Seated on a cushion, I faced Everine who sat across from me with one knee bent. We engaged in a strange standoff. Regardless of what he said, his demeanor remained quite polite.
What good is just being polite? As he was the one who mentioned something about emergency rations, I couldn’t let my guard down. Prepared for anything, I pricked up my ears, ready to kick back if needed.
Sensing my vigilance, Everine, with his hand on his chest, spoke first.
“Apologies for the late introduction. I am Rudd Everine, the aide of Master Ahin who brought you to this mansion.”
As I returned his polite greeting, a new wave of worries washed over me.
Should I reveal that I can communicate? However, judging by his introduction, it seemed Everine had already assumed I understood speech.
“Master Ahin must have a profound reason for taking you in, esteemed rabbit. I merely follow his will. A miraculous animal that understands the continental language, at first, I thought you might be a divine beast. You look ordinary though.”
“…….”
“You look ordinary though.”
There was no need to stress twice that I seemed like an ordinary baby rabbit. His serious demeanor made me irrationally angry over such a trivial comment.
One good thing was that I didn’t feel like he was about to eat me or harm me right away. But then…
‘Why did that black panther Ahin bring me here?’
Speak of the devil. Just as I pondered, the sound of a military salute echoed from outside the bedroom. The noise of the guards’ armor rubbing together felt ominously chilling.
Soon, the door opened, and the silver-haired man I had encountered earlier entered. His overall relaxed movements felt like those of a haughty predator that had cornered its prey.
Everine, who had absentmindedly picked me up, stood up cautiously and bowed.
“You have arrived.”
“Everine, why are you here?”
“Didn’t you send me ahead to assist the esteemed rabbit?”
His lazy red gaze shifted toward me in Everine’s arms.
“Ah, right.”
‘Ah, right.’ Given the brief silence before his reply, it was clear to anyone he had forgotten.
Curiosity unsatisfied, Everine, pushing me slightly forward, asked.
“Master Ahin, where exactly did you…?”
“I picked it up from the forest that borders the rabbit territory. There were some who had carelessly crossed the border. Did you check if it’s a beastman?”
“The doctor’s opinion is that it’s an impossible hypothesis.”
“Is that so?”
As Ahin loosened his cravat while listening, his gaze returned to me. Unlike Everine’s indifference, his was an indescribably emotionless look. It was difficult to guess what he was thinking.
“Well, whether it’s a beastman or not doesn’t matter.”
“May I ask why?”
“Because I’m going to eat it tomorrow.”
Shocked by his blunt statement, I quickly looked up at Everine. Master Ahin had said there must be a profound reason for taking me in. This was not what I had expected!
Everine, looking down at me, nodded seriously.
“If we’re having you for breakfast, roasting would be best. I’ll let the chef know in advance.”
‘Hey, hey!’
I felt betrayed in just a few seconds. After spending the last few hours pretending to build a bond, he proved to be the ultimate traitor.
“Oh, it’s already late at night.”
After laying me down on the bed, Everine calmly walked to the terrace and drew the curtains. With a swish, the red curtains completely obscured the dark night sky.
“I shall take my leave now. Please rest comfortably.”
Don’t just leave as you please. Stay, Everine! I growled as best as I could from the bed, but the traitor’s figure only grew distant.
As he completely exited the bedroom, I shivered with a chill running down my spine.
Instinctively sensing danger due to the gaze fixed on the back of my head, I slowly turned around.
I found myself locking eyes with Ahin, whose smile had disappeared. The horrific scene I had witnessed earlier in the day flashed through my mind.
‘AAAAAHH!’
‘Gulp!’
The dense smell of blood spread through the forest and the heads of two beastmen rolling on the ground. Just recalling the scene made my stomach churn.
‘To be alone with such a black panther?’
I couldn’t. The darkness outside the window mirrored the darkness enveloping my vision.
* * *
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