71 Compromise

\"Why would you call a meeting when you have already decided things on your own?\" Serket cried in a loud and coarse voice.

The bird's whole body was as straight as a pole and with her crest up, Mina could sense her utmost displeasure. She knew that the man behind her was still the figure of authority, but Serket seems to be second in command.

'You should be more like her.'

The collar's sudden intrusion surprised Mina, but she ignored it and focused on Serket instead.  The general already made his position clear and Serket was clearly not happy about it.

Serket may be a bit scared of the general, but Mina could see that she was not a pushover.

Curious about how the rest of the humans reacted, Mina studied everyone in silence.

The old man was thoughtfully running one hand over his chin. From the looks of it, grandpa had no say in all of this.

So, Mina glanced at the next human present — Barca.

As someone following the general and the old man's successor, it would be interesting to know what Tarou's pretty boy thinks about all this.

Mina subtly turned towards the young man. But when she saw the scene in Barca's corner, she almost slipped off the table.

The young man and the little mouse appeared to be in their own bubble.

As expected, Tarou was munching on some grains while cradled on Barca's hand. The greedy creature looked especially gleeful while the human kept on patting his head like he was a good dog.

This man! He is treating that glutton like his baby!

'Focus.'

The collar's firm reminder was so effective, Mina stopped berating her underling.

Is Barca actually not included in this discussion?

As if sensing her gaze, Barca looked towards her and flashed a beautiful smile.

This man... he's too unaffected.

This is just too weird.

Mina studied everyone again but Serket along with the humans appeared to be oblivious to Barca's carefree attitude.

\"Of course, you, our dear general call the shots when it comes to this investigation.\" Serket's low, guttural growl jolted Mina back into reality. \"It's not like I'm qualified to assist you with this.\"

\"You will play the same role in this mission.\"

Hearing the words, the parrot's face became a bit relaxed.

\"Here I thought that this dutiful assistant will take over that too.\"

Mina cringed at Serket's whining.

\"You will be in charge of communication,\" the general clarified. \"I will be in charge of the cat.\"

Serket flapped her wings and squawked her reply.

\"Grandpa, what do you say?\"

The old man had his hand rubbing his chin thoughtfully while looking at the general and then back at her. It was as if he was lost in thought and Mina could sense that he was not paying attention to the discussion.

\"Grandpa, what is it?\"

Serket repeated the question when she realized that the old man did not react right away.

\"Hmmm...\"

The noncommittal reply from the old man made everyone feel even more lost.

\"Meow! Grandpa!\"

The loud sound finally pulled the old man out of the clouds. He looked at Mina who waved two paws in the air as if she was drowning just to catch his attention.

\"Yes.\"

The monosyllabic reply made the three of them exchange confused glances.

Jadon cleared his throat.

\"Grandpa, I was just saying that I will be in charge of Devins's little assistant while we try to investigate the happenings in Covin.\"

\"Of course.\"

The old man replied in his usual tone but Mina sensed that he was agreeing out of habit. It appeared like grandpa was just saying yes because he did not understand what they were discussing.

Did the man even understand what was going on?

Before Mina could form another theory, the old man spoke.

\"Of course, the two of you are more familiar with the situation. It's only fitting to do this together.\"

The old man looked towards Mina's direction before setting his sights on the colorful parakeet.

\"Serket should take charge of the communication lines in case we run into an issue.\"

Maybe it was just my imagination.

After a short pause, grandpa continued, \"But we have to wait until after the celebration.\"

The old man looked at her again as if he just discovered something, but he did not say anything else.

There was nothing but silence inside the room until a mellow, chirping sound from outside the window broke it.

\"Would that be all?\" Serket asked while looking at everyone on the table. \"I have urgent business to take care of.\"

Mina who was observing her surroundings felt Serket's pointed gaze. After a short pause, the bird shifted her gaze to the general before adding, \"Unlike some people.\"

Paying no heed to Serket's sarcastic remark, the general looked towards the source of the sound.

\"Is there trouble on your part?\"

\"Nothing. Just the usual.\" Nodding towards the general, Serket was poised to leave when the old man stood up and extended his arm towards her.

\"I will walk you out.\"

Realizing the old man's intention, Serket flew towards him, ignored his extended arm and perched on his shoulder.

\"That parrot is such a prima donna!\" Mina meowed with annoyance while jumping on the table as the old man and Serket left. She hardly noticed that she has been free to move around all this time and took the chance to stretch her paws.

Mina couldn't help but feel bad for the old man while listening to the sound of the small, careful steps accompanied by the creaking sounds from the stairs.

\"How dare that Serket force grandpa to walk her out. She can do it on her own and she doesn't even need to take the stairs.\"

\"She has wings!\"

Mina couldn't help but badmouth the parakeet while looking towards the direction of the door.

Just then, the general stood up and looked at Mina intently.