Chapter 306: The Black Cat

Chapter 306: The Black Cat

The second day after escaping from the clutches of the White Wing Lord, the exhausted and injured Shinji finally couldn't hold on any longer. He had to float and sleep facing the sky with his back to the water. Of course, before falling asleep, he didn't forget to set up concealment and alert magecraft.

He slept very soundly, from noon until dusk. When the sun was about to set and Shinji opened his eyes, ready to stretch his muscles, he found a black cat on his body. At that moment, the black cat was biting his right hand.

Shinji was stunned, and various thoughts flooded his mind.

Where did this cat come from? How did it get past my defenses and onto me?

No, that's not the right concern. First, I need to determine if it's a familiar of Ortenrosse. Ordinary black cats wouldn't run to the middle of the Po River and bite my right hand.

Right hand... right hand!

A curse!!!

Damn it, if the curse worsens—

Uh... uh...

It doesn't seem to have worsened; it even alleviated a bit. Is it an illusion?

No, it's not an illusion. It indeed eased a bit. Did something happen to the relic while I was asleep? Or did the black cat eat it?

Thinking of this, Shinji laughed at himself.

He had inherited Scáthach's legacy and considered himself knowledgeable, but he had never heard of a cat that could eat curses. Besides, even if such a thing existed, it shouldn't be so coincidental to encounter it the day after being cursed. [: Protagonist Plot Armor!]

However, he quickly overturned his initial thoughts—this black cat that suddenly appeared indeed could devour curses. Every once in a while, it would bite Shinji's right hand, devouring a bit of the curse.

And this action dispelled the suspicion that it was a familiar of Ortenrosse. Ortenrosse wouldn't be so bored as to curse him first and then send a familiar that could devour curses.

So, what exactly is this black cat? And why did it appear here?

With these questions in mind, Shinji started interacting with the black cat.

"Come on, tell me, where did you come from, and how did you find me?"

The black cat glanced at Shinji without any response.

"Are you hungry? Should I catch a fish for you?"

"You may not be worried, but your mother and I were," his father, Byakuya, was the first to speak. "You were missing for a month, and your mother and I were worried sick. Can't you think about us?"

"Yes, exactly," Kariya spoke second. "The Matou family may not be a prestigious clan, but we do have some influence. We're already quite satisfied with our situation. Compared to the growth of the family, we elders would rather see you safe and sound. You don't want Sakura to worry about you, do you?"

"Brother—" Sakura held Shinji's hand, her eyes pleading.

"Can't say no to you guys." Shinji's face showed a hint of helplessness, a happy helplessness. "I'll be more careful from now on and won't make you worry again. But I must take care of Len since it saved me. You don't want me to be ungrateful, right?"

"True enough," Byakuya thought for a moment and agreed.

"Is its name Len?" Sakura lowered her head and cautiously brought her face close to the cat. "Such a cute name. I'll go prepare some cat food for it."

"No need," Shinji waved his hand at his sister. "It doesn't need regular food. I tried feeding it fish before, and it only ate a few bites when it was in a good mood."

"That's so strange," Sakura blinked at Len.

Behind her, Kariya seemed deep in thought. "Seems like we should investigate its origins thoroughly."

Just as Kariya was considering whether to go to the underground library for research, a cool voice came from above. A woman with long silver hair walked down the stairs.

"There's no need to investigate; I know what it is."

Shinji looked up and met an exquisitely beautiful face, almost inhuman: "Justeaze, you're here."

"Welcome back, Shinji." The cold face softened noticeably.

"Ah, I'm back." Shinji's lips curved into a gentle smile as well. "By the way, you said you know what it is?"

"Yes, I know. It's a nightmare demon."

As soon as the word "nightmare demon" was spoken, the black cat suddenly opened its eyes and bared its teeth at Justeaze.

Shinji gently patted the black cat's back, the smile on his lips growing wider.

"It seems Len was indeed the right name to choose."

PS: Len (レン, Ren) is the main heroine in the main story of Kagetsu Tohya. She also appears in Melty Blood Re-ACT. At the end of Kagetsu Tohya, she formed a contract with Shiki Tohno.

PS2: Nightmare Demon is an incubus/succubi.