Chapter 37
Even though a monster had appeared nearby, the city of Eclit was still as lively as ever — truly living up to its reputation as a resort city.
Especially in front of the central plaza, the busiest part of the city, it was packed with tourists — both humans and beastmen — to the point where there wasn’t even room to step.
Thankfully, the roads for carriages and the sidewalks were clearly separated; otherwise, accidents would have happened nonstop.
“Perea, young master, have a wonderful time,” said Dia, smiling warmly.
“Dia, good luck with your performance preparations. You’ll do great,” replied Perea.
The two exchanged goodbyes in front of the Road Hotel.
They knew they’d meet again soon, but still, parting was bittersweet.
While the two women kept saying farewell, Ray remained in the driver’s seat of the carriage, not moving.
Around him, the wolf beastmen had surrounded the carriage — clearly not ready to part with their new hero.
“Sir! We should have a drink sometime!”
“There’s an amazing meat restaurant nearby! Let us treat you!”
“Absolutely! Just bring yourself — we’ll handle everything!”
Ray, who had never had this many “brothers,” gave a short, amused snort.
Even though he didn’t reply, the wolves didn’t seem to care. Their persistence was almost impressive.
Since wolves tended to act in groups, all five of them stuck together as they spoke to him eagerly.
Ray, clearly annoyed, turned his head away from the pack leader — only to find another wolf on the other side.
He sighed. Deeply.
“We’ll contact you soon, Sir!”
“Yes, yes! Take care of yourself, Sir!”
The wolves saluted him dramatically, as though he were their commander, before surrounding Dia and waving goodbye.
As always, Ray didn’t wave back.
“Alright, shall we go to our inn now?” Perea said after confirming that Dia had checked in safely.
Her words made Theo wiggle excitedly in his seat.
But then Ray said, “Before that, there’s somewhere we need to go.”
Theo’s face fell instantly.
He had just been looking forward to washing up and buying the “Rabbit Hero Sword,” and now — another stop?!
The little tiger-turned-rabbit beastman growled unhappily, puffing his cheeks.
“Theo wants to wash first!”
“You barely wash on normal days,” Ray said flatly.
“That’s not true!”
The small white puffball began lightly punching Ray’s thigh with his soft fists.
The hits didn’t hurt at all — they just made Ray laugh quietly.
‘When will this little prince grow into a proper beastman?’ he thought.
But that was a problem for later. For now, there was something more important to handle.
“I told you I’d introduce my friend, the doctor,” Ray said. “You wanted to send a physician to Timi Village as soon as possible, remember?”
“Oh, that’s right! Yes, yes!” Perea replied quickly.
She had actually forgotten all about it, but Ray had remembered.
She smiled awkwardly — grateful and a little embarrassed.
And so, calming down the sulky young prince became Perea’s task.
Fortunately, Theo was easy to soothe when it came to her. If Ray had tried, it would’ve taken the whole day.
* * *
Barry Tail was a bear beastman — a brown bear, to be exact — and the youngest son of a baron’s family from Eclit.
He was also… a newly unemployed doctor, having just been fired from the hospital.
His daily life was very simple.
He woke up at noon, ate toast with a thick layer of honey, checked on the beehives in his garden, and took a nap.
When he got hungry again, he made another meal drenched in honey.
He did some house chores and finished the day with a honey-glazed salmon steak for dinner.
Some might say that sounded more like the life of a newborn baby than an adult, but Barry lived each day contentedly, fulfilling his “duties” as a proud bear beastman.
Today, however, that peaceful routine was shattered.
His childhood friend — who rarely contacted him — suddenly showed up at his house.
Or… was it really just a friendly visit?
There was the friend himself, cloaked in black;
a young prince with rabbit ears instead of tiger ones;
and Perea?!
“Perea!” Barry boomed.
“Senior?!” Perea shouted back in surprise.
The two stared at each other, eyes wide like they’d just seen a ghost.
Ray and Theo tilted their heads, completely lost.
“You two know each other?” Ray asked.
Barry and Perea nodded at the same time. They had both attended the Royal Academy’s Veterinary Department — Barry as a senior, Perea as a junior.
Barry’s warm, easygoing nature and Perea’s polite personality had made them fast friends.
After graduation, they had gone separate ways, but if either of them had been asked who their closest friend in school was, they would’ve said each other.
And now, meeting again so suddenly — and in such an unexpected situation — they were both stunned.
Barry laughed loudly, shaking his huge shoulders, and ruffled Perea’s hair roughly with his big paw.
“Wow! You haven’t changed a bit!”
“Ah! You haven’t either, Senior!”
His big beard, giant frame, and booming voice made him seem intimidating, but his affection was genuine.
Perea didn’t seem to dislike his rough touch — she smiled brightly, looking truly happy.
“Hm…?”
Watching the reunion, Theo frowned. His voice came out in a low, jealous growl.
Even Ray’s brows furrowed slightly.
The feline beastmen didn’t quite know how to interrupt the cheerful pair — but, of course, chaos-loving Theo acted first.
“Don’t touch Perea!” he cried.
Grrr!
The little rabbit growled fiercely and pushed Barry’s leg.
For such a tiny body, his force was surprisingly strong, and his big white ears flapped wildly.
Knowing who Theo really was, Barry froze and immediately stepped back, afraid to accidentally harm him.
Then he blinked at the sight of Theo’s fluffy rabbit ears and honey-blonde hair.
‘Wait… are those real ears?!’
“Hey, Theo — when did you turn from a tiger into a rabbit?” Barry asked, still confused.
“It’s a long story…” Ray muttered.
Too lazy to explain, he stopped talking right there.
Trying to explain now would just waste energy — Barry wouldn’t understand in his excited state anyway.
Deciding it was best to speak only once, Ray shrugged.
Barry, who knew him too well, scowled.
“This guy’s mouth is worth gold, huh? It’s always so hard to get him to talk.”
He spat to the side, annoyed, before turning to Perea again.
He was dying to know how his sweet junior had ended up traveling with someone like Ray — and the prince, no less.
His sharp eyes met Perea’s, and she gave a nervous smile.
She had no idea where to start explaining.
Just then, the young “Rabbit Hero” himself stepped in.
“Perea is mine!” Theo declared proudly.
But the way he said it — short and without context — caused an even bigger misunderstanding.
Barry looked back and forth between Theo and Perea, eyes wide.
‘Wait… does this mean… an arranged…?!’
He quickly clapped his massive hands over his mouth to stop the scream that almost escaped.
‘Oh my god. No wonder she said she’d be working in a rabbit beastman village right after graduation!’
‘Don’t tell me… Perea actually got arrested—?!’
The warm look in his eyes turned instantly into one of pure horror — as if he were staring at a criminal.
“N-No, Senior! You’re completely misunderstanding!” Perea cried out, flustered.
Even without words, his suspicious expression said it all — and she was horrified.
Something like that could never happen — not between her and Theo, and certainly not with a royal!
Now it was Perea’s turn to glare. Her sharp gaze, filled with chilly authority, made Barry freeze.
He quickly raised both hands in apology, realizing his mistake.
This entire mess had started because of the prince’s bold declaration, but Theo was still happily clinging to Perea’s hand, completely unaware.
It was clear someone needed to explain properly before the misunderstanding deepened any further.
“Sir Ray,” Perea said, sighing softly. “I think it’d be best if you explain everything.”
‘If I say no now, she’ll definitely explode,’ Ray thought grimly.
Sensing her mood, he turned and walked into Barry’s house.
Behind him, Perea, Theo, and Barry followed quickly.
None of them knew it yet, but this meeting would soon reveal how deeply their fates were connected.
