Volume 7 Chapter 12 A Resolve to Fight
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Hah?”
As Klock made his way through the streets, two shadows darted past him, one black, one white, nimble as they vaulted onto the rooftops. When they paused for just a heartbeat to change direction, he caught sight of them—Elna and Lona.
”Hey! Give that back, Lona!!”
”Heh-heh, not a chance!!”
The black cat carried something in her arms, the white one giving chase. Neither of them noticed Klock as they vanished in a blink, full of restless energy. He couldn’t help but think that must be how they usually spent their days. Cats, after all, seemed to live without restraint, no matter their station or age.
Bathed in the sunlight just before noon, Klock finally arrived at a building that looked more like a private home than anything else. After exchanging a few words with the guard, he was let inside—only to find an iron cage standing between him and the woman within.
”Yo, Mina. How’ve you been?”
”Well, if it isn’t our guest. Long time no see. I heard you helped us out, right?”
For a prison, the place was surprisingly decent. The bars and walls shut her away from the outside, yet the room itself had more in common with an inn than with a dungeon. No filth, no squalor—probably a converted lodging house.
”Helped’s a strong word. Who told you that?”
”Lady Lona did. She came by yesterday and told me Lady Elna’s going to be emperor again.”
Sunlight through the window lit Mina’s red hair until it gleamed. News from yesterday’s council had already reached her. The Black Cat Princess herself hadn’t attended, but since she was always with Elna, of course she’d know.
”You’re looking awfully lively. Thought you’d be more down about all this.”
”That’s ’cause Lady Lona drops by every single day. Hard to keep a gloomy face when she does.”
Mina flicked her ears with a little twitch, shrugging as if to prove the point. Every day, Lona came to visit, to keep spirits up. That was the surprising side of the Black Cat Princess—fiercely aloof, bristling when approached, vanishing whenever meals weren’t involved. Yet here she was, showing devotion to her kin. Klock pictured her daily wanderings always including this stop, and the corner of his mouth twitched in spite of himself.
If Elna reclaimed the throne, Mina’s release would follow soon enough. And if Lona came each day with fresh updates, she must have been deeply worried.
”Well, anyway, sit tight. You’ll be out soon. I gotta head back to the Human Continent, so don’t expect me around for a while, but hang in there, yeah?”
”…They say you’ll be fighting the demonfolk.”
The word—war—lowered her voice a shade.
Cianie had said that during the uprising, the battle had been unexpectedly bloodless. Few lives lost. The males surrendered quickly, and the people soon smiled again. But for Klock and Mina, it had been different. That fight against the monster had been war in every sense—harsh, merciless.
”Guest… no, Mr. Klock. Thanks for saving me back then. You pulled me out of that black water. The head said so.”
”Ahh, that, huh. Already forgot.”
Maybe he had. That black water had disappeared along with the monster. He wondered what would have happened if she’d been submerged for too long.
”Hey, Mr. Klock.”
”Yeah?”
Mina glanced once at the soldier outside, then beckoned him closer. When he leaned near the bars, she tugged him forward and pressed her lips to his with a soft chu.
”Mr. Klock… don’t look so heavy-hearted. If things get rough out there, then next time, I’ll be the one to save you.”
”C’mon, we’ve got a first-rate hero on our side. Nothin’ to worry about.”
”Even so, you never know what’ll happen in life. And if you come back safe, I’ll give you something nice. Wouldn’t that be better motivation?”
”…Wouldn’t mind you givin’ it to me right now.”
”No way. If I do that before you go, you might never come back. If you wanna get along with Mina, then you’d better return alive. Tell me your cool battle stories, and maybe I’ll even let you know when my mating season starts. How’s that? Feel motivated now?”
She smiled, bright as firelight. Somehow, he found himself being cheered up by the girl locked away behind bars. When she winked and blew an invisible heart at him, he couldn’t help the grin tugging at his lips.
Even imprisoned, her charm was untouched. Back in Rushelora she’d been the No.1 girl in her establishment, and with a face that cute, all the rest could be forgiven.
”Little gloomy before, but now you’re makin’ a pervy face. Think you can really win me over, Mr. Klock?”
As if reading his thoughts, she grinned slyly. How many men had wasted their fortunes on her? If he’d had a gold coin on him, he’d have tossed it without hesitation.
”See you later♡”
She waved sweetly, and he lifted his hand in return. Somehow, it felt like they’d grown close, forged by sharing a brush with death. The past between them didn’t matter.
He walked away lighter, already deciding he’d come see her the moment he returned. The rest could wait until later. Of course, Cianie could never know. It wasn’t cheating—it was… something else. Definitely not cheating.
”Yo, Larana. Still got the best rack in town.”
”My, my. Come to flirt today, guest?”
On the opposite side of the building where Mina was held stood another simple longhouse. Just like the Red Cat’s cell, it was little more than an ordinary wooden room—something she could probably break out of with ease if she wanted.
”Call it training, huh? If this weren’t a cell, I’d have already dragged you off to an inn.”
”Oh, bold words, especially with a hero in your life. But perhaps I’ll consider it, once I’m free.”
The white cat girl was balancing on one hand when he arrived, prisoner’s garb nothing more than plain underclothes that had ridden up to bare her stomach. Unfortunately for him, gravity had hidden the heavy swell of her breasts. She flipped nimbly at his approach, landing with feline grace.
”Guess Lona’s been tellin’ you too?”
”You worked to see Lady Elna restored to the throne, did you not? Lady Lona was delighted. And I hear you’re bound for war. First the Beast Country, and now this. Hard times.”
Even here, Lona’s paw prints lingered. She might act like a brat most of the time, but she had a way of surprising him.
”Seriously, I’m sick of fightin’. Don’t wanna do it anymore. Though, if you squeezed me between those tits, I might get my energy back.”
”Fufu. I’d love to embrace you properly, but you’ll have to endure for now.”
She said it with a softness that caught him off guard. She really had become gentler. He hadn’t saved the cats directly, but with Elna’s ascension, they counted it as his doing.
Truthfully, he hadn’t been above angling for their pardon. If things had gone poorly, he’d even thought about helping them escape. With Elna in power, they’d behave, and if they had no place in the Beast Country anymore, he could take them to the Human Continent.
”Mr. Klock.”
She beckoned him closer. The memory of Mina’s kiss was still fresh, so he half-expected a repeat. Larana was Deep Cat’s No.2, after all—wouldn’t be strange if she thought the same way.
”Next month is my mating season.”
But instead of kissing, she whispered it sweetly, words brushing against his ears.
”If you wish it, I wouldn’t mind being yours alone♡.”
Her upturned gaze challenged him, provocative as she deliberately pressed up her generous chest.
”Gotta say, provocin’ me through the bars takes guts. What’s with this, all of a sudden?”
”Heading into war is painful, isn’t it? If a female waits for him, a male fights all the harder.”
So even Larana was showing the same quiet concern Mina had. And maybe she was right—if a man knew a woman was waiting, then dying wasn’t an option. No choice but to crawl back alive and throw himself into her arms. The instinct to come home and… bury himself in her was just that strong. That was the nature of a male, wasn’t it?
Well, maybe not when there was already another woman traveling alongside him. In Klock’s case, the effect was questionable at best.
”Hmph. Then you’d better be ready when you’re free. Cry or laugh, I ain’t lettin’ you go.”
”Oh my, have I gone and lit a fire under the lion?”
The white-haired cat laughed softly, stretching out her hand through the bars to trail it slowly down toward his crotch. For the first time in his life, Klock hated the iron between them. He gripped the bars, ready to close the distance, but Larana deliberately stepped back, just far enough that his reach would fall short.
If he wanted her, he’d have to come back alive first. She was too good at this game, dangling temptation just out of reach, swaying her tail side to side like a pendulum of provocation.
”I’ll be waiting for that date♡. But don’t take too long, or another male might snatch me away first!”
With that parting shot, she waved cheerfully and retreated into the room. She’d taken control of the timing, just like a seasoned hostess trained to toy with men’s hearts.
Damn tease. Acting all casual like that, just to rile me up… they’re not getting away with it. Klock clenched his teeth and made a vow—he’d come back, finish this Demon Lord nonsense in a week flat, then march straight to their doors to give those cheeky brats the punishment they deserved.
Of course, Cianie could never know. This wasn’t cheating. It was… something else. Definitely not cheating.
”Nyah, handsome mister over there. Got a minute right now?”
”An’ for a pretty girl, I’ve got all the time in the world.”
The voice came from behind him, and his reply came instantly, instinctively.
”Still talking nonsense, huh. Just admit you’re free.”
When he turned, a curtain of chestnut-brown hair lifted in the light. Irina swept it back with one hand and smiled. She wasn’t the iron-fisted “Oni” of the cats anymore—just a slender, ordinary woman.
Her body was shown off cleanly by her tight clothes, but on her it didn’t look like fashion—it looked like efficiency, as if she’d dressed purely for freedom of movement. Amazing how image changed the way people looked.
Her tabby ears flicked, and she slid up beside him, wrapping her arms around his.
”I know a good place. Come have lunch with me, nya.”
”Perfect timing. My stomach’s been growlin’.”
A faint scent brushed against him as they walked. Perfume. Where had she planned to go, dressed and scented like this? With her on his arm, they headed straight into the bustling heart of Boorinel.
Suzette was going to be mad later. If he didn’t come home for lunch, she’d tell him so. He’d just have to eat the cold meal as a midnight snack. If he cleaned up properly, she wouldn’t stay mad long.
”When I first met you, I thought you were some pampered playboy, nya.”
The tavern they entered had a chic, polished air. Seated at the counter, they clinked glasses and downed the first sip. Irina narrowed her eyes and added, “And yet here you are, the supposed womanizing Human guest, now the hero’s husband-to-be, standing at the heart of the Beast Country’s upheaval, and next off to war with the demonfolk, nya. Tell me, did you always dream of being a hero?”
”Not even close. And we ain’t married yet.”
Even at midday, the place was lively. Tucked away at the counter’s edge, her voice carried clearly to him. Under the glow of magical lamps, her hair looked almost copper, her profile softened, as if letting her guard down.
A plate landed in front of her—grilled fish steaming, its scent rich. A moment later, Klock’s dish arrived, and the smell of roast beef overpowered everything else.
His spirits soared at the sight. On the Human Continent, meat was expensive and vegetables were the daily staple. Here, it was the opposite—meat came cheap, while farmland and crops were scarce. Beef, however, was still a luxury.
”This is the best cut in town. Savor it. It’d be a waste to visit Boorinel and not try the beef.”
”Now that’s what I call generous, Lady Lord. Treatin’ me real nice.”
To his right, Irina delicately peeled her fish, ears twitching. Beyond her sat another woman, sharp-eyed, wings folded against her back—Cattleya, Lord of Boorinel, and leader of the harpies.
The two of them had planned to meet here. Klock had just been swept along. Maybe that explained why Mina and Larana had been treated so well—the harpy lord herself was part of the equation.
”By the way, Mr. Klock. Not the most fitting time to say this, but don’t you think you’ve been a little cold to us?”
Cattleya’s tone carried a practiced displeasure, almost theatrical, as if she were deliberately playing a role before him. Even lords dropped their guard on off-days, it seemed.
”The parliamentary system—you could’ve told us. We wouldn’t have opposed it outright. Conflict was inevitable anyway. But to not be consulted at all? That, I cannot forgive so easily.”
”Uh, yeah… well…”
Of course she had complaints about yesterday’s council. He’d expected as much. The harpies were one of his closest allies. True, the hero had toppled the kingdom, but it was Cattleya who had held the rebel army together. Their connection had started with messy fights involving Cianie, but in truth, she deserved acknowledgment.
So why hadn’t he included the harpies? The reason was simple—Cattleya was a pain to deal with.
”Sorry, things just got too tight. Demon Lord’s Army popped up and suddenly my schedule’s all jammed, barely keepin’ my head above water.”
The usual excuse rolled easily off his tongue. Sure, the demon army had caused trouble, but it wasn’t like he had zero time.
”…Hmm. So the situation really is that dire?”
”Honestly? Pretty bad. Still hard to believe, but… whole countries have been wiped out.”
He cut into the beef and shoved it into his mouth. One bite, and the juices burst over his tongue.
”Gods, that’s good. …Anyway, meant to come tell you later, but I’m leaving tomorrow. Just me and Cianie heading to the Human Continent. So take care of Elna and the others, alright?”
”Very well. But… will you truly be fine?”
”No worries about the fighting. Doesn’t matter how insane it gets, Cianie’ll handle most of it herself.”
Letting the hero loose was the quickest path to resolution. She was meant for battle—everything else could be left to Hermine and the others to sort out. If Klock and Cianie just stuck to their role, things would work out.
Looked at that way, his burden wasn’t so heavy. Cianie swung the sword, he stood behind her. If that was all, nothing too terrifying about it.
”My sister tells me your demonic servant has become her friend. They chat often. She’s also in touch with the golden-furred cat, and with Princess Elna as the new ruler, the harpies will guard her. No need to worry for those left behind. But as for you…”
”…What about us?”
”I can’t say without knowing the situation. But don’t assume one hero can solve everything. Life rarely works out so simply.”
She wasn’t wrong. Cianie was just one person. If she fought in the east while the Demon Lord’s Army ravaged the west, what then? A single warrior, no matter how strong, couldn’t be everywhere at once. And when the tide turned against her, when no trick could turn the battle back, that would be the real crisis.
Klock tried not to imagine it. If he did, the helplessness might crush him.
”Relax. Cianie’s got three ridiculously strong companions at her back.”
”I see. You mean the Brave Knight.”
He said it half-joking, half to brush aside the weight in the air. And in his mind, he saw her again—that blonde knight, always bored, always restless. By now, was she gleefully cutting down the Demon Lord’s Army? Maybe on the Human Continent, their paths would cross again.
”By the way, Mr. Klock. As a lord, I’d like your opinion. How does the Beast Country compare to the Human Continent?”
The conversation drifted, light as smoke, into idle chatter. As a lord, Cattleya must have been curious to hear how a foreigner saw her land. Both feline and avian eyes fixed on Klock, waiting for his words.
”Compared to the Human Continent, huh? Can’t give you a whole continent answer. But if you’re askin’ about Crotopone, the place I grew up, it was a country built on individualism.”
Individualism. Sure, most nations leaned that way, but his homeland had taken it to extremes. Maybe it was the difference between Humans and Beastkin, or maybe it was simply the fruit of centuries of peace.
Compared to here, the service was awful. Customers were just as rude as the staff. Nobody bothered with politeness. Ask for directions and you’d be ignored more often than not. Everyone did whatever they pleased, with zero concern for appearances.
In the Royal Capital, brawls broke out on the streets every day. Carriages halted just so their drivers could trade insults, and the crowd would cheer them on like it was a festival. Civilization had ended long before. Only after the soldiers began patrolling did the shirtless wanderers disappear, but pajamas in public? That was still a daily sight.
Dim alleys brimmed with girls too young and women too sly, peddling charm with sharp tongues. Adventurers and soldiers flocked to them. In that kingdom, everyone followed their own road, and the air of decay clung to the streets like smoke.
”Compared to that, Beastkin are cheerful. Their communities are tight, and once you’re part of one, you’ll never be alone. Even those cold, bratty kittens secretly treasure their bonds. There’s harmony everywhere. Sure, the way they eat is messy, but in the end they’re all good-natured. Even some poor bullied guy can join a new group, and he’ll forget the pain soon enough, basking in the sun. Those who once ruled can lose their place and still smile, living happily anyway.”
This country was warm. Even in the cold, they clung together and shared their heat. Looking back, it seemed rare to see anyone wearing a gloomy face.
”I see. You hold the Beast Country in high regard.”
Cattleya’s smile was radiant, as if he’d praised her personally. Maybe he had overdone it. Irina’s gaze lingered on him, sharp and probing, as if digging into his heart.
Not that he was lying. At first he’d thought this land was full of stinking beasts, but he had come to see it as a good country. Still, his old kingdom wasn’t all bad either. It had freedom no other place could match.
Fools and scoundrels everywhere—that was normal. Joking, tricking, coaxing smiles from annoyed women until they gave in and joined you at an inn, or bonding with drunken idiots over cheap cups of liquor—it hadn’t been so bad.
And above all, there were memories. Memories only his kingdom held, nowhere else. His childhood with family. Foolish escapades with his apprentice. Dirty laughter shared with comrades.
But the kingdom was gone.
”Mr. Klock?”
”…Nah, it’s nothing.”
Right. That kingdom didn’t exist anymore.
”Well then, after lunch comes the fun part. Mr. Klock, can you handle some drinks, nya?”
”Not today. Gotta get back early, or Cianie’ll chew me out.”
He shoved the last of the beef into his mouth and stood, done with the meal. Since it was their treat, there was no bill to worry about.
”I see. Give my regards to the hero. You are our benefactors—I pray for your safety and victory. You’ll come back to the Beast Country, won’t you? Next time, we’ll drink together. I’ll be waiting to hear your war stories, nya.”
He wondered for a moment if it was right to just wave them off when surrounded by two such women. But the mood wasn’t there anymore, so he only raised his hand in parting. At the door, he turned. Both of them were smiling as they saw him out.
”It seems his homeland wasn’t so bad after all.”
”Nya. When you leave a place, it shines brighter in your memory. A male who can fight for more than himself is a good male. Apart from his womanizing, he’s not so bad, nya.”
”That’s a surprising evaluation. That perfume you’re wearing, perhaps—”
”No more, nya. That’s enough.”
* * *
”Welcome back. Did you talk with the captured cats?”
”Yeah. Even ran into Irina. Guess Lona’s been oversharing again—they already knew we’re marchin’ off to fight the Demon Lord’s Army.”
He dropped onto the sofa with a heavy thud. Almost immediately, Cianie slipped down beside him. Every time he came home, she drew close, as if sitting at his side was simply her role. And he had grown so used to it, so adjusted, that in his mind she was already his partner.
It felt a little like married life. The thought tickled at him, and he shook it off.
”Klock. Tomorrow’s battle… it won’t be like anything we saw in the Beast Country. If it gets too hard, you can always—”
”Cianie.”
”…Yeah?”
She looked uneasy, though her face remained still. He could feel it in the air. He reached out, pulled her suddenly against him.
”We’ll smash ’em fast. Every last bastard who thought up this whole ‘war’ nonsense—we’ll beat ’em down. And when it’s over, let’s go out somewhere. We’ve only ever done dates in town, right? Hell, tomorrow counts as going out too, but still.”
”…You’re right. I’d like that. Heh, I’ll be looking forward to it.”
Notes:
• Elna – Female. A young apprentice mage. Her appearance is that of a child with white hair reaching her shoulders. She wears a black hooded mantle with strange patterns. Her relationship is as an apprentice to Hermine, the Great Mage. Her power involves advanced magic, including spatial teleportation. Her combat style is magical, and she is described as childish and easily provoked.
• Lona – Female. A young apprentice mage. Her appearance is that of a child with black hair reaching her shoulders. She wears a black hooded mantle with strange patterns. Her relationship is as an apprentice to Hermine, the Great Mage. Her power involves advanced magic, including spatial teleportation. Her combat style is magical, and she is described as childish and easily provoked. Elna’s sister; a black cat Beastkin who’s relatively normally developed physically compared to Elna.
• Mina – The red-haired cat girl is a hostess who leans in closely, her blushing cheeks indicating her interest, but she plays hard to get.
• Cianie – A noble girl with a fluffy white and light blue dress, indicating her high status. She has a hesitant and flustered personality but is kind and courteous. Her relationship with Klock begins as an accidental encounter and develops into a romantic interest. She has a fiancé but expresses feelings for Klock, complicating their relationship.
• Rushelora – A port where demons are allowed to stay at embassies under special circumstances. It is a location where humans and demons have trade relations.
• Larana – Her white hair contrasts with an aggressive seductress attitude, as she entices with her body and a calculated air, once the gold coins appear.
• Irina – She introduced herself as the innkeeper’s name, a 32-year-old with a youthful appearance, who enjoys being sexually satisfied by Klock. A beastkin cat.
• Boorinel – A town east of Ryzan, where Lord Cattleya’s manor is located; said to be a long journey from Ryzan.
• Suzette – The older maid from Viscount Fennec. The head maid at the Viscount Fennec’s villa. She is confident, clear-spoken, and professional.
• Cattleya – The lord; resides in the town of Boorinel, east of Ryzan, past the Mesa; wants to confirm Klock’s humanity.
• Hermine – Daughter of the Emperor of the Second Empire of Dusselhelm. A companion and friend of Anna. The mage. She is pragmatic and encourages Anna to focus on her duties as a hero rather than her personal revenge.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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