Chapter 48

How much time had passed since I was left to the mercy of Elies and Mars' riding beasts? There was still no sign of being released. Well, I was happy, though.

More concerning was the hurried footsteps I could hear from outside. As I was thinking about this, the door suddenly swung open.

"Oh, Yahar."

Standing at the door were an old man in a gray jumpsuit and black rubber boots, and two young men. Elies called out to the old man.

"Elies and Mars... What's this?"

"I just stopped by to show this kid around, but it seems they've taken a real liking to her. They must find her quite tasty, as they won't let go."

The old man's eyes widened as he saw me with my hair being tousled, while Elies responded with a smile.

"Things seem quite hectic. Is there a problem?"

"It's a big problem, a huge one. Have you seen Tzen?"

"I haven't seen him since I got here. Is it that serious to have the deputy captain looking for him?"

"You seem to think it's someone else's problem. Don't give me that smug look."

The old man's expression turned sour as he glared at Elies, who was smiling.

"Captain! I can't take it anymore!!"

From behind the old man, a desperate cry echoed. Only then did Filius and Edith release my hair, but the tense atmosphere was palpable. Were they on guard?

Looking up at the two beasts, I saw their gazes fixed on something beyond the door. Following their gaze, I saw a familiar massive figure facing a group in gray jumpsuits.

"He's already here?"

The old man turned and let out a frustrated sigh. Without thinking, I ran to him. Slipping through the gap between the old man and the young men, I called out to the massive figure.

"Retsu!"

Dilnan's riding beast and my beloved first fluffy companion, the white tiger Retsu! When I called his name, Retsu, who had been growling at the surroundings, turned to look at me. His puzzled expression was so cute!!

"Retsu"

As I ran to him, the group in gray jumpsuits let out a collective scream. Ignoring them, I rushed to Retsu, who caught me without flinching. I petted his fluffy face, and he licked me with his rough tongue. It was still as rough as ever.

"Retsu, shouldn't you be napping?"

"..."

Clearly the cause of the tension, Retsu looked awkward and let out a bark. He knew he had done something wrong.

"Did you do something naughty?"

When I pressed, the incredibly smart white tiger turned away. He really reacts like a human. That's what makes him so irresistibly cute.

"Bad Retsu, I don't like it."

But that's a different matter. Don't cause trouble for the people who take care of you.

Pouting and turning away, I noticed the group in gray jumpsuits looking at me with shock. Their eyes were wide, mouths agape, and some were even hitting themselves. It was quite a sight.

Wondering what was going on, I turned to look at Retsu but noticed the sound of hooves behind me. Turning around, I saw Filius and Edith up close. They ignored my shudder and resumed their nibbling. Their gazes were fixed on Retsu, who seemed to be smirking despite his wariness.

As I was being nibbled, I looked at Retsu, who had a "shocked" expression. His eyes were slightly moist.

Don't look at me with such pleading eyes! I feel guilty...

"Will you not do it again?"

"..."

"Will you really reflect on it?"

"..."

Gently speaking, Retsu nodded and barked, looking very determined.

"Then, I still love you, Retsu."

This should be enough. Yes. My conscience was slightly pained.

Smiling, I said, and Retsu pounced on me.

He must have been very happy, as he rubbed his cheek against mine. I was happy too, but considering our size difference, it was a bit much. Drowning in fluffiness!

Then, he licked my cheek vigorously. The rough tongue of a feline is rough. A few times are fine, but it hurts if he does it too many times with such force!!

What is this?

Retsu with his fluffy licking attack, and Filius and Edith with their nibbling attack.

Moreover, they were subtly competing, making it intense. Sparks were flying.

"Meow! That's enough!!"

As I gasped, a sharp sound came from behind. The three beasts froze. Turning around, I saw Elies standing in front of the old man, holding a whip in her right hand and smiling. The whip suited her well.

Grasping Elies' help, I ran to her, tears welling up in my eyes.

"Elies-taicho!"

"Mars, please tidy up Yurie. I'll give these troublemakers some educational guidance."

Sticking to Elies' leg, she gently stroked my hair and called out to Mars. Mars emerged from behind the old man, stood next to me, and beckoned me over.

Obediently moving to Mars, he cleaned up my messy, tattered clothes and hair with water and wind magic. Then, he picked me up and gently stroked my cheek, which was stinging from Retsu's licking.

"...The infirmary, then the cafeteria."

His voice was calm, but his declaration was forceful. I remembered the conversation between Elies and Mars when we first entered the stables.

—The lecture course, decided...?

Feeling my blood run cold, I looked up at Mars, but his expressionless face gave nothing away. Shivering in fear, I was on the verge of tears, but I knew it was my own fault.

"Well, are you ready?"

The gentle yet cold voice from behind was like a death sentence to me. ...May the three beasts rest in peace. Wait for me there.

After Elies' loving (whip-based) educational guidance, the three beasts became surprisingly well-behaved.

Elies handed them over to the group in gray jumpsuits, who led them to their respective stables. Retsu, Filius, and Edith subtly avoided Elies' gaze, clearly showing their feelings. Elies with a whip is beautiful but scary.

"...Elies, you're ruthless."

"Can you control a riding beast if you can't control it?"

"Even Retsu?"

"Call it educational guidance. Retsu is a problem child, after all."

"How many people can do that?"

"Oh, I'm offended. ...There are worse ones than me."

Once things calmed down, Elies put away her whip and started talking to the old man.

Sticking to Mars, feeling like I was on the "lecture course," I noticed both of them looking at me.

"That Retsu and Yurie are mutual. ...Dilnan returned with his cheeks twitching from how attached they were. Even Filius and Edith showed affection on their first meeting. She must be very appealing to riding beasts."

"...Occasionally, someone who resonates with magic beasts appears. They have a natural magic power that appeals to high-level magic beasts. Tzen is a good example in the riding beast unit. Her child is likely to have an even better compatibility."

"Really?"

"Meeting a dragon will confirm it. They are especially sensitive to compatibility. I'll arrange it for you."

"Dragon... Can I meet one?"

The old man's words piqued my curiosity. I wanted to meet the fantasy creature.

Staring at the old man, he laughed.

"Being liked by Retsu and liking riding beasts, it's almost certain. You're also well-liked by people.

I'll introduce you to Tzen. ...How about a trial period with the riding beast unit?"

What? Could this be...?

"...Are you the captain of the riding beast unit?"

"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Captain Yahar of the riding beast unit."

"I'm Yurie. Nice to meet you, Captain Yahar."

"You can call me 'grandpa' outside of official settings."

"Grandpa"

Yes, here we go. The eighth captain. ...Meeting them at a pretty fast pace, aren't I?

Or is it that I've met so many people in one day? Is Elies setting something up??

Yahar is a small, slightly chubby, and adorable old man, unlike Oji.

"'Grandpa'...?"

"What, Elies?"

"Who was it that recently complained about being treated like an old man?"

"You're old to a kid, but I won't let you treat me like one."

"Hmm"

Elies and Yahar were having a chilly conversation with smiles, but it was about time...

Gurgle

My stomach, it was growling. I had been walking around the castle.

Elies, Yahar, and Mars' attention naturally shifted to my stomach.

Patting my protruding stomach, trying to tell it to "be patient," it protested with a louder growl. ...What a demanding stomach.

"...What a wonderful stomach, Yurie. It's very punctual."

Elies, who had met my stomach for the second time, checked her pocket watch and showed me the face with a smile. The long and short hands were perfectly aligned at noon.

"...Lunch time?"

"Yes. Let's go to the cafeteria after the infirmary."

Thinking about lunch, I asked Elies, who responded with an even brighter smile.

I had forgotten about the punishment!

My face expressed a "gaboom!" as Mars, who was holding me, chuckled. ...He's laughing.

"I won't go!"

"It would be dangerous if you got infected with mold."

"Vincent-taicho's punishment is scary!"

"Give up on that. ...If you don't go, I can add my lecture before Vincent's."

Desperately resisting Elies while clinging to Mars, but Elies was clearly two steps ahead.

With a super smile, she was emitting a small, dark aura. No room for negotiation!

"Dilnan-taicho will be angry too..."

"Dilnan is like a 'mother.' Of course, he will be."

On the verge of tears, I shook my head, but Elies remained smiling. She even brought up her conversation with Jean to affirm Dilnan's reaction.

In the midst of this, Yahar burst out laughing at Elies' "Dilnan is like a mother" comment.

"Dilnan is a mother!?"

"That man is surprisingly meticulous and overprotective. Watching him with Yurie is hilarious."

"...Well, try your best to get scolded, kid. I'll tell Dilnan about the dragon."

Laughing, Yahar encouraged me. My stomach growled in response, and I was met with laughter from Yahar, Elies, and Mars.

...The path to lunch is still long. Sniff.