The Cat and the Dragon (猫と竜)

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.

Life in the Castle Town

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.

The Black Cat and the Adventurous Prince

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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m 230 -5 l 00 -5 00 30 230 30

INSECT REPELLENT

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m 300 00 l -5 00 -5 30 300 30

DIRTY COLOR

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m 225 00 l -5 00 -5 30 225 30

SCRUFFY TEXTURE

m 280 00 l -5 00 -5 30 280 30

m 280 00 l -5 00 -5 30 280 30

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.