It’S A Cat, Adopted By A Wolf Family? [EN]: Chapter 94

“Kitty, step back.”

Ethan said, reaching for the two swords at his waist.

Clyde was also on edge, as if ready to attack the cats in the trees at any moment.

We came to get help from the night cats, but they were, as usual, focused on guarding me and being wary of others.

……Do they still think of me as a child?

“Hmm.”

One of the older female cats sitting in the center of the tree looked at us, her eyes gleaming with interest.

A relaxed demeanor despite being threatened by both the Wolf Lord and the Fox Lord simultaneously.

Her whole body was covered in fur as dark as the pre-dawn hours, making her curving greenish-yellow eyes stand out even more.

She was carefully examining me. I looked back up at her in response.

Then, my gaze was drawn to the blue necklace around her neck.

‘That’s……’

The warm power similar to Blue Moon’s magic that I felt from the oak tree must be because of that.

The long gem, about the length of two fingers, had a bluish glow.

It shone softly as if it were the only thing being illuminated in the thick fog, immediately giving the impression that it was special.

“Sir, Clyde.”

I told them to step back, then looked at the cats hanging from the tree and said,

“Hello,”

It had been a while since I introduced myself. The black-furred cats, who had been feeling somewhat listless, also stared at me.

“I’m Kittia, temporarily adopted into the Gridwolf family.”

I wasn’t scared with Clyde and Ethan on either side of me. Even if something happened, they would protect me.

Before I knew it, Sir Elliot and the others who had been searching the surroundings lined up behind me.

The cat with the blue necklace chuckled at the sight.

“Nice to meet you. I am Neronda, the leader of the night cats. You can call me Nero, or Grandmother, whatever you like.”

The leader of the night cats introduced herself to me in a solemn but polite voice.

Until just now, I wasn’t even sure if they were still staying near the oak tree, or if they had moved elsewhere, so I was glad to hear her voice.

I felt a little relieved that things seemed to be going well.

Perhaps because Nero was speaking politely, the cats that had seemed ready to pounce on me from the tree all at once relaxed their guard a little.

I replied politely.

“It’s nice to meet you, Nero.”

“Yes, Kitty. You’ve grown up well. I bet your pink palms are still soft?”

“……!”

Nero spoke as if she had seen me before.

The thought that my mother had told me about the night cats’ residence came to mind, and I couldn’t help but ask.

“Nero, do you know me?”

“Well……”

Well, she says.

If she just talked about my palms, the reason she gave such an ambiguous answer must be.

‘She doesn’t intend to tell me what she knows.’

Nero was still staring at me. That affectionate gaze seemed to be slowly comparing the way she knew me to how I am now.

If I were lucky enough to reunite with my cat friends, I would definitely act like Nero.

Seeing this reaction made me even more curious about what she knew.

“Tell me what you know about Kittia.”

……The wolf next to me couldn’t hold back his temper and asked threateningly.

When Ethan lowered his voice, the wolves behind him automatically stood at attention.

It was a negotiation tactic worthy of the lord of a truly powerful animal.

But Nero wagged her tail leisurely, revealing that she wasn’t intimidated.

“Judging by the way he threatens on your behalf, is he the soft-paw’s lover?”

Rather, she boldly taunted Ethan.

“…….”

But for some reason, Ethan didn’t refute the taunt.

It was Clyde who took the words instead.

“No, you’re mistaken.”

“…….”

“And if you don’t answer quickly, I might threaten you instead of the young lady.”

His characteristic sly tone eased the atmosphere. It was only Ethan and the black-furred wolves who followed him whose faces hardened.

But Nero was still calm.

“Have you lived so long that you’re not afraid anymore?”

Ethan growled once more.

“If I’ve lived this long, even threats to take my life are welcome.”

Nero was not to be outdone.

As Clyde was about to speak in response, I placed my hands on both men’s backs at the same time.

Soft―

“Please step back, I’ll talk.”

Because seeing them bickering only seemed to amuse Nero, and there was no other gain.

“Nero, what should I do to hear what you know?”

“Well……”

Nero yawned languidly. Her fangs, quite sharp for a cat, were briefly revealed.

“Well, you were very cute as a child, so show me you’re qualified and I’ll tell you.”

In other words, she was telling me to prove myself.

As the leader of a group that has maintained its existence for decades while avoiding Jerian’s eyes, I expected her to be no pushover.

I shamelessly tried to lower the difficulty of the test.

“I was very cute, so I hope you’ll make it easy.”

Nero and some of the night cats had a fleetingly pleased look on their faces, before quickly returning to an expressionless state.

Not only Nero, but some of the night cats also seemed to know me as a child.

“Hmm, hmm. You’ve become quite sly, growing up among wolves.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

When I smiled, our knights also wore pleased smiles. Clyde, who had grown up with me since childhood, even shrugged at Nero.

“If you’re going to lower the difficulty of the test because she’s cute, doesn’t that mean the young lady doesn’t need a test?”

His playful words eased the atmosphere once more. Nero chuckled as if acknowledging it and replied.

“If you run southeast from here for about two hours, you’ll find the cave area of Yaong Mountain.”

The cats perched on the branches pointed in one direction with their tails all at once.

“Recently, Jerian has hidden something there.”

“What did he hide?”

“He mobilized the fox beastmen he captured and cast multiple layers of security magic, so we couldn’t enter.”

Clyde’s expression darkened slightly.

“But since you brought the Lord of Foxtar [Clyde’s title], go to the cave with him and find out what Jerian has hidden. If you can, bring what Jerian has hidden there back here.”

Even Nero and the night cats didn’t seem to really know what Jerian had hidden.

It was a little scary, but I knew that their help was essential to isolate Jerian.

“I will.”

“If you complete the mission and return by moonrise tonight, I’ll tell you everything I know.”

When I nodded, Nero added as if she had just remembered.

“If you all rush over there, Jerian will notice, and I won’t be able to see your abilities, so only take two people with you, including Clyde.”

For some reason, she had the playful smile of a cat.

“Is it okay to take a bow?”

“Go ahead.”

It was quite a kind grandmother-like smile.

But Sir Elliot was troubled, like someone facing a difficult problem.

“The young lady and two men……? Absolutely not.”

For a moment, it seemed like Lord Jackal’s soul had entered Sir Elliot’s body.

Nero snorted as if Elliot’s reaction was ridiculous.

“Hey, hybrid knight commander. If you don’t accept my conditions, you won’t get this information either.”

“That doesn’t mean I can send the young lady without guards.”

“As far as we’ve confirmed, all the magical devices can be solved by Foxtar, so you can rest assured.”

Nero doesn’t seem to be backing down.

Then the only option was for us, who were in a difficult position, to accept the conditions.

“Sir Elliot, please. I want to hear about my mother.”

“Young lady…….”

I persistently persuaded Sir Elliot. In the end, my teacher gave in to me as always.

“Then is Sir Elliot going with us?”

When I asked, Clyde nodded as if it were obvious.

“Sir Elliot, I have admired your martial arts skills since I was young. I am honored to go with you.”

“…….”

Sir Elliot didn’t nod to Clyde, but instead made a serious face.

“If I guard her, I can protect the young lady from Jerian’s threats even if it costs me my life, but danger factor 2…….”

Sir Elliot glanced at Clyde, then shifted his gaze to Ethan.

After repeating the same action for a long time as if weighing the two, he finally opened his mouth.

“If my salary is in danger no matter which one I choose, it would be better for the young lady to be safer.”

It was a monologue with an unknowable intention.

“That’s the right choice, Sir Elliot.”

Ethan was very satisfied with that answer and stood close to me. Clyde also subtly narrowed the distance.

“Don’t stand too close, and I hope you will compete with each other to keep the young lady safe.”

I pouted a little and interjected.

“Teacher, you haven’t forgotten, have you? I’ve been training hard so that I won’t be defeated by Jerian.”

“I trained you, so I know that very well.”

Nero had set a time limit, so there was no time to dawdle. I glanced back at her and immediately turned southeast.

Sir Elliot still whispered to me with eyes full of anxiety.

“Young lady, have I ever taught you that wolves and foxes can’t move for a while if you kick them between the legs?”