CH 89

(Did he say he’d lend a hand? …… I could certainly use a cat’s help.)

The black cat in front of me is not just any cat. He is a Cait Sith, a phantasmal beast called the King of Cats. His abilities are second to none, even for a seasoned adventurer.

However, they are a fickle race. It may have been a prank in view of the tense situation. Souya couldn’t decide whether he could trust him or not.

“Shamil. What can you help us with?”

Souya asked the Cait Sith who was being held by Mia. 

“…… Now, what can I help you with? You should figure that out, Souya. There’s no way I can fight the Silver Demon …… But if it’s a bronze demon, it should be no problem.”

When Shamil finished muttering, he yawned and closed his odd-eye eyes. 

The bronze demon is the lowest of the colored demons, but it is a formidable foe that should be dealt with by several silver-class adventurers. The fact that he can say that it is no trouble at all suggests that he is confident in his own strength.

“Souya-niisan, Mr. Cat, can I have a word? …… I have a proposal.”

As if to interrupt the conversation between Souya and Shamil, Tat, the grasswalker, raised his hand. 

“…… I’ll go run to Ilstadt now and let them know. I didn’t use any magic, so I don’t have to sleep and recover my magic power like everyone else, and I can see a little better at night. In this situation, we’ll need the help of someone strong as soon as possible.”

Tat’s suggestion seemed like a good one.

The Grasswalkers are much faster than humans, and can run one and a half times faster than humans if they don’t carry any extra baggage.

If he’s traveling alone, he would be able to run tens of kilometers to Ilstadt faster than anyone else here, without having to keep up with the slower walkers.

“In this dark thunderstorm, and going alone to Ilstadt …… That’s pretty hard. Are you sure about this, Tat-kun?”

Unlike Aisha, who had run out of energy along the way, Tat seemed to be used to walking, but he had just finished half a day’s walk. The fatigue was definitely there.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared, but I’m confident …… I think I can make it before dawn, barring any incidents. It won’t be easy in this rain, but I’ve been running around in the meadows since I was a kid.”

It was a downpouring night on the mountain road. I can’t guarantee that there will be any accidents.

And since he was going alone, no one could help him if something happened. And in this world, there are nocturnal monsters that could operate in heavy rain.

However, if Tat could reach Ilstadt before dawn, the rescue and subjugation team from the Adventurers’ Guild would be ready to leave in the early morning. The return was worth the risk.

We need to get our forces together as soon as possible and get to Lingen. Souya thought for a moment and decided to ask Tat one question.

“Tat-kun. If you were to encounter a monster on the street at night, how would you handle it?”

“I think I would avoid it and run. My fast feet are my redeeming feature, after all. I’m not proud of it, but I’ve never failed to outrun a pursuer …… Oh, I’m going to leave any unnecessary luggage I have because it’s in the way.”

The answer to his question was just as Souya had hoped. The Grasswalker boy has the ability to understand and accomplish what needs to be done.

“I will be responsible for your luggage, Tat-kun.”

Tat smiled at Souya’s reply and put on his cloak, which he had hung out to dry, and began to make preparations. He looked like a schoolboy in a raincoat.

“…… Tat. Can I leave this to you?”

Merylou stood up and looked Tat in the eye with a serious look.

“Merylou-neechan, don’t look so serious. Also, you can’t say that it’s safe to stay in this lodge, because the demons might attack …… Oh, shoot. I’m won’t be able to escort Peryton-san now.”

Tat glanced over at Peryton as he did the stretching exercises.

“…… It’s perfectly fine. Of course, I will pay you for that …… If you’re willing to run to Ilstadt in this thunderstorm as fast as possible …… I’d love to ask Tat-san the same.”

Peryton bowed his head to Tat. He was no longer the childishly insulting man he had been when we accepted the request.

“Hoh. You are a brave one, grasswalker boy. Kuku …… You were so afraid of ghosts, though.”

“Damn. I was trying to look cool, but you said that …… Well, it’s not as scary as ghosts.”

When Shamil made fun of the stable incident while admiring his decisive decision, Tat clucked his tongue with a sulky expression as if to say that it was ruined. He looked out of the lodge and nodded. The torrential rain seemed to have abated a bit. It was a good time to get out of there.

“…… Alright. I’m going to get some exercise then. The next time I see you all will be in Ilstadt.”

“…… Take care, Tat-san. I’ll see you in Ilstadt. May the Earth Mother Goddess Mikaela bless you.”

Mia, who was at the entrance of the cabin, made a one-handed prayer gesture to Tat.　

As everyone see him off, Tat turned and waved once, then ran out into the pouring rain.

“…… I hope he doesn’t get too cold going back in this downpour …… God of Knowledge Luster-sama, please bless Tat. And please bring this thunderstorm to an end.”

Aisha was surprised by Tat’s decision, but worriedly prayed to the god she believed in.

After seeing Tat off at the entrance, Souya turned again to the Cait Sith held by Mia.

I need to be prepared. The disclosure of the magic ability that I wanted to hide, which could lead to my true identity.

It’s not that I don’t want to expose my abilities to Aisha, who has a background in magic, but it’s a small matter compared to the determination of the Grasswalker boy showed earlier.

(In the worst-case scenario, they’ll find out I’m Rei …… at the end, I’ll only feel embarrassed by what I’ve done in the past.)

Souya smiled thinly and made up his mind.

“Shamil. I was thinking of asking you to help me. Scouting Lingen …… And a contract to use the Familiar. I want to share your vision.”

In response to Souya’s suggestion, Shamil shook his head, his expression not changing.

“……Souya, I am a phantom beast. The only way to make a contract is through a high-familiar magic ritual. A higher level magic near the top. There’s no way you can…”

“I can.”

Souya smiles fearlessly and glances at Shamil’s odd-eye with sharp eyes behind his glasses. 

“…… What did you just say?”

“I can do it. I said. A higher level of magic near the top. I can use it. Just like your master, the hermit of Mount Iskar.”

At the challenge, Shamil jumped up from Mia’s arms and landed gracefully on the floor.　

Then, perhaps offended by being goaded by the name of the Hermit of Mount Iskar, he raised his tail in a slightly murderous manner.

“Souya. Are you saying you’re on par with the Hermit of Mount Iskar? Interesting …… Then, the high-level magic, High Familiar. You can try to use it on me.”