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Chapter 20 – The cat travels to another city
A familiar carriage.
It’s the one I saw arrive a while back.
I didn’t know it was the Heinzel family’s.
What a coincidence…
Anyway, here’s the plan.
Me, Aisha, Deliah and her dad sit inside the carriage.
Rodrick and two guards sit outside and take turns driving it.
Our destination is a neighboring city called Kalamas.
Apparently, that’s where the Heinzel family’s main residence is.
They only come to their mansion in Buanna couple times a year.
Coincidentally, it takes about four hours to travel between the two cities in a carriage.
Not too far, but not exactly close either.
We boarded the carriage and set off.
Since the interior is shaded by these expensive-looking curtain things, I can’t see outside.
But it seems that we have already left the city.
How do I know?
Well, for one, I can no longer hear any people outside.
… and also, the road got a good deal bumpier.
Thank you Kat dress for reducing the damage done to my butt.
I pity these two.
They have to put up with this every time they ride a carriage.
Anyway…
The curtains block my vision, so I can’t see when the enemy comes.
But that really doesn’t matter to me.
I can still hear and smell them.
And even if I didn’t, the carriage stopping or the sound of our guards fighting is sure to give me a hint.
Everything is under control.
I’m ready whenever.
…
But it’s quite boring in here.
Deliah is anxious and doesn’t talk.
Aisha, the maid, is silent as well.
Her father occasionally assures her everything is fine and nudges me to agree.
Nothing much happens.
Not even bandits or stray beasts wander into our way.
Two hours went by already…
We are halfway to Kalamas.
“I was sure we would get attacked…”
Seems like Aldrick started having some doubts.
“Maybe he gave up…?”
Those are some hopeful words, Deliah.
But I really don’t think that’s the case…
“… or he saw through our plan and is afraid of this girl?”
That’s possible…
But that would mean he can see through the eyes of his minions.
And that’s quite worrisome.
You shouldn’t worry your daughter.
Look.
Her anxiety just multiplied.
…
Still, I wonder what’s the deal with this world’s status screen.
According to Deliah, her dad has never told her of anything like this.
But it didn’t seem like he purposefully hid it from her or anything.
He simply didn’t know about it either.
But how is that possible?
Could the status screen be one of the world’s ultimate secrets?
…
That sounds ridiculous.
But just in case it is, Deliah promised me not to talk about it to others.
Incidentally, it seems like Deliah had a skill she didn’t know about.
‘Rational fear’
It’s a passive skill that allows the user to keep a calm and rational thought process even when at their wit’s end.
The weird part is that it doesn’t suppress fear or surprise at all.
It… doesn’t really make any sense…
But, I guess it explains her earlier behavior.
…
We can see the city gates already.
No ambush.
It was awfully quiet all the way through.
…
Even with the sight of a grand city, I can’t keep calm.
The enemy might be planning to jump us as soon as we let our guard down.
He might create another werewolf in the city or just siege it with his invisiwolves.
Safety isn’t assured yet.
We passed the gates…
Arrived at the Heinzel family’s much bigger main mansion…
Disembarked and unloaded everything….
And still no signs of anything or anyone hostile.
I’m confused.
“Miss Nina…”
Why the anxious face, Rodrick?
We all know this is worrying, but you have to stay calm.
Don’t be like me!
“I know you have already fulfilled what we have requested of you, but could we bother you to guard mistress for a little longer?”
Oh, it’s about that…
Now that he mentions it, the request was just to escort the carriage, wasn’t it?
Whether an ambush happens or not, I’ve done my job…
Like hell!
That would be so anti-climactic!
Of course I’m going to see this to its end!
“Of course.”
“Thank you… naturally, your reward will be raised as well.”
Yeah, money is good.
But that’s not why I agreed.
I hope you don’t think of me as some greedy woman…
The evening passed and no incidents occurred.
We had dinner together and the sun soon set.
Afterwards, the butler came to me with… a suggestion.
“… together?”
“Yes, if there is an attack at night, you will be able to react quicker that way.”
…
Hold on a second here…
First of all, why does Deliah normally sleep in a bed big enough to fit both of us?
Second, e-erm…
I don’t know what I feel about sharing a bed with another girl…
I-I mean, we’re kind of friends now, right?
Maybe it’s normal for friends to sleep with each other?
No no, I know this is to guard her but…
“O-okay…?”
Well, I always found this whole ‘girl’s love’ concept kind of cute…
But when I’m involved, it feels really weird…
…
No, this is a guard mission!
Get your head out of the gutter, me!
“Thank you, we’ll leave it to you then.”
But still…
Why are they so trustful?
I mean, I’m not complaining…
But normally, wouldn’t you be more careful around strangers…?
Hmm…
…
And don’t tell me they got charmed by the blessing as well!
There is nothing cat-like about them!
Right!
They probably just think I’m an innocent little girl!
And innocent little girls can’t really be evil, right?
Yes, that must be what they are thinking!
Anyway!
It’s time to sleep.
I’m gonna protect my friend from anything that might want to attack her!
What?
I’m gonna attack her?
Shut up, me!
I’m pure as an angel!
Dirty thoughts, begone!
And…
Yes, I will sleep with all of this on.
There’s no way I’m borrowing Deliah’s pajamas, Mrs. cat maid.
I can drop the disguise, but I’m keeping on my full Kat set.
…
“Good night.”
“G’night.”
Yep, it’s just me and her lying on the huge bed in complete darkness.
Enhanced eyesight or not, this is really… unnerving.
Urgh!
Why can’t I calm down?!
“Nina…?”
“YES!..erm… ummm… yes…?”
Can I borrow your skill, Deliah?
I kind of need it right now.
“… what is… the other world like…?”
Huh…
The other world?
Why is she interested in my old world?
“… it’s ummm… more modern?”
“Modern…?”
“Yeah… there’s like… cars, skyscrapers, mobile phones…”
“… what are cars…?”
“Umm… they are these… metal things with wheels used for transport.”
“Metal carriages?”
“No err… cars aren’t carriages… they don’t need horses to move.”
“… magic powered carriages?”
“No… not magic either… they burn fuel to go forward…”
“… I… see…?”
The tone of your voice doesn’t match your words though…
…
Huh…
Wait a second…
Isn’t this the fabled bedtalk…?
Wow…
That’s incredible.
Unlike normal conversations, I can take my time answering since the other person might just think I’m too tired to answer quickly!
No pressure to reply as quickly as possible!
This is amazing!
All conversations should happen in beds!
…
Actually, no.
They probably shouldn’t.
If a job interview were to happen in a bed…
That would be really awkward.
We talked long into the night.
About my old world.
About Deliah’s life as a noble’s daughter.
Our likes and dislikes…
It was really nice…
And even the bad guy took a hint and didn’t attack!
The next morning, I woke up before Deliah and got out of the bed.
When my eyes wandered into the dresser’s mirror, I found out that I had a big smile on my face.
It took a few slaps to erase it.
Though, that also dyed my face red.
I didn’t slap that hard, though…
JAVILY LIBRARY 