IJEBPSCLB 42

chapter 42

After thinking that far, I flopped down under the shade of a nearby tree.

As soon as I did, the beastmen who had been following behind me bustled over and quickly spread out a mat right beside me, preparing for a picnic.

Before I knew it, even Allen—who had clearly been enjoying some quiet time alone just moments ago—was there too.

Was Allen in the original story?

I couldn’t quite remember.

Louise definitely was.

Well, even if Allen did appear, he was probably just described as Ian’s aide. What did he even do in the original?

But the original events haven’t happened yet anyway, so it doesn’t matter if I change them, right?

Lying flat on her back, Ariel gazed up at the clear sky through the leaves.

The blue sky peeking through the lush green leaves calmed her heart. When she stretched out her arm, her stubby paw blocked the sky.

This must be the grand will of the gods—to make me remember the original story.

Ariel arbitrarily interpreted divine will however she pleased and marveled at its brilliance.

In the original, talented people kept appearing one after another. I’ll just pick up those who are still struggling or haven’t been discovered yet and bring them over.

They’ll escape their miserable situations early, and I’ll gain capable people.

Kill two birds with one stone.

Everyone wins.

Right. If I just bring the female lead first, things will mostly be solved.

She was an excellent worker.

Her leadership skills weren’t bad either—

No, they were actually far better than most.

If she’s around, at least the urgent problems right in front of me can be handled.

So where was the female lead at the beginning…

The slums behind Edwil Roward 31.

Right. Chloe started her business there after her grandmother died, using the inheritance.

If I remember correctly, her grandmother died from an illness that could’ve been easily cured if they had money.

Then if I cure her grandmother before she dies, and bring Chloe with me…

Perfect.

A cool breeze brushed across my stomach.

—Except for the fact that Chloe’s grandmother would soon die without treatment.

There’s not much time.

As soon as my human-transformation adaptation period ends, I’ll go right away.

Just as I finished thinking and blankly admired the sky, Louise’s voice called out.

“Ariel, come up here.”

I stood up, took a few steps back, and shook my fur vigorously.

The grass clinging to me scattered away. After shaking off most of it, Ariel, satisfied, climbed onto the mat.

“Ariel, come here.”

Alright, I’m coming.

Without much thought, Ariel walked over at Ian’s call and lay down in front of him. Ian then carefully picked out every single blade of grass stuck in her fur.

Ah, this is nice.

Ariel purred softly, enjoying his touch.

This sunlight. This temperature. This humidity. This grass. Everything was perfect.

Even the choux in front of me.

Louise placed a choux pastry in front of Ariel.

“Ariel, I got this specially because it’s your favorite.”

Ian cut the pastry into bite-sized pieces with a fork and brought it to Ariel’s mouth.

I can eat by myself, you know.

I narrowed my eyes at him and kept my mouth tightly shut. Ever since I had turned into a kitten while in human form and got startled by how big the fork looked, he had insisted forks were dangerous weapons and started feeding me himself.

At this rate, I’m going to become a cat that can’t do anything without you.

When I glared at him with narrowed eyes and refused to open my mouth, Ian simply smiled silently.

He was definitely teasing me.

I can eat on my own.

Being fed by someone was more embarrassing than I expected. But the fork holding the choux in front of me showed no sign of retreating.

…I lose.

After staring at it intensely, I finally sighed and took a bite.

At that moment, I felt Ian’s hand gently stroking my fur.

…If it weren’t for this unnecessary warmth, I wouldn’t let him pet me.

Feeling the warmth seep into my cool body, I just stayed lying in front of him. Ian then lifted me onto his lap and settled me comfortably.

Seeing that, Louise’s aide froze on the spot.

“Allen Demot… is that really Ian Cadelion I’m looking at right now?”

“I mean, the Ian Cadelion I know?”

The ruthless ruler of the North, who could tear apart a four-meter monster with his bare hands…

In short, he was asking if Ian had gone insane.

Allen took a sip of lemonade and casually replied,

“That’s probably not the lord you know.”

It was rare to see Reese Demot so stunned.

Humming to himself, Allen took another sip of lemonade.

Maybe it was because he was watching Reese’s dumbfounded expression—today, the lemonade tasted especially refreshing.

Was this why Louise made me practice high jumps so much…?

Did she really foresee all of this?

Just how far ahead was she planning?

As I stepped outside the mansion after being granted permission to go out alone, I recalled what Louise had said.

She had smiled brightly as she gave her permission.

“If anyone acts indecently—tries to drag you away by force, touches your body, or gives you strange looks—”

“Kick them. Right there. With a flying kick.”

“Even if they’re nobles, don’t hold back.”

At the time, I had been so shocked by her aggressive words that I could only nod with my mouth hanging open.

Apparently satisfied with my reaction, Louise had continued with an elegant smile.

“Even in cat form, it’s fine. Thanks to your training, you can jump that high now.”

“Even if you cripple some noble family’s heir, I can handle the aftermath—so don’t worry and kick with confidence.”

“Oh, and ‘indecent men’ includes Ian.”

“He has no common sense whatsoever.”

Well… she’s not wrong about Ian.

With a pouch full of jewels and some paper and a pen safely tucked into my bag, I looked around.

Oh. That’s Serian Boutique.

Next to it were several other boutiques, including Babilo Boutique.

I tore my gaze away from the dazzling shops and jewelry stores and hurried along.

It was obviously a luxurious street, with people dressed to the nines walking around.

But why was everyone carrying a small white basket in one hand?

Why carry something so impractical? A bag would be much more convenient.

Is there some kind of event today?

It was strange.

After staring at them suspiciously for a while, I turned into a narrow alleyway nearby.

It was so inconspicuous that you wouldn’t even notice it unless you looked carefully.

After turning through several tight alleys—

The scenery changed completely into a cramped and shabby slum, nothing like the elegant Edwil Roward street from before.

Cold droplets fell onto my head.

When I looked up, the once-clear sky had grown dark.

No wonder my knees were aching today.

Ariel rummaged through her bag and put on a raincoat.

I’m sure it said it was around here…

Since the female lead’s grandmother hadn’t died yet, it was certain she was still living in the slums behind Edwil Roward.

She couldn’t have moved somewhere else…

There was a reason she couldn’t leave this place.

…Huh? Is that her?

After searching for a while, I spotted a soft, cotton-candy-like pale pink head of hair—completely out of place in the slums.

Chloe trudged toward her home.

When she looked up, the sky was completely covered in dark clouds.

Edwil Roward 31—the most developed street on the continent.

Behind it lay an area that had turned into a slum after an unexplained fire nine years ago.

Nine years ago, there was no street more peaceful than this one.

Lost in regret, she walked slowly, staring at the sky.

Unlike before, her hair was now covered in dust.

We used to play hide-and-seek and tag on this street…

Every time she walked this road, she connected the past with the present.

She could vividly picture herself running around with friends, playing games.

Her parents welcoming her home with open arms in the afternoon.

The delicious dinners at her neighbor’s house.

Now, they were nothing but fleeting illusions.

The flames had devoured everything.

Her family. Her friends. Her home.

Even her happiness.

That day had been more peaceful than any other.

So peaceful that no one could have imagined what would happen.

She had left home with her grandmother to buy ingredients for lunch, just like always.

The streets had been filled with laughter.

But when they returned, arms full of groceries—

What greeted her was a vast crimson sunset.

More precisely, a scene where that “sunset” was swallowing everything.

A brutally blood-red blaze.

At that moment, she couldn’t even cry.

She didn’t even hiccup.

She just stared blankly.

The scene created by the flames felt unreal.

“Ahhh!”

“Help me!”

The monstrous fire grew larger, swallowing even people’s screams.

With dry eyes, she watched houses collapse and people burn alive.

Thud.

The bag of groceries slipped from her hands.

Vegetables meant for stir-fry scattered across the ground.

Mushrooms rolled away, onions tumbled across the dirt.

But she couldn’t even think to pick them up.

“Um… you dropped your onions.”

Ironically, that single sentence made her realize—

This was reality.

A reality she didn’t want to believe.

“…Grandma. Is this real?”

Her lips trembled faintly.

“…Is this… reality?”

“…I can’t see Mom and Dad anymore?”

At that moment, her grandmother didn’t answer.

Everything was silent.

“…Really?”

Instead of answering, her grandmother quietly placed a piece of paper in Chloe’s hand.

It was her parents’ will.

Written long ago—

Prepared in advance, in case they died one day.

Her grandmother had carried it with her every single day.

And on that day—

She handed it to Chloe.