SWNOVELXO Chapter 115 - Divine Cat Mii-chan: Anko is a Separate Stomach
115 Divine Cat Mii-chan: Anko is a Separate Stomach
Lunch was pork chops. The master of this place is quite skilled, I must say.
“You really ate it…”
“Dessert goes in a different stomach, nya.”
Ah, because of Perro’s unnecessary comments, now Mii-chan is staring at me with those big eyes. Staring intensely.
“If you eat now, there won’t be anything for dinner, you know.”
“Mii…”
Even with that sad face, I can’t let you have more. So, which will it be—cookies or anko?
“Mii…”
She chose the cookies. It seems she wants to take her time with the anko.
I served the cookies on a plate and ordered some tea. Mii-chan and the others are munching on their treats. I joined in, and, well, they really are delicious. Of course, I recommended them to Jin and Yuri as well.
“So, what’s this about?”
“A personal request has come in. From the country.”
“And what about it?”
“It’s not just me. The skilled ones among those involved in that matter are also being called.”
“So?”
“So? Don’t you have any thoughts on this?”
“We’re going to the palace now, so why don’t we just go together and hear them out?”
“W-what, to the palace? Me?”
“Who else is there?”
“…”
“Since the Chancellor has taken an interest in you, running away isn’t a smart move.”
So, I ended up taking Jin, who was whining like a little child, to the palace.
“What about you, Yuri?”
“I-I think I’ll pass…”
“Then, how about you just secure a room? Also, Yuri, I have a favor to ask…”
“Anything you need!”
I handed her the list of materials I received from Pat of the Kobold tribe. I had no idea about the prices, so it was troubling me. Yuri, being a hunter, probably knows many of the materials, and she’s someone I can trust.
“Leave it to me! This is my area of expertise!”
After securing a room at the inn where we stayed before, Jin prepared the horses, and we headed to the palace together.
When I showed the gate guard our pass, Nia and the stable hand came out, and as usual, Sumire confidently walked over to the stable hand. The stable hand, being familiar with Sumire, petted and pampered her. But today, there’s another horse.
“Lord Nero, who is this gentleman?”
“This is Zigmund of the Dragon’s Claw. The Chancellor should be well aware.”
“Understood.”
Nia spoke with a nearby soldier for a moment.
“Then, Lord Zigmund, this soldier will guide you. Lord Nero, please come with me.”
“H-hey, Nero!”
“It’s alright.”
“Jin is such a scaredy-cat, nya~”
Perro, are you really one to talk? Who was it that got all nervous when meeting the Chancellor?
“W-what are you talking about, nya~? Perro doesn’t remember, nya~”
“Mii…”
Nia led me to the usual terrace.
“Pelo-chan! Mii-chan! Sera-chan! Ruu-kun!”
“Myah~”
Lady Rene came running, holding Luka, and hugged everyone. Sera even changed into her black panther form to make it easier to hug her. How considerate.
“Mii~”
“Princess, it’s been a while, nya.”
“Nya.”
“Grr.”
Mii-chan seemed happy to see Luka again and started licking her.
“Nero, you look well, I’m glad.”
“I’m glad to see you in good health as well, Your Majesty. You’re as beautiful as ever… though I’m tripping over my words…”
“Fufufu… That’s so like you, Nero. Just be yourself.”
“Sigh… I’m just a commoner, after all. I apologize.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m tired of hearing noble talk.”
“In that case, I’ll take you at your word. By the way, where is Lady Elena?”
“Oh my, are you interested in Elena?”
“That’s not what I meant…”
“Elena is visiting Brocken Mountain regularly.”
The development of the relay station must be progressing well.
I asked the Queen to prepare a large desk and paper so I could draw a map, and she signaled Nia, who then instructed the waiting maids.
Meanwhile, the Queen personally went to Mii-chan, picked her up, and brought her back. She could have just asked me to bring Mii-chan over.
“Mii-chan is always so adorable.”
“Mii~”
The Queen, behaving uncharacteristically, rubbed her cheek against Mii-chan’s. Mii-chan looked pleased as well.
As Nia prepared the tea, I took out Mii-chan’s cookies. Seeing Mii-chan eat the cookies, the Queen asked:
“Oh, they look delicious. May I try one?”
I ate one to show her. The Queen tried a soy milk-flavored cookie.
“It’s delicious… Mii-chan has good taste.”
As if there’s such a thing as a fake palate! But of course, I didn’t say that out loud.
Lady Rene and Luka came over and tried a bite as well. Naturally, they were delighted with Mii-chan’s cookies. Mii-chan even shared her cookie with Luka, acting like an older sister.
Watching this, the Queen remarked:
“Luka and Rene are close, so I can’t take her away. Nero, I want a cat as adorable as Mii-chan.”
“Are you serious?”
“I am. His Majesty says that petting Luka soothes his soul.”
“Understood. I’ll ask Perro to find one.”
“Perro-chan will find it?”
“Perro understands the language of cats, so she can explain everything to them and bring one back after getting their agreement. If you have any specific requests, it’s best to tell Perro directly.”
While we were talking, it seems the table and paper were prepared in the room. Nia led me to the room, and I began drawing the map with my map skill. The paper and pens were of the highest quality, making it easy to draw smoothly.
Once I finished drawing, I returned to show it to the Queen… and saw that Mii-chan’s mouth was dirty, and she had a look of utter bliss. Come to think of it, this place must be paradise for Mii-chan.
“Mii-chan, no more anko for today.”
“M-Mii…”