Secret Talk Among the Fluffballs
Atre’s Point of View
While Reinhardt was fast asleep in the tent, Lucas and I were summoned by the Alraune.
Gathered around her were Ripka’s and Bianca’s families—and Ciel, too.
“Why don’t we get those ornaments everyone else is wearing? It’s not fair!”
“That’s right. We’re the ones who always guide them to the World Tree. It’s strange that we don’t get any,” complained the Vandaval family.
“But you guys haven’t made a familiar contract, right? That’s why Hardt said no,” I explained.
“This is the Great Forest, so that shouldn’t matter! We deserve something nice, too. It’s not fair that only you get them.”
“Hardt said it was fine if it’s not the exact same design. I saw the samples—some had shining glass, some were one-of-a-kind. Each had its own charm.”
“But we want the same ones everyone else has!”
“Then just ask Mama,” I suggested.
“Oh, that’s an idea. Ciel, take me there!”
“Hold on. Tomorrow you have to guide them to the Skeleton Flower site, remember?”
“Ah, right… fine. Then my little sisters will go instead. They’ll need to reach Mama before Hardt gets back to the mansion.”
“I heard from Ciel you’ve eaten a lot of delicious food lately,” said Fiamma.
“You mean that ‘preliminary contest’ Hardt mentioned? Some of it tasted similar, but everything was really good.”
“Indeed. It wasn’t as good as Hardt’s cooks, but decent enough. He said they’ll be doing another one soon, didn’t he?”
“I want to eat too!”
“If you want to eat, you’ll have to come to the mansion. There’s only a limited amount, and it’s always a scramble. We get our share set aside, though.”
“Can’t be helped, then. Guess we’ll go this time. Your master’s trustworthy enough.”
“Wasn’t it scarves this time? If we go to the mansion, maybe they’ll make us some too.”
“They let us pick from all sorts of fabrics last time. If you go, they’ll probably make you one.”
“When can we eat, then?”
“It’ll probably be a little while yet, but if you don’t come with us, you’ll miss out.”
“Alright, alright. I suppose we’ll stay with them for a while.”
“Ripka said the mansion was fun, and I was curious anyway. A short stay should be fine.”
“What should we bring as thanks? I think we should give it ahead of time.”
“If it’s the same as usual, they might not take us along. Any ideas?”
“Lucas, you’ve got all that old-world knowledge. Don’t you know what humans would like?”
“Don’t dump this on me, Atre… Hm. Well, lately Hardt’s been busy, and I’ve seen him in the mansion library reading. There was a book listing prices for things found in this forest. It even had a section called ‘Items You Must Bring Back If You Find Them.’ I bet he’d love that.”
“So that’s where you’ve been when you’re not in your room. Must be nice—you can reach whatever book you want.”
“Atre, you can just use wind magic to grab them.”
“That only works for turning pages. Getting them off the shelf is tricky.”
“Oh, really?”
“Atre, Lucas—can we please focus? We’re deciding what to bring as a gift.”
“Sorry.”
“My apologies.”
“Go on, Lucas.”
“Most of the list was monsters, but there were plants too—Catflower, Canary, Gout…”
“Gout? There’s some near the World Tree,” said one.
“Yes, that’s probably the closest spot from here.”
“Alright then, we’ll take them there after the Skeleton Flower hunt.”
“Wait—Hardt’s going to ask why we guided them there. If we don’t come up with a good excuse, he might not let us go.”
“That would be bad. What should we say?”
“Maybe tell him we saw knights gathering it, so we led them to the same place?”
“Ciel, we hardly ever see knights where we live.”
“They don’t know that. Just say we saw them while out moving around. He’ll believe it.”
“Got it. Atre, you’re the interpreter, so make sure you explain it well and guide everyone properly.”
“To be safe, I’ll send my little sisters to Mama first. Ciel, I’m counting on you.”
“Weren’t we supposed to be bragging about the food?”
“Oh, please. You’re the one always enjoying the feast thanks to me. The least you can do is take me along.”
“Well… I’m not bored these days anyway. Alfrecht doesn’t get mad even if I’m not by his side, and he doesn’t keep me on a leash. He only gets angry if I go out without telling him when I won’t be back the same day… Alright, I’ll help this time.”
What do you think about this chapter?
