Kays Translations

Chapter 189: Adorable Sight

About thirty Matangos appeared, all mimicking Mash’s strange dance.

It looked a little weird, sure—but since they could all do the same moves, it was clearly a traditional Matango tribe dance.

When I quietly watched without interrupting, the dance eventually ended, and everyone gathered around Mash.

Mash looked different from the others—probably because he had evolved into a Paralyze Matango.

I couldn’t remember clearly, but I was pretty sure that Mash used to look just like these Matangos before.

“It looks like this place is Mash’s hometown.”
“Seems that way. I’m relieved—they look happy to see him.”
“…Looks like they’re calling you over, Sato.”

Apparently, Mash had finished talking with them, and now he was beckoning me closer.

It was a little scary walking into a crowd of monsters, but if they were Mash’s friends, I figured it would be fine.

“Nice to meet you all. My name’s Sato—I live together with Mash.”

After I gave a short introduction, the Matangos performed their welcoming dance for me too.

I tried copying their moves as best as I could and joined them in greeting.

“I’m sorry for suddenly making Mash my familiar. As you can see, he’s been living happily with me, so please don’t worry.”

I wasn’t sure if they understood my words, but the Matangos nodded in unison, which made me feel relieved.

At first, the crowd looked intimidating, but once I realized they meant no harm, I couldn’t help thinking—they were actually kind of cute.

“We came here to visit this time, but you’re always welcome to come visit us too.”

When I said that, the Matangos began dancing happily again.

They even started giving me various gifts—before I knew it, both my hands were full of presents from them.

Mash looked a little embarrassed by all the attention from his old friends.

I’d never known much about where my familiars came from, but seeing how loved Mash was made me happy.

At the same time, I couldn’t help wondering—was it really okay for him to keep working for me like this?
But honestly, if Mash or Moji were gone, I’d be in serious trouble.

Still… I didn’t want to become like a black company, so I decided to tell him properly.

“Mash, I know you’ve been helping me out all this time, but if you ever want to come back here, you’re free to do so anytime. I know it’s weird to say that after calling you out of nowhere, but in my world, we have a rule—‘don’t chase those who leave.’”

I knelt down so my eyes were level with his as I spoke.

But Mash shook his head hard—clearly, he had no intention of staying here.

“So, you’ll still stay with me? Thank you, Mash. Let’s keep working together.”

I set down the presents and gave him a high-five.

The Matangos cheered happily at the sight, and for a while, we all joined together in another round of the Matango dance.

After finishing the dance, I expressed my thanks again and said goodbye to the Matangos.

Mash looked really happy to have reunited with everyone—maybe I should let him visit his hometown once in a while.

Thinking that, we continued deeper into the forest from where we’d met the Matangos.

It was now Moji’s turn. Judging from the flow of things, his homeland must be somewhere ahead.

So apparently, Moji and Mash came from the same region.

They didn’t seem to have realized it before—probably only discovered they were from the same place after working together.

“Oh, I think I see a village up ahead.”
“You’re right. There’s a small settlement inside the forest.”

It was a miniature-sized village—everything there was tiny.

When Moji saw it, he let out a cheerful cry.

“So this is your home, Moji? It’s really close to Mash’s hometown.”
“Nyaa.”

Judging by his surprised tone, it seemed Moji had just learned that their hometowns were so near each other too.

To avoid startling the locals, I decided to let Moji go ahead first.

Just like with Mash, once Moji entered the village, a group of Cat Mages appeared one after another.

Unlike the nearly identical Matangos, the Cat Mages came in all sorts of colors and patterns—

Black cats, white cats, grey cats, calicos, tabbies, silver stripes… and more.

Their varied fur colors made for an absolutely adorable sight.

Their faces also differed quite a bit. I’d expected them all to look like exotic short-haired cats, but many of them were just straight-up cute.

Actually… Moji might be the only one with a funny face.

“They’re all so cute…”
“Oh? So you do have the sense to find things cute, Lua-san.”
“How rude. I am a woman, you know. Of course I can think things are cute.”
“No, no—I just meant I didn’t expect you to find monsters cute.”
“Ah, I see. You’re right. Back when I was in the Lusanso Knights, I never thought that way.
But these Cat Mages are basically cats—and I love cats. So yes, they’re adorable.”

Just like Lua-san said, for any cat lover, this village would be heaven.

As an animal lover myself, being surrounded by Cat Mages was pure bliss.

Now all I could hope for was that they wouldn’t see me as a threat.

Moji seemed to be explaining things to them, and the other Cat Mages’ expressions softened noticeably.

From the looks of it, I’d probably be welcomed here too—just like with the Matangos.

Thinking about what to say for my greeting, I waited quietly for Moji to call me over.

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