BLACK CAT CHAPTER 62: AREN’T YOU POPULAR?

“Huh……” (Jessica)

“What’s the matter?” (Nyango)

“Just a moment, please.” (Jessica)

　When I submitted the certificate of completion of the request received from Mr. Arum after completing the rat extermination request, Jessica, a female employee of the guild, showed a puzzled look on her face.

　Holding the document I submitted, she twisted her head a little and walked into the staff space behind the counter.

　Mr. Arum told me that I should submit this form to the counter when I came back, but I wonder if there was something wrong with the document.

　Ms. Jessica came back shortly after and asked me with a probing look in her eyes,

“Um, Mr. Nyango. Excuse me, but how many rats did you catch?” (Jessica)

“Um… 73 rats.” (Nyango)

“Whaaat?! 73… Did really you catch that many?” (Jessica)

“Yes. They’re all clumped together and hiding behind the cargo, so once you find them, you can catch them all at once.” (Nyango)

“Did you use void attribute magic?” (Jessica)

“That’s a secret… Is it alright to keep it a secret? But yes, I used void attribute magic.” (Nyango)

“How did you catch them…” (Jessica)

“It’s a secret.” (Nyango)

“Is that so… I understand. There is no problem with the document, so I will now give you the reward. Would you like to have the full amount in cash?” (Jessica)

“Yes, please.” (Nyango)

　After this, I would visit Chariot’s base again, but if they are not there, I would have to find a place to stay.

　I withdrew some money yesterday, but I would like to keep some more on hand.

 

“Then this is today’s reward.” (Jessica)

“Yes, of course…” (Nyango)

　The reward for catching rats was five silver coins a day, but Mr. Arum added a note to the paperwork to increase the amount due to the large number of rats caught.

　The reward was one large silver coin and five silver coins, three times the original amount.

　According to Mr. Arum, even three times as much was too little for my work.

　He asked me to come back in about ten days, if possible, but I told him that I would come if I could, but I could not make any promise.

　If the three Chariots return and I join them on an expedition, I may be away from Ibouro.

　It has a pretty good reward, so when I have time, I’m going to take the request at the guild.

　I put away the reward I received, checked the request board, and was about to head to the Hawk Eye Pavilion when I was lifted off my feet.

“Captured……” (Leila)

“Wha-meow! Meow?”

　It was Ms. Leila from the tavern who picked me up from behind along with my rucksack. I was then taken straight to the tavern.

　I have a full armor with void attribute magic and wore it, but I never thought that I would be picked up as a whole.

“Um… I have to go find lodging for tonight…” (Nyango)

“Oh, Nyango is without a place to stay? But don’t worry, I’ll let you stay at my place.” (Leila)

“Eh, no, that’s…” (Nyango)

“Oh dear, are you dissatisfied with me?” (Leila)

“No, it’s not…” (Nyango)

“Master, please…” (Leila)

　I was made to sit at the counter seat, and Ms. Leila, who sits next to me, holds my left arm in a natural movement.

　The master served me a glass of milk in a fluid gesture.

 

“Hey, Nyango. What is this?” (Leila)

　Ms. Leila tapped my torso lightly.

　I was wearing full void magic armor, so Leila’s arm did not touch me directly.

“It’s armor made with void attribute magic.” (Nyango)

“Hmm… So you can make it this hard.” (Leila)

“It can also be made softer.” (Nyango)

“You’re joking, really?” (Leila)

　After remaking [Armor] with an elastic material, Leila’s eyes widened and then she smiled deeply.

“Amazing, you can freely control the hardness. Heh, but isn’t it a hindrance now?” (Leila)

“No, as an adventurer, I have to always be prepared for danger…” (Nyango)

“Don’t you want to touch me?” (Laila)

“No, no, that’s…” (Nyango)

　I released the [Armor] I was wearing and my left arm was swallowed by a soft valley.

“Hey, Nyango. What kind of request did you complete today?” (Leila)

“Well, today, I was exterminating rats in the warehouse… Meooow.” (Nyango)

　As soon as I released my armor, Ms. Leila started playing with my fur.

　She stroked back the fur on my left arm and immediately stroked them flat.

　The hair on my back is tingling, tingling, my throat…

“Rat extermination? Aren’t you going to subjugate a big monster?” (Leila)

“I’ve only just arrived in Ibouro and this is the first day I’ve received a request…” (Nyango)

“Hmm, you’re reliable… Did you catch a lot?” (Leila)

“Um, 73…” (Nyango)

“Oh……?” (Leila)

　Ms. Leila stopped playing with my fur, and the master, who was wiping his glass, stopped moving and turned his attention to me.

“Oh, but it was a big warehouse.” (Nyango)

“Catching rats in a warehouse is a job every novice kid has to go through at least once.” (Leila)

“Really?” (Nyango)

“Yes, but I’ve never heard of a child catching more than 50.” (Leila)

“Really?” (Nyango)

“Yes……” (Leila)

　Ah, oh, that’s my throat…

“Nyango, you cheater.” (Shure)

“Meow! Shu-Shure…?” (Nyango)

　It’s strange… I didn’t notice Shure’s approach at all, even though it was from the right side, which wasn’t in my blind spot.

　Shure then holds my right arm, but she is wearing a leather jacket, so the feeling is meow, meow…

“Oh my,  Nyango, did you have a girlfriend?” (Leila)

“No, she’s…” (Nyango)

“We took a bath together yesterday….” (Shure)

“Meow! You broke in…!” (Nyango)

“Well, I don’t want to be left out of it… So how about tonight with me…” (Leila)

“I’ll be with you tonight…” (Shure)

“Me-meow, I didn’t mean that…” (Nyango)

“So, who will you choose…?” (Leila)

“Of course, me…” (Shure)

 

“Meow… um, um…” (Nyango)

　I know I’m being played with, being petted from both sides, but I can’t wrap my head around what to do.

　The god of salvation, Zeol, isn’t here today either, so I wonder how I can get out of here.

　While I was being held captive by Leila and Shure, adventurers who had finished their request entered the bar.

　If this situation continues, I’m sure I’ll get tangled up with them again like the last time.

“Umm, Ms. Leila, the customers are coming in soon…” (Nyango)

“It’s fine, it’s fine, those guys are fine as long as we let them have their drinks.” (Leila)

“Shu-Shure, is it okay if you don’t go find an inn?” (Nyango)

“I have a reservation at the Hawk Eye Inn, and Nyango can stay there with me…” (Shure)

“No, that’s not what I meant…” (Nyango)

　I looked to the bar master for help, but he just nodded with a smile and that was it.

“Oh, that looks fun, let me join too…” (Cecily)

“Meow! Ah, ah, my throat…” (Nyango)

　I was hugged from behind by the dynamite beauty, Ms. Cecily, and escape was no longer possible.

　The heck—I’m getting piercing gazes from all over the bar… Why me?

“Oh, Nyango, aren’t you popular?” (Voice)

　The voice was audible, but the soft walls of dreams blocked out the sight… I mean, I know this voice.

“Mr. Jill, you told Professor Lembolt at the academy about my magic, didn’t you?” (Nyango)

“Uh? N-no… I didn’t…” (Jill)

“Oh, talkative men are not attractive, Jill.” (Leila)

“Bah, Leila, it’s not like that…” (Jill)

“He said that you spoke loosely when he gave you a drink.” (Nyango)

“No, Nyango. I was not lured in by the drinks…” (Jill)

“Oh dear, Jill… I think I’m a little disillusioned.” (Cecily)

“No, it’s a misunderstanding Cecily. It was a purely academic debate…” (Jill)

　The leader of the Bored Men, Jill, is stared at by the three women with a stony gaze, and he’s trying to clumsily pull out an excuse.

“That’s right, Nyango. Laius is back.” (Jill)

“Eh, really?” (Nyango)

“Oh, they should show their faces soon.” (Jill)

　This is unexpected good news.

　If Chariot had returned, there was no need to worry about lodging for the night.

　As if she sensed that, Shure made a displeased expression.

　It’s probably because if I’m not there, she will have to take a cold bath at Hawk Eye Pavillion.

“If you’re going to stay with the Laius, you can stay with me for a while tonight…” (Leila)

“Meow… Ms. Leila!?” (Nyango)

　Since she works at the bar, she must have heard about the relationship between me and Chariot.

　Besides, since it’s the end of their request, the members of Chariot will also celebrate tonight.

　The warmth on the back of my head suddenly leaves me and I turn to see Cecily walking toward the entrance of the bar.

“Welcome back, Serge. Did the request go well?” (Cecily)

“It’s obvious. We Chariots don’t mess up requests, do we?” (Serge)

“Well… the rumored rookie is waiting for you.” (Cecily)

“The rumored rookie…? Nyango! How are you doing…” (Serge)

　Serge, Chariot’s archer, who was greeted by Cecily, looked at me and then sat down.

“I went to your base but you weren’t home, so I’ve been waiting for you.” (Nyango)

“I’m sorry about that. The Bronze Wolf thing has been driving adventurers out, so requests have been accumulating in Ibouro. …Wait a minute, why is ‘Silent’ with you?” (Serge)

　Serge gives me a friendly look but gives Shure a wary glance.

“I’ll take Nyango…” (Shure)

“That’s something that can’t be done…” (Serge)

“I guess, I’ll take him then.” (Leila)

　The moment Shure and Serge exchanged glances that seemed to be a signal for a fight, Ms. Leila put me on her lap.

　It seems that Ms. Leila is not an ordinary person, with movement that does not miss the moment when Shure’s arm loosens, and with the physical strength to lift me up.

“Me-meow, Ms. Leila…?” (Nyango)

“It’s okay, it’s okay, I’m sure Serge and his friends will keep drinking until midnight, so I’ll take care of Nyango until then.” (Leila)

　Ms. Leila nods her head to signal to Serge while holding me up and walks towards the table in the back.

 

　I mean, I’m in a princess carry, and it’s pretty embarrassing…