Chapter 140
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 140
Chapter Title: Rabbit Hole
"Using the Rabbit Hole will drastically cut down our travel time, nya. Plus, we can bypass the witches' traps, so it's killing two birds with one stone, right nya?"
"Kak."
It all sounds great, but hearing her say that right in front of me and Moona feels kinda weird.
We're the birds here.
Cheshire Cat's method does seem pretty convenient.
For starters, not having to face the witches head-on is appealing.
But at the same time, even if we do run into them, I don't think it'll be a big deal.
As long as they're not on Snow White's or Abyss-level, we'd probably win.
No, with the power I gained from White Night's evolution, I could probably smash even one of those Abyss tentacles from last time without breaking a sweat.
It wouldn't hurt to test out my new strength against a witch anyway.
The witches do pack serious power, but they drop pretty sweet rewards in proportion.
"And you can score some nice loot in the Rabbit Hole too, nya."
"Nice loot?"
"The Rabbit Hole isn't just a simple passage—it's its own world, nya."
I glanced at Moona upon hearing that.
Moona gave a small nod.
"Yeah, despite the name, I've heard it's a pretty useful place."
"Knew you'd know, nya! ...Wait, hold on, you shouldn't know about it?"
Cheshire Cat clapped her hands at Moona's explanation, then sensed something off.
"Hmm... well, you're a sexy big sis, so I'll let it slide, nya."
I have no idea why Moona counts as a sexy big sis, but whatever, I'll roll with it.
"Like I said, the Rabbit Hole is basically its own little world, nya. It's artificial and tiny, of course, but you'll get what I mean once you see it yourself, nya."
With Moona's seal of approval, I can trust it.
"The principle's similar to that relic called the Mirror of Possibilities... Hmm, you'd probably just get confused if I explained it, nya. I'll tell the sexy big sis instead, nya."
Is she calling me a birdbrain?
"Kak!"
It pissed me off, but she's not wrong, so I let it go.
Moona'll explain it later anyway.
"Long story short... it means you can encounter all sorts of fortuitous opportunities while passing through, nya."
"Kak!"
The cat explained it in crow terms.
Just from hearing it, the place sounds super enticing.
Not only does it save time, but you can snag some opportunities too?
If something like this exists, shouldn't we use it every trip?
"Of course, it doesn't let just anyone in, nya. You'd be shocked at how picky that rabbit is, nya. Look at me, nya. Don't I keep sharing all the stories I've gathered? Compared to me, that rabbit bastard is... insanely stingy and picky, nya!"
Sounds like she's on bad terms with the Rabbit Hole's owner.
Though this cat's pretty picky herself.
She acts like she's giving info for free, but she's always demanding another story in return.
No matter how you slice it, she's far from benevolent.
"Kak kawk."
"I'm not just anyone, so I can get in, nya. And if you're with me, you can too, nya. It's a huge hassle, but kind-hearted me will help you out, nya."
I stared hard at Cheshire Cat.
What's her deal with Snow White that she's going this far for me after just one attack?
"Heh, no biggie, nya. Helping you out means I get even better stories, nya."
Stories.
That's what Cheshire Cat wants. Stories.
This globetrotting info-hoarder suddenly declared she'd stick by my side.
She probably figures hanging with me nets better gains than wandering solo.
I stared at her some more.
"Kak kak."
Her motives are clear, so I can trust her this much at least.
As long as I keep feeding her quality tales, she'll stick around as an ally. I'm sure of it.
Next stop: the Rabbit Hole, as per Cheshire Cat.
Grab some opportunities there, then straight-shot to Lion Heart King's Castle.
"Thank you once again, benefactor."
Saroka bowed politely.
Wonder if "benefactor" really fits, but I didn't nitpick.
"Normally, we'd hold the wedding right away... but we can't tie down someone like you, who roams the world like a gentle breeze."
Wait, they were seriously gonna marry me off?
Good thing they're being considerate.
"The marriage to the princess... we can postpone it until after your journey ends, Little Breeze."
At those words, the princess oriole twitched her wings.
Sorry, but I can't see birds that way romantically.
Maybe if she evolves into a harpy...
"Kyaaak!"
"My head feathers are growing back! Kyak! Kyak!"
The parrots around started shedding tears of joy.
Seems taking down Dabih and Vega lifted some curse off them too.
"Amazing, Little Breeze!"
"Crow! Amazing! Incredible!"
Downy fuzz sprouting on their formerly bald heads—gotta be pure bliss.
I strangely get the feeling.
[Your Fame has greatly increased.]
"Kak!"
Turns out their thanks weren't empty words—immediate effect.
Giving them hair back naturally boosts fame.
I wasn't banking on it, but nice bonus.
Fame's always better the more you stack.
I was worried Cheshire Cat might tank my rep, but this puts that fear to rest.
The queen and forest forces treated us with utmost sincerity.
They threw a feast, brought out every delicacy imaginable.
Most grateful they wrapped it up quick, knowing they couldn't hold us long.
"Then, Little Breeze. We await the day you return to this forest, having grown beyond the storm into a typhoon."
Typhoons wreck forests, y'know?
But I got the gist.
Just "grow strong and come back."
I gave simple farewells to Saroka, Clara, and the parrots.
"Swung..."
Swungswung wriggled, even plumper now.
Our reward? A massive haul of gems.
With the queen weakened, direct aid was tough, she said.
Forest rebuilding takes priority, so it made sense.
But they didn't skimp on rewards.
These gems were the most valuable thing they could give.
Not weird for birds who love shiny things—besides crows—to hoard 'em in nests.
And better than vague skills.
I burned most resources in that fight.
Plus, not just Night Summoning—White Night needs offerings too.
Top-quality gems like these would supercharge all my skills.
A few were mana stones infused with magic, not plain gems.
Can't use 'em myself, but handy for friendly witches like Gretel.
Moona could use 'em for research too.
Fair reward secured, rest taken.
Time to move on.
"Ready, nya?"
"Kak kak."
Off to the Rabbit Hole!
"...Kak."
But... which way?
Cat didn't give details, so no clue.
Head toward Lion Heart King's Castle, I guess?
As I thought that and stepped forward—
"Not that way, nya."
"Kak?"
Really?
"Then where..."
That instant—
Thud!
The ground beneath me vanished in a flash.
Normally, with wings, I'd escape easy—but they wouldn't budge.
Shwooooosh!
"Kaaaaak!"
"Shuuuung!"
The thrill of freefall after so long.
Swungswung screamed too—can't fly right now.
Of course, I could bail if I wanted.
But I didn't.
I vaguely sensed this drop was the Rabbit Hole itself.
The sinking ground was an illusion.
Cheshire Cat's power teleported us in.
Thump.
Thought I'd hit bottom—no real impact.
"Kak."
I snapped to and scanned around.
Fell forever, so I figured underground.
But this? No way it's "underground."
Just like the forest we stood in—dense trees, light filtering in, bugs and beasts scurrying.
But details differed.
Look at those trees. Not natural colors—artificial mess.
Orange trunks, pink leaves, white fruits.
Like a kid grabbing crayons and scribbling wild—awkward combo.
Yet overall? Weirdly harmonious.
This must be the Rabbit Hole space Cheshire Cat mentioned.
Now I see why she called it another world.
"Ow ow... you okay?"
Swungswung wriggled over, patting my wing.
"Kak kak."
I'm fine.
You, Swungswung...
"...Swungswungie?"
"Swungswungie? What's that?"
Truth is, his name isn't Swungswung.
I just called him that 'cause he goes "swung swung."
Ghost bride said his real name's Rebecca.
But the name ain't the issue.
His voice—totally different from what I knew.
When'd he learn human speech?
No, not just speech.
Those slender hands gripping my wing.
Human hands, right?
"Why're you staring like that?"
Eh?
Swungswung's appearance...?