Chapter 95

It seems that there is no hostility, and Rio has Shira get the evil sword Nightstalker to release the magic on him.

The cat, Churas, sitting on the table, crossed its legs skillfully. It seems that its skeletal structure is different from that of a normal cat, and its sitting posture is closer to that of a human.

"Really, are you Churas?"

He glances at the Pizznuts bell given by Galdrat. The bell tied to the bag is supposed to be a signal for Churas, but it doesn’t ring properly.

However, with a cat’s hearing, it wouldn’t be strange if it could hear it.

Even Galdrat only knew that Churas had been corresponding with his lord, Nac Schwarkar. It’s not certain that Churas is human.

Still, it was hard to believe.

The cat calling itself Churas laughs and scratches the air with one hand.

"It’s not surprising that you’re shocked. Well, sit down."

With a strangely human gesture, Churas punches the chair attached to the table and encourages them to sit. Rio and Shira exchange glances and take their seats. Churas strokes its whiskers with its fluffy paw.

"Alright, I am Churas, an old friend of Galdrat’s lord, Nac Schwarkar. I was investigating the magic orb with Nac, even after his death."

Churas looks at the Pizznuts bell tied to Rio’s bag.

"That bell is a signal between Nac and me. The investigation of the magic orb had to be done secretly, so we used the bell to exchange information in secluded places."

"What about the letters?"

"I sent them through the regular mail of the Adventurer’s Guild. I also sent several letters from San Ankh May."

"No, I meant, can you write?"

He looks at Churas’s hands, which are covered in fluffy paws and sleek black long fur. It doesn’t seem like they could hold a pen.

"I can write if I hold it in my mouth."

"Oh, that way."

"You’re a curious one, aren’t you?"

Churas laughs and waves its tail as if sweeping the table. Shira, who had been watching the tail’s movement, speaks up.

"I’m Shira. This is Rio."

"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself."

"I knew your names because I had been following you for a while."

If Churas had been listening to their conversation with its cat’s hearing, it would have heard their names.

Shira quietly reaches out to Churas’s tail. The tail dodges Shira’s hand and comes in front of Rio’s eyes.

"Why were you following us?"

"I couldn’t tell if you were friend or foe, so I was observing you. If Galdrat had come directly, it would have been different, but I had to be cautious with a boy and a girl I had no connection with."

Given the existence of the White Masks, it’s understandable that even with the signal bell, Churas couldn’t trust them immediately.

"Besides, I am in this form. Even if I believe in you, I’m not sure you would believe me."

"That’s true."

Even now, as they exchange words, he’s not sure how to approach this suspicious black cat. He only thinks it’s not an enemy because it helped them when the White Masks ambushed them.

"By the way, you were asking about Galdrat, right?"

"Yes. If Nac Schwarkar had any regrets, it would be about that apprentice. I know he’s at the guild’s training ground, but what happened to him?"

"He became a saint."

When Rio tells him the conclusion, Churas opens its eyes wide and wiggles its cat ears happily.

"That’s wonderful. So, that rookie did. Huh, Nac would be proud."

Churas itself seems proud, twitching its nose. Then, it tilts its head curiously.

"If he became a saint, he should have become a knight in both body and mind. Why didn’t he come here himself?"

"It seems he has a strong desire to protect Rihelan."

"Ah, his attachment has grown stronger. If he became a saint, there’s nothing to be done about it."

Churas nods thoughtfully, folding its arms.

It seems he knows that becoming a saint strengthens one’s attachment.

"Is it common for the attachment to grow stronger?"

Saints are rare, but there are a few historical examples. Rio wondered if it was common, but Churas shakes its head.

"Generally, it’s not known. Both divine and evil beasts have their attachments grow stronger or develop. The fact that you don’t know this suggests that you only brought the magic orb?"

Shira tilts her head at Churas’s words.

"Does it feel like the story doesn’t connect because we don’t know anything?"

Churas shifts its gaze from Rio to Shira, stroking its whiskers thoughtfully. After a while, Churas nods as if making a decision.

"It seems you don’t even know what you should know. Since you’re already involved, you should know."

Churas straightens its posture, looking at Rio and Shira seriously before speaking calmly.

"This will be a long story, but let’s start with the magic orb. To put it simply, the magic orb was created by Rinn Dye, the entity you call the White Masks."

Indeed, Rio recalls the magic orb in his bag and stands up. When Rio takes the magic orb out of his bag, Churas taps the table with its paws, signaling to place it. Rio lays a handkerchief as a non-slip mat and places the magic orb.

"Is this the magic orb?"

"Yes, it is the magic orb."

"What exactly is it?"

Shira taps the magic orb with her fingertips and asks. Churas looks up at Shira and begins to explain.

"It gathers surrounding magic and creates a new species with high intelligence."

"Figures."

The apes, Trollops, and Brakuls were all unknown animals with high intelligence. However, the idea of gathering surrounding magic is new. Considering the explosive increase in their numbers, it makes sense that it’s not just about breeding.

Churas taps its own chest with its front paws.

"And one of the new species created is me—and that girl over there."