The beast tamer exiled from the hero’s party and the cat eared girl from the strongest race meet
The reason why Kuu’s mother had turned into a monster might be hidden deep within the forest.
I wanted to investigate, but…
There was no way I could put Kuu and the others in danger after finally managing to save them.
So, we returned to the village of the Cat Spirit Tribe.
“I see… Animals turning into monsters… I’ve never heard of such a thing before.”
After returning to the village, we explained the situation to Suzu-san, but apparently she had no idea either.
She tilted her head slightly in puzzlement.
“Where is that animal now?”
“Nokia-san is taking the lead and running various examinations. She managed to return to normal, but there are still some monster-like traits left… so they’re checking to make sure there aren’t any health problems.”
“I hope nothing is wrong.”
“Yes.”
“...Hmm.”
While Suzu-san and I were talking, Al-san wore a troubled expression beside us.
“What’s wrong, Al-san?”
“...Did an animal truly become a monster?”
“Yes. Thanks to Nokia-san, we somehow managed to deal with it… but if things had continued like that, it would have been dangerous.”
“Hmm...”
She frowned again.
“Do you have some idea what might have caused it, Al-san?”
“...I do have a possibility in mind, though I cannot say for certain.”
“Al, could you tell us? Right now, we want even the smallest piece of information.”
“Mm, true enough.”
Persuaded by Suzu-san, Al-san seemed to decide to speak.
With an extremely bitter look on her face…
She began talking about what she suspected.
“Under normal circumstances, animals do not become monsters. Such a thing cannot happen unless someone interferes. Animals and monsters may appear similar, but they are completely different species.”
“So someone tampered with it?”
“Mm. That possibility is very high.”
Al-san nodded gravely.
“And as for the culprit… I believe it was Mona.”
“Mona? That spirit?”
The spirit allied with the Demon King’s army.
The one who disguised herself as our companions to act as a spy.
The same person who had also harmed Nokia-san.
She specialized in tricky tactics…
And more than that, everything she did was malicious and spiteful, making her an extremely troublesome existence.
Was she secretly operating here too?
“Back when she still lived in the Spirit Tribe’s village, she conducted all kinds of research… The copy of the Four Heavenly Kings that you fought was one such experiment.”
“I only heard a little about it myself, but apparently it wasn’t completed back then. However, after stealing Nokia’s knowledge, she finally managed to perfect it.”
“What a horrible person...”
What was she thinking?
I didn’t know.
But she had been scattering the seeds of disaster everywhere.
That wasn’t something a member of the strongest species should do.
Though apparently, she had now fallen into becoming a demon.
“Among Mona’s research was a way to turn people into demons. Applying that knowledge, turning animals into monsters would also be possible.”
“...Then Kuu’s mother became a victim of that research?”
“That explanation feels the most plausible to me. It isn’t something that could happen naturally, and there’s no one else who would conduct such twisted research.”
“If that’s true, then this is incredibly troublesome...”
Research that turns animals into monsters.
What was its purpose?
I had no idea, but it was definitely nothing good.
“W-Wait a second. Does that mean Mona is somewhere nearby...?”
“The possibility is high.”
Suzu-san nodded with a stern expression.
“For a while now, I’ve had a bad feeling. Deep within the forest where Rain-san and the others went… there’s an extremely unpleasant presence there.”
“Considering she hasn’t tried anything against us, her objective is likely her research. Or perhaps she simply hasn’t noticed us yet.”
“Which means...”
If we were going to strike back, now was the perfect opportunity?
“What will you do, Rain-san? If they still haven’t noticed us, perhaps we shouldn’t force a confrontation...”
“No, please let me do this.”
I knew voluntarily jumping into danger might not be wise…
But this was a chance.
If things went well, we might be able to capture Mona—or defeat her.
And besides…
“I can’t forgive her for what she did to Kuu’s mother.”
She made Kuu cry and hurt Nina.
There was no way I could ever forgive that.
“Good grief. We haven’t seen each other in a while, but Rain-san is still the same as ever.”
“You are soft-hearted, but well… that is your virtue.”
“Thank you...?”
Was that supposed to be praise?
“A large group may alert her. We shall go with a small elite force. Naturally, I will participate.”
“Then it’ll be me, Al-san, and...”
“I’ll remain in the village just in case. We can’t rule out the possibility of an attack on the village.”
“That makes sense. Then the remaining member is...”
“Take... me too.”
When I turned around, Nina was standing there.
Strong determination could be seen in her eyes.
Apparently, she had overheard our conversation.
“What she did to Kuu... I can’t forgive it.”
Normally, Nina was gentle, but right now she was burning with anger.
Her precious friend had been hurt, and she was furious from the bottom of her heart.
I understood that anger very well.
“...Alright. Let’s go together.”
“Rain-san? Are you sure?”
“I’ll protect her. And I think I understand how Nina feels.”
If everyone I cared about were hurt, I wouldn’t be able to stay quiet either.
That was why I decided to let Nina do as she wished.
“Myself, Rain, and Nina… Hmm. Against Mona, our combat strength is more than sufficient, but I would like one more person.”
“If that’s the case, then it’s my time to shine!”
The one who appeared with a smug grin was Kanade.
“For Rain and Nina, I’ll do my best!”
“Tha...nk you.”
Nina softly hugged Kanade.
Kanade affectionately patted her head.
“Hmm. We were somewhat lacking in physical strength, so Kanade is a fine addition.”
“Kanade-chan, don’t let your guard down, alright?”
“Nyaiaainya~!”
And just like that, the team was decided.
Just you wait, Mona.
I won’t let you do whatever you want any longer.
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