get out.

(Y/N): Jeez, have you been wearing this costume the whole afternoon?

Pecorine: Y-Yeah...can you get me out of it, please?

(Y/N): Very well.

You then got behind the costume as you grabbed the wooden bars before ripping the entire costume out to free Pecorine.

Pecorine: Thanks, (Y/N)!

(Y/N): No problem.

Suddenly, you then hear Pecorine's stomach rumbling.

(Y/N): You didn't eat anything since lunch, didn't you?

Pecorine: Ehehe...Yeah...

Karyl: Hey, don't forget about this. We've been fighting to get rid of the monsters to protect the kids and Yuuki throughout the whole trip.

(Y/N): I see.

...

After a bit of a small conversation, Pecorine gets one of the cooked fish that was stored inside one of the bags from the Little Lyrical.

That's when we see the Little Lyrical girls woke up and see the knocked-out bird with a big bump on its head.

Mimi: Was that...

Kyouka: ...us?

Misogi: We beat it!

Mimi/Kyouka/Misogi: Alright!!

The Little Lyrical hugged each other at their "accomplishment".

Karyl: Not bad, you three.

Yuuki then gets up after his short nap.

Mimi: Master! We completed our quest!

Kokkoro: You've done wonderfully. We have nothing more to teach you.

Kokkoro says with a lie after the whole incident until Misogi looks around in confusion.

Misogi: So, where's the treasure?

Misogi asks as the Gourmet Guild realized what Misogi had asked.

(Y/N): Ah crap...

Karyl: Koro-ster, where's the treasure?

Kokkoro: At the original goal.

Pecorine: The treasure is...

All of you turned to Pecorine as she picks up the giant-sized blue egg.

Pecorine: ..this egg!

Kyouka/Mimi/Misogi: Yay!!

Pecorine: Let's all have some delicious fried eggs together!

Suddenly, the giant-sized blue egg was immediately cracked open, revealing a giant-sized baby chick.

The baby chick wakes up and looks at the Little Lyrical girls before jumping onto them to show affection.

Kyouka: Aww~

Mimi: How cute!

Misogi: It's so fluffy!

(Y/N): Hehe, it's freakin' cute!

You said as you start to stroke the white fur of the giant baby chick until it starts to rub its head against you, showing its affection.

(Y/N): Aww, such a cutie!

Karyl: You want to eat that?

Karyl asks Pecorine.

Pecorine: I guess that's out of the question now.

Kyouka: Um...You were all actors in this quest, right?

The girls giggled that they were caught by Kyouka's question.

Pecorine: You figured it out, huh?

Kyouka: Thank you. I won't tell the other two, okay? Master...Yuuki. Thank you very much, as well. You even pretended to be caught by that bird for us.

Karyl: I wouldn't call that "pretending"...

Yuuki: *Thumb up* Mm!

Karyl: Eh!?

-The Next Day-

The next day came as the Gourmet Guild members were now planting seedlings.

Karyl: Why are we planting seedlings again? I told you to pick a quest with a decent reward next!

Kokkoro: Well, the farmer asked for help.

Karyl: Once these seedlings grow into rice, I'm eating it first!

Misogi: Wee!!

All of you turned to see Misogi, Kyouka, and Mimi riding on the giant baby chick as all of you can see the baby chick pecking out the seedlings.

(Y/N): Oh those three...

Kokkoro: It's the mixed duck farming method.

Pecorine: It lets you grow delicious rice, pesticide-free!

Karyl: Hey! Don't step on those seedlings!

...

(A/N: That's all for episode 8! Stay tuned for the 9th episode!)