It’S A Cat, Adopted By A Wolf Family? [EN]: Chapter 78

Guests arrived one after another in the hall, which had been lavishly decorated for the banquet.

From the owner of a dog merchant group that traveled all over the continent to the leader of the rabbit beastmen, and even a bear beastman who had come out of his territory for the first time in a long while.

Everyone sat around a large table, sharing delicious food and fragrant wine. Of course, Kitty’s champagne glass, not yet an adult, was filled with milk.

It was rare for beastmen of different races to gather in one place like this, and even rarer for them to maintain such a friendly atmosphere.

‘Everyone must be keeping the leopard and Jerian’s actions in mind,’ Kitty thought.

No matter how independent the beastmen were, cooperation was necessary when there was a clear common enemy.

Kitty shook her milk glass as Caris did with his champagne, then brought it to her lips. The milk with sugar was satisfyingly sweet.

After the meal, the beastmen continued their conversation without leaving their seats. Hashka, the dog beastman who owned the huge merchant group, started the conversation.

“I never thought I would actually meet the famous Gridwolf Young Lady. I hope to see you using the bow soon, too?”

The owner of the gray sled merchant group knew how to speak politely so as not to offend the other party.

Kitty took a deep breath and responded.

“Yes, I’ve been working hard to prepare for our honored guests. I believe I can even protect the beastmen if the leopards drive them crazy with Blue Moon [a potent magical drug],”

“Come to think of it, I heard that the Young Lady was also active during the attack at the central training ground.”

Everyone present knew that Kitty had drawn Gridwolf’s bow at the central training ground.

Kitty briefly explained the situation at that time. A strange sense of anticipation began to settle on people’s faces.

“The leopards can’t do anything to the Young Lady.”

“Well, the leopards can’t handle Blue Moon properly anyway.”

“That’s why I think we should keep a close eye on Jerian [leader of the cat beastmen].”

When Kitty mentioned the leader of the cats, interest filled the eyes of several beastmen.

She calmly explained everything from her parents’ death to the fact that Anne and Marie had come in as spies.

The story of a young cat growing up bravely enough to catch the enemy’s spies was enough to attract the beastmen’s attention.

Katrina also watched Kitty, hiding her complicated feelings. Unlike having small and soft hands, the Gridwolf Young Lady seemed to have a strong core.

‘But is it worth taking the risk and bringing her into our territory?’ Katrina wondered.

Vengeance against the leopards and a strong spirit alone were not enough. It was a matter of judging whether or not she was someone who could share the secrets of the bear beastmen.

Of course, the first thing to do was to check if Kitty could use her power properly.

Katrina, having emptied her glass, asked Kitty directly.

“Gridwolf Young Lady, how strong do you think your own power is?”

Everyone in this place noticed what Katrina’s question meant. It was a question of whether there was room for an alliance.

If so, the answer that someone who wanted an alliance should give was decided. The correct answer was to say that one’s power would be of great help to the other party, so let’s join forces to drive out the leopards.

But Kitty didn’t answer that way.

“Honestly, I’m not strong.”

“……?”

The beastmen’s eyes widened at the unexpected answer. Kitty continued calmly.

“Even if I have the goddess’s magic, and even if I train hard in the future, there will definitely be limitations because I am a weak animal.”

No one could say that her words were wrong. In order to use magic, physical strength had to support it to some extent.

Just as the fox beastmen were miserably defeated by Blue Moon because they were sensitive to magic, too much magic sometimes became poison.

“But that’s why I can join forces with everyone.”

Growing up in the Gridwolf mansion, Kitty bitterly admitted that she was a small and weak animal.

There was a time when she resented the fact that only her fur was flying around, and that she was small and had tiny claws.

But that’s why she was able to take Elliot, Cleed, and Ethan’s teachings seriously. If she had been a strong animal from the beginning, she would have thought she could do everything alone.

“If you lend me your strength, I will never forget it. Because it’s a power I didn’t have originally.”

“…….”

“So please, join forces to prevent Blue Moon from being misused. I think now is the time to take advantage of the cracks in the leopard forces.”

Kitty told them that Jerian was using rabbits to avoid the leopards’ eyes. Grandpa added a few words in a bitter tone.

“The kidnapped rabbit beastmen don’t even know they’re being used. If we don’t stop them now, other beastmen will be targeted.”

The beastmen looked at Grandpa, who seemed to have already joined forces with Gridwolf.

It seemed that the cat leader and the leopard’s relationship had soured was not a baseless speculation.

Katrina stared at Kitty intently.

She wondered how the cat had survived in the wolf mansion, but it seemed that she had honed a different kind of power than physical strength.

She didn’t feel bad that Kitty’s emerald eyes were gently shifting to her.

Hashka watched Kitty and Katrina exchange glances and turned his head like a merchant.

‘Maybe it will be easier to enter the bear territory soon,’ he mused.

* * *

Before long, the moon rose to the center of the darkened sky. Kitty’s legs trembled as she took out Gridwolf’s bow.

She had heard that the plaza was crowded with beastmen who had come to see Gridwolf’s bow being used since sunset.

Kitty wanted to slip into a box just big enough for her body.

Cleed chuckled at Kitty, who looked very nervous.

“I didn’t know that the Young Lady, who tried to get a job by disguising herself as a baby wolf when she was six years old, was the type to be nervous.”

Kitty burst out laughing at Cleed’s joke. She wondered how embarrassed Theo and Deon must have been at the time. Thinking about her childhood relaxed her a little.

“I really was a cat that looked like a wolf.”

“That’s right. I thought you were a real wolf when you bit my hand.”

Cleed pretended that the place he was bitten still hurt when it rained. Kitty was embarrassed and couldn’t lift her head.

“Young Lady, don’t worry. You’ve practiced a lot, so you’ll do well.”

But even Cleed, who said that, was a little nervous. The same was true of his adjutant Ben and the fox squad members who were waiting in the lobby, as well as the wolf knights assigned to Cleed.

Gridwolf opened its doors so that anyone could see the plaza during this New Year’s festival.

Although they thoroughly checked to prevent dangerous items such as weapons from being carried in, anything could be used as a weapon if one was determined.

Those in charge of Kitty’s security were feeling a considerable burden as they had to prepare for the possibility of uninvited guests.

‘The leopards must have come too,’ Cleed thought.

The question was how many strong leopards had come.

Cleed checked his magic once with a firm face. His mana core was not yet complete, but it was not a big problem because his magic was stable when he was close to Kitty.

“Young Lady, don’t leave my side.”

“Okay.”

The plan was to walk from the mansion to the plaza. Carriages were not available because of the beastmen who had already come out to see the sights.

Cleed stayed by Kitty’s side and walked with her, and the fox squad members and wolf knights guarded them.

It was structured so that anyone who wanted to approach had to pass through at least four escorts.

Previously, it was possible to temporarily neutralize the escort with Blue Moon, but that was no longer possible as Kitty continued to release magic from the center.

“Hoo, let’s go.”

Kitty grabbed Gridwolf’s bow and strode forward. Cleed went ahead and opened the door.

The mansion’s employees waved at Kitty, who looked dignified.

Their support made her feel more at ease. After taking a deep breath, she straightened her shoulders. It was time to face them in a manner befitting Kitty and Gridwolf, as she had learned from Ethan.

As she stepped out of the mansion’s main gate, the beastmen who had been stationed there whistled and greeted Kitty.

“Kitty Gridwolf!”

“Our youngest Young Lady!”

“Hey, don’t push!”

The wolf knights who had been out on the street first stopped the people who were trying to get closer.

Kitty smiled at the hundreds of pairs of eyes that were directed at her hands.

‘It must be amazing since they said it’s been stuck in the ground for a long time and hasn’t moved,’ she thought.

She raised the bow high so that everyone could see it. At that moment, cheers erupted from all directions along with howling.

“Soft paws!”

“Pink jelly!”

“Ah…….”

It seemed that people’s attention was focused on her hands not only because of the bow.

If she had the chance later, she wanted to take a tour of the city in her cat form. She could carry the bow wrapped around her tail.

As Kitty was relaxing and imagining pleasant things, a gaunt woman collapsed in front of the procession.

Her ragged clothes and swollen belly, which were not suitable for the weather, caught Kitty’s attention.

“Young Lady, I’m sorry for blocking your way. I have something urgent to ask…….”

Hands that were only bones and skin were rubbed together.

The escorts were at a loss for what to do in this unexpected situation.

“……Are you okay?” Kitty asked.

Kitty, reminded of her dead mother by her frail appearance, quickly closed the distance with her. It couldn’t be good for a pregnant woman to sit on the cold floor for a long time.

Just as Kitty was about to reach out her hand without realizing it, Cleed’s eyes flashed.

“Young Lady, wait a moment.”

He lightly grabbed Kitty’s hand and drew his sword. The onlookers, as well as Kitty, widened their eyes as the sharp blade was revealed.

“Cleed, let’s talk it out first…….”

“I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

Cleed’s red eyes flashed with murderous intent. He smiled bitterly as he held his sword to the trembling woman.

“I never thought the leader of the leopards would come in person.”