It’S A Cat, Adopted By A Wolf Family? [EN]: Chapter 86

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Jerian intensely disliked any cat other than himself enjoying luxury goods.

Even his most trusted aides were always careful to avoid ostentatious displays, which only made Jerian’s extravagance more pronounced.

A petty cat who couldn’t bear not monopolizing all the finer things.

‘If I could win over the merchant who procured the cat brush for Hashka, and thereby avoid Jerian’s pressure, it would definitely be a great help.’

‘I should ask Jackal and Karis for their opinions as soon as it’s morning.’

With so many factors to consider, I had to avoid making decisions based solely on my own judgment.

If the merchant guilds were to stop supplying goods to the cat territory, the damage would directly affect the cat beastkins who had little to begin with.

Naturally, I imagined my friends starving.

‘I wonder if they are all doing well?’

Having been exiled, I couldn’t visit the cat territory, and my friends weren’t able to see me off on the day of my exile. Therefore, the images of my friends in my head were still those of children.

Maybe they’ve forgotten me. It’s been so long since I was exiled.

‘I need a way to make things difficult for Jerian while ensuring that my friends don’t starve.’

That sly cat was in charge of food management, but if we discussed it together, there would definitely be a solution.

A way to isolate Jerian with less sacrifice than engaging in direct conflict.

Hashka quietly put down the cat brush and stared at me as I wracked my brain, his eyes gleaming as if he had discerned my thoughts.

It was a sharp gaze, unlike any I’d seen from the merchants I met in the shopping district.

“Are you perhaps considering subjugating Jerian by leveraging the merchants who supply goods to the cat territory?”

“I believe the damage would be minimized if we could achieve that. If we execute it well, we can pressure Jerian’s side without causing undue suffering.”

Instead of dismissing my idea, Hashka seriously added his own insights.

It would be wise to investigate his preferences beforehand, determining what kind of tea to serve to gain his favor.

“If you cut off the food supply indiscriminately, the vulnerable will suffer the most.”

“I agree. Jerian would incite them by claiming that the merchant guilds arbitrarily cut off the food supply, leading to shortages.”

I remembered that there were quite a few beastkins in the cat territory, like my mother and I, who were entirely dependent on Jerian’s food distribution.

Jerian would manipulate them, and the cats would turn against the wolf beastkins who instigated the merchant guilds.

Since he was adept at manipulation, we shouldn’t give him any opportunity to do so.

“So, I think the first step is to implement measures to prevent the cat beastkins from being incited.”

“You are much more considerate than I expected, Miss. But…”

Hashka smiled and continued.

“The first thing Gridwolf should do now is to identify all the merchants who supply food to the cat territory and then persuade those merchants.”

That was his point.

If one merchant guild stopped supplying food, but another stepped in to fill the void, there would be no real change.

And Gridwolf wasn’t aware of every merchant guild that currently supplied, or might potentially supply, goods to the cat territory.

‘He wants me to enlist his help.’

Hashka was indeed a seasoned merchant elder. I should definitely seek his advice when I start a business later.

“Hashka, if Gridwolf decides to work with the merchants, would you be willing to assist us?”

Instead of directly asking for help, I phrased it as a polite hypothetical. Hashka seemed to appreciate that.

“You never give a definite answer.”

“It’s not within my authority to mobilize people.”

“I thought you were trusted by everyone in the Gridwolf mansion.”

“I believe trust and extensive experience are necessary to influence others.”

‘So please help me!’

I gave Hashka ‘cat eyes politely asking’. In the dim light, my already bright eyes shone with even greater earnestness.

“Oh dear….”

Hashka laughed heartily, as if he couldn’t resist. Kind wrinkles deepened around his eyes.

“If you grant me three requests, our merchant guild will fully cooperate with the wolves. I also wish to earn your trust.”

Three things. I was a little worried about what he, the owner of the Gray Sled Merchant Guild, who seemed to possess everything, would ask for.

“First. When visiting the bear beastkins’ territory in the future, please allow our merchant guild to handle the transportation.”

He was suggesting that I travel on sleds pulled by dog beastkins. He was likely trying to give his subordinates experience in the bears’ territory.

It was a request befitting a merchant with a long-term perspective.

“Second. I would like our merchant guild to manage all communication between the merchants and Gridwolf.”

Eden had mentioned it before: information is vital to merchants.

Hashka didn’t want to be excluded from any information loop. It was indeed a reasonable request that also allowed him to secure his position.

“And finally….”

Hashka gently pushed the cat brush and the box that I had momentarily forgotten towards me.

“I hope you will gladly accept my gift.”

“……Yes?”

“You can deliberate on the first two requests after consulting with the Gridwolf couple, but I would like you to agree to the last one immediately.”

I blinked blankly, wondering what the third condition would be. Hashka chuckled knowingly.

“If you feel burdened, consider it a personal gift, not one from the merchant guild.”

As I stared at the cat brush, Sir Elliot, who stood behind me like a fortress, added a word.

“Miss, it is impolite to refuse gifts repeatedly.”

It seemed Sir Elliot had already determined that Hashka’s involvement would be crucial in stopping the supply of imitation Blue Moon [a type of luxury good] to the cats.

I carefully nodded and touched the cat brush again.

‘If I brush my fur with this, will it become round and fluffy like a ball?’

My eyes sparkled with anticipation.

“Then I will gratefully accept it, Hashka.”

“Do you like it?”

“Of course! No cat in the world would refuse a cat brush. Jerian has five of these, you know?”

Hashka chuckled and asked for one more thing.

“If you don’t mind, could you use it now? I’ve heard the effect is remarkable.”

“Ah, a lot of fur will fly around; are you sure you’re okay with that?”

“Dog beastkins also shed a lot of fur.”

In that case….

I looked at Sir Elliot with pleading eyes. He nodded and picked up the cat brush.

I quickly transformed into a cat and curled up on the chair, and Sir Elliot gently lifted me and placed me in the box that had contained the cat brush.

Hashka, who was looking down at me, let out a small gasp.

“Hashka, this box is very comfortable.”

“Oh my, that’s a relief.”

…He sounded like a grandfather who had bought a gift for his granddaughter.

Sir Elliot chuckled and began to brush my fur with the cat brush. The tangled fur came to life, strand by strand, and my body relaxed.

Hashka was speechless for a moment as he watched Sir Elliot remove the loose fur from the brush.

“Is the brush a little stiff?”

“No! It’s perfect. My fur naturally sheds this much.”

Before I knew it, I was purring with pleasure and melting into the box.

In the meantime, my fur puffed up like a cloud, making my body incredibly fluffy. It was even more voluminous than when static electricity made it stand on end.

“Thank you for the wonderful gift, Hashka.”

I jumped out of the box and bowed slightly to Hashka.

Then Hashka reached out to me as if compelled. I gently placed my right paw on his calloused hand.

Soft—

“My goodness.”

Hashka’s gaze was entirely focused on my paw. I realized that now was the time to completely win Hashka’s favor.

“Would you like to press it?”

When I lifted my palm so that the pink paw pad was clearly visible, Hashka nodded and gently pressed my paw.

Soft—

The sharp cat claws extended slightly, but he seemed to like even that. When Hashka removed his hand, the claws retracted.

“Your paw is softer than any item I have ever traded in my life.”

“My nickname is Soft Paw Kitty.”

When I proudly declared that with my chest puffed out, Hashka pursed his lips.

Soon, he accepted the cat brush from Sir Elliot and began to brush my fur. He didn’t seem to mind the cat hair sticking to his clothes at all.

Just as I was starting to doze off with the skillful brushing, Hashka, who had finished brushing, got up from his seat and said.

“I think I understand what the head of Wibis [a region or group] fell in love with and kissed you.”

At those words, I opened my drowsy eyes wide. But the one who was even more surprised than me was Sir Elliot, who was behind me.

As Hashka left behind that bombshell, Sir Elliot immediately looked at me, signaling me to explain.

“Miss, is what Hashka said true?”

“Ah….”

“Quickly transform back into human form and explain.”

I quickly turned back into human form. The face reflected in the teacup was flushed.

“But, it was just a peck! It was a greeting.”

“I believe it was Eden who kissed you, not the other way around; how can you be so sure?”

“But….”

When I remembered what Eden had said to me, my heart ached again. I was dejected and mumbled in a small voice.

“I asked the teacher directly if he just wanted to hold hands and sleep….”

At my words, Sir Elliot’s face turned white.

“Wh, what did you ask?”

“Sir Elliot said before that wolves say they want to hold hands and sleep when they like someone.”

“…….”

Sir Elliot’s eyes trembled like someone who had been struck on the head with a hammer. He looked like someone who had just lost his job.

“D, did I ever make such outrageous remarks….”