Chapter 80

The large number of caterpillars must have been collected by Korco for Roa.

While we were discussing what to do about Roa's meal, Korco had gone outside.

Upon hearing the conversation, Korco had gone out to catch caterpillars that Roa could eat.

She really is a kind and smart chicken.

"Rulia? What's going on here?"

But my mother was furious.

"Um... food?"

"Food? Whose?"

"Um... the birds'?"

I glanced at the owl,

"Hmm!"

The owl walked over to the caterpillars and took a bite.

"Huh?"

"That's not it. The caterpillars—"

—Rustle, rustle, rustle

Five birds, including hawks and sparrows, flew in through the window.

Each of them was carrying caterpillars.

"Chirp!"

"Just a moment—"

Ignoring my mother's tense face, the birds chirped and placed the caterpillars into the basket.

"Is this... Rulia's doing?"

"Yes, it's Rulia's doing."

"That makes sense, since the basket was prepared—"

The basket must have been prepared by Korco.

Korco had found a basket that was just right for putting the caterpillars in and placed it behind the bed.

But I couldn't say, "Korco and the birds did this on their own."

Korco and the birds did it for Roa.

If anyone was going to be scolded, it would be me.

I gathered the birds, saying, "Come here."

I petted Korco, the owl, the hawks, and the sparrows in turn.

"Thank you."

"...Rulia, why did you do this?"

Mother was behind me, so I couldn't see her face, but I could tell she was angry from her tone.

"Because... there wouldn't be enough food without the bird feed."

"You're not planning to eat them, are you, Rulia?"

"I wouldn't do that. But I did make them do it."

"I see."

When I explained that I didn't intend to eat them, the anger in my mother's voice subsided.

"I'll have the birds bring the bird feed. So stop making them collect caterpillars."

"Um, but—"

"Rulia?"

"Alright."

If I resisted further, my mother might start monitoring me here.

I decided to take the caterpillars directly from the birds and give them to Roa without storing them.

"Don't make them collect caterpillars anymore, okay?"

"Alright."

My mother hugged me tightly and stroked my head.

"Cluck!"

Korco flapped her wings contentedly and pressed her body against me.

Thanks to the caterpillars, the damage to my shoulder from the sword training with the owl was overlooked.

Korco might have brought the caterpillars while my mother was here to achieve this.

If so, Korco is a strategist on par with me.

"Hmm, Korco is amazing."

"Cluck."

I petted Korco gently.

"The caterpillars—"

"Chirp!"

Just as my mother was about to speak about the caterpillars, Caro ran over and quickly ate one.

"Ah!"

As a strategist, I realized this was also Caro's plan.

My mother was probably going to tell me to throw the caterpillars away.

So I acted to prevent that.

"Caro, the caterpillars are for the birds."

I subtly winked at Caro, making sure my mother couldn't see.

"Chirp."

Caro nodded while eating the caterpillars with both hands.

"These are for the birds who have trouble eating."

I emphasized that the caterpillars were necessary for the birds.

"So, Caro, who gets food regularly, shouldn't eat them."

"Chirp."

"These are important meals for the birds until their food arrives."

I glanced at my mother, who let out a big sigh.

"Alright. Rulia, I'll instruct them to bring the bird feed by noon."

"Thank you!"

Once the food arrives, the birds' food situation will improve.

Then Roa might be able to get some of the birds' food too.

"That's good, Rulia."

"Yep, it's good."

Sara, who had been tense, seemed relieved.

She must have been worried that I would be scolded.

'I was wondering what would happen.'

Kuro also sighed in relief.

"Mother, I'll take responsibility for these caterpillars."

"Responsibility? Specifically?"

"Make sure not a single one escapes."

"Yes, that's important."

"Make sure they all get eaten properly."

"Yes, that's important too. But there's one more important thing."

"Hmm?"

What could it be?

"Oh, Rulia won't eat them?"

"Of course, that's important. But that's not it."

My mother seemed a bit flustered by my answer.

It was surprising that she was caught off guard, given how she usually warns me about eating bugs.

"Besides not eating them... hmm."

"Not eating them is a given. You mustn't eat them, understand?"

"I understand."

My mother emphasized this several times.

"One more important thing is not to let them collect more."

"Ah—"

"No 'ah.' The bird feed will arrive by noon, so there's no need to collect more, right?"

"Right."

Under my mother's pressure, I had no choice but to agree.

"No more collecting caterpillars, got it?"

"Got it."

"Caterpillars?"

"No more collecting."

"Right, that's good. And you know, of course, no caterpillars or caterpillars with hair, right?"

"Got it."

Even though caterpillars and hairy caterpillars are bad, maybe beetles would be okay.

"Of course, no beetles or cicadas either."

"Got it!"

Mother is sharp and troublesome.

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