READ NOVEL ONLINE chapter 57 - Divine Cat Mii-chan Goes to the Royal Palace
Chapter 57: Divine Cat Mii-chan Goes to the Royal Palace
After enjoying a bath together, they headed to the Hunter’s Guild. They went around to the back entrance, where Nero called out.
“Excuse me~”
A woman came from the back and greeted them.
“You must be Nero. Please follow me.”
She led them up the stairs to the top floor and showed them into a certain room. It was the Guild Master’s office.
An older man, though still solidly built, welcomed them.
“Glad you could make it. I’m Zest, the Guild Master. Is that rascal Selion doing well?”
“Yes, he’s in great health. Do you know Guild Master Selion?”
“We used to cause all sorts of trouble together in our younger days. Wahahaha!”
“My name is Nero. This here is Mii-chan, and this is Perro.”
“Mii~”
“Perro-nyan.”
“Oh, you’ve got some interesting companions with you.”
Just to be sure, Nero used his appraisal skill to confirm that this was indeed Guild Master Zest before handing over the letter and map. It was definitely him.
“Hmm. This is troubling. We can’t afford a repeat of the Great War. It looks like we’ll need to call for an assembly with the headquarters and all the guilds in the nation…”
Guild Master Zest seemed to take this matter very seriously. The Great War must have been a truly harrowing experience.
“But still… I can’t understand how you managed to arrive so quickly… Nero, how did you get here?”
“I came by horse.”
“Did you ride it to exhaustion?”
“No, it’s my own horse.”
“That only makes it more confusing.”
“It’s a battle horse.”
“Hmm. Even for a battle horse, that’s too fast.”
Well, what do you expect me to say to that? You should take it up with Sumire.
“Well, no matter. It’s good that you arrived quickly.”
“So, what should I do next?”
“Wait until we sort things out on our end. Do as you please in the meantime.”
‘Do as I please’? Who does he think is going to pay for my lodging?
“How long do you think it will take to sort everything out?”
“I can’t say for the kingdom’s side, but for the guild, it will probably take about five days.”
“Do I have to wait for the kingdom as well?”
“Well, you did bring a letter from the lord, so yes, you’ll have to wait. What would you tell them if you left now?”
Yeah, I figured it would come to this…
“Will the guild cover the cost of my lodging?”
“Hmm. I’ll see if I can negotiate that with the kingdom.”
So, the guild isn’t willing to pay… Well, at least they’re not forcing me to stay in that cramped room.
“For now, if anything comes up, just contact me at the inn.”
“Understood. I’ll be heading to the royal palace first thing in the morning. A carriage will be prepared, so be at the guild by the eighth bell.”
“Huh?”
Did I just hear something odd, or was it my imagination?
“Be here by the eighth bell.”
“Who are you talking to?”
“It’s you, Nero, of course. Who else would it be?”
“Why do I have to go to the royal palace?”
“Because you’re the messenger, of course.”
No way, no way, no way! I can’t do something like that!
“Don’t worry. All you have to do is come along. You might even receive a reward.”
A reward… That does sound appealing. I’d love to get one if I can. That’s my inner voice talking.
“I don’t have any fancy clothes, though.”
“What you’re wearing now is fine.”
“What about Mii-chan and Perro?”
“Bring them along.”
“…”
“Problem solved, then. Don’t be late tomorrow.”
I guess I should head back to the inn…
“Mii~”
“I don’t really get it… but I’m hungry, nyan.”
After returning to the inn, Nero had dinner. As expected from a recommended inn, the food was lightly seasoned but delicious. Once back in his room and getting ready for bed, Mii-chan started demanding some anko (sweet red bean paste). Unable to resist Mii-chan’s intense enthusiasm, Nero gave in and served her some on a plate. Nero had been trying to give her treats like this around lunchtime, but the timing didn’t always work out.
After Mii-chan’s blissful snack time ended, Nero faced another little struggle with Perro before bed. When Nero said he wouldn’t sleep with Perro, Perro started complaining, so Nero bluntly pointed out that Perro had terrible sleeping habits.
“What?! How could you say that, nyan!”
Since Perro didn’t seem convinced, Nero suggested a trial: Perro could sleep in the carrier bag for the night, and they would see how things went. It should be interesting to see the outcome tomorrow.
The next morning, as expected, things were a mess. The carrier bag, which had been on the desk, was now in front of the door, and Perro was nowhere to be found. As Nero searched for him, he heard Mii-chan’s voice from under the bed.
“Mii~”
Peeking under the bed, Nero saw Mii-chan playfully pawing at Perro’s face.
“…orz”
Nero glanced up to find Perro sitting on the bed, looking sad while kneeling, but Nero decided to ignore him. Time to get dressed, eat breakfast, and head to the Hunter’s Guild.
“Mii~”
“Getting ready, nyan…”
After breakfast, Nero took care of Sumire before heading to the Hunter’s Guild. Today, Sumire would stay behind. She gave him a disappointed look and a little shiver, but there wasn’t much choice since they’d be taking a carriage to the royal palace. He assured her to rest well for the day.
As Nero walked towards the guild, he saw that the carriage was already prepared. Just as he was about to enter the guild, a voice called out to him from the carriage—it was Guild Master Zest. As soon as Nero got into the carriage, it started moving without any delay.
“Are we late?” Nero asked.
“No, you’re not late. If anything, you’re a bit early,” Zest replied.
“Then why were you already in the carriage?”
“Because if I stay inside the guild, they’ll make me work.”
I see… but is that really okay, Guild Master?
The carriage, carrying Nero and his companions, rode down the main street of the royal capital. Mii-chan and Perro were glued to the window, captivated by the scenery outside. They seemed overwhelmed by the vastness of the city but were clearly enjoying it. Nero, however, couldn’t afford to enjoy the view; he was too focused on what was to come. As they passed through the inner gate, they entered the noble district. The large estates and grand buildings here were worlds apart from the lives of common folk.
As the carriage moved further through the noble district, the gates of the royal palace came into view. It was an impressive gate, one that truly embodied the grandeur of the royal palace.
“What a huge house, nyan…”
“Mii~”
It’s technically a house, but it’s far from ordinary.
Inside the carriage, Nero took the opportunity to change Mii-chan’s outfit. He tied a red gemstone pendant to a pink ribbon and wrapped the best lace handkerchief around her neck.
“Oh, you look quite different now,” Guild Master Zest remarked.
“Mii~”
It’s Mii-chan’s official outfit, after all.
“I want something too, nyan…” Perro said with a hint of jealousy.
Sigh… Nero took a blue ribbon from Mii-chan and tied it around Perro’s shirt collar.
“Ohh, I look like a knight now, nyan!”
Uh, really? Well, as long as Perro’s happy, that’s all that matters.
The carriage arrived, not at the main entrance of the royal palace, but at a side service entrance. Of course, I should have expected that… but honestly, I was a bit nervous, wondering if we might go through the front entrance.
After getting off the carriage, Nero held Mii-chan in his arms and followed Guild Master Zest through the service entrance.
We’re about to step into the lion’s den.
“Mii~”