It’S A Cat, Adopted By A Wolf Family? [EN]: Chapter 61

That day, the leopards must have seen the burning ambition in my yellowish-green eyes. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have bothered listening to the proposal of a cat who was just big and clumsy.

“I will obtain Icarus’s power. How about working with me?”

“If you obtain Icarus’s power…”

“I’ve heard that the special power of the Beastkin transfers to the Beastkin closest to them at the moment of death.”

“…”

“Icarus is stubborn and won’t cooperate with you. If it’s an ability that only cats can possess anyway, wouldn’t it be better to work with someone more cooperative?”

The leopards exchanged glances for a moment before accepting Jerian’s proposal. Jerian still didn’t know what specific judgment they made to join hands with him.

In any case, the leopards made Jerian the ruler over several years.

On the date Jerian had agreed upon in advance, he sent the leopards, driven mad, into the cat territory.

Knowing about the leopards’ surprise attack in advance, Jerian stood at the forefront that day and safely evacuated the cats.

“Thank you, Jerian.”

“Thanks to you, the damage was minimal.”

The emotion I felt when the gratitude and respect that had always been directed at Icarus were directed at me for the first time was intoxicating.

Jerian embraced this unfamiliar yet sweet power. It was easy to become a ruler since he could threaten that the leopards might attack again if necessary.

After things had stabilized to some extent, he sent the Icaruses to the bear territory.

The leopards leaked clues related to the Blue Moon [a source of magical power and madness] in the bear territory, so the Icaruses had no choice but to leave.

Jerian followed them, hiding a sharp dagger in his arms. He still remembers the betrayal in their eyes as he successively plunged the sharp blade into their tough bodies.

He expected them to pour out words of resentment, but the two Icaruses pleaded earnestly, as if they had made a promise.

“Ou… Our precious Soft Paw and mother… Please…”

“Jerian… If you touch my wife and daughter, you’ll be cursed… Keuk!”

To worry about others when they were dying. It was truly an infuriating end.

That’s how Jerian killed Kittia’s father and brother, gaining immunity to the Blue Moon.

Just in case, he summoned Kittia, who had inherited Icarus’s blood, to test her abilities. If Kittia had also inherited a special power, he planned to lock her up and raise her.

‘Back then, she clearly couldn’t distinguish the Blue Moon.’

So, he threw her over the wall without any regrets. He threw her mother as well. He ordered them to throw her harder, hoping the baby in her womb would die.

Of course, he thought they would starve or freeze to death, but an unexpected situation occurred.

‘I never imagined that little girl would become the adopted daughter of the Wolf Clan.’

He thought she was particularly clever because she inherited Icarus’s blood, but he didn’t expect her to do something so bold.

That wasn’t the only problem.

Kittia, who clearly couldn’t distinguish between ordinary jewels and imitation Blue Moons, performed a miracle by driving away the madness of the Blue Moon.

“Damn it… The power of a goddess. Just as annoying as her father.”

To make matters worse, Jerian only found out about this recently. The leopards had hidden Kittia’s special magical power from him.

He wasn’t stupid enough not to know the reason.

‘They must be planning to switch to her as soon as she proves to be a worthy replacement for me.’

So, Jerian hired wolves and sent them to Gridwolf Manor. It was a late measure, but he was able to obtain information thanks to Kittia employing two of his spies.

The letters from Ann and Marie were confusing because they seemed to be serving different people, and their contents differed. However, in this letter, they both made the same claim for the first time.

‘A pathetic power that can’t be used in actual combat.’

Even if she had great power, if she couldn’t save those around her, she would writhe in self-reproach and die.

Just as Jerian was feeling a little relieved and about to order more wine, his door burst open again.

But this time, no one could stop the uninvited guest.

“Jerian, can we talk for a moment?”

When he took off his robe, Sigma’s face, more stern than usual, was revealed. Jerian’s subordinates were already frozen by the leopards’ unique murderous aura.

Jerian also felt the pressure and slowly tried to get up from his seat.

“Ah, just stay seated.”

Sigma forcefully pressed down on his shoulder. Sigma was already taller than Jerian, and with Jerian sitting in the chair, the difference in eye level became significant.

Sigma looked down at Jerian as if he were looking at something insignificant.

“I heard that our Soft Paw was attacked by foxes recently.”

Sigma tapped Jerian’s neck with his sharp claws.

“I think you sent those foxes.”

“…”

“Why are you hiding the information you found out, huh? Were you planning to give it to me as a surprise gift?”

He thought he was moving secretly, but it seems it wasn’t enough to avoid the leopards’ surveillance.

Moreover, looking at Sigma’s eyes behind his glasses, the situation didn’t look good.

‘Damn it, he’s quick to catch on.’

Jerian forced a smile and acted nonchalant.

“Of course, I was planning to gather the information and share it with Delta at the next meeting. Read the letters on the shelf.”

“Hmm…”

Sigma immediately snatched the letters and began to read them. They were the letters Ann and Marie had written to Jerian.

They described how Kittia was driving away the madness from the fox Beastkins.

“Ah… Our Soft Paw is so lovely.”

Sigma groaned and savored each word.

His face turned reddish as he imagined the fluffy ball of cotton moving gently, pressing down on the backs of the fox Beastkins in cat form.

“To throw away such a cute child… Jerian, you’re trash.”

“…”

“Well, that’s why you’re working with us, because you’re trash.”

Sigma muttered casually and took the letters without permission. He was planning to explain Kittia’s cuteness to Delta.

“Jerian, is all this information true?”

“Are you saying I would deceive Delta with false information?”

“Hmm, then I’ll believe you. Now that I have to go, hand over the imitation Blue Moons you’ve made.”

Sigma took the jewels into which Jerian had gradually transferred the Blue Moon’s magic power. The blue jewels sparkled inside the specially made glass case to prevent the leopards from going mad. Her red lips drew a satisfied curve.

“Then, Jerian, don’t have any foolish thoughts in the future and be loyal to our king.”

Watching Sigma put on his robe and leave the room, Jerian gritted his teeth inwardly.

* * *

We stopped on the way to the training grounds to have lunch. This was possible because Cleed blocked the cold with his warming magic.

We were already leisurely driving the carriage and looking around, but having a meal made it feel like we were on a tour.

“That was a really delicious grilled salmon with salt!”

When I said that, the Gridwolf family members looked proud. I stretched and looked around.

“The Gridwolf territory is a really wonderful place. The place where the mansion is located is also wonderful, but…”

When I said that, Theo and Deon nodded and added.

“Let’s go out and play a lot next year when our brothers finish their training.”

“Soft Paw, the wolf territory is so vast that you won’t be able to see it all even if you look around until you die. You have to keep coming to play in the future.”

The ‘future’ Deon was talking about must have been when my temporary adoption ended. I smiled and nodded.

“I will. But I’m thinking of starting a business, so not too often…”

“Of course. We’re adults too, so we won’t be able to meet too often. About twice a week would be appropriate.”

“…?”

“Is twice a week too little? Three times a week? Weekends are definitely one night and two days.”

It seemed that the wolves really valued their relationships with their families.

I felt good knowing that the Gridwolf wolves would welcome me even if I came to visit after my temporary adoption period ended.

“You’ve agreed to come visit, okay?”

“No changing your mind later, Soft Paw.”

It was nice to see them both smiling so brightly, so I nodded absentmindedly.

When the preparations for departure were finished, we got back into the carriage. After crossing a few hills, we were soon able to reach the central training grounds.

Sir Elliot got out of the carriage first and greeted someone.

“It’s been a while, Commander Forward.”

“Elliot, it’s been a while.”

I had learned about Commander Forward from Ethan. He said he was the wolf in charge of the central training grounds.

It seemed to be true, judging by the way Theo and Deon were standing at attention.

“Everything is ready, so please get off.”

Sir Elliot said that and opened the door of the carriage. Sir Caris and Sir Jackal also greeted Commander Forward.

The brothers also got out at attention and saluted Commander Forward. Commander Forward didn’t pay any attention to Sir Jackal and Sir Caris and said.

“You two, now that you’ve returned to the central training grounds, put down your status as young masters and focus on your studies and training.”

“Yes, sir!”

Listening to their quick answers, I remembered how the brothers had talked about how scary Commander Forward was while staying at the mansion.

“He has no blood, no tears, and no emotions. They say he faced the enemies without wavering even when he was seriously injured.”

“Among the students, there’s even a rumor that if you see Commander Forward showing emotion, you’ll die suddenly.”

A little scared, I peeked out and looked at Commander Forward. He certainly had an impression that he would never smile.

He was a wolf who looked twice as old as Sir Jackal, and he had a long vertical scar on his left eye.

‘He’s much scarier than Sir Jackal or Sir Hogwood.’

But I couldn’t spend any more time in the carriage. I took Sir Elliot’s hand and carefully got off.

Commander Forward was so tall that my neck was hurting. I mustered my courage, recalling when I first entered the wolf mansion.

“Commander Forward, hello? I’m Kittia, who has been temporarily adopted into Gridwolf.”

“…”

But something was strange. Commander Forward was staring intently at my hand, not my face.

“Nice to meet you, miss. Which one is the Soft Paw that Sir Jackal and Sir Caris have been mentioning so much?”

“Ah…”

It was a stiff tone, as if asking about a high-performance weapon. I held out both hands.

“It’s both.”

“…”

Commander Forward reached out to me with a cautious face. I grabbed his big hand with both of mine and shook it.

Soft—

Then, Commander Forward’s emotionless eyes widened in surprise.

Theo, Deon, and Sir Elliot next to me exclaimed in small voices.

“As expected, Soft Paw is…”