#18

I rolled my eyes awkwardly at Hiscleif’s words. It seemed he found it fascinating that everything was so vivid, having just arrived in Hebel. I absentmindedly scratched my nose, feeling a bit uncomfortable.

Well, I wasn’t an ordinary supernatural, to begin with.

Although currently, I might be in the weakest state, my potential was boundless.

After all, I was a potential genius with not one, but two unique pheromones.

Possibly possessing abilities greater than the female lead, I might even be capable of world domination if someone were to possess me.

Of course, to acquire me, one would have to defeat Zerakiel.

Fortunately, it seemed that within Hebel, Hiscleif couldn’t precisely detect my pheromones. Given that Zerakiel’s pheromones were also clinging to me, it was expected.

“But why do you keep staying in your original form?”

Isn’t it impolite to ask about something like not being able to transform earlier?

I raised my ax eyes at the comment that poked at a sore spot. When I protested by rolling my foot, Hiscleif spoke.

“Sorry. That was too personal, wasn’t it? I was just wondering if you were picking up and raising abandoned supernaturals.”

It was an incredibly accurate deduction, but I pretended not to know. Perhaps sensing something odd, he continued, scratching his head.

“It’s strange. You keep catching my eye. If it bothered you, I apologize.”

He apologized with a polite smile. Somehow, that smile seemed lonely.

It was clear he was worried about my feelings. After all, Hiscleif was known for being very polite and upright in the original work.

Especially, he couldn’t lie at all, having a demeanor like a wallflower that just closed his mouth.

But isn’t he alone?

By now, Ella should have been admitted to the Page family and come along.

I vividly remembered the Page family head even giving a direct order to Hiscleif to keep a close eye on Ella. However, as is typical with all novels, when a man and a woman kept running into each other, romance was bound to develop.

As Hiscleif and Ella kept encountering each other under the pretext of surveillance, naturally, he started to take an interest in Ella in the early parts of “Ella’s Kingdom.”

But now, it was time for him to fulfill his role as a guardian. However, Hiscleif seemed too idle, even bored, for someone supposed to be monitoring Ella.

How bored must he be to show interest in someone like me, a mere supernatural?

It was a suspicious moment as I followed Hiscleif with wary eyes and then stumbled forward as I failed to notice the rocky ground beneath my feet.

* * *

Meanwhile, Zerakiel blinked against the unpleasant wind blowing in through the open window. He was sure the window had been closed. Who could have left it open?

“Chichi?”

Despite his call, there was no response from Chichi. Only then did Zerakiel, feeling something amiss, open his eyes.

The curtains fluttered, and strangely, the nearby spot looked empty. Even after scanning around, Zerakiel couldn’t sense Chichi’s pheromones.

Getting up abruptly, Zerakiel headed towards the window, where he spotted a suspicious note.

Judging by its size, it was Chichi’s paw print. Following it, there were clear, yet unpolished, imprints of his front paws around the window.

Opening the window and looking outside, traces of an escape were evident. It seemed like a straightforward outing, considering how blatantly the traces were left behind.

“Quite the trickster.”

Since arriving in Hebel, Chichi’s eyes had been sparkling. Seeing his excited expression as he wandered around, it was obvious his motive was to escape.

He must have wanted to explore.

If he wanted to explore, he could have waited until he had adapted to Hebel. But patience was not a virtue for Chichi; he was as impatient as a sparrow.

“How odd.”

Even if he were a half-baked supernatural, it was only natural to lack energy when first arriving in Hebel.

Chichi, on the other hand, seemed more lively than ever, which was suspicious.

Could his unique pheromones not be affected by Hebel? If so, it could be really dangerous.

Zerakiel still felt his body was sluggish. He had only dozed off for a moment, but he felt much better than before.

When I first arrived, my body felt heavier than usual, as if gravity had increased.

However, I didn’t show any signs of it, instinctively avoiding revealing weaknesses to predators.

Of course, this place was a neutral zone where peace treaties were signed, so there was no need for attacks. It was just Zerakiel’s peculiar sense of caution.

For stronger supernaturals, this place came with even greater constraints, making it the most dangerous place for Zerakiel.

So, normally, it would have been better for Chichi to adapt by resting, whether he escaped or not. But for some reason, he couldn’t seem to leave the window.

Though I had let him go once, I had never missed him before. To Zerakiel, Chichi felt like a presence that couldn’t be captured.

“Why do you keep trying to run away?”

He had been like that since we first met. Despite providing delicious food and a warm place to sleep, he never left traces as if he could leave anytime.

Usually, this level of care would have been enough, but Chichi instead remained wary, always looking for an opportunity.

Especially after he found out about my pheromones, it became even worse.

It was extremely irritating.

Moreover, the idea of him disappearing without my knowledge didn’t sit well with me.

Perhaps that’s why Zerakiel didn’t like the idea of spring coming. He felt that when spring arrived, this cute little sparrow would leave him behind and fly away.

But Chichi was already firmly entrenched with my pheromones. If he left the Mercy Castle, he would only become a target for other powerful supernaturals, especially the nefarious ones like hyenas.

Zerakiel suddenly remembered how Hiscleif seemed interested in Chichi without his knowledge and felt annoyed.

“Sigh.”

Finally admitting that his worries about Chichi were becoming troublesome, he let out a deep sigh and threw himself out of the window instead of onto the bed.

The thought that a supernatural who sensed his pheromones might eat Chichi made him act immediately.

Of course, most animals would be intimidated by his pheromones, but this place was filled with dangerous supernaturals gathered for negotiations, and there were too many families that disliked the Mercy Castle.

“Perhaps she’s lost. Should I go meet her?”

Zerakiel made up a lame excuse and arrived at the field while following Chichi’s trail.

“What’s going on here?”

Zerakiel burst into laughter at the sight in front of him. It was because there was a hyena with a distinctive smell next to Chichi.

Was that all? Even Hiscleif and Chichi were playing in the field together, looking affectionate. Hearing Hiscleif’s clear laughter added to Zerakiel’s sense of bewilderment.

Zerakiel couldn’t bear it and approached them, keeping his distance.

“Stay away from my Chichi.”

* * *

Coincidentally, under the rocky ledge was a downhill path. Helplessly tumbling, I began to roll down. Thankfully, my body, which was rolled around by Zerakiel every day, allowed me to roll gracefully.

But it seemed foolish for Hiscleif, who didn’t know this, to chase after me and roll down together. It was probably because Hebel’s mist had made his body wobbly.

“Ahaha!”

Successfully grabbing me, Hiscleif burst into laughter, covered in flower petals all over his body.

Even to me, what had just happened felt absurd.

I couldn’t help but chuckle, and the pollen on my nose made me sneeze involuntarily.

“Achoo!”

“Oh dear.”

Hiscleif belatedly wiped away the pollen on my nose with his sleeve.

How about tidying yourself up first before taking care of me?

It was no problem for me in my sparrow state, but Hiscleif was in human form.

His clothes were already a mess from the tumble. It was when I picked weeds off his clothes.

“What’s going on here?”

At the ominous tone, my fur stood on end. I turned around with a doubtful expression, only to freeze at the sight of Zerakiel smiling broadly.