Chapter 152

Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 152

Chapter Title: White Rabbit

I tried to clear up—not really clear up—the massive misunderstandings with the rabbits, but it was no use.

"Don't worry, we understand."

"Having three little puffpuffs wouldn't be so bad, right?"

What the hell does that even mean?

"Puffpuff" sounds ridiculous.

Sure, you're rabbits, so I get that you might have those kinds of values...

"One is already a handful, but three..."

"No, three are visible, but there could be more. Judging ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠by the canine scent, at least one more. And traces of human too..."

"Heh heh heh... polygamy..."

I didn't want to hear any more of their nonsense, so I jabbed Cheshire in the side.

"Eek!"

It was a signal to get on with business.

...Wait, three?

"What's wrong?"

"Caw."

Nothing.

I could've sworn I saw a fourth dark shape, but it must've been my imagination.

"That's not important, nyang! What do you think we came here for, nyang? Take us to your master, nyang!"

"Exactly. Our master sent us here for that very reason."

"Then hurry up and take us, nyang!"

The black rabbit and white rabbit just stared blankly without a word.

Cheshire seemed to shrink under their tiny gazes.

"Don't tell me you dragged us here without even asking, nyang? Anyway, we took care of the snail, nyang! Forgive us for that, nyang!"

"Master is deeply troubled, but leaving guests outside forever isn't good. So, reluctantly, we'll guide the three guests and one pest into the Rabbit Hole."

"That's more like it, nyang nyang."

She didn't seem too upset about being called a pest.

Maybe since she and the rabbits were once allies, it's some kind of nickname.

"Don't worry, crow. She's rough around the edges, but she's not so ba... okay, maybe not. Anyway, ignore the pest thing, nyang!"

Does she think that's what they called me?

I pecked the shameless cat's side with my beak.

"Eek! That hurts, nyang! Don't poke me with that monstrosity! That giant thing that split the snail in half..."

Peck peck.

She seemed to like it.

"Ahem. All done?"

Oh no, was I punishing her while they waited?

Sorry for holding things up, little rabbits.

"Caw, caw."

"It's fine. We got some info out of her, after all."

"Indeed... I've heard of that method, but... Well, a bird living the polygamous life needs that level of discipline."

They were misunderstanding something, but I kept my beak shut.

Look at their faces.

One wrong word, and they'd blow this little misunderstanding up tenfold.

Since I stayed quiet, they nodded knowingly.

"Then... we'll escort you to the Rabbit Hole."

"Poof."

With a faint sound, a magic circle appeared, and the scenery shifted.

The first thing I noticed was how dark it was.

The battle with the snail had been during the day, but this place was night.

Or at least, it looked that way.

True to its name, the Rabbit Hole's ceiling was completely covered.

Light leaked faintly from rectangular buildings, and a large spherical object on the ceiling emitted glow.

Probably some device to control the lighting.

"We've arrived."

"Thank you for your trouble."

With that, the black and white rabbits hopped away.

Toward the master awaiting us here.

She smiled at the sight of the black and white rabbits, then bowed slightly toward us stunned onlookers.

"Pleased to meet you all. I'm the master of the Rabbit Hole. Feel free to just call me White."

The Rabbit Hole's master, White.

She looked exactly as I'd imagined.

I'd worried she might be some horrific brute after seeing those muscled rabbits on the way, but thankfully, she was a classic bunnykin.

White ears and white hair.

And red eyes that matched perfectly.

Her outfit was, of course, a striking bunny girl ensemble with black stockings, complete with oversized monocle giving her an intellectual air.

Just like calling Cheshire Cat "Cheshire," White Rabbit is "White."

She was another level 40 heavyweight.

Her skills were one level higher than Cheshire's.

She might even be stronger than Cheshire.

And her traits... Pheromone Manipulation?

Nice to see one like mine.

The condition to steal traits...

"Caw."

Pretend I didn't see that.

Spend her estrus period together?

How the hell?

It's not just psychological or ethical issues.

Rabbits are in estrus 365 days a year.

Which means...

To steal her traits, I'd have to stick with her for life.

And I'd only get them around when I die of old age.

That's basically "don't steal."

There are ways to stop estrus, but... no way in hell I'd use them.

"Heh heh heh..."

"Caw!"

No, must be hearing things.

"I've heard from these two. You took down the bad rabbits, card soldiers, and even the snail, right?"

Her rabbit ears twitched slightly.

"Those muscled rabbits you saw? Not mine. Same with the card soldiers. They're drawn by the Rabbit Hole's power. Or rather, evil beings coveting it."

Something I'd heard vaguely from Cheshire.

They're not natives; they're invaders.

"The cat over there is an invader too, in a way, but I'll overlook it with magnanimity."

"Nyahaha..."

Cheshire laughed awkwardly.

"So, Cheshire. Why'd you bring these esteemed guests here? You're not just here to do good deeds."

She used polite speech with us, but half-spoke to Cheshire.

Not just casual—it sounded irritated.

"Ny... I'll explain, nyang!"

Cheshire explained our goal.

We took down Scarecrow in Skarnass, Tin Woodman in the tin ruins, and now headed to Lion Heart King's Castle.

"That rumored group... Tch, normally I'd call it pointless meddling, but not this time. Soloing Lu Karkol means your path so far wasn't luck."

White nodded slightly.

"Very well. I understand your goal. Passing through the Rabbit Hole to Lion Heart King's Castle, correct?"

"Caw caw."

That's the top priority, yeah.

"And that thieving cat said... you'd get something useful against Lion Heart King here."

"Nyaaang! What do you take me for, nyang!"

"Caw caw."

"Don't nod along, nyang!"

Well, it shows.

Can't exactly say I came to steal, though.

"True, there are plenty of items you'd expect ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠here. That's why the card soldiers and snail invaded."

"Caw caw..."

I swallowed hard.

Can't help it; my chronic condition.

With the Greed trait, my eyes spin in situations like this.

"Jack's Beanstalk, Saroca's Gourd Seed, Goose's Golden Egg. Items used by legendary heroes. Lost their owners for some reason and buried here."

...One familiar name in there?

Saroca, the Forest Queen?

But gourds are usually brought by swallows, right?

Saroca's a magpie.

Whatever; not important.

These sounded legendary just from the names.

"But I can't just give them away. That's why I stay here, guarding the Rabbit Hole."

"Caaaaw..."

Just when it sounded good.

Tease giving them, then say no.

Sadistic much?

Guess I have no choice.

Time to dust off the mask.

Borrow 'em just till Lion Heart King falls.

"Caw caw caw..."

I was plotting when...

"However."

Caw!

White swerved the wheel again.

"You did help by taking down Lu Karkol, so it's not impossible. In cases like this... I can lend items through a proper method."

Moona crept over and whispered in my ear.

"Probably some kind of restriction. Even she can't bypass it freely. But don't worry. Restrictions exist to be circumvented, and she knows how."

White called us "guests" with polite speech.

Unlike with Cheshire, her smile never faded looking at us.

She probably likes us somewhat.

"You've already qualified, so I'll post a request. Complete it brilliantly, and that gives me grounds to lend the items."

We proved ourselves with Lu Karkol; finish her quest, get the treasures on loan.

She'll toss an easy one and let us borrow freely.

Right?

"Caw caw caw!"

Awesome! Hit me with any request!

"The request is simple."

Trash pickup? Worm hunting? I've crushed thousands.

"Satisfy me."

...Not simple at all?