Chapter 151
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 151
Chapter Title: Polygamy
I knew full well that Moona was a female kiwi bird.
Though her plump, rotund appearance didn't exactly scream it, she had surprisingly feminine traits.
She'd sometimes try to clean herself in puddles, and though she'd pretend otherwise, her eyes would linger on anything shiny.
Even with her title of Sage, she never feigned interest, but she'd quietly admire the gems that Swungswung pulled out.
And above all, the way that cat kept calling Moona her "sexy big sis" made it pretty clear she was more likely female than male.
Moona had to be aware of it herself.
Actually, saying it like that might be the weird part.
How could she not know her own gender?
"I've consciously avoided dwelling on my past. Even when I try to recall it, the memories slip away quickly. The same goes for my gender—I've forgotten it often. More precisely, I've stopped caring about it."
She spoke in a voice that seemed a touch thinner now.
"Hmm... But thanks to those past memories resurfacing, it's clear now. I was originally female. Or rather, a woman."
Moona's bold coming-out!
I wasn't shocked. Whether Moona was female or male, what did it matter?
I'd bonded with her for reasons beyond that.
What mattered was that she'd recovered part of her old memories.
If her memories had been intact from the start, we could've skipped most of our struggles.
But then we wouldn't have grown like we have now.
She could've swept up all those lucky encounters with her sage knowledge and powered up effortlessly.
"...Caw?"
Wouldn't that have been better?
Nah, all my hardships turned into experience, so this has to be the better path.
And I can still tap into that knowledge now anyway.
I couldn't pinpoint exactly which memories had returned, but even scraps would be a huge win—like picking up stray beans.
"Comparing the me from those memories to now... hmm, I've lost so much power. More than just knowledge."
"Caw."
Was prime Moona insanely powerful?
I'd never banked on her for combat, but maybe the memory-restored Moona could help in fights.
Physical stuff might be a stretch, but true to her sage title, couldn't she just blast magic everywhere?
She was Gretel's master, after all—not just a know-it-all, but surely a magic powerhouse too.
Moona stared straight at me.
"Little Wind. The enemies you'll face... they're stronger than you think."
"Caw caw."
Why worry about that?
Taking down the Lion Heart King, chasing Dorothy.
That's our goal.
They'll be tough, sure, but if we play it like always, we've got a solid shot.
"For raw power, I'll have to rely on you like now. Sorry about that. If I'd regained strength instead of memories, I could've helped you fight."
"Caw? Caw!"
What's with this uncharacteristic guilt trip?
Just wiggling her butt and dispensing wisdom is more than enough—she's pulling her weight and then some.
Nice if she could sling spells, but no need to apologize for that.
"Come closer."
Moona said it with a cheeky expression.
Cheeky.
Never thought I'd use that word for Moona.
But with her memories partially back, it suited her perfectly.
That face even carried real emotion now, somehow.
As I drew near, something soft and warm enveloped my wings.
"Caaaw...?"
When I saw what it was, I whipped my head around 270 degrees in shock.
"Eek! Wh-what the—? Scary!"
Like a cat with fur standing on end, I jolted in surprise.
What had touched my arm was none other than Moona's wing.
"Mm, nice. So this is what arms feel like. Wings and arms share the same origin, after all."
Moona was a kiwi bird.
Kiwi birds don't have wings.
Just pathetic little stubs not worth calling wings.
But now Moona was flapping a proper pair of sizable wings.
"It seems my body changes as memories return. Maybe the seal on my power loosened a bit. Not the direction I wanted, but usable enough."
No way—wings on my kiwi bird!
"Caw..."
I eyed the unfamiliar change warily.
Still, had to call it a positive shift.
Wings meant Moona could fly like me now.
"Mm, flight might still be tough."
"Caw..."
No flying yet, huh.
Even so, wings opened up options.
I used mine as hands sometimes, so this'd make things easier for her too.
"Impressive, though. Taking down that snail solo. As expected of Little Wind."
We chatted about the snail I'd hunted with Moona, Rebecca, and Cheshire.
Its infamous strength, and my greatness in slaying it.
The last part came mostly from Swungswung, hyped up as always.
My feat was no joke—if I'd taken a human commission to exterminate it, I'd have earned a small castle, apparently.
"Caaaaw..."
Man, my crow castle...
Never crossed my mind to claim one, but hearing it now? Kinda regrettable.
Not like I'd do much with a castle, but still—take what's offered, right?
As we talked, we gathered the snail's remains.
It had mostly turned to mist, but Cheshire and Moona collected the scattered bits.
"Hehe. This'll come in handy, nyang."
"Damaged, but good enough for alchemy reagents."
"Caw caw."
I wasn't fussed—let them split it.
"Lubricant... and a warming effect too? Heh heh heh... Time to sell to humans again, nyang. To those lovesick fools..."
"Caw."
"Wh-what're you doing, nyang? I said you didn't need any!"
I swiped a bottle of the slime Cheshire had bottled up.
"Thief... Thief, nyang..."
"Caw, caw."
Might need it someday.
Totally not because of her sketchy pitch.
Thump, thump, thump.
As we cleaned up, faint sounds echoed.
I snapped to attention, head up—and tiny, cute critters appeared.
"Welcome. Come on in."
"The master is waiting."
A little black rabbit and a white one, greeting us.
Anyone could tell they were from the rabbit hole's owner, but better safe.
They could bulk up into muscle bunnies and attack.
And surprisingly, the cuter rabbits were often the deadlier ones.
"We don't welcome Cheshire. Master said so."
"Nyang. Nice to see you, nyang."
Good thing she was on familiar terms with them.
From the rabbit hole boss herself, the rabbit queen.
"Master says: 'How'd this thieving cat bitch take down a snail?'"
"Nyahaha! Underestimated this lady's skills, nyang!"
"Master says: 'Nah, the guest she brought did it.'"
The black and white rabbits took turns speaking.
I watched the fairy-tale scene in silence.
Rabbit and cat traded wholesome barbs.
"Nyaaak! How dare she say that...!"
Cheshire lost the roast battle.
Probably 'cause she'd dragged us here without permission.
The tiny duo hurled filth at each other, making my feathers bristle.
Then those pint-sized demons turned to stare at me.
"Caw..."
"You're the guest Cheshire brought."
"Welcome. Master approves of you."
Good—no insults for me.
"Master says: 'Treat 'em like VIPs for offing the snail, even if it's a hassle.'"
"Master says: 'Don't mimic that part.'"
VIP treatment incoming.
Makes sense—for slaying the snail.
"The other two guests your companions?"
"Personally curious. Gotta log it too."
Not relaying the boss this time.
"Caw."
I nodded lightly.
Same courtesy for Moona and Swungswung, probably.
"Odd combo."
"Only one thing in common... Huh? Something's off."
The white rabbit eyed Moona, Swungswung, and Cheshire in turn.
What's off?
"All same gender?"
"One difference. Just the guest's gender differs—all others match."
"Caw caw."
They'd clocked Moona as female too.
...How?
Did self-awareness make her look more feminine?
Maybe she was acting girly without realizing.
......Keeps calling her female—feels weird now.
Can't just say "woman" either.
Lost in those stray thoughts, an unexpected strike hit.
"One male, three females. Hmm, I see."
"Aren't crows monogamous?"
"Gack!"
It caught in my throat.
What're these runts spouting?
"Shorty... big pockets... and a cat..."
"Guest's tastes narrowing down."
Rabbits glancing at Rebecca, Moona, Cheshire.
What're you on about, bunnies?
"Heh heh heh..."
Some distant sobbing? Ignored it for now.
Priority: shut these rabbits up.
"Poly... gyny..."
"Caaaaw!"
And what's that background music sound?!