Chapter 44……………………………
In Lin’s imagination, the huge monsters were instantly converted into piles of gold coins.
“Coins the size of horses… coins the size of carriages…”
Humming her own little song, Lin returned home in high spirits.
After the hectic day, she lay down on her bed, a wide smile spreading across her face.
She muttered a short reflection to herself before drifting off to sleep.
It was such a fun party!
Having unknowingly exhausted herself with yesterday’s big event, Lin slept soundly until nearly noon.
Stretching and yawning, she got up and immediately went to find Caligo.
She wanted to pour out everything she hadn’t been able to share the night before, when Uncle Theodore had been there singing her to sleep.
“Caligo, Caligo!”
[What is it?]
“Did you hear what people were saying after my ability ceremony yesterday?”
[Do you take me for your servant? You have no idea how far I am from my true body. To send my energy here, move this little fluff, and spread my presence to the surroundings—do you know how much effort that takes?]
“Oh… so it’s hard for you.”
[Hard? Nonsense. I’m not exhausted by such a trivial thing. I’m just annoyed.]
“So… you didn’t hear it?”
[I didn’t.]
“Right. I made a bet.”
[A bet?]
Caligo, who had been looking annoyed and tilting his head all morning, finally perked up, one eye opening with interest.
Excitedly, Lin recounted everything that had happened at the banquet the previous day.
At first, Caligo nodded with curiosity, but when he heard about what happened with Peonal toward the end of the ceremony, he erupted in furious shouting.
[How dare that insolent vermin act like that toward you, a child!]
“Uh?”
[You’re the only divine beast child in our world! Not just precious, but almost like a gem of a child! And he dared to measure you against his little trinkets!]
Kuwaaah!
A roar came from the tiny doll’s mouth—an uncharacteristic display of genuine rage.
Lin’s eyes went wide; she had never seen Caligo truly angry before, making the doll tremble.
“I… just wanted to tell him I used what he taught me well.”
The ability she had used to fend off Pein’s arm—the power Pein had mistaken for wind—was exactly the divine energy Caligo had taught her.
When Caligo first appeared, he had used his power like an invisible hand. Unlike the innate abilities of beastfolk, this divine energy was versatile, much like magical mana.
Over time, Lin had learned from Caligo how to use it herself.
Her confidence in making the monster-hunting bet came from lessons she’d learned from him.
“Divine energy itself can eliminate monsters.”
She wanted to proudly tell him she had used his teachings well.
But Caligo, still spitting out fury, wasn’t in a state to hear her.
Lin just sat before the doll on the bed, clasping her hands and waiting patiently for him to calm down.
To Caligo, she probably looked like a child returning from scolding to sulk quietly.
[That ability… it’s nothing!]
Tsk.
Caligo loudly explained the limits of beastfolk abilities, how weak and restricted they were.
Lin’s head spun at his complex lecture-like explanation, and she shook her head, correcting him.
“I’m not angry. Besides, he wasn’t the only one who mistook it for a radiant ability.”
[Preposterous! Using a human’s ability to evaluate a divine beast’s skill!]
These fools!
Caligo shook the doll’s head furiously, and Lin calmly brushed its messy mane back into place.
“Well, can’t be helped. People don’t really know my ability. Even the castle residents didn’t believe me when I said it was foresight.”
[Hmph.]
“They probably won’t believe I’m a divine beast either.”
To be honest, Lin herself only half-believed Caligo’s words.
“After all, the teacher said divine beasts are people from the law king’s family in the Sacred Nation.”
What was written in the textbook felt more reliable than a friend’s words.
Bang! Bang!
Caligo stomped on the blanket in frustration, then floated right in front of Lin.
[Hmph. Can’t be helped. Wait.]
“Wait? For what?”
[I’ll properly find out. What kind of divine beast you really are.]
“!”
Lin’s eyes widened.
“Really?”
[Yes. Otherwise, you’d dig your own holes and keep getting misled by those idiots. As long as I exist, I won’t let that happen.]
“Thank you! Caligo!”
Overjoyed, Lin hugged the doll and bounced on the bed.
Seeing her so happy, Caligo’s anger slightly subsided, and he added in a calmer tone:
[I’ll cross several worlds if I have to, to find a divine beast like you. Once I truly understand what kind of divine beast you are, I’ll straighten out all those who spout nonsense.]
“……”
Even as the family heir, Lin couldn’t go around punishing just any beastfolk.
“Caligo says weird things sometimes.”
Still, Lin appreciated his care, given in his own way.
Instead of answering, she rubbed her cheek against Caligo’s soft head in thanks.
Caligo set out to find a divine beast like Lin.
She carefully placed her now-still doll in its spot.
“Someone like me.”
A kindred spirit.
Not a lone mutant, but someone who looked exactly like her somewhere beyond the stars. Thinking of that made her cheeks flush with excitement.
Kyaaaang!
She squealed with joy, hugging a cushion and rolling on the sofa.
“Is this what it feels like to wait for Santa?”
Though there was no Christmas with Santa in the beastfolk continent, Lin felt as if she’d received a notice of a gift from Santa.
Thinking of Caligo dressed as Santa, laughing ho-ho-ho, she giggled.
With her heart racing in anticipation, she pressed her forehead into the soft cushion to calm herself.
“Lin, are you in there?”
A knock—an unexpected visitor.
Recognizing the voice, Lin’s eyes widened. She jumped up and ran to open the door.
“Kaidan! What brings you here?”
“Hi. Uh… if you’re free, do you want to have tea together this afternoon?”
“Tea time? Sure!”
It was the first time her benefactor had come to visit her first.
Thinking the day had been full of good things since she woke up, Lin smiled brightly.
After a late lunch, they walked side by side down the corridor to their destination.
Kaidan suggested a place where no one else could overhear their conversation, and Lin quickly recommended this spot.
“Ta-da! Here we are.”
“Indeed, Pegasus Castle. The library ceiling is high.”
“It was my mom’s taste. She did research here and collected lots of her favorite books. It’s really special!”
“Wait… is it okay for me to be here?”
Technically, he was already inside.
Kaidan hesitated like a cat stuck in water, glancing at the door as if considering leaving.
But the massive door was already firmly closed and locked.
Seeing him freeze like that, Lin giggled and said:
“You have something you want to talk about quietly, right?”
“……Yes.”
As if reading his mind, Lin’s words made Kaidan’s eyes widen, then harden with resolve.
“This place is safe. Even if a magic potion explodes, it won’t be heard outside!”
“Isn’t that even more dangerous?”
Kaidan chuckled as Lin led him to the table in the library.
Clatter-clatter. Lin brought the snack tray the maid had pushed down the hall.
Thud.
Kaidan quickly grabbed the tray from her hands and slid it lightly across the table.
“Oh. Not heavy?”
“Tigers naturally have strong hands.”
