Ch.597Side Episode – Camilla’s Bizarre Adventure

I’ve seen devils that could only exist in movies, pointy-eared fairies that follow their companions around using peculiar speech patterns, and recently even walking suits of armor claiming to be angels, but…

A cat that speaks human language was truly a fascinating creature.

“Should I say it’s been a while?”

Like a storybook cat that appears suddenly and tosses out puzzling wordplay.

The odd-eyed cat wore a genial smile like an innocent kitten.

How strange.

“That’s the reaction of someone seeing me for the first time.”

“Who… are you?”

As if speaking for everyone, Camilla asked the question. The calico cat hopped down from Arkande’s arms.

A series of delicate, fluid movements followed.

After pattering its paws a few times, it walked gracefully using its long legs and body.

Like a cat descending from a stone wall, the calico began circling around.

While elegantly tilting its head back to gaze at Camilla.

After a moment,

Its stiff whiskers curled upward, and the calico sat down on its fluffy tail and spoke.

“I understand. This is the first time you’re meeting me in this form, Sasha’s disciple.”

Camilla’s eyes grew as wide as saucers.

“…High Priestess?”

Side Episode – Camilla’s Bizarre Adventure

The curtain rose on the four-party talks, but no dramatic agreement emerged.

The whole world was bubbling with anticipation, claiming a historic moment of great transformation was approaching.

But we had merely agreed to gather in Bahar to open channels of dialogue.

None of us intended to reach a big deal in the short timeframe that public opinion and optimistic forecasts suggested, and realistically, it was impossible.

So today’s first day of talks was just an opportunity to gauge each other’s intentions.

Diplomacy, economy, military, culture, and so on…

The detailed negotiation tables would be set up starting tomorrow at the earliest.

Given the sensitive nature of international politics and the delicate agenda items, with interests so intricately intertwined, it didn’t seem like things would be resolved easily.

At least, that was the assessment of the Abbas delegation.

Clevins would be there as a negotiator too. Our officials would handle things well.

As for me, I just needed to act appropriately as usual.

Of course, I have many concerns.

I need to keep an eye on the intelligence officers lurking around the conference venue. And I have to handle the task the Director of the 1st Department assigned me.

Things will get busier from the second day, so I should get some rest now.

But what I hadn’t anticipated was that the High Priestess would appear before us late at night.

*

When the identity of the talking cat was revealed, a strange silence suddenly enveloped everyone present.

“I’m sorry for startling you. I didn’t think you wouldn’t notice at all.”

“…How could we possibly recognize the transformation magic demonstrated by the matriarch of sorcerers?”

“Hehe, when you put it that way, I suppose that’s true.”

The High Priestess of Al-Yabd, transformed into a cat, hugged her tail and expressed satisfaction with a smile.

“Since there are many new faces, I’ll introduce myself properly. I am Zeinab Eskander, High Priestess of the Ashtistan Republic and High Priestess of Al-Yabd.”

Her smile was remarkably natural despite her non-human form. More precisely, her facial expressions were quite diverse.

Considering that animal facial muscles are typically far fewer than those of humans, being able to smile like a person with a cat’s face is an extremely rare talent.

It suggests she’s quite accustomed to transformation itself.

The High Priestess’s unannounced visit put the group, who had been finishing their day, on edge.

Not just Camilla and Arkande who had been there from the start, but also Francesca and Lucia who had come out after hearing the commotion.

Receiving a guest without proper preparation was quite challenging.

The High Priestess, with her front paws neatly together, blinked her large eyes and looked around at everyone.

Then she began exchanging greetings with each person, making eye contact.

Her gaze first turned to the opposite side.

To Francesca, who was sitting modestly with proper etiquette.

“You must be Giovanni’s great-granddaughter?”

She lowered her body as if bowing, stretching her neck forward. As she rested her body on her front paws, her whiskers relaxed and hung comfortably.

Zeinab Eskander observed Francesca for a moment, as if studying her.

And after a brief moment passed.

Her perked ears relaxed, and the corners of her pink mouth curled up slightly.

“I can tell at a glance. Even after a hundred years, I can see traces of him in your face.”

She seemed to be recalling memories of the past in the face of an old comrade’s descendant.

The High Priestess, with her tail languidly drooping, slowly blinked and began to speak.

“Although it’s been over 50 years since I’ve interacted with the outside world, news of your achievements has reached even Azadi Palace. It’s impressive. At such a young age, you’ve already gained recognition from the Ivory Tower. And in alchemy, no less.”

Francesca placed her hand on her chest and bowed her head respectfully.

“Alchemical weapons have long been recognized for their potential. It’s troubling to be praised for an accidental reputation.”

“No, that’s not true. The alchemists of the Red Desert are as proud as they are skilled, aren’t they? If you solved the desert monsters that even they couldn’t handle and gave up on with your alchemy, that can no longer be called a coincidence.”

“When you speak of me that way, I don’t know where to put myself.”

The smiling High Priestess suddenly spoke in a wistful voice.

“Matriarch of sorcerers… It’s been a long time since I heard that name.”

“……”

“It’s true that I was among the first to sign the faculty roster when the School of Sorcery was established, alongside Suleiman. But Suleiman’s influence was paramount in the flourishing of sorcery… The title of matriarch seems excessive for me.”

“Then how should I address you?”

“Wouldn’t ‘High Priestess’ suffice for now? And please don’t lower yourself too much.”

Just as you don’t feel intimidated by Sasha, I hope you won’t feel intimidated by me either.

She waved her front paws in protest at Francesca’s excessively respectful attitude.

No sooner had the brief pleasantries ended than the High Priestess’s gaze turned to another person.

“Golden like an autumn wheat field, with clear eyes… Oh my… It seems the rumors weren’t unfounded after all.”

Her gaze met with the newly targeted person, and her slender body reclined diagonally as her front paws supported her chin.

“So the new master of Tranquille Cathedral has finally appeared.”

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Lucia.”

“I know. Yes, indeed I do.”

Her tail swayed flexibly, catching everyone’s attention as the High Priestess’s eyes softened.

“I’ve heard the stories. You’ve grown into a proper adult, blessed child.”

She raised her front paws above her head and waved them from side to side, as if expressing her delight.

“The tragic incident in Nabuktu. I personally thank you for eliminating the blood-thirsty seed. It was something I should have done, but you ended up bearing that burden unintentionally.”

“That wasn’t just my doing. It was everyone’s effort.”

Lucia deflected the High Priestess’s flattery with a composed demeanor.

At that, the white whiskers lifted slightly.

“Of course, I’m grateful to all of you for that.”

Rising to support herself on her front paws, she looked around at everyone.

“Giovanni’s great-granddaughter, the master of Tranquille Cathedral, the Mother’s great warrior, and guests from across the sea and beyond the cosmos.”

“……”

“On behalf of Al-Yabd, I express my gratitude for your efforts.”

Even though she appeared as a small creature, a great sorceress was still a great sorceress, I supposed.

That was the thought that came to mind seeing Zeinab Eskander waving her front paws.

Her small, swaying paws seemed to symbolize the great sorceress’s generosity, and her dignified voice exuded the High Priestess’s experience.

But somehow…

Everyone’s eyes on her were quite unusual.

As if her tail were a bolster, the High Priestess not only hugged her tail but also tucked her front and hind legs into her embrace.

The position commonly known as the “loaf.”

The signature pose that comes to mind when thinking of cats.

Yes, the loaf position.

The living legend of the magical and religious world, who had lived well over a century, had surprisingly appeared before us in a form perfectly assimilated with a cat.

It was quite a shocking scene.

The image of ‘that’ High Priestess known only through rumors and history books was vastly different from ‘this’ High Priestess crouching before our eyes.

Like a symbol of the gap between lofty ideals and gutter-like reality.

The cat with short legs tucked into its embrace, hugging its fluffy tail, seemed less like the great sorceress secluded in Azadi Palace and more like an adopted cat from some stray cat shelter. And that was partly accurate.

Hadn’t she been sitting on the street just minutes ago before following Arkande into our lodgings?

If criminal law applied to stray cats, this would clearly constitute illegal trespassing. Even if the High Priestess had donned the skin of a human-cat, it wouldn’t be strange at all if she got a sound beating from me with a broom.

Of course, now that the talking cat had been revealed to be Zeinab Eskander, I couldn’t actually bring out a broom.

Moreover…

“Hehe, it tickles.”

“Does it? I’m sorry. But this spot is the most comfortable.”

“It’s okay. But please stop kneading my thighs. It’s so ticklish I can hardly bear it.”

Despite having transformed into a cat, she had ignored the perfectly good sofa and instead made a nest on Camilla’s thighs, even going so far as to claim that spot.

Was this truly a person transformed into a cat, or a cat that had been living as a person?

It was hard to tell.

I had learned from experience with the Grand Duke of the North that nothing is more difficult than guessing a great sorceress’s intentions, but discerning the High Priestess’s thoughts seemed several—no, dozens of times harder.

Especially since I barely knew her.

What could be her purpose in coming here?

I was pondering this when:

“As much as I’d like to have a calm conversation with all of you, it seems impossible given how late it is.”

The High Priestess, who had been resting her chin on Camilla’s knee, suddenly spoke.

It was a dismissal.

“I’ll keep it brief and then leave, so the rest of you can go and rest.”

Those targeted were everyone except me and Camilla.

It was such a sudden dismissal that they exchanged glances, but assuming there must be some reason, Lucia led the way, followed by Francesca and Arkande rising from their seats.

“…I’m going to be punished. I treated the Mother’s High Priestess like a neighborhood stray cat.”

“If the Earth Mother had decided to punish you, trouble would have come already. So stop talking and go, quickly.”

Meanwhile, Arkande was trembling alone.

He was making a fuss, saying he had been disrespectful to the High Priestess of Al-Yabd and divine punishment would soon fall.

Regardless, Francesca pushed him along, telling him not to block the way and move forward.

“Set aside your worries for now. She does not punish great warriors carelessly.”

The High Priestess looked back at the departing group and grinned.

“You have interesting companions.”

“If you can enjoy the high maintenance, it’s fun.”

“That’s right. …Ah, there. A bit higher.”

The tricolor fur was invaded and tousled by slender fingers. It was Camilla’s hand, thoroughly scratching along her spine.

Lying on her lap and receiving Camilla’s care, the High Priestess looked quite relaxed.

Asking to have her back scratched because it was itchy, or to have her tangled fur tidied with a comb.

“Here? Do you mean here?”

“Mmm, yes. Oh yes. Right there. You have skillful hands.”

“……”

Camilla tended to the High Priestess without showing any particular reaction. She was even doing it meticulously, as if she rather welcomed it.

When I asked why she was so enthusiastic, she gave the absurd answer, “Because cats are cute.”

“I almost thought you were the professor. So the High Priestess also uses transformation magic?”

“Sasha can transform into a cat, just like me. But even among cats, we look different, don’t we?”

“Ah, now that I think about it, the professor resembled a Persian. High Priestess, you look like… a Turkish Van? A Turkish Angora with some British in it, I see now.”

“Sasha’s charm lies in her snow-white fur, like the northern snowfields. Giovanni had the talent to transform into a dog, Suleiman into a goat…”

Camilla’s eyes sparkled with curiosity, finding the High Priestess’s stories about the great sorcerers fascinating.

Then, Camilla’s focused face tilted with a puzzled expression.

“High Priestess… Isn’t it uncomfortable? Your front…”

How did you find your way here if you can’t see properly?

In response to the questioning inquiry, the High Priestess’s eyes curved elegantly.

“My eyes do not merely reflect objects.”

As if emphasizing again, she put strength into the word ‘my.’

“Although I may not distinguish objects, I see beyond what is before me.”

“How mysterious…”

It was a response indicating difficulty in understanding. Camilla frowned at the abstruse problem, and Zeinab Eskander smiled gently.

“Don’t worry about it. You may naturally come to understand when the time is right.”

“Will I really?”

“Of course. You’re still growing. By the way, Sasha’s disciple, did you know? In Al-Yabd, cats have been sacred animals since ancient times. Even if one entered a temple during worship, it was considered a great sin to chase it away.”

“…Are you saying that for my benefit?”

The High Priestess, who had been having her head area stroked with her ears comfortably drooping, smacked her lips with a “tsk.”

“Oh my. Perhaps you feel guilty for treating me like a flea-bitten cat earlier? I’m sorry. That wasn’t my intention.”

“……”

So she was saying it for my benefit after all.

This is just too much.

As I alternated between looking at the cat grinning behind her paw and Camilla smiling broadly as if something was so great, it happened.

Perk! The ears that had been drooping on both sides suddenly stood up without warning.

When a slightly startled Camilla withdrew her hand, the High Priestess stood up on her front paws and grinned with a pleased expression.

“I just came from meeting Sasha.”

“…So the Grand Duke went to see you, I presume?”

“Yes.”

So that’s where she was heading when she left the embassy in a hurry. She went to meet the High Priestess. Well, it’s not surprising since they were old acquaintances.

However, the High Priestess’s intention in coming to us after meeting her was quite suspicious.

“She’s a friend who comes and goes like the wind. I wouldn’t worry even if she suddenly disappeared, but she popped in unexpectedly and told me an interesting story.”

…An interesting story, huh.

I slowly picked up the conversation from the sofa opposite.

“If I’m right, it’s not news you’d want to hear before sleeping. Unless you want bad dreams.”

“But what can I do? Good news or bad news. People rarely come seeking what they want.”

“……”

“Whether what happened in the north will truly be bad news or end up as mere entertainment is still unclear.”

The cat that had descended from her lap walked with dignity.

Her image was reflected on the glossy glass.

Her movements walking across it seemed almost rhythmic.

After finishing what seemed like wordplay to herself, the High Priestess continued speaking as she walked across the glass table.

“Something inauspicious has occurred at this crucial time. How troublesome.”

“I appreciate your concern.”

But it’s not really your business, is it?

I drew the line appropriately. As indirectly as possible.

The reason I kept such distance was simple. Quite recently, I had made a deal with the High Priestess.

Seemingly recalling our previous encounter, the High Priestess twitched her white whiskers and began to speak.

“You still seem busy. Taking care of colleagues, attending to official business. Even three bodies wouldn’t be enough. Isn’t that right?”

“Very busy indeed.”

“My purpose in seeking you out today is nothing special.”

It’s to give you a small gift.

Silence fell.

I looked at the High Priestess and fell into thought. I had concerns, and the answer came sooner than expected.

“I’m not sure what gift you intend to give.”

“……”

“Consider it generously received, and please leave now.”

It was a clear rejection.

A rejection with good reason.

“May I ask why?”

“I’ve been reprimanded recently. I can’t afford to get tangled in any more troublesome affairs.”

I couldn’t afford to be involved in any more problems.

More precisely, I needed to avoid falling into unpredictable situations.

And the gift the High Priestess was trying to give would inevitably lead me into an unpredictable situation.

The gifts she had given me in the past had led to good outcomes, looking at the results.

I caught Siegmund, exposed the secrets the Law Enforcement Corps was hiding, and ultimately succeeded in bringing down Commander Dariush.

If that’s a happy ending, then this is a happy ending too.

But as is the way of the world, when good things happen, troublesome problems follow.

I exposed the Law Enforcement Corps’ secrets, but in the process, it caused political instability in the East Moritani continent.

Because it was revealed that the Law Enforcement Corps had been secretly operating funds and supporting paramilitary groups.

All the countries involved were turned upside down, and

Abbas wasted too much diplomatic capacity trying to pass the 11th Ashtistan Republic Sanctions Resolution.

And that’s not all.

Taking down Commander Dariush Ismaelzahi was the same.

Although the hardliners that the Abbas government had so desperately wanted to remove fell from power, it was difficult to say the situation had actually improved.

Most of the high positions in the Ashtistan Republic’s military and the Law Enforcement Corps are still held by hardliners, and

The Law Enforcement Corps continues to exist as an organization even after losing its leader.

Of course, it’s true that the hardliners who followed Commander Dariush were all purged.

But other factions.

That is, hardliners who didn’t share Commander Dariush’s views ultimately survived, and

There was a very high possibility that Commander Dariush’s vacant position would be filled by them.

In other words, only the people changed, but they’re likely to be the same bastards.

Finally,

I suffered some losses in dealing with Siegmund.

Strictly speaking, my future became a bit uncertain.

Even before tracking the traitor, I was already under surveillance by the Republic’s counterintelligence agencies, and after Siegmund appeared in Shizya, I had friction with the Imperial Guard.

I was already constantly clashing with them while working as a delegate in the Empire. And coincidentally, I appeared in the country where a double agent attempting to defect to the Empire was killed.

Unless they were fools, the Imperial Guard would be keeping an eye on me.

By now, they’re probably searching every corner of Shizya, tracking my traces.

They won’t find direct physical evidence, but if by any chance I’m caught, Matt’s operation team staying in Shizya to hinder their tracking would be in danger. And Ayla, who recently joined the operation team.

Beyond that, if suspicions keep accumulating like this, my identity will eventually be exposed.

And that day.

Will be the day I leave the company.

“……”

So I couldn’t accept the High Priestess’s gift.

Just as good news and bad news don’t come by choice, just as misfortune always approaches without warning.

The gifts she offered didn’t always lead to good results alone,

And they inevitably demanded a price.

I intended to end our dealings here today.

“If you have nothing more to say, I’ll retire now.”

With a clear rejection, I rose from my seat.

The High Priestess was looking at me with interest.

“How pitiful.”

She smiled faintly.

“You seem to desire an ordinary life. You know better than anyone that your dream cannot come true, yet you pretend not to know. How sad.”

It was an incomprehensible musing.

What on earth are you trying to say? As I was looking at her with a questioning gaze, it happened.

The cat that could speak human language began to smile brightly.

“Shouldn’t you start acknowledging it too? That you’ve strayed far from ordinariness.”

“…Could you please speak more clearly?”

“Very well, if that’s your wish, I’ll oblige.”

The High Priestess added with a gentle smile.

“You poor child who has flowed in from another world.”