[A/N: Rejoice the fluff while you may. For you will crave this when the next arc is on display.]
Miraj, the lovable fluffy cat, the proud father of the strongest kitten in the whole world. But despite his many blessings, Miraj was not always content. Much of his time was spent in a state of boredom, especially when he was traveling with Sylvester. While the journey was exciting, most of their time was spent traversing from one destination to another, leaving Miraj little to do but perch upon Sylvester's shoulder and nap.
However, their arrival at Viscount Mineworth's castle signaled a new adventure, one that promised to uncover long-buried secrets within the ancient land. It was time to unlock the doors and reveal precious riches for donating to the Chonky Bank of Commerce — Exclusive to Sylvester.
As the morning sun cast its radiant light upon the mortal realm, the immortal cat leaped nimbly out of the window without disturbing Sylvester's slumber.
Miraj strolled leisurely through the castle, exploring every nook and cranny. He began his tour at the lowest level, where he stumbled upon the guards' quarters. Peering in through a window, he observed a man who had placed a steaming plate of mashed potatoes on the windowsill to cool.
Viewing the dish as a generous offering, Miraj lingered there, basking in the warm sunlight and eavesdropping on the soldiers' idle chatter as they prepared for duty or rested from their previous shift.
"Argh! I am on Guard Duty to young master Mike today, that spoiled bastard." grumbled one Knight.
"Correction, it's fat master, not young master. And your duty isn't to protect him but rather to prevent him from doing anything foolish, as Lord Gordan fears. The two fat oafs offended His Grace yesterday if you didn't know." retorted the other.
The first Knight gasped in horror. "What? I saw His Grace this morning. He's… more magnificent in person than any rumor could do justice. How could anyone offend a perfect being like Lord Bard?"
"Stupidity, my friend. There is no cure to it." The other Knight blurted and went to pick up his plate. "What the… Who ate my potatoes?!"
Miraj was quick on his feet, for his third name was Speed. He dodged the sudden hand that grasped for the plate and darted away, having grown tired of the mundane conversation.
'Hmm… Maxy is training in the fields… Where should I go next? Ah! I'm so stupid. I need to look for bank donations.' Miraj strolled into another room. This time there were servants and slaves, cooking or cleaning, doing the daily chores of the castle.
Of course, since it was near the kitchen, Miraj again found some snacks. This time it was an apple pie. Now, he didn't really like any other fruit but banana, but he sometimes makes do with whatever is available.
So, he sat down on a fine wooden table and ate the offerings to the God Chonky.
"Are you taking the candles again? You will get caught, Rimmi."
Rimmi glared at him, her eyes brimming with defiance. "You take the spices from the kitchen, too, so just worry about yourself. We all take something. We must earn as much as we can while Lord Gordan still reigns, for we will see nothing but poverty once his two dunderhead sons take over."
The other slave shivered at the thought, his mind conjuring images of a bleak future. "Y-You are right… We should utilize this opportunity. I saw Lord Bard this morning. Perhaps we're blessed today. Let's steal extra!"
Rimmi agreed, nodding eagerly. "Of course, we are blessed. But I must deliver the apple pie to Viscountess… Wait! Where is the Apple pie? YOU ATE IT?!" Her voice rose in fury as she turned on her companion.
'Bad humans,' thought Miraj as he silently watched the scene unfold. He shook his head and quietly slipped out of the room, disgusted by the greed and pettiness of humans.
Miraj proceeded to explore a different section of the castle and noticed faint murmurs emanating from behind a door. Intrigued, he ventured outside to peer through a window. "Is someone eating a tasty dish? Their moans suggest so."
Miraj scaled the castle wall and perched on a closed window. The open curtains afforded him an unobstructed view. However, his excitement was swiftly replaced with disappointment.
'Wait, she's not eating tasty food… She's… She's eating the fat Lord's—!' Miraj exclaimed.
"Ah! My Lord, what if your brother discovers our affair?" the woman fretted.
"So what? I wedded your sister and married you to my younger sibling for this precise purpose! I wanted both of you. You're identical twins, and no one will ever find out," the man nonchalantly replied.
Miraj, outside the window, had his jaw agape. "Woah! He's not dumb. But… This is boring."
So, Miraj again moved around, this time walking from outside. However, yet again, he heard some moans and got excited to see someone eating tasty treats.
Yet again, only sadness got to him.
'She's eating Lord's youngest son now… Where is the food?'
"My lord, why didn't you wed me instead if you fancied me so fervently?" the woman queried.
"Ugh, my brother coerced me into marrying your sister. But I've always preferred you, Carla," the man confessed.
"But my lord, we're identical in every way," Carla protested. "We look the same."
"No, Carla, you are superior in everything. Hush now," the man commanded.
Miraj's fluffy shoulders slumped as he massaged his head with his paws. 'My head hurts… What is going on? I should tell Maxy later. Maybe he can make sense.'
Again, Miraj moved on and, this time, headed to the higher floor, eventually reaching a terrace garden he had never seen before. The garden was a sight to behold, filled with vibrant flowers and the melodic songs of birds.
As he approached, he spotted an elderly woman tending to the plants with great care and love. A few younger women stood behind her, holding tools and wearing expressions of worry.
'Who is that Grandma?' Miraj wondered.
"Give me the pruner." the old lady ordered.
"My lady, please let us do the work. Viscount will be enraged at us if he finds out. We are mere slaves. We can't face his ire."
The old woman, likely the wife of Viscount Gordan, smiled and continued to work. "Who is going to tell him? Certainly not me. Just calm down and go do your work, dears, and let this old woman enjoy the little things in life. With Lord Bard's arrival, my husband is finally smiling — I have never seen him this excited before. We are truly blessed."
The two slave women bobbed their heads and put the tools beside the old lady to go and work somewhere else.
Miraj, seeing his chance, went to taste those juicy tomatoes on the plant near the woman. He was fast and, in a blur, jumped, grabbed one in his jaw, and vanished in the bushes.
However, the woman didn't respond and continued to work on the crops. That bolstered Miraj to get another tomato, for they were too sweet.
Woosh!
Yet again, he grabbed one and ate it.
"Haha, no need to be the shy, holy spirit. You may take as much as you desire." Shocking Miraj, the woman addressed him. "Ever since I was a child, I've been blessed to have met many kind spirits, so please don't be wary. I'm a mere mortal. What can I even do?"
Miraj was shocked and walked beside the woman. As he gazed at her face intently, a wave of emotion washed over him, causing his eyes to fill with tears. For he recognized in the Viscountess' face the familiar look of his former owner, whom he deeply cared for.
"The garden flourishes despite being in the heart of the desert," the woman spoke in a gentle voice, her fingers deftly working the soil around the vibrant flowers. "It is said that a benevolent spirit blessed this place long ago, and so it continues to thrive. Do you not find it beautiful?"
Miraj silently stood there and watched the old lady work. "You are sad?"
"Oh! A high spirit that can speak?" The woman lowered her head towards the voice. "I pay my deepest respect to you."
Miraj continued to look into the woman's old gray eyes. "Why are you sad?"
The woman's voice held a hint of self-deprecation as she spoke. "What mother wouldn't feel sadness for having given birth to demons? Because of their life of luxury and easy access to every desire, my sons have become debaucherous, corrupted beings. They believe I am unaware of their actions, but I see and hear everything."
Pat!
Suddenly, Miraj patted his fluffy paw on the old woman's head. "Don't worry. I fix them."
Although taken aback, she responded. "They are beyond salvation."
Miraj receded while speaking. "I know of someone who fought for survival from the moment he was born. Despite having every reason to hate those around him, he continued to grow stronger and sought to better the world. Your sons never fought for life, so they grew up like this."
"Then? Will you punish them?"
Miraj jumped from the edge of the building without replying. He was no longer a hungry cat—but a cat on a mission.
…
In the castle's training grounds, Sylvester and Viscount Gordan were fully immersed in their metal manipulation training. The first aspect of metal manipulation was to sense the metal around you. For that, Sylvester had to lift a small piece of metal from the ground by using just magic.
"Lord Solis, be gracious! You did it in three hours! It took me five years to master this simple thing." Viscount bellowed as he sat in his wheelchair.
Right there, Sylvester was not only hovering the piece of metal in the air, but he was also throwing it around so fast that it created small sonic booms. Even he was shocked by the fact that he learned it so fast.
But then, when he remembered that he had a high affinity with every single element and his talent was that of a Supreme Wizard, it wasn't as shocking. In fact, he felt disappointed that it took him three hours.
"Now, onto the next stage!" Sylvester announced as he drew his Spear of Infinity and attempted to activate its ancient magic.
"Lord Bard, I believe it's too early for that," Viscount Gordan cautioned.
Sylvester still gave it a try. "I know, my lord, but if we don't try, we'll never know if we're on the right path."
He used the little bit of metal manipulation he had learned on the spear.
Woosh!
Suddenly, a bright golden rune circle appeared around the top of the spear with the blade tip in the center. The rune spun rapidly, appearing like a shrinking halo of light.
Boom!
Then, with a sonic boom, the spear jolted, and the golden rune disappeared. However, nothing had changed.
"Oh, I see it!" Viscount Gordan exclaimed with excitement. "It grew by half an inch!"
Sylvester remained silent, unsure if half an inch was a significant enough improvement. It sure felt like nothing to boast about.
"..."
Please send all your Golden Tickets! Help this Gorilla reach the top 25!
Thank you!
