SWNOVELXO Chapter 171 - The Divine Cat Mii-chan seems to be so cute that she's become a topic of rumors.
171 The Divine Cat, Mii-chan, seems to be so cute that she’s become a topic of rumors.
The second bell was about to ring.
The bodyguards Jin brought along were none other than Glenhart, known as the Absolute Blade, and Roselinde. Well, just as expected. It seems Zeke stayed behind.
Mii-chan is getting showered with kisses from Roselinde.
“Mii~”
“Nero, you’ve really transformed…”
He probably wants to say, “Clothes make the man.” I already know that, no need to be told.
As soon as the second bell rang, a splendid carriage pulled up in front of the Hunter Guild. A pale-faced man got down from the driver’s seat and opened the carriage door.
“You must be Lord Nero and Lord Zikmund. Please, step aboard.”
After Jin boarded, Glenhart and Roselinde followed, and I got in last. The door closed, and the carriage started moving. We headed past the southern district’s residential area and made our way to the northern district, the noble’s quarter. Jin and the others looked as if this was the most natural thing in the world.
“The noble’s quarter, huh.”
“Of course, not all the people living in the noble’s quarter are nobles.”
“Merchants with large stores and the wealthy also live here.”
“It’s only fitting for the leader of a band of righteous thieves.”
The carriage passed through the gates of a rather modest-looking mansion.
It pulled up in front of the entrance, and a servant opened the carriage door. First, Glenhart and Roselinde got out, then I followed, with Jin being the last to descend.
Mii-chan trembled and clung to me, staring off into the distance. I could feel eyes on us. And not good ones either. My intuition skill isn’t reacting, so I guess I don’t need to worry. Did Jin and the others notice?
“This way, please.”
A servant led us into the mansion. Contrary to its modest exterior, the interior was lavishly decorated in a blinding red.
“Gaudy…”
“It’s like the color of blood.”
“Terrible taste.”
“Oh my, it seems the décor doesn’t meet with your approval.”
From the second floor, a lady with the appearance of a noblewoman but the air of a predator glared down at us. I’m not clueless, I get it.
“To think we would be honored by the presence of two of the Five Thunder Summoners.”
“My name is Nero. It is an honor to accept your invitation today.”
“So, you’re Nero. Such a charming young man. And this little kitten is as beautiful and elegant as the rumors said.”
As beautiful as the rumors? Mii-chan’s cuteness is famous even in the underworld? I suppose that’s only natural!
“Mii…”
Mii-chan, I was just joking! Don’t look at me like that… I need to be cautious in this underworld.
After Jin and the others introduced themselves, we were led to a room. The room was just as gaudy, to the point where it looked so flashy that it actually felt cheap.
“I thought you, as a merchant, might like this room, but perhaps it doesn’t suit your taste?”
“I’d say I like it as merchandise. But if you asked if I wanted it for myself, I’d say no.”
“You certainly speak clearly. But I agree. This house is meant to cater to those who want things like that. I apologize for not providing a more suitable environment for your visit.”
We all sat at the table as a servant prepared tea. I motioned to a servant and handed them the baked puddings I brought as a gift, asking them to serve them.
“Oh my, what are these?”
“Since you invited us for tea, I thought it only appropriate to bring some sweets.”
“How thoughtful.”
One of the servants was about to prepare milk for Mii-chan, but I politely declined, instead giving Mii-chan some mineral water in her usual dish.
Mii-chan sat gracefully at the table, looking elegant as always. She’s adorable no matter what she does.
“Now that the tea is ready, shall I begin by introducing myself as you all wish to know?”
The lady, who introduced herself as Mistreticia, began to speak. She is the daughter of the current empress of the Thieves’ Guild and is poised to take over as the next empress. Though it was the current empress who invited us, she is bedridden, so Mistreticia is here on her behalf. I have no idea what this is all about, though.
While Mistreticia was talking, the puddings were served.
“Now then, let’s enjoy some tea along with the sweets Nero brought.”
Everyone seemed intrigued by the baked puddings, having never tried them before. Roselinde’s expression changed the moment she took a bite. Mistreticia ate without changing her expression.
“It’s sweet…”
It didn’t seem to suit Jin’s taste. Roselinde swiftly switched Jin’s finished bowl with her own, an impressive move.
“I had something similar at the Hunter Guild in Quint. Did you come up with that as well?”
“I didn’t create it, but I did provide the recipe. The version you had was made a little more luxuriously than the one here.”
“I see, luxurious. It’s rich, smooth, and sweet enough for royalty. It’s not something the common folk could afford.”
“The ingredients are relatively easy to come by, and the recipe is simple, but sugar is still expensive. That’s why, in Quint, we use honey instead of sugar.”
“So, that’s the difference in flavor between sugar and honey.”
“Both are delicious, but it really just comes down to personal preference.”
We chatted casually, but… is this really okay?
“Mii~”