Chapter 30: Did Grandma Have Cat Ears?

“Miss Kara, I’ll be picking you up. Please hang on tight,” I say.

“Uh, right..” she replies awkwardly.

I wrap one hand behind her back and one under her knees and heave before kicking off into the air.

“EEP,” Kara cries and tightens her grip on me, “don’t drop me! You said you wouldn’t kill us!”

“I’ll keep my promise, but we need to have a little chat, and I don’t want those two to hear it,” I reply.

I touch down on the mountain next to Selena and put Kara on the ground.

“Selena, you’re safe!” Kara yells before running to Selena and wrapping her in a tight hug.

“Kara! Old man.." Selena mumbles and a grim expression takes to her face, "Did you bring her here so you can kill us without them seeing?” she asks.

“What? No, I want you two to explain your involvement in the kidnapping,” I answer, taken aback by the emo question.

“Right..” Kara starts then steadies her nerves, “How much do you know about the city-state region of this continent?” she asks.

“Only what I’ve read, the coast is rocky and difficult to use for trade. They’re also underdeveloped compared to Sante and Alaria,” I answer.

“That’s all true. My people’s ancestors settled in the northernmost city-state of Estelle after the holy war. They kept to themselves, but they had a unique appearance and high magic aptitude. Estelle was raided from its northern shores by countries looking for slaves, until a talented earth magic user from our people created the rocks that block it off today..” Kara explains.

“Kara..” Selena says with a nudge to Kara’s side, “You shouldn’t say so much..”

“I promised him an explanation, Selena..” she says while putting her hand on Selena’s head.

“Losing that trade port angered the other city-states, and war broke out. Estelle’s territory shrank, and we were forced to rely on the forests and mountains for food. Most of us don’t mind this lifestyle, we’re proficient at dealing with predators and finding prey, and the cold isn’t as bad as it is further south..” Kara continues.

“So, you don’t trade with the other city-states or Alaria?” I ask.

“What I’ve told you happened a long time ago. The city-states trade with each other, but we have little to offer Alaria, so they kept their distance until a few years ago, when they started offering goods in exchange for our people signing military contracts..” Kara says.

“Then those men, they’re from the city-states, but they’re part of the Alarian military?” I ask.

“Yes, they knew about the camp because they used it to hunt this area, and those who receive Alarian training become incredibly strong,” Kara says.

“I see, I have a few questions – your appearance doesn’t look that different to me? Were your people targeted just because of your hair color?” I ask.

“Our people have had children with those of the other city-states and started to look more typical as a result. Our hair is the only feature that makes us stand out anymore, and some of us have grown to have more typical hair colors,” Kara says quietly.

God, I want to ask if you used to have cat ears, that’s the only thing this fantasy world is missing.

“I see – I hunt these forests a lot, but Selena is the only hunter I’ve ever run into..” I say, and turn my gaze to Selena.

“Selena and I take trips further than anyone else in the summer - no one goes further west than the camp we’re at,” Kara explains.

“Right, then you didn’t actually help with the kidnapping? You just shared the same camp?” I ask and turn back to Kara.

“We didn’t assist them, but I should’ve tried to stop them..” Kara’s face tightens as she looks at the ground.

“Hmm, I think you both would’ve died if you tried that. One of the men I fought seemed to expend all of his magic to enhance a single movement, but he didn’t run out after that,” I explain.

“Alarian training has allowed city-staters to greatly improve their magic usage, but I don’t know how,” Kara says.

“If you talked to me earlier instead of throwing knives at me, I would’ve understood the situation and not been so aggressive,” I state bluntly.

“.. your magic reminded me of the others who came through, I panicked thinking they sent someone for us or to test us..” Kara squeaks without looking at me.

“We’ll call it a misunderstanding then,” I say with a sigh. Kara picks her head up slightly, but Selena seems to be in a good mood.

“Oh, fake old guy, Kara told you our secret, so that means you’ll tell me yours, right?” Selena interrupts. That's why she seems happy.

“Kids have such good memories,” I say with a smirk, “fine, I’m around Selena’s age. But I can use some weird magic, so I wear this disguise and pretend to be a crazy old guy in the mountains when I hunt for animals or bandits,” I explain, causing Selena to tilt her head.

“Why do you hunt bandits?” she asks.

“I used to read these amazing stories about people who learned magic and became strong, some of them used their strength to save the world or their loved ones, and some of them used their strength to have fun – but all of them would beat up on bandits. I wanted to be like the people in those stories,” I answer with a shrug.

“How do you intend on using your strength then?” Selena asks with a curious look.

“Not sure.. I’m not done training yet.. so I haven’t decided,” I answer.

“Right.. so you’re a fake old guy in training to maybe save the world?” Selena asks. I think she's mocking me.

“Pretty much, but let’s head back. When we’re around the Princess and Eric, I’m going to act like an old man bandit hunter who just happened to catch their trail, ok?” I ask, and look between Kara and Selena.

“Ok, grandpa,” Selena says with a smirk and walks towards me, but she freezes, “wait, how did you know they were taken if you’re always in the mountains?”

“I have a place in Sante. I was traveling for a few weeks, but when I came back, I heard about it and came looking,” I answer.

“So you travel too, must be nice to fly everywhere..” Selena mumbles with jealousy written on her face.

“I don’t know if I can teach you to fly, but I can probably teach you some magic if you’re able to see it," I say, making Selena's expression brighten, "we’ll talk about it another time, let’s get going.”

I take the two and return to the camp. The Princess is fast asleep and leaning on Eric in front of the fire. I’ve never seen him look happier.

***
I wake up before sunrise and place some bacon over the fire for breakfast.

“Good morning, gramps,” a bleary-eyed Selena says, “what are you cooking? It smells good..”

“OHO, it’s a fatty slice of boar, Miss Selena, it’s quite delicious and keeps better than most raw meats because of how it’s prepared,” I reply and take a cloth with cooked slices then hand it to her, “try it and tell me what you think.”

“Thank you.. crunch.. oh it’s good!” she exclaims.

“It’s my favorite morning dish, and it can work as a topping as well,” I explain.

“Good morning, sir,” Princess Sylvie is the next up and greets me with a curtsy.

“Oho, good morning, the young ladies are early risers. If you’re hungry, please join us. I’m cooking some boar slices for breakfast,” I say.

I’m glad I haven’t made bacon for many people. Bacon is a required food for me on a hunting trip, I didn’t even consider that I’m in disguise near people I actually know.

“Thank you, sir, I’m very grateful,” the Princess says before taking a slice to her mouth, “oh wow, it is good, what part of the boar is this?” she asks.

“It’s from the belly, it can be fried in oil in larger chunks. But I prefer to season, cure, and smoke it before slicing and cooking it over a hot flame. I met a young man in my travels long ago who was also quite taken with it. He was writing a travel account of his journey and promised me he would detail the process..” I say, providing cover in case I ever let bacon slip while being Alfred.

Selena covers her mouth to stifle her laughter.

Eric and Kara wake up shortly after, and everyone gorges themselves on the mound of bacon I’ve prepared.

“Now then, shall we bring you two back to the Sante Kingdom?” I ask of a full-bellied Princess and Eric.

“If you’d be so kind,” Princess Sylvie replies with a sweet smile. She’s an elegant girl with almost pink hair and piercing light blue eyes. But trusting her would be like trusting a fart at the age I’m pretending to be.

“Yes, if you would. And thank you again for all you’ve done, sir,” Eric adds.

“OHO, it’s not a problem. When my back isn’t giving me trouble, I like to clean up the rabble in my hunting grounds. Now let’s take to the air! There’s plenty of light to make it home today,” I exclaim.

I pick up Princess Sylvie and have Eric climb on my back again; the bastard pricks me in the neck with his stubble immediately.

I lift into the sky and put a wide light refraction around us. I haven’t tested how it looks when there’s more inside of it than me, so I’m hoping this does the trick. Selena and Kara are pretty isolated from the world and know some secrets at this point – maybe they’d help with training..

“Wow, the sunrise over the mountains is beautiful..” Princess Sylvie says, interrupting my thoughts.

“It really is,” Eric adds.

“Ah, indeed, I don’t appreciate it as I should. It will take a few hours at this speed to reach the Sante Kingdom’s eastern border, so do enjoy the views,” I say.

It’s still hard to balance carrying two people, and I’m flying faster than yesterday, meaning I need a barrier in front of us. This is decent training…

We arrive in the forest near the eastern wall of the Kingdom in the afternoon. I touch down and release my cargo.

“OHO, you two should move along now, I’m sure your parents are quite worried about your absence,” I say to the two.

“I’m sure they are, but I’d like to extend an invitation to you, sir, my father will want to compensate you for saving us,” Princess Sylvie says, delivering her sales pitch.

“That’s quite generous, young lady, but these mountains have become my home in recent years. Taking care of those bandits was simply me cleaning, I wouldn’t want a reward for what a shoddy job I’ve done..” I say while feigning guilt.

“Old man.. that’s not true at all! We would’ve been captured twice if you hadn’t helped, and we could arrange for the best healers to see to you if you’d visit the Kingdom,” Eric pleads.

“Ah, you’re a gentleman, but use that generosity on the young. My injuries have been healed many times over in many different countries – but not all wounds heal. Until mine take me, I will do my best with this mountain,” I say solemnly while glancing back at the trees.

“I will pray for your safety,” I say before bowing and taking off to the skies.