Chapter 96

Eventually, Hurg Papa seemed satisfied and released me, then started grooming Kugaru. I staggered away from Hurg Papa, gasping for breath, and fell to the ground. I had only intended to go to Daphne's place, but ended up in a terrible situation.

"By the way, did you come here for something?"

After finishing grooming Kugaru, Hurg Papa finally looked up. I answered while trying to dissipate the heat in my body into the ground.

"I was trying to go to Daphne's place, but I made a mistake."

Kugaru looked stunned upon hearing the word "mistake." It's not like it was that shocking. I wondered if I should have been more honest, but then Hurg Papa placed his large, thick front paw on Kugaru's back, as if he were putting on a baseball glove.

"Daphne! Kugaru has been to Daphne's place a few times!"

"Right, because she's my mom."

I found it endearing, but Kugaru quickly wriggled out from under the heavy paw and punched Hurg Papa several times, as if in protest. He must have been embarrassed about being exposed.

"Since you're here, why don't you take Milfia to Daphne's place?"

Despite being hit repeatedly by Kugaru, Hurg Papa proposed this without any concern.

"That sounds good. Kugaru, okay?"

I got up and said. Kugaru stopped attacking his father and turned to me, nodding and approaching me eagerly.

"Okay, then, please."

Kugaru nodded and stood next to me, preparing to use the teleportation spell. His body turned into a red flame, and I was enveloped in it.

"Whoa, wait!"

I jumped away before being completely enveloped by the flames, shaking my body to dispel the heat. The flames subsided, and Kugaru returned to his original form, tilting his head at me.

"What's wrong, Milfia? Was it too hot?"

"I'm fine, I just got a bit startled."

It was just a teleportation spell, so touching the flames wouldn't cause me to burn, but the heat made me instinctively flee.

"Can you try again, please?"

"Sure."

Under Hurg Papa's watchful eye, Kugaru transformed into flames once more. I was enveloped in the swirling flames and let out a terrified "Ah!" but this time I didn't run away. Just before the flames disappeared, I saw Hurg Papa laughing and encouraging me, "Ha ha ha! Keep it up!"

"We've arrived!"

Opening my eyes to Kugaru's voice, I found myself in a desolate place with a vast expanse of reddish-brown earth. The sun was setting, and the sky was dyed red. There were no buildings or people in sight, only rocky mountains. I wondered if Daphne, the earth spirit, lived in such a place.

"Oh, you two came together today."

A low, yet calm and feminine voice came from behind us, and Kugaru and I turned around. Daphne, in the form of a large black sheep, approached us on the red earth. Daphne's sheep form was characterized by a fluffy, velvety fur that felt different from my own, and despite being an animal, she had a seductive air.

However, after batting her long, lustrous eyelashes, she transformed into a brown-skinned beauty in a black dress.

"Milfia looks well. Your fur is as lovely as ever."

She picked me up, her silhouette rounder than a typical fox, and smiled warmly, stroking me with her warm hands.

"Have you put on a bit of weight?"

"Well, it's my winter coat... I haven't gained weight. Really."

I quickly explained to avoid any misunderstandings. Daphne smiled and nodded, then tried to pick up Kugaru with her other hand, but he slipped away, perhaps embarrassed by my presence. Daphne chuckled and didn't press the issue.

"What brings you here? Did you come to play? I don't think I can satisfy you two."

Daphne looked troubled, perhaps concerned about our boundless energy. I had played with her before, but she didn't seem to enjoy running around or roughhousing.

"We didn't come to play today. We came to consult with Daphne."

"Consult? So, Milfia has some troubles. What is it?"

She seemed surprised, as if she didn't expect me to have any problems. I told her about Tina and Rekka and asked for her opinion.

"Why do you think Rekka doesn't like sharing a room with Tina?"

"…So, this is about the people at the fortress?"

Daphne frowned and continued with a gentle smile.

"I've been consulted by spirits about other spirits and heard complaints about humans, but this is the first time I've been asked about human problems."

Perhaps she was wondering who Rekka and Tina were, but true to form, Daphne gave a thoughtful response.

"Maybe their personalities just don't match. But there's not much you can do about that. For example, even I have people I'd rather avoid. I get along with almost all spirits, but I'm a bit uncomfortable with the lightning spirit."

Humans don't have the same kind of personalities as spirits, but there are certainly people who just don't get along. However, Tina, who is cute and fluffy, and Rekka, who is sharp and reliable, seem to have opposite personalities, yet both have natural, innocent sides. I thought they should get along, considering they used to be friends.

"Hmm," I pondered, and Daphne stroked my neck while speaking.

"I don't think I can be of much help. I don't know much about the knights there. I understand the soldiers of this country a bit, but their thinking might be different. If you want to consult someone, you should ask Hyliris. She's at a different fortress from the one where Milfia is, but still in Aridora. She knows more about the knights than other spirits."

"Oh, right. I could ask Hyliris."

"Yes, that's a good idea."

"Thank you, Daphne!"

I watched Kugaru, who was blushing and looking away, being petted by Daphne, and then we flew to Hyliris' place together. This time, I used the teleportation spell.