Volume 4 Chapter 69 The Cat-Eared Girl’s Feelings And Resolve
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”What did you do to me!?”
The brown-skinned cat-eared girl we pulled out of the sea shouted.
In an instant, she leapt from my arms and landed on the railing of the ship’s deck.
Her cat ears flattened sideways, tail puffed up huge like a bottle brush, stiff and twitching.
Yeah. All her body screamed “danger!” like a full-alert cat.
Beastfolk ears and tails really show emotions easy.
She’s probably pissed, but her cute look hits harder than the anger.
But right now, I don’t have time to admire the adorable factor.
”Calm down. We saved you.”
I spread both hands open, showing peace vibes.
”Saved?”
She squinted suspiciously, still sharp-eyed.
”You were tied up and fell into the sea, remember?”
”Ah…”
Her eyes dropped to her wrists.
When she noticed the ropes were gone, her big eyes opened wide.
Then her brain finally caught up, and she scanned her surroundings in a rush.
She probably realized this wasn’t the pirate ship anymore.
”Milord~! All clean and wiped! We’re done here!”
Kéa’s voice came flying in, loud and cheerful.
She bounced over the vine bridge with a huge wave, her red ponytail swinging.
Over on the pirate ship floating nearby, the situation was settled.
Every pirate was down. The ones still moving were wrapped in Rozmiaque’s vines like sad meatballs.
They could barely wriggle. Rolling on the floor in misery.
Brownie and the other squadmates who helped Kéa were waving at us too.
Everyone was safe. I let out a breath and nodded.
”Ah, good work. No injuries?”
”All fine! Even the fairies. Those losers weren’t even worth breaking a sweat!”
Kéa puffed out her chest proudly—those things bounced like crazy.
Brownie and the rest were grinning, twirling their knives and forks like trophies.
Yeah. Total domination. No contest.
”No way… all those pirates?”
The cat-eared girl stared, eyes huge.
She looked completely stunned, whispering like she couldn’t accept it.
”Now do you get it? We’re not enemies.”
”…Ah. Yeah. Um… thank you.”
She looked away awkwardly, kind of mumbling her thanks.
Her tail lowered, tip flicking like it wasn’t sure what to do.
Still tense, but the hate in her eyes was gone.
”Also, sorry for hitting you.”
”Ah, it’s fine.”
Yeah, I got smacked, but this body’s tough. Didn’t even sting.
”Anyway, I want to ask something.”
”What?”
”Those pirates—aren’t they the bad guys? You were tied up. They were gonna kill you, right?”
At that, her brows furrowed, and she gave a small shake of the head.
”…It’s not really that simple.”
And then, slowly, she started to explain.
She was the granddaughter of the village chief from a nearby fishing village.
Lately, pirates had started showing up, causing trouble.
At first, it was just fishing interference, annoying stuff.
But then it escalated—attacking trade ships, looting valuables.
The village was too small and remote.
No way the kingdom’s navy would lift a finger. They were useless.
This time, the pirates came straight to the village while the chief was gone.
No one could fight them off. A fight meant guaranteed loss.
So, as the village head’s granddaughter, she stepped up to talk.
She negotiated.
She agreed to be taken as a hostage and pay tribute regularly.
”If the villagers fought with all they had, they would get hurt too.”
So they had room to talk. That’s what she believed.
I stared at her quietly.
That healthy brown skin gleamed in the sunlight.
Her shiny black cat ears twitched, tail swaying behind her.
Slim, athletic, but still had a curvy body—despite her young age, she had a grown woman’s figure.
Yeah. She definitely looked good enough to use as “bargaining material,” sadly.
But still… offering herself?
”If just I suffer, then the village stays safe. That’s what I thought…”
Her voice trembled slightly, guilt slipping through.
”But I overheard them. On the ship, they said it. ‘Once the villagers let down their guard, kill them all.’ They never planned to keep the deal.”
So when she heard that, she made her choice.
”I jumped. I’m good at swimming. I thought maybe I could escape.”
How far is it from here to land?
Even if she’s a strong swimmer, with her hands tied? That’s practically suicide.
”I didn’t care if I died. If I die, the villagers will realize and prepare to fight. Better than getting hit while they’re defenseless.”
Her tone was steady, calm.
But every word carried steel.
She was ready to die to protect her home.
No one can talk down that kind of will.
”…You’re amazing.”
That’s all I could say.
”You can call me dumb. I think so too.”
She smiled, a little embarrassed.
”No. That’s brave. I respect that.”
I meant it.
Honestly, if she hadn’t jumped, we might’ve let the pirates leave.
She’d be stuck as their toy. The village would be ruined.
Her decision changed everything. It saved them.
At my words, she went quiet, her eyes dropping a little.
Her tail, once tense and high, now slowly relaxed—calmer.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply