Chapter 107
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: Attached Crow
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I'd half-expected this.
You can't just get free info from the Cheshire Cat.
I'd tried to pry it out of her with fish as bait, but no dice.
If Moona hadn't called her a sexy beauty, I could've played it bold.
...Did she plan for this too?
Tough opponent.
"Caw."
Still, trading info seems like we came out ahead.
Pretending ignorance and stiffing her would've left us empty-handed.
If I bring her something satisfying, we'll get the dirt on the Lion Heart King.
"Ugh... What's that smell, nya?"
Cheshire Cat wrinkles her nose at me.
Gonna complain about the crow stench?
I shouldn't smell that bad.
Crows bathe harder than anyone.
"Smells like dog, nya."
...Dog?
"Big, bad dog. Anyway, it's a nasty smell, nya."
She must've caught Black Wolf's scent on me.
From the way she says it, she knows about Black Wolf.
But Black Wolf didn't seem to know her.
Not surprising for an info broker like Cheshire Cat to know about a big bad wolf.
"Don't like dogs, nya. But I like birds, nya."
Speciesist, huh?
Fine, liking birds gets you a pass.
"So sleek and shiny..."
...Is that the right kind of like?
At least she's viewing me positively.
"Nyaha. Lucky you, nya. This job looked tricky, but now I just roll around here."
"Caw?"
"Why the look, nya? Work, nya. Work."
Whine whine whine.
My beak's in manners mode, bawling.
Forget info—wanna peck this seductive cat right in the eye?
Could shut her beak for good.
But no, can't do that.
"Caw caw."
"...Why're you pecking at me, nya? Beak-pecking? Anyway, don't do it to me, nya! Feels weird, nya!"
Big beak, big responsibility.
"Striped cat. Can't you handle this yourself? Or is there a reason you can't?"
Moona said in a solemn voice.
"Sexy sis is sharp as she looks, nya."
Where's the sharp?
She's all round and cuddly.
"I could get the info myself, nya. But like I said, it's complicated, nya. Going straight to those two won't get me what I want, nya. Gotta gather clues from the edges... That's tough, nya. You know why, sis, nya?"
Just lazy, right?
"Hm, fair enough. Judging by looks isn't right, but you can't expect everyone to share values."
"Smart like she looks, nya! Like a sage or something, nya!"
Striped cat doesn't know everything.
Hard to believe, but this plump guy's a real sage.
"So, meeting spot here?"
"Nya. If no news, come back here, nya. But can't rely on just you, nya? Won't join, but I'll be with you, nya."
What?
Definitely a cat, not a dog.
"Nyaha. You don't get it, but distance ain't a big deal for me, nya."
Oh, that.
Space leap or whatever.
I know it well.
She'll use that to pop over to us.
Even during adventures, on the fly.
"I can follow you anytime, nya."
Cheat ability, for sure.
Better than Black Wolf's, even.
But no limits? Instant teleport anywhere?
Way too broken.
The Cheshire Cat in stories had that too.
Wonder if I can steal it from her.
That's when she said it.
"Of course, need a mark for that, nya."
Mark.
Like Black Wolf's tail fur?
Not totally free, then.
"So, gonna mark you. Okay, nya?"
What can ya do.
"Caw caw."
If she can come to us, better for everyone.
"Hm, prefer sexy sis... but oh well, nya. Crow, come here, nya."
Huh?
Me?
Marking me?
I approached without much suspicion.
Then Cheshire Cat shoves her face in mine.
Thwack!
Panicked, I chicken-kicked—but she got what she wanted.
Smooch.
"Caaaaaw!"
Yeah.
Her "mark" was a kiss.
"Shwaaaaa!"
Pointy Swungswung turned paper-airplane mode, stabbing at Cheshire Cat wildly.
"Nyahaha! You're mine now, nya."
Cheshire Cat blocks Swungswung's attacks, grinning.
Dodged my chicken kick and Swungswung's barrage easy.
She flees with that smug face.
Whoosh!
But Cheshire Cat took an unexpected hit too.
"Kweeeek!"
The Sage, Moona's peck.
"Nyack! What the—! No way...! Crow! You're a sinful bird, nya!"
What're you saying.
You've got more sins.
*
After the chaos, we entered the dense jungle.
Sudden squalls hit here.
No thanks to getting soaked, so we prepped.
Simple fix.
Raincoats.
"Ho, you're handy too?"
Moona praises me.
Moona's far from ordinary kiwi.
First meet: brown-butted kiwi shaking tail.
Now: upgraded to clothed kiwi.
Even now.
Wearing scavenged leather clothes and hat.
Hat blocks rain.
Inspired me to make ponchos.
Woven from local leaves and stretchy fabric scraps.
Won't stop a downpour, but fine for drizzles.
"Swung, swungswung!"
Made one for Swungswung too—he seems pleased.
Headbutts me in thanks...
"Caw."
Saw Cheshire Cat, wants to copy.
Sorry, not falling for it easy.
"Shwooo... Tch."
Huh?
Did he just click his tongue?
Nah, imagination.
Thought of using Swungswung as head umbrella, but too mean—went with ponchos.
"Swung?"
Nothing, Swungswung.
"Hm, to gather info, best meet locals."
Moona talks easy.
But meeting locals ain't simple.
Witches like Gretel won't freak, but normals? Run on sight.
Handsome crow fine, but ghost and kiwi next to me? Shock city.
"Even if we meet humans, info's limited. If that worked, striped cat wouldn't offer the deal. Easiest for her is human intel."
"Caw caw."
True.
Striped cat's rep means humans spill easy—pay extra even.
But she asked newbie me instead.
Means humans don't know much here.
...So who're Moona's "locals"?
"Why can't striped cat gather herself? Simple. Locals here hate cats."
Got it.
Birds living here.
Cats and birds don't mix.
...Me and Moona birds, so good relations?
Makes info easier.
"Caw caw."
Mission clear.
Find birds, get intel.
Smart ones like Moona ideal.
"Kweeeeeek!"
Sudden dino screech.
Moona, obviously.
"Caw!"
What if predators come?
"No worry, little wind. Beasts flee this sound."
"Caw caw."
True.
Even tiger'd bolt.
If they saw Moona, maybe not—but sound alone? Dino vibes.
"But thinkers change that. They'll get it's a signal. And we need that smarts."
"Caaaw...!"
Impressed by Moona's plan.
Dumb beasts flee.
Curious ones have brains.
Exactly what we want.
Flap flap!
Flap flap!
Soon, responders arrive.
"Here! Here?"
"Here? Here?"
Cheerful voices, wingbeats.
Birds that talk human.
This'll be easy.
But seeing them, my beak hung open awhile.
Gorgeous parrots, feathers galore.
But something missing.
Majorly missing.
"Caaaaaw!"
Yeah.
These parrots? Bald-headed.
...Bald parrots?