Chapter 291.1

Chapter 291.1. Tamamo From The Past

-??? Tamamo’s POV- n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

It’s somewhat noisy. It should be tense and hostile, but some smiles never seem to fade.

Tamamo, with disheveled hair, looked perplexed at the appearance of their recently changed base.

My comrades have been killed, and we have a conflict with a hostile faction. It could erupt into a conflict at any moment. It wouldn’t be strange at all. It wouldn’t be.

My comrades have anxious expressions as they turn to me for support. As the leader, Tamamo should be at the forefront, ready to fight.

That’s how it should be.

Or so I thought.

“Um, you know… Mama will come to pick me up soon!”

“Oh, really? I hope she comes quickly!”

“She said she’d make hamburgers! Mama’s hamburgers are so delicious. I’ll ask her to make some for everyone!”

“Yay, hamburgers, hamburgers!”

“I think even bunny-sans will find them delicious if they try!”

The abandoned child I found the day before talked to everyone with a smile. Just a moment ago, she was crying, but now she’s saying she’ll meet her mother.

Her smile radiates bright, healing energy, and all my comrades gathered around the little girl.

Listening to her story, even some adults couldn’t help but smile and look at the young girl with pity.

Despite the harsh environment, all of them are such good children.

However, I thought the adults were just touched by the story and sympathizing with the young girl…

“Ah… it’s so heartwarming.”

“Indeed. She’s adorable.”

Their demeanor changed. These are the same people who engage in theft and crime, but their tension and venom had suddenly lifted from them.

“That’s not it. You guys should tell this young girl about reality. This place is not…”

Tamamo has been through quite a few rough situations herself. Even adults would be overwhelmed by the hostile atmosphere. So, she turned her face towards the young girl, attempting to exude an intimidating aura.

“What is this place?”

But the young girl looked at her with sparkling ice-blue eyes and an innocent expression, causing Tamamo’s words to catch in her throat.

“What, what is this place?”

“This place…?

The little girl tilts her head and wonders. I have to tell her.

The young girl was abandoned.

She is barefoot, wearing a piece of cloth that can’t even be called dirty and tattered clothes.

I must tell her that she has been abandoned. It was obvious from her clothes that she had been abandoned.

So, I made up my mind to tell her to live on and face the future, even if it sounded harsh.

But no matter how hard I tried, my voice wouldn’t come out. The image of the young girl’s sad face when we first met, and the face that lit up with joy while she was looking at the broken, dirtied pieces of a mirror as she thought about her mother when I hid to watch her.

This place was no different from the situations the other children had faced. I needed to tell her she had no parent here who would make hamburgers for her.

However, those clear eyes seemed to pierce into her heart, showing her a light that made her doubt her convictions.

“Here, those who don’t work don’t eat. You’ve got to work to eat, you know chibi-chan?”

Not wanting to see a sad face, Tamamo turned away and brushed it off.

It was true that those who didn’t work didn’t get to eat.

“I understand! I’m good at helping. Should I massage your shoulders? Carry dishes? I’ll do anything!”

Understanding her, the young girl raised her tiny hand and said something cute, causing Tamamo to smile wryly.

“When Papa comes to pick me up, I’ll tell him I’ve been a good girl. Then he’ll pat your head, okay? What’s wrong?”

“Well, um, it’s just… don’t get me wrong… I’ll pat your head myself before you go to work! So, come along.”

The teasing words made me involuntarily clutch my chest.

I’m not sure if I should let this innocent young girl do my job, but I’m hesitant.

“Come on, I’ll show you your job. Follow me!”

“Yes, I’ll do my best. I’ll do my best.”

She walks up behind me. We look like a family of ducks.

“Now, I’ll teach you how to earn money, Takano Miu!”

“Okay!”

Just a moment ago, she was crying, but now Takano Miu responded energetically. I chuckled at her enthusiasm, and we headed to their destination.

“How do you earn money? With magic? Like fox magic?”

As soon as we arrived at their destination, Takano Miu, with her insatiable curiosity, asked me.

“Did I show you any magic?”

“?? Huh? But it’s magic, right?”

“What?”

“Magic.”

I didn’t quite understand what she was talking about. For Takano Miu, it was probably obvious. She tilted her head, looking genuinely puzzled. There was no point in asking further. Had I used magic somewhere before?

“Well, never mind. My magic has few offensive capabilities, and I can’t use it openly because I can’t attract attention.”

I’m living to avenge my family, the ones who killed them. So, I can’t afford to draw attention by becoming an adventurer.

I can only use magic secretly. It’s a terrible way to use magic, but I need to teach her how to survive here.

“This is a feral dungeon. Look closely. It’s completely empty, right?”

There is a dungeon located deep in the slum district, one that has existed for a long time. It was quietly nestled among the ruins of broken buildings, burnt-out houses, and a pile of rubble that reached into the sky.

The earth had risen, and there was a 3 meter high entrance gaping open.

Hiding behind the ruined building, the two of us peeked out.

“There are edible monsters in this dungeon.”

“Edible? Mii-chan is hungry!”

As she burst out from behind the building and grabbed a wooden branch that had fallen nearby, the young girl ran excitedly into the dungeon.

Surprised by Takano Miu’s sudden dash, I stood still for a moment, but then I snapped out of it and hurriedly went to stop her.