A Blissful Kitty Nap Beneath the Dappled Shade Chapter 2

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Chapter 2 

Cock Robin: Uh, uhhm. Lord Richtid says it’s actually a provocation by the kidnapper.

The handwriting is much nicer than his brother’s, and he shouldn’t know how to spell difficult words like ‘absolutely’ or ‘circumstances’ yet. 

Akira: (That’s what he found suspicious…?)

Rutile: It is strange that he didn’t write it himself. But to say it’s a provocation by the kidnapper is a bit…

Lennox: If they had intended to imitate his little brother and deceive him, they could have used magic to change the handwriting to match his. It’s possible that the situation and intent isn’t what we think it is.

Rutile: Not what we think, hmm. You know, this letter reminds me of when we were younger and Dr. Figaro had written a letter in place of a sulky Mitile…

Mitile: Hey! Don’t go telling old stories like that…!

Faust: In place of him…

Anyways, so they think that this magic letter was sent by me, the supposed kidnapper? 

Cock Robin: Yes. It seems he heard about you through some connections, and your job as a curseworker in the Valley…

Akira: So that’s how…but there’s so many wizards who live there. Why single out Faust?

Cock Robin: That’s probably because…there’s not really a lot of information about the identities of the other wizards living there, and a curseworker is a rather suspicious job, so…

Shino: Hey Faust, it’s ‘cuz you’re clad in creepy black clothes all the time. Wear more white clothing. 

Faust: That is not the point.

Riquet: It may be a suspicious line of work, but Faust is no evil man. It’s no good to judge others based on their occupations. 

Lennox: No one can make sound judgement when they’re in a panic, and will usually jump to the easiest conclusion there is. 

That just happened to be drawing a connection between his little brother disappearing into the Valley and Lord Faust for him. …Though it still is a false accusation based on a complete misunderstanding.

Faust: …Haah…

He let out another deep sigh, and slowly crossed his arms.

Faust: First things first, this letter was obviously not sent by me. 

Secondly, there is a chance that this missing child is with a wizard in the Valley of Storms.

The death of a young and innocent being can contaminate the Valley. If a young child wandered into their domain, I’m certain everyone would at the very least keep them safe.

Rutile: So that means there’s a high chance the little brother is safe and sound! Thank goodness…

Faust: Yeah. I’m guessing that that letter from earlier couldn’t be written by him personally because he was sick or hurt, and couldn’t pick up a pen. 

…In short, if the wizard he’s with picked up a pen and wrote that letter for him, then it’s likely a wizard with some heart. 

Everyone: True…

We all looked at each other. Figuring that the kid must be living out of harm’s way, the anxiety left our shoulders. 

Cock Robin: Erm…by the way, is it possible to ask you to look into which wizard the kid is staying with…?

Faust: No can do. We each stick to our areas, and never interfere with each other. 

I’m sure that wizard too is waiting for his tantrum to end before they send him back. Just wait until then.

Cock Robin: R-Right…haah, how am I going to convince the older brother…

Faust: …

I don’t mind checking if the kid has wandered into my house or not and making a report, though.

Cock Robin: …! That will be so helpful, thank you! I’ll be sure to pay you back…!

Faust: Don’t bother. More importantly, once I confirm that the child is not in my domain, you go and shut that merchant up. This is quite the inconvenience. 

However, I don’t believe he’ll trust the words of a wizard. Sage, will you trouble yourself to join me?

Akira: Of course!

Shino: I’m coming too.

Mitile: I’ll come too! I want to prove Mister Faust’s innocence, and I do feel bad for the older brother…

Rutile: And the whereabouts of his little brother are what’s most important to him after all. I’ll help out too. 

Riquet: You can count on me as well. 

Faust: No, this is nothing you kids have to bother yourselves with. 

Lennox: Everyone is worried about you. Lord Faust, if you’ll allow it, please let us help.

Faust: …Fine. I’m counting on you all.

Faust: We’ve arrived.

Faust’s home in the Valley of Storms was as tranquil as it was before.

The murmurs of the nearby stream, the sunlight pouring through the trees, the chirps of birds from afar. It was the exact same as usual. This place almost feels like it was stopped in time.

Mitile: Hmmm…looks like the little brother really isn’t here. 

Shino: We already knew that from the start. Let’s hurry and give our report that no one was here and end this fuss.

Riquet: He’s still going to be concerned about his little brother, so why don’t we try and find some clues? Though I’m not confident we’ll find much…

Rutile: Faust, how’s the barrier around your house?

Faust: Nothing’s changed since the last time I came. No signs of anyone making contact with it either. 

Akira: Is that so…

Lennox: Ah…there’s a pair of black and white cats.

Shino: ‘Sup. Come to beg for food now that Faust’s home?

Riquet: Hello. I hope you don’t mind the intrusion.

The two cats nestled against Faust’s legs, meowing like they wanted to tell him something.

The expression on his face instantly softened.

Faust: Yes yes, food, is it? Even though you know how to get your own food. 

He said as he swung his finger in the air, and on the empty plates some feet away boiled chicken appeared.

White Cat & Black Cat: …Umyaamyaa, purrrrr…

Faust: …? You don’t want food? What is it you’re complaining about?

Rutile: …Ah! Look over by the plates. There’s a spotted cat. 

Mitile: There is! And it’s eating the food meant for these two cats!

Lennox: There’s a collar on it…Lord Faust, is this cat yours? 

Faust: No, the only cats making home in my domain are these two right here. I guess what they were trying to tell me about was that cat. 

He kneeled on the spot,

and made eye contact with the spotted cat that was licking its mouth after its meal. Faust slowly blinked at it.

Suddenly, the cat’s ears and tail pointed upwards.   

Spotted Cat: Nya, nya…

Riquet: It’s coming closer!

Akira: It’s not frightened of us at all! So cute!

White Cat & Black Cat: Ooaoo…grrr…

Faust: Can you guys take care of these cats for a moment? They’re a little aggravated that this cat entered their territory. If you pick them up it’ll make them feel more superior, so calm them down that way. 

Mitile & Akira: U-Understood! 

We scooped up the two cats in our arms, and as we played with them Faust observed the spotted cat silently.

Faust: …I can sense magic. This is…

Shino: Is it a spirit? The spirits around here do like to transform into cats. 

Faust: No, I sense a wizard’s presence on it.

I believe it’s…the “Cat Wizard” I’m feeling….

Akira: (Cat Wizard…? That’s a cute title.)

Unbothered by the contempt of the white and black cats, the spotted cat brushed up against Faust’s thighs, and he touched the backside of the cat’s ear with his finger.

Very quickly, the cat looked up to his face. 

And made an eerily human-like expression. 

???: “Dear Neighbour of the Valley. Please, come visit my home. From your neighbour of the southwest.”

Young Wizards: …!?

Akira: The cat just spoke!?

Faust: It didn’t, that was a spell casted on the cat. 

Just as he said, the cat looked around like it was searching its surroundings for where the voice came from. 

Riquet: Wah! The wind…

Mitile: Twigs and leaves are flying up in the air, and making something…?

Within the small tornado, the fallen leaves and twigs spin together, weaving themselves into one. It was so unnatural that I knew it was the work of magic. 

Eventually, what was created was–

Rutile: …Is that a basket with a lid on it?

Lennox: For a basket it’s very long and narrow…

Akira: (This is a pet cage…! The one you use to bring your cats to the veterinarian with…!!)

Judging from the wizards’ reactions, this wasn’t an everyday object like it is back home. However, the spotted cat seemed familiar with it.

It sniffed around the cage, and like it found its objective smartly opened the door by itself and went inside. 

As it sat comfortably inside, the cage door shut itself. 

And the entire cage began to float up higher than the trees.

Mitile, Riquet, & Akira: What!?

Dumbstruck, the pet cage with the cat inside of it flew away like it was a broom. 

Mitile, Riquet, & Akira: Whaaat!?

Rutile: W-Was that just now also magic casted on the cat?

Faust: Yeah. That spell was casted so that after the cat finished what it came here for, it would be brought home safely. 

Lennox: It flew in the southwest direction…Lord Faust, do you see that?

Where he pointed at stood a small tree that looked to be drooping. On one of its branches that hung heavily, faint blue flowers were growing all over.

Shino: Did you always have those flowers growing? First time I’ve seen ‘em.

Lennox: I think those flowers were unnaturally grown by the influence of the spirits. What do you think?

Faust: You’re right. Those flowers are a message from the spirits when something sad or abnormal happens. 

They bloom only in this valley, on occasions of tragedy or misfortune…like when a wizard of the Valley dies. 

Mitile: Eh!? Then is that wizard who called themselves your neighbour from the southwest…

Rutile: …Faust. We’ve received an invitation, so why don’t we go check up on how they're doing?

Riquet: I like that idea. Perhaps the missing brother is with the neighbour. 

Faust: …That could be possible…it’s an unspoken agreement around here to not interfere with each others’ domains, but they’re the ones who sent the invitation.

Let’s go after that cat on our brooms. Sage, you’ll ride with me.

Akira: Yes!

Mitile: …Ah! The basket that has the cat in it is lowering to the ground!

Faust: We’ll make our way down too.

Spotted Cat: Purrrrr. Mmbebe…

Rutile: It came out of the cage and started grooming itself! I guess we’ve arrived.

Akira: (This is the Cat Wizard’s house…)

It was further in the forest than Faust’s house. 

Faint light pours in from between the trees, and illuminates the ivy ridden manor. 

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