READ NOVEL ONLINE chapter 55 - Divine Cat Mii-chan Defends the Sweet Red Bean Paste from Poro
55 Divine Cat Mii-chan Defends the Sweet Red Bean Paste from Poro
After taking care of business, I left the Hunter’s Guild and checked into the recommended inn.
When I tried to wash Sumire, she seemed resistant. Why?
“Sumire wants to use warm water, it seems.”
Poro is quite skilled at communication; it’s impressive.
“Only cats can understand words. I can somewhat understand what monsters are thinking.”
Even so, being able to read someone’s thoughts is quite an ability. Poro is impressive.
“You’re making me blush~. You can praise me more, you know~”
“Mii~”
Following the request, I heated the water in the bucket and washed Sumire, who then stopped resisting. My pets seem to enjoy warm water and baths.
I also washed my laundry and Poro’s clothes. I’ll buy Poro some new clothes tomorrow; his current ones are tattered and shabby. I used my water skill for drying, but it didn’t get completely dry. It’s quite tricky.
After hanging the laundry in the room, I went to the dining hall for a meal.
Mii-chan and Poro in cat form were right in front of me. Since Poro’s clothes were still wet, he stayed in his cat form.
Mii-chan had her usual cat food. As for Poro, what should I give him? He’s a big eater, consuming more than five servings, but right now he’s in cat form. I asked in a soft voice:
“What would Poro like to eat?”
Poro was curious about the food Mii-chan was eating.
“What is the princess eating?”
“That’s Mii-chan’s food.”
“Poro wants to eat too.”
“Will it be enough?”
“Not enough…”
I expected as much.
I ordered extra food for myself.
“Ugh, it’s delicious…”
“Mii~”
“Does the princess always eat such delicious food?”
“Mii~”
“…orz”
Poro was crying while eating. It’s quite eerie to see a cat crying while eating. Despite that, he ate half of the food I ordered.
After dinner, I went back to the room and gave Mii-chan a bath. I’m planning to go to the public bathhouse afterward.
“Alright, please watch over things here.”
“Mii~”
“Leave it to me.”
Poro, you’re the one I’m most worried about.
The public bathhouse in this town was crowded. Since the city is large, the bathhouse was also big, but it was still packed. I was told there was a wait for the massage, so I decided to skip it. Even so, the bath was still wonderful.
When I returned to the inn and entered the room, Mii-chan was restless. It seemed like she was experiencing withdrawal symptoms from something.
“Nero! The princess has been acting strange. She keeps calling for you!”
“Okay, okay. Mii-chan, you can come out now.”
“Mii~”
I scooped a spoonful of the red bean paste onto Mii-chan’s dish.
“Is that black thing food?”
“Mii, mii~”
Mii-chan seemed hesitant. It must be something she really wants to protect. It can’t be helped.
“Mii-chan, bring out the kuzumochi and honey.”
“Mii~!”
Mii-chan seemed to have understood my plan and immediately came out.
I placed the kuzumochi on a plate, drizzled honey over it, and set it in front of Poro.
“Is it okay to eat now?”
“Mii~”
“Mmm, this chewy, squishy texture is indescribable. Combined with the sweetness of the honey, it’s a masterpiece!”
Is this a food report? Well, Mii-chan seems to be happily enjoying the red bean paste. Poro, on the other hand, seems to have completely lost interest in the red bean paste. Mii-chan is licking it with a relieved expression.
Well, dessert time is over. Time to go to bed. Tomorrow, I’ll visit the bazaar before we set off. I think we’ll reach the royal capital just fine with Sumire.
“Mii-chan, it’s time for bed.”
“Mii~”
And now, why is Poro getting into the bed too… Shouldn’t he be sleeping in the carrier bag?
“Nero is cold… I want to sleep together peacefully…”
“Mii~”
Sigh… Do as you like. I’m going to sleep.
The next morning, I woke up not to an alarm, but to Poro kicking my face. While Mii-chan was curled up in the spot where she had slept last night, I wondered why Poro was at my pillow. At that moment, I resolved that I wouldn’t sleep with Poro again.
After getting dressed and packing up, I headed to the dining area for breakfast. Poro asked for some cat food, but I didn’t give any. Lately, my mineral water consumption has been high, and I couldn’t afford to add more strain. Instead, I ordered breakfast for both of us.
Poro’s clothes had dried, so now he was in his bipedal, striped cat swordsman form. To my surprise, he had the strength of thirty goblins. No wonder he’s so strong. His skills included swordsmanship, sense detection, presence concealment, stealth, and lockpicking—skills that suit a ranger or thief rather than a knight.
With Mii-chan also finished with breakfast, it was time to set out.
“Mii~”
I prepared Sumire, and as I mounted and led Sumire through the city to the bazaar, a bunch of kids followed us. Poro and Mii-chan were quite popular.
At the edge of the bazaar, I tied Sumire and let Mii-chan and Poro dismount. They were soon surrounded by the kids. Mii-chan and Poro were being petted and adored.
“Don’t pull, okay?”
Mii-chan was fussing, but the kids seemed to treat her gently. Poro was surprisingly mature about it.
Mii-chan was charming the kids, being stroked and adored. Maybe this is the difference made by the virtue of cats.
Several kids also gathered around Sumire, petting her head. Although I heard that battle horses are known for their bad temper, Sumire seemed to be an exception. She didn’t show any signs of discomfort.
It’s time to check out the bazaar. I asked Sumire to stay behind.
She gave a little shake, as if to say, “Have a good time.”
After bidding farewell to the kids, I started strolling through the bazaar. Mii-chan took her usual spot on my shoulder to observe, while Poro walked beside me, holding my hand. If I didn’t hold his hand, he might wander off on his own, so when I asked if he preferred a rope tied to him or holding hands, he reluctantly chose the latter.
First, we headed to find some clothes for Poro. We went to a place where beastmen’s secondhand clothes were sold and let Poro pick out what he liked, keeping in mind they were meant for children.
“Oh, this one’s nice too. And that one might be good! Nero, how many should I buy?”
I decided on three outfits and five pairs of underwear for him. He changed into the new clothes right there. His shabby appearance vanished, and he looked like a proper swordsman. I also bought him a red wide-brimmed hat with feathers as a gift. It seemed fitting for a cat swordsman.
“Wow, it’s so stylish…”
Mii-chan seemed to approve too.
As we continued browsing and buying things, Poro asked for some skewered meat, which I bought for him. While we were eating and walking, I noticed a small tent run by an elderly woman at the bazaar.
The stall was stocked with potions, but my attention was drawn to something placed further back.
“Are those items in the back for sale?”
“Oh my, I wouldn’t think they’re what you need. Hee hee hee.”
“Do those work on monsters?”
“Not just monsters, they work on humans too. Hee hee hee.”
“Please sell them to me.”
“Are you serious…?”
“I want the poison on the right, the paralysis potion second from the right, and the fast-acting sleeping potion on the left.”
“Who are you exactly…?”
“I’m an aspiring hunter with appraisal skills.”
“Just so you know, I’m an underground pharmacist. If there are any complaints later, don’t blame me.”
“As long as you explain how to use them, I don’t mind if you’re underground or official. I’ll be appraising them myself.”
“Hee hee hee. You’re a smart one for your age.”
I paid for the items, took notes on how to use them, and felt pleased with the purchase. With my atmospheric skills, they’ll be useful as attack methods. They’re tricky to use, but with mineral water on hand, I should be able to manage. I also bought extra flour for practice.
Alright, let’s move on.
“Mii~”