Chapter 11: The Master of Flattery
“Monster!” the woman screamed, dropping the cat and fleeing.
The cat, unfazed, sauntered towards Abyss, studying him for a moment before speaking. “Ah, greetings, handsome young man. If I’m not mistaken, you must be the high-ranking Druid Maggie sought. A human Druid, how unusual. You’re quite dashing, I must say. There are many non-magical folk in this village. I’m speaking to you in this form to avoid alarming them. You don’t mind, do you, fellow Druid?”
“Of course not,” Abyss replied, nodding. He was fond of animals. Chatting with a talking cat wasn’t unusual for him.
“Maggie, I asked you to find a high-ranking Druid, not three beautiful young ladies,” the cat said, his eyes twinkling as he looked at the girls, clearly enjoying the sight. “You truly understand me, my dear Maggie. These young ladies are as radiant as goddesses, their beauty warming my heart like the morning sun.”
“They’re my companions,” Abyss said quickly. “I apologize, Master Druid, but Maggie didn’t bring them here for you.”
“Ah, I see,” the cat said, his gaze still lingering on the girls, who were blushing at his compliments. “I thought it was too good to be true. Although I’m worthy of the most elegant ladies, the most beautiful women, I’m still not worthy of such perfection.”
“Don’t mind him… He’s always like this… He loves to flatter people. He doesn’t have many friends because his words are too… flowery. And he’s a flirt. He even flirts with me sometimes. Don’t give him any ideas!” Maggie whispered to Flora.
“Hey! Wait! Maggie, have you gotten pregnant during your trip? Have you fallen for Mr. Belator?” the cat suddenly exclaimed, pointing a paw at Maggie’s stomach. “Look at that round belly! By the God of Nature! Are you leaving me? Have you forgotten my affections?”
“Master… I just ate too much… I’m not pregnant,” Maggie said, clutching her stomach. “And please stop harassing your apprentice! I’m over a hundred years younger than you!”
Flora finally understood why Maggie was so talkative, and why her master tolerated it—he was clearly smitten with his beautiful apprentice.
“Well… allow me to introduce you,” Maggie said, stepping between them, gesturing towards Abyss. “Master, this is the high-ranking Druid I brought from the Ossi Kingdom palace, Mr. ABC Belator. Mr. Belator, this… um, this cat is my master, Baggs Mustalian, also a high-ranking Druid, but he lives in the Druid community, like me.”
“Ah, Mr. ABC Belator,” the cat, Baggs, said, extending a paw towards Abyss, as if offering a handshake. “I was wondering what kind of Druid could achieve such a feat in the Ossi Kingdom, commanding millions of insects. You’re truly impressive, a young man of great talent, as radiant as a diamond under the sun.”
“Likewise, I almost mistook you for an ordinary cat. Your knowledge is as profound as the pericardial fat of a giant sawtooth whale in the Stormy Sea,” Abyss said, crouching down, taking the cat’s paw and shaking it gently.
“Hmm… That’s an interesting metaphor, very creative, like a small flower blooming in winter,” Baggs said, continuing his flattery, then turned to Maggie. “My dear Maggie, what about those three beautiful ladies? Introduce me! I can’t wait!”
“This is Miss Flora, Miss Leona, and Miss Rebecca,” Maggie said. “They can’t reveal their surnames for personal reasons. Please address them by their first names, Master.”
Human and elven cultures differed. Humans valued individuality, while elves emphasized family lineage. Humans addressed each other by their first names, while elves preferred surnames. The girls had withheld their surnames for this reason. Flora’s surname was unique to Saints, Leona’s was the royal family name of the Western Empire, and Rebecca’s ancestors had been prominent figures. Revealing their surnames would immediately expose them as undead, and Abyss as a necromancer.
“Excellent, excellent. Your names are as melodious as the wind rustling through the willows, as enchanting as a nightingale’s song at dusk…”
“Abyss, can you make this flattery machine shut up? He’s even more annoying than Maggie,” Leona said through their telepathic link, her patience wearing thin. Flora and Rebecca agreed.
“Mr. Baggs, perhaps we can discuss your predicament later. I’m curious about the details. What exactly are the animals near the sacred tree doing? Are they being influenced by its power?” Abyss asked, changing the subject.
“Hmm? Maggie, didn’t you explain the situation to Mr. Belator?” Baggs asked, glancing at his apprentice.
Maggie scratched her head sheepishly. “You brought me here so suddenly. I didn’t have time to investigate. And I was playing when the animals started acting strangely…”
“My apologies, Mr. Belator. My apprentice is easily distracted. I’ll explain the situation,” Baggs said, sighing, sitting down and swishing his tail back and forth. “It’s not just their behavior that’s changed, but also their forms. We’ve tried everything, but we can’t restore them to normal…”
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