Wait! Was I Seriously Just Reincarnated As a Cat?-Chapter 34: Human Alliance

Conndo, Rowan, and Aristella seemed to have put their trust in me, which was a good step in the right direction. First, I had to let Greenwater Predation Force meet them beforehand so they could get their own opinions on humans, since I’m assuming this is their first time meeting one.

As we walked back to the village, we eventually came across Stoneback and the other creatures of Greenwater. They looked shocked to see me among three other ’two-legged creatures.’ Especially the frogs.

"Lady Keiko! You have returned!" Said Stoneback, walking forward. "And you have obtained the humans?"

"Don’t say it like that!" I shouted. "But yeah, they’re pretty chill guys!" I said, sitting down on my butt, swaying my tail. "Greenwater, meet Rowan, Conndo, and Aristella!"

All three of them stepped forward, but Conndo seemed the most surprised.

"A-A talking turtle?!"

"I’m still surprised that we can talk to beasts. It is usually impossible..." Said Rowan, looking down in thought.

"Mmm." Aristella nodded her head. "Beasts have their own language, just like humans!"

[Eh? Seriously? Spiritus, what the heck is going on?]

[[Answer. After you evolved, you’ve become a Wildborn Beast. The first stage of the Beast Evolution. And with your newfound power, I’ve bestowed upon you the Special Skill: Universal Translation. It allows one to understand all languages, humans, or beasts. The more it levels up, the more languages it can comprehend. Greenwater can use this skill thanks to their connection with your soul.]

[Whoa, for real? I don’t even know what’s on my status hub right now, but I guess I’ll just wait until I’m alone before opening it. Anyways, maybe I should tell them what’s going on so they don’t get super freaked out...]

"Oh, well that’s because I have the Universal Translation skill! It’s a special skill that can translate any language."

"The Universal Translation skill?" Asked Conndo. "Isn’t that a Special Skill that comes from someone who’s related to, or has some divine origins?"

[Eh. Wait, seriously? But didn’t Leapmouth and Vipermouth have it?]

I cringed my feline face, if I even could, before, looking down in thought.

[...Maybe they’re related to Sasobek, which would explain how they got those skills. I mean, doesn’t Sasobek count as someone with Divine Origin?]

"Well anyways!!" I raised my voice, deciding to change the topic. "You guys have a village to see. Let’s get a move on, shall we?"

Stoneback didn’t look fully convinced, but then again, Stoneback rarely questioned me.

"As you command, My Queen." He said, before turning toward the rest of Greenwater. "Stand down. These humans are guests of Lady Keiko!"

That single sentence caused a lot of reactions.

The frogs stiffened their stances as they gripped their spears tighter. A few snakes subtly reeled back while most of the dragonflies hovered higher as compound eyes locked onto the humans.

Yeah. This was definitely their first time seeing humans, there was no doubt about it.

Rowan even noticed it too. His shoulders squared up as his instincts kicked in. It looked like he was prepared to fight.

"They’re... watching us." He muttered.

"Relax, dude!" I said immediately. "They’re not gonna jump you. Probably!"

"That did not help!" Conndo whimpered.

I hopped back onto my paws and trotted ahead, deliberately placing myself between Greenwater and the humans. "Alright, everyone!" I announced with my tail flicking. "These three are under my protection. No stabbing, poisoning, or surprise ambushes from the trees, got it?"

There was only silence until in perfect unison, they shouted.

"Yes, My Queen!"

The humans flinched at their reactions.

"...They listen to you frighteningly well." Aristella said quietly.

"Heh... yeah, about that." I laughed awkwardly. "I might’ve accidentally started a cult."

Stoneback thumped his flipper against the ground.

"It is not a cult. It is loyalty, My Queen!"

"...That’s exactly what a cult says." Said Rowan.

Anyways, we continued forward as the trees began to thin, and the forest clearing came into view.

That’s when it hit them. The village opened up before us with tree nests, burrows reinforced with stone, straw huts, watch posts, armor-clad frogs, massive snakes hauling supplies, turtles building other houses, and dragonflies tracing glowing paths in the air.

There were even other animals that came from the forest. Deers, squirrels, birds, rabbits, and foxes.

Conndo’s jaw dropped at the sight.

Rowan stopped walking entirely.

And Aristella gasped, covering her mouth with her hand.

"...By the Axis!" Rowan said. "This is a fully functioning settlement."

"Yep!" I said proudly. "Welcome to... uh..."

I froze.

Oh no, I totally forgot.

"...I never named the village!"

Stoneback turned to me, horrified.

"My Queen... you have yet to decide a name?!"

"HEY, I’VE BEEN BUSY, OKAY?! I was unconscious for two weeks! I didn’t even plan on making a village either!"

It’s not my fault at all, you were the ones who surprised me.

The humans exchanged looks again.

"A beastly settlement." Rowan said in awe. "Organized. Armed. And cooperative across species..."

"This defies all recorded norms." Aristella said as her eyes sparkled, taking everything in.

Conndo slowly raised a finger.

"...You weren’t kidding about ruling a village."

"Nope..." I sighed. "Still wrapping my head around it myself."

As we stepped fully inside, the reactions only escalated.

Frogs bowed as we passed, and snakes lowered their heads respectfully.

Aristella’s voice dropped to a whisper.

"...They’re not afraid of us?"

"You are guests of Greenwater." He rumbled. "Any guest that Lady Keiko brings will automatically be trustworthy. But if any harm comes to her, then it will be met with absolute retaliation."

Conndo swallowed, widening his eyes.

"...Understood."

I shot Stoneback a look.

"Gentle intimidation, buddy! Gentle."

"My apologies."

I padded forward and hopped onto a raised wooden platform near the center of the village.

"Alright!" I caught everyone’s attention in the village. "Listen up everyone! We have some important news!"

I felt all eyes staring at me as I flicked my tail back and forth.

"I’m sure all of you are aware of the name... Sasobek, the King of Beasts."

Everyone widened their animalistic eyes at my comment, making them stop what they were doing.

"He’s strong... very strong! And tyrannical. I’m sure you all heard the stories, right?"

Everyone slowly nodded their head.

"Well... everyone across the Axis Mundi is working together to stop him. And just now, we obtained three new alliances, and they’re humans."

Everyone turned to face Aristella, Rowan, and Conndo.

"Currently, they’re working together to gather information on Sasobek and his whereabouts. We’ll need them at all costs!

"M-My Queen." One of the frogs stepped up, giving their say. "Are you aware that humans have hunted beasts since the beginning of time? Many here have lost kin to fire and metal."

Ah, damn, he was right. My mom did mention something about how humans kept beasts under their wicked rules before Sasobek saved them, earning him the title ’King of Beasts.’ But I didn’t know a lot of racism was still this common—but it now makes sense—why these three feared me so much.

I now glanced around, really looking at them this time. Everyone seemed skeptical about this.

Rowan even stiffened behind me, clearly aware he was standing in the middle of a loaded crossbow situation.

"...That’s fair." I admitted with a whisper before I raised my voice again. "But listen to me!"

Everyone jumped back from my sudden rise of voice.

"I won’t lie to you. Humans can be dangerous. Some of them are awful. Some of them see beasts as nothing but materials or monsters!"

Rowan flinched at my comment—but he didn’t interrupt.

"But these three?" I pointed my tail back at them. "They didn’t attack us. They didn’t enslave anyone. They didn’t even run when I talked!"

"That should count for something!" Conndo blurted out, then immediately slapped a hand over his mouth.

I continued before anyone could say something.

"They’re here because they want Sasobek gone. The same Sasobek who forces beasts to kneel. The same Sasobek whose title strips you of choice!"

That did it—everyone’s reaction was immediate.

Snakes hissed like they’d been struck. Frogs croaked angrily. A turtle slammed a stone block down so hard that it cracked.

Stoneback’s eyes darkened.

"...The King of Beasts." He growled. "The one who dares claim dominion over all wildlife. The one who sent Croak’mar to enslave us in the swamp under his wicked rules."

"Yes!" I said firmly, nodding my head. "That one! He’s our common enemy, among humans and beasts!"

Silence followed before Aristella stepped forward. She hesitated only a second before bowing sincerely.

"I swear upon the Axis... we did not come here to harm you all. If anything, we came seeking hope!"

That surprised me. Rowan looked at her like she’d just detonated a bomb, but it was already too late.

"Sasobek’s authority is absolute over beasts." Aristella continued. "We’ve lost entire expeditions because the moment a beast hears his name... they turn on us. Even ones we raised!" She said with a trembling voice, but strong nonetheless. "We only want the same as you! To stop Sasobek for good!"