Chapter 153
Chapter 153
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 153
Chapter Title: Preparation (3)
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I spent my days busy, preparing for the attack from the Four Heavenly Kings. I checked on the students' training progress and discussed with the faculty to gradually add defensive facilities to the academy.
“Will the Demon King's Army really invade?”
“Hmm, in my opinion, it's highly unlikely...”
Some showed a complacent attitude, but I didn't bother interfering. I was only informing them of the possibility; acting with the conviction of a prophet might seem strange.
Well, since I was the Hero, I could probably pass it off as a divine revelation from the goddess, but for this particular attack, a decent counter was all that was needed.
Minimal preparation. After all, dealing with the Four Heavenly Kings was the job of the Hero and his companions. As long as I handled that part, everything would be resolved cleanly.
“...”
But as is often the case in life, not everything went smoothly. More than anything, the late return of my subcontractors... no, my second string, was bothering me.
What was taking them so long? They should have been back at the academy long ago, but it seemed they were lost in a dungeon.
It wouldn't be a huge problem if the second string was missing, but they were a party that included five S-rankers. Excluding that much firepower was a waste in many ways.
They weren't the type to die easily, so I could always use them as meat shields. Plus, with the exception of one or two, they were all pains in the neck, which had the added benefit of me not having to feel any pangs of conscience.
In truth, that didn't matter much. What truly troubled me was something else entirely. It was none other than... I desperately missed my little cutie's affection.
After I mentioned the Demon King's Army's attack, Aruru had holed herself up in her private training hall. It was as if she'd committed to some secluded training, even leaving a message not to look for her for a while.
More than ten days had already passed. This was far beyond my prediction; it was something that defied common sense.
It wasn't that I underestimated Aruru's perseverance, but with her gluttonous nature, her beastkin instincts should have driven her out long ago.
Was her desire for revenge against the Demon King's Army that strong? I didn't think it was. At this point, I was the one getting anxious.
An overwhelming desire to pet my little cutie was welling up inside me. How could I resist that soft tail fur? Judging by my trembling hands, I was already experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
A sudden realization dawned on me. Humans are weak creatures. The collapse of a daily routine I had taken for granted was enough to make my mind go hazy. I never knew the void left by my little cutie would be this vast...
What should I do? Should I try to endure a little longer? I didn't have the confidence. I was in the throes of a severe internal conflict. Just as I was seriously considering finding another fox beastkin to replace Aruru, a miracle occurred.
“Long time no see!”
“---!!”
A girl ran toward me with an excited voice. As always, she clung to me, rubbing her face against me. Her perked-up fox ears were an incredibly welcome sight.
My little cutie.
What took you so long? I was about to lose my appetite and take to my bed!
Unlike me, who felt like bursting into tears, the sly little fox beastkin just giggled.
“Did you miss me that much?”
What's there to say? It was an understatement to say I missed her dearly. Making her master this anxious was a grave sin. Now, hurry up and wag that tail.
The moment I stroked her head, she started wagging her tail furiously, like a pet reunited with its long-lost owner. It was clear Aruru had been holding back all this time too.
Anyway, I was just glad she was finally out. Perhaps she'd even gained something...
“So, how were the results?”
“Results? What do you mean?”
“...Weren't you doing secluded training?”
“Huh? I don't remember saying that.”
“---??”
My little cutie. Then what were you doing all this time? And how did you endure the hunger? Facing my confusion, Aruru answered with an innocent expression.
“I was sleeping the whole time. It's the middle of winter, you know.”
Uh, surely... she doesn't mean hibernation? Something's off. As far as I know, foxes don't hibernate.
“Huh? The only things foxes and fox beastkin have in common are their ears and tails.”
“...”
“Of course, there are a few other similarities, but they don't really matter.”
I was speechless. While I was worrying myself sick, this little rascal was sound asleep. I wondered why she would do that when there was no shortage of food, but I guessed it was probably another one of those beastkin instincts.
My affection for my little cutie was too great to question it. I quietly accepted the fox beastkin's display of affection. My mind melted away in that comforting softness.
Yes, this is it... With this, I realized for certain. My body had become one that could not survive without continuous healing from a fox beastkin.
Just as a sense of fulfillment was blooming within me, Aruru's movements came to a halt. With an utterly sorrowful expression, she announced her condition.
“Ugh, I'm starving to death...”
I figured as much. Even if she was hibernating, anyone would be hungry after fasting for ten days. It was amazing she had come to find me before filling her stomach. Hmm, maybe I should be touched that I was her top priority?
“Then let's go.”
“Okay!”
We headed straight for the dining hall. Everyone's eyes were fixed on Aruru. A warmth spread through the room, as if just looking at her was a healing experience.
My little cutie paid them no mind and immediately dove into battle. She inhaled the food with incredible fervor, practically drinking it down.
She was a regular black hole. It was a sight that magnificently defied the laws of physics. Her stomach should have burst by now, but far from becoming a pig, she only got slightly chubbier. It was as if there was a universal law that the cuteness of beastkin must always be maintained.
“Aruru? When did you get out?”
As my little cutie's feast continued, Ceria joined us. Aruru simply shook her head at Ceria's cheerful greeting, as if telling her not to disturb.
Flinch. She seemed a little hurt by the complete dismissal, but Ceria soon responded according to her own beliefs.
As if deciding it didn't matter as long as she was cute, she casually sat down next to Aruru. She subtly began to stroke the fox beastkin's tail and turned her head toward me.
“Seeing as she's finished her seclusion, I suppose she achieved her goal? That's wonderf—”
“Well, she says she was hibernating...”
“---??”
Her confusion was brief, quickly replaced by a stern expression as if she'd been betrayed. 'While we were training so hard, she was just sleeping her life away? Isn't that a bit much?' Ceria seemed to think, glaring at Aruru before letting out a sigh.
“Well, I guess it doesn't matter. Aruru has her own role to play.”
A being who heals everyone with her adorable appearance and actions. That was how Ceria valued Aruru, and I couldn't help but agree.
My little cutie was special from the start. She had a constitution that made her stronger just by breathing. Of course, she'd get even stronger if she trained during that time, but she was already so far ahead that I didn't feel the need to push her.
Ceria took it upon herself to wait on Aruru, clearing empty plates and bringing freshly cooked dishes right to her. At the same time, she savored the fox beastkin's charm to her heart's content, unable to hide an expression that went beyond pleasure to sheer ecstasy.
“I feel alive again!”
A cry filled with relief. Aruru's eating marathon only stopped late at night. She then looked back and forth between us before making a sudden declaration.
“I'll declare my resolve to you both. Starting tomorrow, I'm going to work hard too!”
“...”
It was a statement that wouldn't have been out of place with a scoff. It was practically on the same level as someone declaring they were going on a diet. Our eyes naturally filled with disbelief, and Aruru, with her beastkin senses, did not miss our reaction.
“D-Don't tell me... you don't believe me?”
“Oh, I believe you. It's just that in this case, I believe the opposite.”
“Hmm, based on your actions so far, it's hard to...”
“---!!”
Shock and horror. The fox beastkin's pupils trembled as if an earthquake had struck. After that phase passed, she began to reflect on her past. The sight of her clutching her head and groaning was both commendable and pitiable.
“I've made up my mind this time. It's really different!”
“How so?”
“Until I accomplish something, I won't cling to Jace!”
“---!!”
An unexpected, painful counterattack. This time, it was my turn to have a fit. My little cutie. Do you really have to go that far? I understand you're willing to pay a great price, using me as collateral, but... then I'm the only one who loses!
“H-Hold on. There's no need to push yourself...”
“It's okay. I want to show you that I can do things when I put my mind to it.”
“...”
She exuded an uncharacteristically serious aura. As if to threaten us with her tiny body, Aruru put strength into her eyes, conveying her determination.
Ah, this is bad! Giving me just a taste and then taking it away is even more painful!
We're supposed to be living happily, but enduring such suffering defeats the purpose. The fox beastkin, oblivious to my feelings, put an end to the matter.
“We have an important mission, right? It's very sad that I can't play with Jace, but... I'll endure it somehow!”
“...”
Leaving behind a tearful voice, Aruru hastily left. She brought to mind a tragic heroine steeped in sorrow.
It was as if she were begging to be stopped, but she was too fast to chase after. Ceria watched the sad scene with a look of indifference, her expression listless as she looked at me.
“Do you really think she'll keep her word?”
“I wonder...”
“She probably won't even last two days. I'd bet my entire fortune on it.”
“...”
It was a declaration without a hint of hesitation. She was convinced that as long as Aruru was a beastkin, overcoming her instincts was absolutely impossible.
My thoughts were similar, but this time, she had raised the stakes so high that a sense of unease lingered in my mind—what if?
Operation: Capture the Fox. I'd have to come up with a countermeasure for Aruru's unexpected behavior, just in case. Just then, Ceria subtly took my hand.
“W-Working hard at training is good, but... don't you need to rest sometimes?”
She whispered, asking for some of my time. Unless I was an idiot, I couldn't miss the hidden meaning. Right, she must have been so bored lately... I was the sinner for not tending to my lover's yearning heart sooner.
We quietly moved to another location to engage in the intimate act of lovers. Soon, we were feeling each other's body heat where we touched, continuing the heated passion. And so, the eventful day came to a close.
***
The next day. My little cutie didn't even last a single day, let alone three. She demanded I play with her, ready to burrow into my arms, completely unchanged.
“Hmm, that seems a bit different from what you said yesterday...”
“Forget it!”
“...”
Wow, how could she be so brazen and confident? To say she was shameless was an understatement, but there was no need to point it out. Not only would it be unmanly, but if she were to get sulky, I'd be the only one to lose out.
In the end, I was exhausted from keeping up with Aruru's endless energy. But there was no time to rest. The second string, composed of the Hero candidates, had arrived.
Why were they so late? They had gathered before the Four Heavenly Kings' attack, so in a way, they were on time, but I couldn't just let it slide.
These slackers! Just because I wasn't managing them directly, they thought they could slack off? I couldn't stand for this. I'd have to give them a thorough mental re-education.