TVCB 01

 Chapter 1

Perea was the only veterinarian in Timi Village, a snow-rabbit beastman settlement on the outskirts of the Amur Empire where humans and beastmen lived side by side.

Although she was human, she had been abandoned at the edge of the forest as a baby and raised under the care of rabbit beastmen.

True to their reputation as symbols of fertility, the rabbits had no trouble taking care of her.

Growing up like a beastman despite being human, Perea made the best choice she could to help the village once she became an adult.

She spent five years in the neighboring town studying beastman medicine. Then she returned to Timi Village as a fully qualified veterinarian.

“Perea, are you awake?”

“Yes! I’m right here!”

Her home was a small, cozy building that doubled as both her clinic and her living space.

If not for the cross-shaped sign out front, one might have walked past without realizing it was a hospital.

But since Timi Village had no other medical facilities, her place was always crowded.

And today, patients had started arriving early in the morning.

“Sorry to bother you so early. Ranny’s had a stomachache all night and kept tossing and turning.”

“Ranny? Come here, sweetheart.”

The child, shuffling shyly toward her, had his long ears drooping flat against his head—a sign that the pain was real.

A quick check confirmed it was nothing but an upset stomach, most likely from overeating.

Relieved, Perea explained the situation to his guardian.

“It seems like indigestion from overeating. I saw him carrying off a bunch of sweets at the festival yesterday…”

“What?! Ranny! Didn’t I tell you not to eat candy?”

Everyone knew that rabbits got sick if they ate too many sweets, and yet he had given in to temptation. His guardian pressed a hand to his forehead in frustration.

“Goodness! Ranny, just wait until we get home. You’re in for a scolding!”

At that, little snow-rabbit Ranny stomped his feet and burst into tears.

Perea, pitying the adorable young patient, stepped in.

“Children at this age have a hard time controlling their cravings. Don’t scold him too much. Ranny, you won’t overeat sweets again, right?”

She winked at him, and Ranny solemnly promised over and over never to eat too many candies again.

His guardian finally calmed down after hearing their words.

Since rabbit beastmen were mostly vegetarians, their digestive systems were delicate. Too much protein or sugar would always lead to stomachaches.

Children, with their big appetites, were especially prone to it—making them frequent visitors to Perea’s clinic.

So from early morning, starting with Ranny, Perea had to rush about nonstop.

Because of yesterday’s festival, more than half the patients that day had indigestion.

Grateful for her presence in the village, patients often brought her gifts on top of the consultation fee—potatoes, corn, carrots, all homegrown. Her storage shed quickly filled up.

It was more produce than one ordinary human could ever eat, and it often left her at a loss. But she couldn’t turn down their sincerity, so she accepted it.

“Whew, I’m exhausted.”

It was past 8 p.m. when the stream of patients finally ended.

After working more than twelve hours straight, Perea collapsed onto her desk, feeling she could fall asleep right then and there.

“…I should at least clean up.”

Blinking against her heavy eyelids, she picked up a broom.

Crash!

The ground-shaking boom was followed by a flash of light outside her window.

“W-what was that?!”

Her drowsiness vanished in an instant. Clutching the broom tightly just in case, she opened the door.

The sound seemed to have come from far away, but she couldn’t be sure.

The massive explosion had startled not just her but the entire village.

Residents hurried outside, their long rabbit ears twitching nervously.

“I’ll go check it out first! It’s dangerous—everyone else stay inside!”

Haron, head of the village youth group, took the lead. Several men followed after him. Perea, too, stepped forward.

The villagers, alarmed to see her going along, tried to stop her, their ears flapping anxiously.

Even now, Perea had to resist the urge to pet those fluffy ears. She clenched her fists instead and calmly explained why she had to go.

“This village isn’t even marked on most maps. Nobody would bother to attack us. But if there are people injured out there, I need to help.”

“Well… that’s true, but…”

“If it’s dangerous, I’ll run right away. I promise.”

The word run reassured them. Though human, Perea had grown up among rabbit beastmen and had picked up their remarkable speed.

“…Are you sure about this, Perea?”

Haron asked one last time, then shrugged helplessly. Having grown up with her, he knew he could never change her mind once she was determined.

Though no further sounds followed the first blast, none of them could relax. Never before had such a noise been heard in peaceful Timi Village.

Shaking off their anxiety, they pressed on until they reached the forest’s edge.

There, they found a massive crater—as if gouged out by some unnatural force.

Inside lay a luxurious golden carriage, smashed beyond recognition. Anyone riding it could hardly have survived.

The youths’ eyes widened in shock. Their ears stood rigid in fear.

Just then—

“Waaah…”

A faint cry rose from within the crater.

The rabbit beastmen, blessed with keen hearing, rushed forward. Spotting the source, they shouted urgently:

“Perea! There’s someone hurt!”

“I’m coming!”

Tossing aside her broom, Perea hurried forward. The sharp scent of blood filled the air, and her heart pounded wildly.

She had only ever treated mild cases in her quiet village, but her instincts screamed at her now.

This was the most serious patient she would ever face.

And she was right.

Between the broken carriage pieces, a small white hand trembled weakly.

Haron and the others were already straining to lift the wreckage. With their help, Perea cleared the debris until the scene was laid bare.

The child was not alone—she was cradled in the arms of a massive man.

The thick stench of blood came not from the child, but from the man’s shoulder, where it ran in dark rivulets.

“…Uuh…”

The child whimpered again. Perea and the youths threw themselves into rescuing them both.

Thankfully, nothing else happened while they worked.

Once free, Perea took the child while the young men supported the unconscious man.

He was so large that even Haron—the tallest in the village—barely reached his shoulder. Helping him walk was no easy task.

After confirming there were no other survivors, they carried the pair back to the village.

It was strange—just the two of them, riding such a grand carriage alone—but none of them had the ability to uncover what was hidden.

Moving faster on the way back, they finally reached Perea’s clinic.

They laid the man on the examination bed, though it was far too small. His legs hung off past the calves. The child was placed gently on the sofa in Perea’s living quarters.

“Thank you so much. From here, I’ll take over.”

“Are you sure you can handle this alone? I’ll stay.”

“Mm, thank you. I’d actually appreciate your help.”

Perea didn’t refuse Haron’s offer. The child might have been manageable, but the man lying unconscious was clearly dangerous-looking.

Though covered in dust, his bright silver hair gleamed faintly. His body was built like stone, and a long, well-kept sword rested at his side.

The other young men, exhausted from carrying him, clapped Haron on the shoulder and left the clinic.

Now only Perea, Haron, and the two mysterious strangers remained inside.