[Rabbits Are Warm]
Duke Marshall’s condition wasn’t a major concern; his vomiting of blood stemmed from untreated battle injuries, leading to an accumulation of toxins in his body.
“Sorry for the trouble, and thank you. I didn’t expect the battles these past few months to finally caught up to me at that exact moment. What a bad timing.”
After I treated him within a tent arranged by the Marshall knights, Duke Marshall expressed gratitude upon regaining consciousness.
“Your healing skills are truly remarkable. All the pain gnawing at me until this morning has vanished.”
“Treating old injuries and chronic illnesses is beyond my ability. I suggest that you don’t overexert yourself.”
“You noticed?”
“Though I’m no expert, but yes.”
This field was Myril’s specialty; I merely possessed slightly more medical knowledge than the average person in this world.
“Right, but I can’t afford to just lay down and rest. I must restore stability to the territory and prepare for what will come in the near future, even if it means pushing myself a bit,” Duke Marshall declared, clenching his fist with resolve. Man, he got swag.
“I may not be of assistance in the future, but I can offer aid now.”
With my task finished, I rose to my feet.
“Young Commander.” Duke Marshall called out to me as I was about to leave the tent.
“……”
“Your presence here is blessing for House Marshall. I hate to impose, but please lend us your assistance.”
The man bowed earnestly to someone much younger than himself. I couldn’t help but be surprised.
“If you had talked to each other more, or perhaps understood each other’s thoughts, the future would turn out differently.”
“What?”
“Never mind. As an adventurer, as long as I’m compensated, I’ll fulfill any request you have.”
“I understand. Rest assured, I intend to reward you generously.”
“Excellent.”
Exiting the tent, I cast my gaze upon the Lost Forest, its snowy expanse shimmering in the moonlight. One main task remained ahead.
Passing through the camp organized by the Marshall knights, I observed their ongoing activities.
Lyncean issued instructions to the knights, while Ruby and Badd oversaw the setup of tents by adventurers and mercenaries.
Elina and Anna took a rest after the demanding journey.
Tashte ventured out for reconnaissance, with Syrup as his escort.
Returning to the carriage, I threw myself down inside.
With Kuu and Nora also present, I opted to rest my head on Kuu’s lap this time.
“Thank you for your hard work, Master.”
Over the past year, Kuu had shown considerable growth.
She had job-changed from Chibi Rabbit-Eared Maid to Rabbit-Eared Adventurer. Once short, she had grown taller, her thighs becoming softer and more comfortable.
Her level had also maxed out, and her chest had become quite impressive.
“Mhm. Our journey hasn’t been entirely peaceful, have you found it tiring, Kuu?”
“No, I enjoy traveling with you, Master. Sister Syrup, Sister Ruby, and even Sister Nora, who was scary at first, have all been kind to me as well.”
Indeed, Nora had softened over the course of the journey, especially as she delved into more books.
“I’m glad to hear that. You also seem to be growing more confident with each battle experience.”
“Yes. Master… you really always help people.”
“Help people? Me? You can say some strange things, Kuu.”
“Am I wrong? You saved me, Master. My current happiness is thanks to you. And you allowed me to accompany you to Alecidus Royal Academy, where I met so many new people.”
Could you not, like, rest your grown breasts on my head?
“Everything I have now is thanks to you. Sister Syrup also says she’s happy because of you.”
“I’m the one who’s happy because of her. Syrup has always taken care of me.”
“Hehe, both of you shares the same sentiment for each other. However, over the past year, we’ve closely observed everything you’ve done as we’ve served you, Master. We’ve seen how you’ve helped many people. Even now, you’re trying to aid Lady Lyncean’s father and Sister Ruby’s parents.”
Her soft fur and warmth enveloped me.
“You’re overexaggerating it. I simply want to live lazily, so I remove anything obstructing that. In fact, I’ve been receiving so much help, instead.”
Suddenly, the faces of those who facilitated my slothful lifestyle came to mind.
“Hehe, if you say so. But allow me to say this, everyone feels indebted to you and wishes to return the favor.”
I wondered what made her exaggerate so much? I’d never helped anyone.
I merely did what was necessary to maintain my slothful lifestyle.
That had always been, and would always be.
I had only come to the Marshall Duchy because I believed it was necessary for my sloth life, too.
“Boss! Something crazy is coming our way!” Badd’s voice echoed from outside the carriage.
I lazily sat up, letting out a big yawn.
“Nora. Let’s go.”
“Aw, okay.”
“Kuu, don’t misunderstand me. I’ve never and will never help anyone. Remember that.”
“Hehe, understood, Master.”
Kuu smiled, and Nora reluctantly set aside her book. The two followed me outside, where a massive tornado combined clad in lightning was approaching, resembling a natural disaster.
“Oh, that’s beyond our control.”
“Lord Luc, please help-nya! That’s my dad and mom-nya!”
“……”
The colossal tornado, crackling with lightning, surged toward us with the ferocity to engulf everything in its way.
If not for Ruby’s words, I would have undoubtedly run away.
“Haah, seriously? Are you sure?”
“Absolutely-nya! Nicknamed Windgod Diamond and Thundergod Sapphire, they possess ‘Storm’ and ‘Thunder’, the highest-ranking natural attribute magics, which they can combine to unleash immensely destructive power-nya. But from the looks of it, they’ve gone berserk-nya!”
Yeah, I knew.
It didn’t seem like the tornado possessed a will.
However, ever since my encounter with the Demon King in Cyliss Marquisate, I had been struggling to absorb mana properly.
Despite executing my breathing technique correctly, I couldn’t contain the mana I had inhaled, and it rapidly dissipated.
I had initially attributed it to my heightened level, but it appeared there were other factors at play.
“Sheesh. What about Duke Marshall?”
“He doesn’t seem to be in the best shape yet-nya. He won’t be able to stop that tornado-nya.”
I knew that too. There was only one way to stop it.
“Ruby, let’s go.”
“What are you going to do-nya?”
“Do you need to ask? Stop your parents, of course.”
I made up my mind.
I’d stop it right here and now.
“That’s impossible-nya! With them gone berserk, their powers must have become many times stronger than normal-nya! My parents have maxed out their levels and perfected their mastery of their rare attribute magic to the extreme-nya. They’re practically a natural disaster-nya!”
“No, that’s a man-made disaster. Someone has to stop it. And that someone is you, Ruby.”
The abnormal monster march in the Lost Forest wasn’t solely the work of the fly. Ruby’s parents had played a part—well, the man-made disaster they had caused, to be exact.
“Master, let me come with you! I want to help Sister Ruby’s parents.”
I patted Kuu’s head.
Her rabbit ears were fluffy and comfortable.
“Don’t worry. It’s something Ruby should handle.”
“But!”
“After we’re done, I’m going to sleep as much as I want. And when that time comes, can I use your lap as a pillow again?”
“…Of course. Take care, Master.”
With Kuu seeing me off, I set out with Nora and Ruby towards the approaching tornado.
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