From Mightiest Hero To Demon King (LN) Chapter 9

Sorry, got caught up with trying to finish an event on Azur Lane.

That aside, there's a common theme about looking for water in both stories I'm doing

Also, for those interested Rippi uses the boyish 'Boku' when speaking

Chapter 9

Day three since the escape.

Searching since day one they finally found a water source a before noon.

In order to survive water was essential, but the amount one can carry is only so much. Therefore, long journeys require a periodic search for water as it would be their lifeline.

When Garius was still a hero, he always stood in the front lines. Thus he was well versed of the area near the [Land of Evil], but he is geographically clueless about anything within its borders. This is where Rippi's sense of smell comes into play.

Werecats' sense of smell far exceeds those of humans. With this, Rippi is able to discern nearby water by smell. More precisely the unique scent that a water source emits, hence their current location at a pond in the middle of the forest.

They decided to have lunch first then relax beside the pound. There was no need to rush their journey. Though they needed to be wary of their pursuers, avoiding human settlements will make that an unnecessary worry.

With that, Gairus thought he should wash the acc.u.mulated dirt from their journey. But one grave question clouded his mind.

(…Is Rippi a guy or a girl…) Garius

As one would expect, it's impossible for someone like Garius to distinguish the gender of a being with a catlike face with looks alone. Garius never found the opportunity to bring up this topic. And if he were to question it now, it would end up in an awkward situation: 'Why are you bringing this up now?'

"What's wrong? Is there something on my face?" Rippi

"Ahh, no it's nothing. W-well then, I'll go wash up first" Garius

Was that a bit forced? But if Rippi were to be embarra.s.sed now, being a female was highly likely.

"Bathing!? Count me in! Not being able to clean myself leaves quite a disgusting feeling." Rippi

Before Garius finished taking off his coat, Rippi had already stripped. Of course, even when fully naked Rippi was covered in fur.

Let's a.s.sume they were the same gender, it was difficult to not look there…

None. Rather it wasn't visable, but Garius shouldn't confirm just yet.

The fully naked Rippi has yet to show signs of neither shame or embarra.s.sment.

(A guy……?) Garius

However, the two were of completely different races.

Garius in nothing but his underwear now dipped into the pond and waddled his way to the center. Even then, Rippi showed no signs of changes.

(I thought cats despised water…) Garius

With the water now at waist level, Garius proceeded to scrub his body while thinking that he should probably stop caring. Something like gender is now trivial at this point in time. From their first encounter that had forged their bonds and becoming travel buddies. Isn't that good enough?

"Ooooi~ Garius! Let's race!" Rippi

From a little distance away, Rippi waved his hand back and forth.

"Sorry, I'm not that great at swimming" Garius

"Then let me teach you!" Rippi

In a flash, Rippi swam up and took Garius by the hand and started to instruct him.

"Gobou gobo gobo" Garius (TN: Drowning sound effects)

"Far from knowing how to swimming, you can't even float…" Rippi

—

For the afternoon, it was decided to go hunting for rabbits.

In a bush near the pond, Garius and Rippi peeked at a brown coated rabbit. It seems like the surrounding area was home to these critters. Though Garius had the urge to fluff them, their survival was more important as their current target was a valuable source of protein.

After selecting a suitable branch, Garius shaved it into a cylindrical rod. Cutting off some nearby vines, he proceeded to bend and tie the branch with it, creating an extremely primitive bow. As fast as he made the bow, Garius crafted some arrows as well.

Hunting with the Sylphide Dagger was another plausible option, but its special effect consumed spiritual strength. Hunting with a bow an arrow required much less time and effort.

The rabbit that was destined to be hunted, Garius drew his bow from behind the bush and released a shot. The arrow flew straight without changing trajectory and sniped the rabbit right in the neck.

"That's amazing… how did you manage to hit with that cruddy bow?" Rippi

"[Item Master] will guide my body to match any items" Garius

After draining the blood, they made rabbit skewers. Seasoned and grilled with a blend of on hand salt and herb/spices picked from the surroundings, then topped of with a coa.r.s.e ground of reserved pepper.

Throughout the grilling period, Rippi's eye s.h.i.+ned with antic.i.p.ation while drooling uncontrollably. Right after cooking, Rippi surrendered to the skewer and devoured it.

"Delis.h.!.+ It's been forever since I've had something freshly made!" Rippi

Just looking at Rippi brought joy to Garius. Originally, it was supposed to be a solo journey to the south. He was grateful for the fact he bought highly priced seasonings for his trip. Eating with someone else, to Garius it was the best meal that life could offer.

After lunch, the satisfied Rippi laid down and rolled around on a nearby patch of gra.s.s by the pond. After a short moment, Rippi stretched out and laid horizontally, staring absentmindedly. Suddenly, Rippi shot up abruptly and faced Garius with a face full of determination.

"Hey Garius, can you teach stuff about swords and bows what not?" Rippi

To Garius, he often saw hot blooded youngsters that wanted to learn how to use their weapon, so he thought Rippi's behaviour was nothing out of norm.

"Though you say that, but I think you're more suited as a magic user" Garius

"Eh? Is that so" Rippi

"Weapons that hold special effects require more skill to use the rarer the grade. To be able to use the effects of Sylphide Dagger to that extent, I believe you have the apt.i.tude for magic." Garius

"Hmm… Nothing comes to mind. Maybe it's because I have the [Wind] attribute?" Rippi

"Ehh, so you're [Wind] attributed. I always thought Werecats were [Earth] types" Garius

"Yah I am. Along with [Earth] I have [Wind] and [Water]" Rippi

"T-three of them?" Garius

Like humans, Demi-humans also affiliate with a type of magic attribute. The aforementioned attributes are split into the four basics: [Fire], [Water], [Wind] and [Earth] and two rare: [Light] and [Dark]. Humans are incapable of holding the [Dark] attribute. Though there are seldom cases in which a human can be [Attributeless], and Garius is a prime example of that.

Using magic that one has efficiency in will increase its effectiveness while decreasing magic consumption. In addition, using opposing attributes [Fire] and [Water] where as [Earth] and [Wind] will drastically increase its difficulty.

Rippi held the opposing opposites [Earth] and [Wind], as well as [Water] which had good affinity to the other two attributes. To have talent for three attributes was quite the rare blessing.

"But I'm not really proficient in magic you know?" Rippi

"Fumu. It's most likely that instead of actively using magic itself, you have proficiency in using items that hold those respective attributes" Garius

"Just like Garius?" Rippi asked happily.

"My gift allows me to specialize in items, it's not the same" Garius

"Is that so…" Rippi's ears drooped down.

"Well you've handled everything by intuition alone till now. If we start teaching you now, I'm sure  your abilities will grow quite rapidly" Garius

"For real!?" Rippi exclaimed as his ears shot up and started flapping.

(Hnggg! I want to fluff him!) Garius

He once again held down his temptations and continued talking.

"Ah, that's right. Learning the sword and bow is rather convenient down the road. Looking at specialized racial traits alone, not only do you excel in speed but also have keen senses. You can probably become an all-rounder type" Garius

"Ehehe~ You're praising me too much. Buuuuuut! You'll start teaching me how to use swords and bows, right!" Rippi

"Don't expect too much. I've depended on [Item Master] to guide my body. I know only the practical fundamentals and nothing else. Teaching you is out of the question" Garius

"Is that so…" Rippi, once again drooped his ears in dejection.

But with a smile, Garius said to Rippi.

"Teaching is not the only form of learning. With [Item Master], my skills with swords and bows are second to none. Look, think and absorb. With that being said, I'll be your opponent anytime" Garius

"Un! I'll be you your care!" Rippi replied, as his face lit up.

"Well then, let's get things started" Garius

Picking up a few sticks nearby, Garius shaved them into poles. The two continued to practice the sword until the evening.