SWNOVELXO Chapter 109 - Divine Cat Mii-chan is Worried About Everyone
109 Divine Cat Mii-chan is Worried About Everyone
The sun has set, and it’s completely dark, but our pace hasn’t slowed. We plan to move to the giant tree hollow within the territory of the insect-type monsters, which is a safe zone.
Despite stumbling many times, we continue walking through the darkness with support from both arms. The beastmen can see well in the dark due to their race, and even the dwarves and dragonkin can see in the darkness.
So, among this group, only the elves and humans cannot see in the dark. However, elves can see vaguely through the light emitted by the spirits around them, and since there are many spirits around Mii-chan, it appears to be quite bright.
Therefore, only Miranda and I are in a gray state. Oh dear…
By the way, during the recent battle, the soul vessel has grown. I have gained new skills: Stealth, Long Sight, Night Vision, and Climbing. I recall I had also put some skills on hold when the soul vessel grew previously. This means I can learn at least two new skills. There are still some skills on hold, so it’s a bit of a dilemma. I’ll think about it later. Or perhaps I’ll forget…
After midnight, we finally return to the place where we departed this morning, and everyone is exhausted. We enter the hollow and everyone sits down.
“Ha… I’m really tired.”
“Now that we’re here, we should be relatively safe.”
Feeling relieved, everyone starts talking.
I lay out a sheet and a blanket, and take Mii-chan and Lu-kun out of the carrier bag.
“Mii~”
“Gau”
When I give Mii-chan and Lu-kun some cat food and mineral water, Mii-chan looks around with a concerned face, asking, “Is everyone alright?” Mii-chan is so kind. I tell her that everyone is fine and that they should eat first and go to sleep. Mii-chan and Lu-kun must stay energetic because if they become weak, it will affect everyone’s morale.
I prepare a large bucket of water to warm it up for everyone. They probably want to wipe off their sweat. Of course, the men were kicked out again. Really, there’s no need to worry.
I also warm up water outside and wipe myself down. Ah, it feels so good.
After a light dinner, we rest. Given the time, we’re exempt from watch duty. Just before dawn, Perro, Sera, and Lu-san finally return.
“Man, that was tough. They were relentless.”
“Meow”
“Nero, I’m so hungry!”
“I gave you dried fruits and cookies, didn’t I?”
“That was just snacks! Not real food!”
Despite that, it seems they ate everything…
Perro and the others, who were acting as a diversion for us, were persistently chased by goblins. However, once they entered the insect-type monster’s territory, the insect-type monsters started attacking the goblins, and they fought together to drive them off. Can we consider this as them helping us?
Anyway, I give the three of them mineral water and prepare a meal. Mii-chan and Lu-kun also wake up and cheer up the three of them with nuzzles and licks.
“Mii~”
“Gau”
I serve pilaf rice balls to make it easy for them to eat. I put the pilaf on a plate for Sera.
“Pilaf rice balls are the best! I also want some fried chicken. Glance.”
“Meow”
“Delicious!”
“Here’s the fried chicken…”
“So tasty!”
Sorry for making Lu-san tired, but we’re heading out. Perro and Sera will be carried while in cat form. The women are happy about that.
“I wish I could be a cat too…”
No, no, Lu-san, you’re already a fine cat beastman. You have a cute face.
By avoiding goblins, we reached the cave where we camped on the first day by early afternoon. Since we had been through here before, we were able to shorten the time by following the map. Maps are really convenient.
We disguise the entrance and switch the watch. We fall into a deep sleep until we’re woken up for the watch change.
I switch the watch with Perro and Sera at the cave entrance.
While petting Sera in her black cat form, I think about the skills I can learn. The new skills available are Stealth, Long Sight, Night Vision, and Climbing. Additionally, I can learn Falsehood, Cooking, Business Acumen, Pain Reduction, Fire, Swordsmanship, Fear Reduction, Sensory Detection, Poison Resistance, and Stamina Up.
The newly available Climbing skill is not necessary. Long Sight might be useful, but I have a telescope for that. Night Vision… I’d rather sleep at night. Stealth seems pointless since Mii-chan doesn’t have it, so having it only for myself feels unnecessary.
Pain Reduction and Fear Reduction are too dangerous as I thought before, so they’re out. Poison Resistance is covered by a resistance ring, and Sensory Detection is already with Perro and Sera. That leaves Fire or Stamina Up. Fire skills seem inconvenient, and Stamina Up is less effective compared to overall body enhancement.
Falsehood makes lies more believable, suitable for a con artist. Cooking and Business Acumen are as expected; Business Acumen might be worth taking.
But, I’ll put it on hold. I might learn better skills later, so I’ll deal with it then. For now, the skills I have are sufficient. There’s no need to push for new ones.
With the watch over, I start preparing dinner. Since we can use fire today, let’s make it grand.
I make a cream stew with vegetables and add some pre-prepared fish. Using the Water skill, I soften the bones. There were some failures, but it was mostly successful. I put it in the pot.
On another fire source, I’m roasting meat. And white bread. Everyone is surprised by this.
Why is white bread so expensive? It’s true that wheat is more expensive compared to rye, but it’s not that scarce. I’ve bought wheat flour at bazaars many times. I’ve heard it’s labor-intensive to make pure white flour, so it might be that, or maybe it’s the yeast or different methods. I’m not a baker, so I don’t know. White bread doesn’t compare to the bread I had in Japan, but it’s definitely better than black bread. I want to eat fluffy, chewy bread…
Also, fish, especially sea fish, is quite rare and greatly appreciated. Since there are more cat-people here, they were surprised to hear they could eat the bones too.
But Mii-chan prefers cat food.
“Mii~”