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chapter 27
Kenih, on tiptoe, made his way to the large arched window.
A balcony that offered a full view of Black Dragon Castle.
In the darkness, a large shadow moved.
“That guy… he’s here again today.”
He was an unwelcome guest who came to find me every dawn while Kenih slept.
When the sharp eyes beyond the window turned toward me, I felt every hair on my body stand on end.
My clenched fists trembled, but I could no longer delay.
Tap tap!
I knocked firmly on the window. The figure outside seemed to swell to twice its size from a moment ago.
Clearly, it was trying to scare me. It happened every dawn, the same routine.
“Chuuut, chuut.”
“Hey, let’s have a little chat.”
I flicked my finger toward the large shadow in provocation.
Flapping wings responded from beyond the glass, followed by a metallic screech:
[You reckless little rat!]
An annoyed voice echoed inside my head.
It was a bald eagle that had recently begun watching my every move.
By day, it circled the skies of Black Dragon Castle, waiting for a chance. By dawn, when Kenih slept, it would silently close in.
To this bald eagle, I was either unusual prey living in Black Dragon Castle—or a snack to gobble down whole.
“Or maybe both?”
I didn’t know the exact reason, but I clearly understood it wanted to swallow me with that bright yellow, hard beak.
[Hmph, up close, my mouth waters even more…]
The bald eagle, which had been flapping its wings threateningly, was now right in front of the arched window.
Its enormous shadow loomed over my head.
In the darkness of night, its sharp yellow eyes gleamed.
Apparently, that wasn’t enough—it pecked the glass with its pointed beak, right where I stood.
“What a bad-tempered bird…”
Shaking my head as if it were chewing and savoring me, I instinctively stepped back.
My legs nearly gave out, almost causing me to fall comically.
[Hehe, seeing you terrified makes my appetite even better.]
This crazy bird…!
I stared at it in disbelief, but it just tilted its head as if confused.
[Is it crazy for a strong creature to eat a weak one?]
Not entirely wrong. Both in the animal world and human world, survival of the fittest was a basic law.
But at least in Bear Mountain, where I had lived, that law wasn’t absolute.
Even my subordinate, Chorong, enjoyed hunting as a falcon.
The reason I sought out this insane bald eagle was related to him: to deliver news to my friends in Bear Mountain.
I wanted to tell them I was fine, and to prepare thoroughly for winter.
Carefully, I stepped closer to the window again.
[Ah, there are indeed crazy ones who mingle bears and rabbits together.]
It was true about Bear Mountain.
“You know Bear Mountain?”
[Isn’t it stranger if I didn’t know a place full of such weird creatures?]
The bald eagle’s beak opened as if exasperated. Even though nothing had changed, it seemed my target had come closer.
“I have a favor… Could you deliver my news to Bear Mountain? I’ll pay any price.”
[Ah, so you’re really from Bear Mountain? Chorong is a nuisance, but this won’t be difficult.]
“You know Chorong? Just tell him the white squirrel is alive.”
[Easy enough. Then can I ask a favor too?]
“Just say it.”
I pressed myself against the window and nodded vigorously. At this point, I could have given up all three meals and snacks.
[Very easy.]
The bald eagle, dozens of times larger than me standing on two feet, slowly lowered its head to meet my eyes.
Before I could register anything in its bright yellow gaze:
[Could I take a bite? Preferably the plump part of your rear.]
Slurp.
I heard it swallow saliva from beyond the glass.
“W-what…?”
I cautiously lifted my head, doubting my ears.
Before me was a damn bald eagle, opening its beak wide, ready to swallow me whole.
“Chuu, chuuu—!”
A scream escaped me before I could stop it.
What had this crazy bird just tried to do? Without the window, I’d have been eaten for sure.
[Hehe, what a pity.]
While I clutched my pounding heart, the bald eagle flapped its wings and cackled.
Were there only crazy creatures in Black Dragon Castle?!
Save me, squirrel…!
“Chuu…”
And so the day passed.
I was forced to stay awake all night, constantly threatened by the bald eagle lurking above.
[Soft and tender… it would melt in my mouth.]
Look—it still circles the rooftops, drooling.
How to deal with such a malicious bird?
I rested my arms on the windowsill and flicked my tail.
“Cherry, is something troubling you?”
With Kenih and Gerard busy, Ria remained as my protector.
Her eyes, similar to Gerard’s yet different, scrutinized my tail.
Clearly, she was trying to read my mood.
Ria had learned to judge my feelings by the speed of my tail flicks and gestures. Surprisingly, she understood me better than Kenih or Gerard, despite spending less time together.
“Hmm… the dark circles under your eyes show you haven’t slept. Is there a villain troubling you?”
She cracked her knuckles, not in jest.
“Ria, there’s a crazy bird on the roof of Black Dragon Castle right now.”
I gestured like wings toward the roof.
“Chuu, chuchu.”
It follows me like a stalker, and now it wants to swallow me whole like candy!
I mimicked rolling around; Ria stared at me, mouth agape, for a long time.
Then, realization struck her. She raised her hand:
“Roof, wings…? Ah, you mean the bald eagle living around Black Dragon Castle?”
“Chuu, chuu!”
Exactly!
As expected, Ria Viper. One of the few reptiles I trusted.
I nodded gratefully, almost in tears. Ria walked toward the balcony in large strides.
‘Where is she going?’
Wait—was that shining thing at her waist… a dagger?
“Chuu…?!”
What was she planning to do with it?
Soon, Ria brought the answer.
“Kkeek—!”
A metallic screech filled the bedroom.
[D-damn demons…!]
She had grabbed the bald eagle by the neck with one hand and brought it before me.
“Cherry, don’t worry. I’ll take this to the kitchen. For dinner, would you prefer roasted or fried?”
“O-oh…”
I couldn’t help but applaud.
The eagle wasn’t just big for me; even compared to adult males, including Ria, it was enormous. Fully spread, its wings exceeded two meters.
Yet Ria had captured this giant bird in a single motion, without a breath lost. Even from the rooftops.
‘No wonder she’s one of the top experts in Black Dragon Castle…’
I glanced between Ria and the bald eagle, still slightly astonished.
[This cursed castle is full of demons—!]
“Kyeeeek—!”
A scream echoed long across the skies above Black Dragon Castle.
