Chapter 136: Interlude – Touring Memorable Places ③
Having thoroughly enjoyed my Beetle form, I next transformed into a Black Cat and headed towards the Royal Capital.
(Has the atmosphere changed somehow?)
The first thing I noticed upon arriving in the Royal Capital was that its atmosphere felt slightly different than before. However, it wasn’t a bad change; rather, the city seemed brimming with vitality. Most notably, the district that used to be the Slums appeared to have been cleaned up nicely, and public order seemed to have improved.
(Did the King change his policies?)
I wasn’t sure what caused such a drastic change, but since things seemed better than before, I decided not to worry about it and look around the Royal Capital. First, maybe I’ll visit the Orphanage.
(…)
Arriving at the Orphanage, I was rendered speechless…
Where there used to be just a small black cat figurine placed discreetly next to the offering space, there was now a massive Black Cat Statue, easily three meters tall, placed prominently at the entrance.
(Isn’t this… going a bit too far?)
Well, it looked like it was made of wood, so perhaps it was donated by someone, but still, it’s embarrassing.
“Ah!? It’s a kitty!”
As I sat properly in my matching form, gazing at the Black Cat Statue, a voice suddenly called out from the side. Turning just my head, I saw a girl, about five years old, pointing at me.
(Hm? Someone addressed me unexpectedly!? Me, caught off guard!? Who is this child!?)
While I was reeling from the shock of her presence, the girl came trotting over and swiftly scooped me up into her arms. Hmmm, I’ve been held by a girl other than Aurora. Forgive me, Aurora.
The girl carried me inside the Orphanage.
“Everyone, the Cat God is here!”
As soon as she entered the now remarkably grand Orphanage, the girl shouted loudly. Instantly, children appeared in droves, and I was quickly swarmed and jostled about.
However, today is a day for repaying kindness. I have to endure at least this much.
Children are energetic no matter the era or place, and I spent some time playing along with them. Once I judged that the children were tired from playing and getting sleepy, I trotted over to the Sister who had been watching over us for a while.
“Cat God-sama, thank you very much for gracing us with your presence today.”
Sister Maria bowed deeply towards me. Right, I remember she was the High Priestess of the Church of the Black Cat. For now, I just meowed and tilted my head.
“Hauu.”
For some reason, she fainted and collapsed…
Ignoring the rather dubious High Priestess, I left a sufficient amount of meat, vegetables, and fruits before departing the Orphanage.
Next after the Orphanage, let’s go see the old lady from the fruit shop.
(What is this…)
The kind old lady’s stall-like Leengo shop had transformed into a stylish cafe-like storefront, with a queue of customers forming outside.
The signboard at the shop’s entrance read, ‘The Shop Visited by the Cat God’.
As I stood there dumbfounded, observing the scene, a couple at the very back of the line noticed me.
“Hey, look…”
“Hih!? Cat God-sama!?”
Hearing that voice, the line of customers parted swiftly to the left and right like the Red Sea. I walked slowly down the middle, my tail held elegantly high. It felt like being a bit of a celebrity. Even though I’m a cat.
“Oh! Aren’t you the kitty from before? Did you come for some Leengo again?”
Oh, as expected of the veteran old lady! She’s the only one whose reaction to me hasn’t changed!
As a small gift, I placed some freshly picked Leengo on the counter, nudged them with my front paw, and meowed, ‘Nyaa’.
“Leengo from thin air!? Were you really the Cat God all along?”
I want this old lady to stay just the way she is. With that thought, I deliberately didn’t answer and scratched behind my ear with my hind leg.
“Fufufu, I know what you want. You want me to peel this Leengo for you, don’t you!”
No, how did you reach that conclusion!? In what world does a cat bring this many Leengo just because it wants them peeled!?
Well, it does feel kind of comforting, so I’ll let her peel them.
I waited while grooming myself as the old lady peeled the Leengo. It was slightly bothersome that the surrounding customers were just fervently praying at me, but since no one tried to touch me directly, I guess it’s fine.
“Here you go!”
I deliciously enjoyed the Leengo the old lady peeled for me, slipped through the crowd, and headed next towards the Orc Inn.
Perhaps because it was lunchtime, the Orc Inn was bustling with activity. If I recall correctly, Ochcho-san had been promoted to manager. Maybe today, like old times, I should leave some Orcs in the garden.
I went around to the back of the shop and leaped gracefully onto the fence. From there, I landed silently in the backyard and, using my Item Box, placed about five Orc Kings stacked up in the garden.
“Well now~ There are Orc Kings stacked in the garden. Must mean Mist-dono is here, eh~”
Ooh, Ochcho-san, who came out the back door, figured it out immediately. Having no choice, I revealed myself from behind the Orc Kings.
“Well, I’ll be, ya look like a cat today. Turnin’ human, turnin’ into a cat, ya sure are busy, eh~”
No, changing forms doesn’t necessarily mean I’m busy, but explaining it is too much trouble, so I’ll just let it be. More importantly, since I’m here, could you perhaps give me some meat to eat?
As if sensing my intention, Ochcho-san carried the Orc Kings inside the shop and then brought back a plate of grilled meat for me.
“Here ya go, the grilled meat ya asked for, eh~”
!? Ochcho-san! Keep it a secret that I asked via Telepathy!?
I nibbled at the meat served on the plate, and once satisfied, leaped back onto the fence.
(Alright, next is that place.)
“Mist-dono~ Make sure ya put on clothes when ya turn back human, eh~”
Ochcho-san’s parting advice, heard as I was leaving, scored a critical hit on my small heart…