MTM 22

“Madam.”

His cold voice made Madam Mare flinch. A shiver ran down her spine, she wondered if the window had opened, but it was tightly closed.

“That cabin should be left alone, just as the elder said.”

“Ah… why, why…?”

It was a warning. When Madam Mare swallowed and asked again, Zed spoke in a tone colder than ever before.

“Humans were the ones who first brought monsters into this world. Do not forget that.”

His eyes glimmered, and Madam Mare’s face turned pale. She could not say a word.

“Rest well.”

Zed gave a short farewell to the woman who was frozen on the spot and went back into the room. As the door closed with a sound, Madam Mare shuddered, regained her senses, and hurried out of the inn.

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

“Hah….”

Zed leaned against the door and closed his eyes. His breath was rougher than usual. His fingertips trembled because he was suppressing the anger boiling deep inside his chest.

‘Calm down. There’s no point getting angry at a human who knows nothing. It’s fine as long as Harto doesn’t find out….’

He repeated that to himself and then carefully opened his eyes. When he turned his gaze toward the bed, Harto lay there with the blanket pulled up to his head.

“Harto.”

Zed called his name and walked closer to the bed. When he lifted the blanket slightly, he saw Harto’s face sleeping quietly.

Zed sighed, he wondered if Harto might have heard Madam Mare’s words, but it seemed it had been an unnecessary worry. He watched Harto sleep soundly, curled up in the blanket.

At that moment, the dim moonlight from outside filled the room. The light seemed to shine only on Harto, warm and soft. Zed looked at his face under that moonlight, then he placed his hand on Harto’s head and closed his eyes.

“Hmm….”

Then Harto shifted slightly and murmured.

“Zed….”

“……!”

Startled, Zed quickly pulled his hand back. Fortunately, it seemed to be just sleep talk. Harto smacked his lips a few times and fell asleep again.

Zed exhaled slowly and looked at the sleeping Harto, then he clasped his trembling hand.

He could not understand what he had just done. He had decided not to use his ability unless it was really necessary, but he had placed his hand on Harto’s head without thinking.

‘What was I trying to find out from Harto…?’

Through the long night, Zed felt lost, and until the moonlight vanished behind the clouds, he could not find an answer.

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

At dawn the next day, when the sky began to turn blue, Zed once again carried Harto on his back like a travel bag.

“Harto, don’t sleep on my back.”

“Okay… I won’t sleeep… haaahm.”

Even while denying it, Harto opened his mouth wide and yawned. He had fallen asleep earlier than Zed the night before, but he still looked sleepy. Maybe it was because the bed was too comfortable.

Zed thought of how Harto had slept soundly like a baby under the blanket last night. Then he remembered his own inexplicable action from before, and he shook it out of his head as he walked down the stairs.

Because it was still early, only the sound of a rooster crowing somewhere broke the silence, and the village remained still. Zed placed a gold coin on the counter and stepped outside the inn.

“Meow.”

As he walked, a cat appeared on top of the stone wall. It looked like it had come to see them off. Harto, who had been dozing on Zed’s back, heard the sound and perked up with delight.

“Zed, can I say bye to the cat?”

“Alright… but don’t make a sound, just in case.”

Zed leaned closer to the wall to make it easier for Harto.

The cat narrowed its eyes and rubbed its head and body against Harto, who was wrapped in a cloak. Its long tail brushed against Zed’s head and ears, making them tickle.

“Hehe, I think the cat likes you too, Zed.”

“Don’t tease me too much….”

Even though he said that, the sound of Harto’s laughter while he played with the cat made Zed feel warm and ticklish.

‘…What is this? What’s wrong with me?’

Maybe some cat fur had gotten inside his clothes. With a sulky face, Zed waited for the two to finish saying goodbye.

“Everyone, look over here!”

That was when it happened. Someone shouted from somewhere, and the villagers who had been asleep started running out one by one. Madam Mare and Charlotte came, and so did the old man with the white cane and several young men.

“The well is full of water!”

“Uwaaah!”

A loud cheer spread through the square. The unbelievable sound made Zed rise to his feet.

“Zed…?”

“Stay here for a moment. I’ll go see what’s going on.”

Zed took off his cloak and went to the square.

“The guardian spirit has forgiven us!”

“The spirits sent us water!”

Pushing through the people who were shouting with excitement and joy, Zed reached the well. The uncovered well shimmered with clear water that reflected the blue sky.

“Zed! Look, the well is full! It’s so clear and clean!”

Madam Mare spotted Zed and called out with a bright, joyful face. The anxious look she had shown last night was nowhere to be seen.

‘That’s impossible….’

Until just yesterday, the bottom of the well had been completely dry. It had rained a little, but there was no way such clean water could have filled it in a single night.

“Let’s hold a festival! For the guardian spirit!”

But the only one who doubted the change was Zed. The villagers believed that the spirits and the guardian spirit had forgiven them and granted their blessing. Everyone clapped their hands, sang songs, prayed with clasped hands, and shed tears of joy.

Tap, tap.

Zed finally left the crowd, feeling restless, and walked back to where Harto was. When he saw Zed, Harto poked his head out from under the cloak. The cat stayed close beside him.

“Zed, did you say goodbye properly?”

“Well… more or less. And you?”

“I did too. Bye, kitty.”

When Harto said that, the cat seemed to understand and jumped down from the stone wall. Harto brushed off the fur sticking to his clothes and tried to climb onto Zed’s back.

“Harto, you can turn human now.”

“Ah, I can?”

“Yes. I don’t think they care about us anymore.”

That was true. The villagers were dancing and singing around the well, holding their own celebration. It was far more lively and cheerful than the festival he had seen the day before.

“They look really happy.”

“…Are you okay?”

“Huh? Me?”

When Zed asked that as he looked at Harto’s pleased face, the cat meowed as if answering for him.

‘Zed must’ve been completely asleep….’

Harto had gone to the well at dawn while Zed slept, without anyone knowing.

The Noglis, couldn’t create water despite being water spirits. That was why they wanted Harto, who could control water, to become their companion.

‘Am I special…?’

[Of course! In this world, even among spirits, anyone who can handle water is rare! That’s why you must never let a human know about your ability!]

But Harto hadn’t fully taken the Nogli’s warning to heart. He had been human in his previous life, and Zed wasn’t like the humans the spirits distrusted.

Even so, since he was seen as a “villain” in this world, he decided to wait before revealing his ability to control water.

So Harto secretly went to the well and filled it with water without Zed knowing. The only one who knew about it was the cat that had followed him at dawn.

“Yes! I’m really glad I could help.”

As Harto smiled brightly, the bright morning sunlight shone across his face. At that moment, Zed felt that familiar ticklish feeling in his chest again. He thought it might be better to shake off his clothes once.

“Zed, but if I turn human right now, I’ll be naked…. Can you carry me until we reach the forest?”

“…Alright.”

Once he got permission, Harto jumped on Zed’s back.

“Bye, kitty!”

“Take care.”

“Meow!”

As they followed the stone wall that led to the village entrance, Zed patted the cat’s head with his hand. Then he paused for a moment and walked on with a thoughtful look.