22 Irreplaceable (1/2)

ฅ/ᐠ｡ᆽ｡ᐟ \

”W-w-we, y-y-you should stay out of the capital Boss!” Tarou yelled in a shaky voice. ”C-c-cats are barely allowed there. Everyone thinks cats are familiar spirits --instruments of evil,” he sputtered almost incoherently. Mina looked at the grey mouse.

With her whiskers sideways, Mina revealed two fangs as if smiling at the vast darkness before her.

'Finally, an adventure!'

”I'll go where my human goes,” Mina stated firmly after looking at the area where the general disappeared. She has been dead set on going to the capital, and she wanted to explore more of this world.The danger excited her.

”Observing humans is one way our elders teach us about survival. Humans, they always put themselves first. They are devious creatures! That Luca gave your human a risky idea --using you to sow fear in people's hearts --a devil general!”

'Devil general.'

She loosened her hold on the mouse and sat beside him while crouching down in a relaxed position eager to learn more.

Mina could imagine how easy it would be for the general to gain a reputation as a demon on the battlefield. If she gained his trust enough to accompany him in battles, she would be part of Artha's history.

All statues featuring the general would include her, in all paintings and portraits she will be there standing proud for all future cats to envy. She never heard of Artha in school, but she never paid attention to those excruciatingly long history lectures anyway. It should be somewhere in one of those dusty tomes in the library, Mina reassured herself.

Oblivious to Mina's dreams of greatness, Tarou disturbed her daydreams and continued to warn her.

”People could condemn him along with you. It is dangerous! We still have time to turn back.”

”I have faith in my human. He will put my name in history.”

”Is fame more important than your survival?” Tarou asked in a series of shocked squeaks.

”Perhaps someday, I will tell you all about it Tarou,” Mina replied, her mind still caught up in imagining temples created in her honor.

”But, can't you see, the capital is the one place you should avoid!” Tarou insisted in a voice filled with urgency.

”Have you ever been to the capital? When did you hear about this? Do you actually know how cats are received there?”

”Well, no. I did hear that there were only a handful of cats in the capital, making it a mouse haven. My goal has always been to join my brothers in that kind of paradise,” Tarou gushed excitedly before looking at Mina with wide, guilty eyes.

”If you are so glad to finally be on your way to the capital, why are you discouraging me to do the same?” she asked in confusion.

”Because I feel guilty about letting you walk to your death!” Tarou admitted. ”I may be a terrible mouse but I have principles.” Mina chuckled when she heard Tarou's retort. This cute, chubby mouse talking about how ruthless he could be was too adorable.

”These rumors of yours are unreliable,” Mina concluded. Still amused, Mina asked, ”Do you have anything else to relay?”

”Your human had a situation with the princess earlier,” reported in a resigned voice.

Mina's ears shot up when she heard what the mouse said. 'My human and the princess?' Before she could ask Tarou for clarification, the mouse revealed another piece of information quickly.

”B-b-barca... Barca that guy used to be in love with her too...”