The Final Masterminds Are Obsessed with My Foot Jelly
Clank, clank.
The royal carriage rolled relentlessly along the mountain trail leading out from the empire’s capital, its elite knights escorting it with perfect formation.
“Kyahaaa…”
I’m so sleepy… The carriage ride is the worst.
I sprawled belly-down across Kailian’s soft thighs, jaws stretching in a massive yawn.
Hunting sounds great… but I’m full and swaying, so sleep hits hard.
“Our little pig is sleepy?”
Kailian stroked my head with a gentle voice.
“Thank the heavens Emperor allowed it so quickly. When I said you were going hunting, he already had everything prepared and told me to head out right away. He must be reading the future or something.”
“Kyah.”
Thank goodness I get to see the future…
I closed my eyes to Kailian’s touch and let out a deep, contented purr song.
Lina reached out with her white hand, inching closer while pretending not to be noticed.
Slurp.
She was heading straight for my fluffy front paw pads.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Kailian slapped Lina’s hand with a sharp glare.
“Ouch…”
“Wait until later, Lina. Blanc is tired and wants to sleep. Touching his paws right now will keep him awake all night.”
“But you’re touching them right now… It’s so cruel…”
“Hmph. Blanc can’t sleep unless he’s in my arms. It’s all for Blanc’s sake.”
“Kyah.”
Good excuse.
Lina withdrew her hand and stared at me with sad eyes.
“Your Highness, but why are we hunting so deep into this treacherous mountain range?”
“You didn’t know? Obviously, to hunt magical beasts, we go to the Black Horn Mountains.”
Kailian answered casually.
“Mana is thick here, so bad magical beasts gather in huge numbers. Even veteran adventurers avoid this area. Perfect for catching our game.”
“Ah, so this is that infamous place. No wonder I saw so many pitiful souls outside the entrance.”
Lina nodded and glanced out the window with a pitying look.
Whether they avoid it or not, whether it’s infamous or not, I don’t care.
“Grrrr… kyaaah.”
Whatever. When we get there, wake me up. I’m going to sleep…
I rubbed my cheek against Kailian’s soft thigh and settled in.
Feeling her warm body heat, I slipped into a deep, sweet nap.
—
“Blanc, wake up. We’ve arrived.”
How long had I slept?
Kailian patted my plump rear with her fingertips, waking me.
“Kyah…?”
Eh? We’re already here?
I opened my eyes halfway, lifted both front paws, and rubbed my face against them.
Where am I?
The carriage had stopped in a wide clearing deep in the mountains, surrounded by trees so massive they blocked the sky.
Here, even if people were buried, no one would find them.
Monsters would have eaten everything by now, though.
Thump!
I leaped out of Kailian’s arms and landed lightly on the ground outside the carriage.
“Everyone, move quickly!”
Knights in the clearing were hurriedly unpacking luggage and setting up tents.
I stretched lazily to chase away sleep, then sniffed curiously as I explored the unfamiliar surroundings.
I tilted my head at the strange new scents wafting in.
“Kyah.”
This place smells different.
It had nothing to do with the sweet floral perfume of the palace gardens. Instead, it was a thick, wild, primal scent.
I wagged my tail and stepped toward the grass.
“Hey, Blanc. Stand right there.”
Kailian’s icy voice came from behind me, making my body freeze on the spot.
I flinched and turned back. Kailian stood with arms crossed, glaring at me fiercely.
She wants to hunt the white tiger herself…
“If you can’t control your curiosity and wander off into the woods alone, no treats for a whole month. Understand?”
“Kyah… kyaah?!”
You bad demon! Don’t touch my treats!
The threat of no treats for a month hit me like a bomb exploding in my head.
My tail shot straight up in terror at that horrible, cruel punishment.
“Kyah, kyaaah…!”
I’ll never go alone! I’ll stick right by you!
I dashed under Kailian’s legs and clung to her instantly.
I’m not going alone!
Kailian finally relaxed and patted my head.
I leaned against her legs and took another deep breath of mountain air.
Sniff. Hah.
“Kyah.”
Whoa, the entire mountain smells like blood.
The luggage was now completely gone.
The thick, metallic reek of fresh blood and the rough, animal musk of predators assaulted my nose.
Countless species of magical beasts and wild animals mixed together, creating an overwhelming scent across the whole mountain.
At that smell, my tail wagged wildly.
This was my enormous hunting ground.
My buried instincts stirred, awakening with a thrill.
“Kyahaaaang!”
Yes! This is it, hunting looks fun already!
I wiggled my hips side to side, tail whipping like crazy, thinking I’d bring back plenty of prey to scare the knights.
“Alright, we’re heading in. You guards stay here with the carriage. If any magical beast approaches… handle it yourselves.”
Kailian, now in combat gear, scanned the knights and gave her orders.
These were the same knights who daily watched my paw pads and clutched their hearts in joy, yet each one possessed terrifying power.
They weren’t weak enough to be wiped out by magical beasts.
“We shall obey, Your Highness! May the Divine Beast remain safe and enjoy the hunt!”
Before following Kailian into the forest, I turned to the knights.
“Kyah! Kyaaaah!”
I had a hard time driving the carriage here! I’ll play fun and come back! Protect me well!
I wagged my tail and lifted my plump front paws, shaking them at the knights.
“Hic…”
“T-the Divine Beast… waving his hand at us…”
“Truly… just once, I’d like to touch his jelly tail…”
At my innocent farewell, the knights’ faces melted instantly.
They all broke into warm, happy smiles and waved back vigorously.
“Be careful, Divine Beast!”
“We’ll take out the magical beasts like we take out monsters!”
After receiving their farewell, I followed Kailian deeper into the mountain.
—
Crackle, crackle.
Kailian, Lina, and me.
The three of us moved cautiously through the dense forest, sunlight barely reaching the dark undergrowth.
“Kyah.”
What kind of mountain is this quiet?
The mountain was unnaturally silent.
But my sensitive sense of smell and hearing clearly picked up the presence of countless magical beasts lurking among the grass, watching us.
We hadn’t even gone deep yet… and we already won the jackpot.
Crackle! Coo!
“Kyah.”
You look delicious.
A massive clump of grass in the distance ripped apart violently, revealing a house-sized monster.
“Krrooor… gul gul!”
Firm rock-like skin, huge protruding tusks, and eyes full of hungry, life-affirming will.
Medium-rank magical beast, Giant Boar.
Rosalia had said it was quite famous last time.
Now that I see it up close, it’s intimidating.
“Krreaaaak…!!”
The Giant Boar scratched the ground with its front paws as soon as it smelled us, ready to charge.
“Hmph, tiny thing. But its size looks like it would taste good when cut.”
Kailian smirked and drew the sword at her waist.
Before Kailian could step forward, my white body shot forward like lightning toward the grass.
“Kyahaaaang!”
It’s mine to eat!
I charged straight at the charging Giant Boar.
“Krrooor…!!”
The boar brought its huge tusks down to trample me, but its movements looked ridiculously slow in my eyes.
I kicked hard against the ground and leaped high into the air.
I raised my right front paw and aimed it straight at its forehead.
Paaat!
“Kyah!”
Goodbye, you stupid pig!
I twisted mid-air and drove my front paw straight into its brow.
Kwaaahaaahaaaang…!!!!
An explosive boom that shook the forest erupted.
“…… crazy…”
Thud…!
The Giant Boar, struck square in the face by my paw, was blasted with blood and flesh flying everywhere. Its headless body tumbled across the ground, kicking up dust with a heavy thud.
That was easier than I thought.
One strike and the hunt was over.
“Kyahaaaam…”
I landed gracefully.
“Kyah? Kyah!”
See? I’m completely done? As long as I want, I can one-shot magical beasts.
I stretched my front legs and arched my back like a cat stretching, tail held high in pride as I offered my head for praise.
“Kyah.”
Stroke me already.