Ahem, I cleared my throat and introduced our transportation company.

“Our Master has a mysterious ability. He can communicate with certain intelligent monsters. Our transportation company works in collaboration with them.”

“That’s an ability I’ve never heard of before.”

Count Scott’s voice rose for the first time after speaking so calmly.

I was certain that this change was positive.

Encouraged by this, I praised Ptero’s achievements until I was out of breath.

About how cleverly they transport guides and espers.

“…If we receive help from monsters or animals that know Pandora Forest well, we could certainly procure goods quickly and cheaply.”

“Exactly!”

The reason items from the capital arrive late in the Philia Islands is not only because Pandora Forest is dangerous but also because transportation costs are expensive.

Due to the high transportation costs, they couldn’t transport frequently, and when transporting multiple items at once, there would be moments when medicines or other goods would run short.

“Then does Branch Manager Anya have any animals or monsters in mind?”

“Yes, of course! I heard that many merchants in the Philia Islands are having headaches over cat problems.”

“That’s right.”

“The cats often steal fish, but I heard you forbid their extermination…”

Count Scott questioned me with interrogation-like intensity.

“So, do you want to criticize me for preventing the killing of innocent lives?”

“No. I wanted to suggest that we make use of those cats.”

“The cats…?”

“Yes, instead of being troublesome fish-stealing thieves, let’s turn them into righteous cats who receive fish after doing assigned work.”

“I see you’re suggesting using cats to procure goods from the capital.”

“That’s right. They’re fast, small, and clever enough to deliver goods really well. Though they won’t be able to transport large items, of course.”

Count Scott fell silent, contemplating my proposal.

When I looked at Cain, who had been quietly listening to our conversation, he was smiling approvingly.

He didn’t seem to think badly of my proposal.

“Count. I think this isn’t a bad proposal. Or perhaps, how about trying it out experimentally a few times?”

Cain said this while winking at me, avoiding the Count’s eyes.

It seemed he wanted to help me since I had helped him.

“I agree. Branch Manager Anya, what do you think about running a trial operation as Cain suggested?”

“Of course that’s possible! Thank you for giving us the opportunity!”

To think I could handle this well on my own, without the Guildmaster.

It felt like only good things had been happening since coming to the Philia Islands.

Despite his dry coughing fits, Cain escorted me to the carriage.

“I can’t let, cough, cough, a lady go alone, cough, at night.”

Someone who looks sicker than me should probably rest…

I couldn’t bring myself to say that and just hoped Cain wouldn’t collapse along the way.

Fortunately, Cain managed to open the carriage door without losing consciousness.

“Anya, please return safely.”

“Yes! I’ll contact you again.”

“…Ah. But I just thought of something I’m curious about, may I ask?”

“Yes. Please do.”

“Even if one can communicate with animals, I wonder if the cats will cooperate.”

“Is there a reason?”

“There are more prickly ones here who are good at raiding and… stealing, rather than docile cats.”

“Don’t worry about that. Our company has a secret weapon.”

Cain opened his lips in a round shape, seemingly surprised that I had considered even that point.

“I’m very much looking forward to it.”

Whether in the world I lived in or in this novel world, cats were ultimately cats.

Though I’d never kept cats myself, I knew what drove them crazy.

I suppose it was the benefit of frequently watching videos featuring animals.

I bid farewell to Cain with a sly smile.

“Cain. I’ll be going now!”

“Goodbye then.”

***

The next day, I strolled through the streets of Philia Islands equipped with my ‘secret weapon’.

Without doing anything, cats hidden throughout the streets began emerging one by one to follow me.

Just like children following the Pied Piper.

The cats following me as if enchanted were all puzzled.

―Meooow?

‘What is this wonderful smell?’

They couldn’t break away from me, entranced by the scent coming from me.

The villagers whispered in amazement as they watched several cats following behind me.

“Look at that person in robes. They’re leading away all the cats.”

“What could they be? What are they planning to do with all those gathered cats?”

What am I going to do? I’m going to persuade them nicely and make them useful to everyone.

I left the town center and stopped on a quiet road where there were no people.

“Let’s see, let’s see. About twenty cats in total.”

Cheese-colored, spotted, tricolored… cats of various colors were meowing at me.

Translated, it would mean something like ‘What is this smell coming from you? It’s driving me crazy.’

“Would you tell me where your boss cat is? Then I’ll let you smell this scent as much as you want.”

The cats competed to guide me to where their boss cat was. I quietly followed the ones that had already run ahead.

Finally, the cats stopped at an abandoned house.

When I entered, I saw a large cat sitting on a worn single-person sofa.

This must be the boss cat.

The boss cat was massive enough to reach my thigh. It seemed like the biggest cat I’d ever seen.

Its jet-black fur gleamed with a glossy sheen.

And since its fur wasn’t tangled, it gave the impression of being a house cat cared for by someone rather than a stray.

The cat’s eyes, which had been sitting arrogantly, turned toward me.

Those mysterious amber eyes that seemed to illuminate the darkness were truly beautiful.

However, no matter how pretty it was, I couldn’t take it lightly.

Its presence exuded pressure, and the long scar above its right eye made its atmosphere more intimidating.

I had a feeling it wouldn’t be swayed even by my secret weapon that cats go crazy for.

The eye contact continued for a while.

The boss cat was the first to move.

It stepped one foot on the ground with a thud! Then, with surprisingly light movements, it approached my feet in one bound.

It, it won’t bite, will it?

I unconsciously shrank back a little. Up close, the boss cat’s size was even more startling.

Soon, the boss cat’s meow was heard.

―Meooow.

‘I’m Nero.’

“Y-yes, hello Nero? I’m Anya. I came looking for you because I have something to discuss.”

The boss cat, that is Nero, didn’t answer but brought a small mouse from somewhere.

That wasn’t all it brought. Fish, shoes, gloves, even socks…

After piling up these inexplicable items at my feet, Nero opened its mouth wide.

Its face was dead serious.

―Meow, Meoooow.

‘Human, will you marry me?’

Nero, who had proposed, rubbed its face against my leg. With that, I felt my slight tension completely dissolve.

‘What an adorably sweet proposal that doesn’t match its intimidating presence.’

Though it probably proposed because it was captivated by the smell I was giving off.

I gently stroked Nero’s face.

The feel of the fur, not entirely smooth but slightly rough, was truly pleasant.

***

“…So what was the identity of that smell?”

Marco, who had been quietly listening to my story about recruiting the cats, asked.

I had just returned to the branch after meeting the cats.

“What Nero is playing with right now is the true identity of it. That’s…”