The forest cats tend to favor humans who are gifted, warmhearted, and amusing.
Such humans are often found at the royal castle.
Thus, more than a few forest cats can be found there,
but as in any world, there are always outliers.
Here is my usual resting perch: the bell tower overlooking the city.
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Life in the Castle Town
There are ordinary cats here in the city.
Unlike us, they cannot use magic.
They cannot use human words, either.
Hey, Haibuchi! You're up early, too.
This is the owner of a diner.
Okay then, let me give you a treat.
Here it comes!
Spry as ever, huh?
As you might have guessed already, I live here in the city as an ordinary cat.
I find that humans tend to reveal their true natures that way.
You've convinced me. I'll get you another.
Dear!
Uh...
Don't forget to take out the cabbages, too!
S-Sure, I'll do it right away!
Oops. That's the owner's wife.
She's an elf, which is rare in these parts,
but that means she could suspect that I'm a forest cat.
Time to make myself scarce.
Okay, Haibuchi, see you later!
Wow, I'm nervous!
It's north, right?
A group of four children.
Yes, straight north.
Don't lose the map!
Weapons they're clearly not used to.
I won't.
We'll get lost without it!
Mismatched outfits.
They must be novice adventurers.
If they're heading towards the Forest for Beginners, that means...
There she is.
Her name is Mikemike.
She's a forest cat, and a friend of the lady who's the guild's receptionist.
On chaperone duty again today?
Yes. My busybody worrywart of a friend asked me to.
Let's be off!
Yeah!
She may complain,
but she never refuses her friend's requests,
and when the adventurers need her help,
she is always there for them.
She and the guild receptionist lady make perfect friends.
Now then, I wonder what amusing humans I might find today...
Perhaps this one?
Ah, a newspaper reporter.
How do I know, you ask? Well, see that keen gaze of his?
Not to mention a writer's bump and noticeable ink stains.
His shoes have been re-soled so many times that the colors no longer match.
His outfit is plain and inconspicuous.
He's a journalist who can blend in anywhere to search for a scoop.
Hm, plain and blends in anywhere?
Wait, now I've only read about them in human books,
but doesn't that make him a spy?
How interesting.
A spy, huh?
It's decided. I'll be tailing this human today.
This is Craftsman Street.
It's lined with artisans like blacksmiths and carpenters.
Perhaps he's here to smuggle this country's latest weapons...
Sorry to interrupt your work, but do you have a second?
I'm from a newspaper company.
Huh? A newspaper?
Yes.
Ah, pretending to be a newspaper reporter now, I see...
I'd like to write an article on the popular chair you make.
What? A chair?
Wait! Aren't you the third son of the previous master from that corner house?
Huh?
Oh, yes, that's me!
We were just saying we hadn't seen you since he passed away.
So, you're a newspaper reporter?
Yes.
My big brothers said I should follow my dreams.
Wow, that's something else.
I'm nothing impressive. This is only my first article.
Not a spy after all, huh...
Don't be silly. It's a very admirable job!
That's a bit disappointing.
Still, he chose an article deeply rooted in the life of this city.
She's right!
Thank you both so much.
I should start by explaining how to use a mallet.
I look forward to reading his articles.
For every chair...
Hm? Hello!
Well, I don't mean to be an inconvenience, but I'm just a bit hungry.
Oh my! You are?
In that case...
This is the place.
It's been several months since I stepped foot in here, so I'm sure some are around.
No matter how much we try to seal our larders, they find their way in.
Thanks, I'll leave you to it.
Humans' storehouses are sealed meticulously when they're built,
and yet, these vermin still find a way in to devour the food...
That's what's so terrifying about mice.
Well, well! Quite a haul you've got there.
You look stuffed.
Yes, I did indulge a bit.
I feel a bit sick. Phew, I'm far too full.
You sure you'll be okay to get home?
Y-Yes, of course.
Take care of yourself, okay? And please, drop by anytime!
There's no end to these mice, as you know.
Trash has its own place.
The storehouses mustn't have mice blood and leftovers about.
That is always a primary consideration for us
when we forest cats hunt in the city.
Most humans have gone home for the day, now.
But now that I've eaten my fill, I can spend the next few days human-watching.
Hm?
Oh, the adventurer chaperone has returned.
Then, the adventurers are back, too?
I'm so glad it worked!
That really saved us.
Indeed.
My, what a nice sight.
They look just like kittens back from their first successful hunt.
Although their chaperone has very high standards,
it seems these adventurers nevertheless received a passing grade from her.
A novice newspaper reporter and novice adventurers.
How much will they grow? I can't wait to see.
Now then...
time to go home to my resting perch.
Oh, isn't that Haibuchi?
Who's Haibuchi?
A cat I feed in the morning— I mean, a cat who stops by!
Isn't he cute?
He might be feral, but he's clever.
Is that right?
If that cat is fond of you, then that's a good thing.
Huh?
It's considered a blessing.
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The Black Cat and the Adventurous Prince
What a meal!
My student begins yet another day with the same breakfast:
a crust of bread, some cheese wrapped in wax, and some dried meat as hard as wood.
It cannot suit the palate of a member of the royal family.
Excellent! Another enjoyable breakfast fit for an adventurer!
If you say so.
Speaking of things fit for an adventurer, I haven't done that one thing yet.
Hm?
Beginner adventurers usually begin by collecting medicinal herbs!
I've decided, Master! Next up: collecting medicinal herbs!
To what end do we even need those?
You want to collect medicinal herbs?
In that case, you'll first have to take a class.
What? A class?
Who knew you'd have to take a class to collect medicinal herbs?
Is that rather unusual?
Well, it's my first time hearing it.
It must be a special practice around here.
So, since the class is tomorrow, let's go shopping today.
You wish to purchase more of that tough bread, then?
No, I'm buying a cloak, of course!
Cloaks at the royal palace were mostly for decoration,
but an adventurer must have a good cloak!
In that case, I shall seek a suitable place to nap.
Welcome.
WATERPROOF
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INSECT REPELLENT
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DIRTY COLOR
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SCRUFFY TEXTURE
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Excellent! What a rustic, practical cloak!
I'll take it.
Everything here is so bare-bones and rustic!
What a great store!
Why's an adventurer like you shopping here?
Hm?
I mean, I was once an adventurer, too.
So I can tell enough about your skills just by looking at you.
Someone of your level can't possibly need gear and items of such low quality, right?
The utter joy of being recognized by a former adventurer! I'm so happy right now!
And how cool is it that he can gauge my skills just by looking at me!
Yes, this is it! This is the world I've wanted to be in for the longest time!
No, it's not like that, I am just a mere novice, you see! With no money!
I see. Well, the things I have are still well-priced,
so feel free to look around.
Thank you so much!
For so long, he has sought to become an adventurer.
He has the skills, but his experience is sorely lacking.
Kurobane! My master!
What is it?
I shall be sleeping here tonight.
I know that's what you want, but the class is tomorrow, remember?
There are definitely going to be many adventurers to meet!
For you.
For you too, Master!
Come on! Let us go to the inn and get refreshed!
Please, Kurobane! My master!
I may have mentioned experience...
Master!
It's been forever since we've been in such a huge bath,
right, Kurobane?
...but I shall never become accustomed to this foolish practice of taking a bath.
Actually, not only did I obtain a cloak,
but I also collected information at the bar afterwards!
After I take the class tomorrow, I can collect medicinal herbs, too!
Now I am totally a full-fledged adventurer!
One step closer to becoming a hero!
I failed to mention that he still cannot temper his raucous style of laughter.
They mostly seem to be beginners.
Indeed.
But those two over there seem different.
That they do.
Good morning!
I never expected to see a forest cat and his friend here.
Are you taking the class, too?
Yes, I'll be in your care.
But this cat here is actually my master, not my friend.
I'm still far too inexperienced to be able to be called his friend.
What a surprise! I suppose stranger things have happened.
So even with your skills, you do not yet meet his standard.
I really don't have much skill yet.
I mean, I'm still wet behind the ears.
Well, in your master's eyes, I suppose both of us are still inexperienced, too.
What are you doing?
Oh, I almost forgot.
Hm?
I was hoping you two could help me.
Pardon?
The two of us have to watch over about a dozen of students as instructors.
We won't be going anywhere too dangerous,
but if there's an emergency, I'd appreciate your help.
I see! Of course it'd be reassuring to have Master's help.
Um...
It sounds interesting. Accept his request.
Oh?
Traversing terrain while protecting a pack of a dozen shall prove quite difficult.
It is a rare opportunity.
You have these two as well as myself. Consider this training, and accept—
I'm sorry, this person has a weakness for small animals.
I'm surprised Mr. Black Cat wasn't getting pet sooner, actually.
Talking caused you to get caught off-guard!
Isn't this a rare experience for you, Master?
Cease your laughter and have them desist!
We officially accept your request for us to help.
Thank you. Much obliged.
You too, Mr. Black Cat.
Enough! How long must you insist on continuing this travesty?!
Is everyone here?
There are many kinds of medicinal herbs, but what they all have in common
is that they grow near magical beasts' feces and carcasses.
This means they can only be found near magical beasts.
That's why we adventurers often get paid to collect them.
Now then, you there, please come this way.
Yes.
Please stand there.
Why would you do that?!
Your reaction time's a bit slow. You must be vigilant at all times.
However, setting that aside, will you please try using this ointment?
It's a normal ointment you can purchase in any city.
That stopped the bleeding, yes?
In about a day, a wound like this will heal, correct?
Now then, please use this ointment instead.
It's the same ointment, but made in this city specifically.
No way that's the same ointment.
Do you see? An ointment's effectiveness depends on the quality of its ingredients.
These use the same type of medicinal herbs and the same recipe.
The differences are the herbs' quality and the pharmacist's skill.
Even if it's more expensive, wouldn't you want this one?
And the ability to make this one depends on how you collect the herbs.
Right!
The more herbs that are collected in the right way,
the better a job our pharmacists can do,
my wife included.
Huh?
Oh, this is my wife. She's a pharmacist.
What?!
You're thinking she doesn't look like one, huh? Well, she is an adventurer.
She's also quite strong.
Wow, I thought she was a warrior. What a shock that they're married!
Can't judge a book by its cover, right, Master?
R-Right...
When you collect herbs, make sure to include the root as well.
You must never leave roots behind.
Leftover roots can transform into monsters and roam around.
Where are my leaves?
What?!
That's terrifying!
So dig it up with all the soil on it, and then gently wash it off with water.
Did everyone bring a water bottle? You may obtain the water with magic.
Once you wash off the soil, wrap the herb in cloth to prevent damage.
Then take it to the guild.
It's a lot to take in, but you'll be okay as long as you handle the herbs with care.
Let's give it a try, shall we?
Until I give the signal— let's say, at noon—
try to collect at least one herb per person.
Now, begin!
All right!
Found one! Okay, this one's my first!
More than just collecting herbs, I should pay attention to my surroundings, too.
This is a rather difficult assignment, Master.
I like it!
The more difficult the adventure, the closer I get to becoming a hero!
Yeah!
This should be uneventful.
Nothing as troublesome as bears should be nearby—
or so I thought.
That's a Rock-Smashing Eagle.
What a troublesome magical beast.
They use their powerful legs to kick you
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They use their powerful legs to kick you.
They escape by air
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They escape by air.
They catch you off-guard and return to repeatedly attack
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They catch you off-guard and return to repeatedly attack.
It is not a beast a mere beginner can defeat.
The prince and I must distract it, call out to guide the students,
coordinate with the two instructors, and—
Was that lightning or something?
Wh-What speed!
This was his first time facing a flying magical beast.
Using an electric attack was the correct decision.
Not to mention he defeated it on his first try.
He not only has the brazenness to attempt it, but he also has the skills to succeed.
Hey, Master.
Sorry to ask, but could you stay here for a minute?
That is acceptable, but where will you be going?
Isn't that obvious? I must collect some medicinal herbs!
What...
If I fail because of a magical beast or two, there's no way can I call myself a hero!
I absolutely must get the most herbs today to prove myself!
Thank you, Mr. Black Cat!
Is anyone injured?
How impressive...
Seven plants! Our highest record ever!
Stop by if you're ever nearby again,
Mr. Medicinal-Herb-Collecting Hero.
I mean, a hero's a hero, but that somehow seems off.
But we absolutely will stop by again!
Master!
Pet him gently as a greeting first...
Behind his ears is best.
I've met several humans who were chosen by Cait Sith.
But that one's especially unique.
I'm sure it will be fun to see how he grows.
Congratulations on fulfilling your dream of becoming a hero.
Yes! One step towards becoming a true hero!
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The White Cat and the Lazy Girl
The forest cats proceeded home, as the cats staying the city and the humans holding the lights saw them off.
The winged Uncle took the same path back to the forest each year.
So to see them all off, many humans would line up alongside the road.
They stayed off to the side to avoid blocking the cats from padding on home.
Each carried some type of light in their hands.
As the lights illuminated their path, the cats happily continued on.
The procession of cats could be seen in the morning as well, but in the gentle light and the afterglow of the festival,
it somehow seemed different.
According to magic researchers, Cait Sith are considered more fairy than magical beast.
The procession of cats had an ethereal presence, which lent credence to the theory.
The cats happily strode home, with the humans watching over them.
The lights lined the road all the way to the city gate.
To be continued