Chapter 753: Cat Sister

Chapter 753: Sister Cat

The transformation from feline to human could be labyrinthine in its complexity, or it could be sublimely simple. The choice, and the agency behind it, belonged entirely to her.

"I want some fish," she said, tapering off into a lingering, melodic "meow."

At that precise moment, the gesture was as deliberate as could be. She had not only engineered a graceful escape from an awkward situation but had also seamlessly coaxed her persona back from the grand lady of Perla into the familiar, endearing whim of Pu'er.

This was precisely why the petulance of some brought only irritation and wrath, while the tantrums of others were softened by an undeniable charm.

"Very well, I shall prepare it for you."

The brief awkwardness evaporated like morning mist. After all, neither Karen nor Pu'er, despite their shared penchant for the finer affectations of life, ever let their fastidiousness extend beyond the precise temperature of a glass of ice water or the perfect brew of a coffee cup.

Turning to the Santos couple, Karen bowed slightly from the waist in a gesture of gratitude. The husband and wife immediately returned the courtesy.

"You have worked tirelessly, Sir, Madam. Please, rest for a while. I shall oversee the preparations for lunch."

"In that case, let us at least gather the ingredients," Mr. Santos offered.

Serena immediately gestured toward Aisly. "Aisly, go and procure some fresh, live fish."

"Ah, right now?" Aisly blinked, caught off guard. "Very well, I will drive out to purchase some at once."

The research institute received a weekly influx of provisions, and daily necessities were fully subsidized and distributed without cost. However, fresh, live fish were an entirely different matter; there were certainly none on hand, and they would have to wait until the next scheduled delivery day.

Mr. Santos spoke up immediately to guide her. "Take a look in the aquatic magical beast sector. If you spy a fish of suitable size, simply net it. We can account for it later as standard laboratory loss."

Serena chimed in to smooth the edges. "We will state in the report that Sindy managed to break out of her enclosure and devoured them."

The fish kept within the institute were, at the very least, low-tier aquatic magical beasts.

While surreptitiously consuming the specimens of one's own institute was not a daily occurrence, it was hardly unprecedented. The institute was a public entity, and its staff treated it as their own home. Under such philosophy, consuming a few fish raised on the premises seemed perfectly reasonable.

Aisly blinked, marveling inwardly at the sheer audacity of her parents. To openly misappropriating church property right before the eyes of a District Head of the Whip of Order was bold indeed.

She quickly turned to offer an explanation. "District Head, some of the fish in that sector are destined to be consumed by the apex beasts anyway. Sometimes, when a beast perishes, its valuable components are harvested, and the remaining meat is either distributed among the staff or packaged for outside sale..."

Karen offered a reassuring smile. "Go ahead and prepare it."

As senior researchers entitled to their own independent laboratories, the Santos couple wielded enough administrative power to skim substantial sums from project funds with a mere twitch of their fingers, should they ever truly wish to embezzle. They had absolutely no need to stoop to such trivialities.

Furthermore, Karen had witnessed through the windows of ancient memories how the Great High Priest and the temple elders of old had thoroughly relished wild game and exotic beasts covertly poached by Dicaloste.

"Understood, District Head."

With that, Aisly departed to capture the fish.

Karen then turned back to the Santos couple and said, "The cost of the ingredients should be settled on my account. After all, this is an expression of my gratitude. Please, do not decline."

Mr. Santos caught his meaning instantly and chimed in, "Very well, I shall register it as an intentional loss to balance the ledger."

Pu'er stepped down from the raised platform, scooped up little Conna in her arms, and began walking toward the residential quarters.

Conna looked up into Pu'er's face, her brow furrowing slightly. "Sister Pu'er, seeing you in human form makes me feel a bit out of sorts."

"Rest assured, it will not last long. For the vast majority of the time, I remain a cat."

"Then my mind is at ease."

"You are rather heavy..."

"Then I shall walk on my own."

She was, after all, a skeletal dragon manifested in human guise; her bone density was astonishingly high.

Pu'er set little Conna back down on her feet, then immediately reached out to pinch both of the girl's cheeks between her fingers.

"You know, I have been yearning to pinch your face like this for a very long time."

Had anyone else dared to inflict such an "indignity" upon her, the little skeletal dragon would likely have flown into a violent rage. But the person standing before her was Pu'er.

Conna could only offer a helpless, muffled protest. "Shisther Pu'er, ith hurth a bith..."

As Pu'er's fingers squeezed and released in a rhythmic cadence, Conna's complaints adopted a strangely halting melody.

Karen caught up from behind, quietly observing the scene.

Conna instantly cried out, "Karen, grab her tail!"

Upon hearing those words, a sudden flush of crimson bloomed across the cheeks of Pu'er, whose back was still turned to Karen.

"Ah, I forgot. Sister Pu'er doesn't have a tail right now."

Conna clapped both hands firmly against Pu'er's backside, patting and feeling about to verify her claim.

"Wow, so soft. It feels wonderful."

Pu'er flicked little Conna sharply on the forehead with her finger.

A sharp snap echoed.

The impact of her fingertip against the girl's forehead struck a brief cascade of bright sparks.

"Behave yourself. Have you entirely forgotten your ladylike etiquette?"

"Fine, I understand," Conna mumbled, rubbing her forehead.

In the past, there had seemed nothing amiss about Pu'er drilling Conna in the finer points of proper decorum. Yet, seeing Pu'er in the flesh, Karen suddenly realized that a once-rebellious young woman was now diligently raising a skeletal dragon to be a proper lady.

Pu'er turned around and noticed Philomena still holding the bundle of garments. A knowing smile graced her lips. "Such meticulous preparations. Tell me, are you terribly disappointed that you missed the grand unveiling?"

Karen shook his head. "Not at all."

"There is no need for hypocrisy. You may speak your mind truly."

"Is that so?"

"Indeed."

"There was nothing much to see. You have put on weight."

Pu'er lapsed into a stunned silence.

Conna slipped her left hand into Karen's palm and her right into Pu'er's, dragging the two of them along as they walked back.

Philomena followed silently behind. For reasons she could not entirely fathom, the trio ahead of her bore the unmistakable striking resemblance of a family of three.

Upon returning to Aisly's residence, Karen immediately entered the kitchen to begin the preliminary work.

Aisly returned shortly thereafter, carrying a mesh net containing three fish: one possessed two heads, another was adorned with brilliant scarlet scales, and the third bore a single, pitch-black horn protruding from the crown of its skull.

When the Santos couple returned, they offered to lend a hand, but Karen politely declined. Left with no recourse, they obediently retired to their room to rest, leaving Aisly behind to act as Karen's kitchen assistant.

In truth, the primary reason Karen had chosen to cook here rather than returning to their own quarters was because Pu'er's time in human form was strictly limited. To waste those precious, fleeting moments on a tedious journey back would have been an unpardonable extravagance.

Philomena held up the Blade of the Incubus, her expression solemn. "Let me slaughter the fish."

Without raising his gaze from his task, Karen asked quietly, "Do you truly wish to be of assistance?"

"I do."

"Then go to Aisly's room and sleep. I shall call for you when the meal is prepared."

"Understood."

Philomena withdrew her blade and went to the bedroom to sleep.

Karen gutted and cleaned the fish himself while telling Ashley to prepare the side dishes; after all, as a chef with "extensive" sandwich experience, preparing side dishes was still well within her capabilities.

Purr moved two chairs together and placed them at the kitchen doorway, where she sat with her legs pulled to her chest, watching Karen work, sometimes resting her chin on her knees and sometimes leaning her head to the side.

Little Kanna sneakily lay down on the sofa, wanting to sleep.

Purr glanced back at her.

Little Kanna said aggrievedly, "This isn't home."

"Please, continue with your excuses."

"Fine."

Little Kanna slouched her head and headed to the guest room to take a shower.

Processing the ingredients was not complicated, though when killing this fish with a horn on its head, Karen hesitated slightly before the butcher's knife ultimately fell.

Soon, waves of aroma that would infatuate any cat wafted from the kitchen.

Seeing Karen busy before the stove wearing an apron, Purr instinctively asked Ashley, "Ashley, have you noticed? Men look rather handsome when they're cooking."

"Yes, yes." Ashley nodded.

"It would be even better if one could watch quietly alone."

"Yes, exactly."

"Hmm?"

"Ah, I get it." Ashley washed her hands and returned to her room as well.

"Karen, have you ever cooked a meal like this for Eunice?"

"I did back when we were dating, but later things got quite busy."

"Your dating period was also very short."

"So it didn't happen many times. After returning to Allen Manor, I spent half the time in a wheelchair."

"Dis never cooked." Purr remarked with feeling.

"Did he ever make anything for you?"

"Mm, when I was little. When he brought it to me, it gave me a fright; I thought it was a plate of aberrant matter."

"I can imagine."

"He didn't have many demands regarding food either, but I could tell he liked eating the dishes you made."

"What he ate was the atmosphere."

Karen added water and began to simmer the fish soup. Wiping his hands with a cloth, he turned around and looked at Purr sitting on the chairs.

Purr's eyes looked back at him, watching very intently.

Karen's gaze began to scan her surroundings, quite clearly sizing her up.

"I look great, don't I?" Purr asked with a smile.

"Mm, no wonder Bernard was so utterly infatuated with you."

"Oh dear, can you not mention that guy? It really ruins the mood."

"Mm."

"Karen, who do you think is better looking, me or Eunice?"

"Don't ruin the mood."

"The fact that you didn't directly say Eunice is beautiful is already an answer in itself."

"There is a virtue called respecting and honoring the elderly."

"Hmph, I can wear them too."

"What?"

"What do you mean what? Nothing."

"By the way, Neo is about to lead the militia regiment to the desert. He specifically requested Recar to go with him."

"What is he taking a pirate along for?"

"Funds have been a bit tight lately. The Grand Priest can afford to run a deficit just to train troops, but I can't. The broader market can lose money, but I must turn a profit."

Purr smiled knowingly, "I understand."

"Do you want to go?"

"Are you talking nonsense? Of course I want to go. Although my current strength is a far cry from my peak, it should be enough for self-preservation to re-experience this unfamiliar world."

"Good."

"You agree?"

"Otherwise, why would I bring this up?"

"Hehe, today really has so many surprises. Little Karen, you're so good. Your great-great-great-great-grand-aunt loves you."

"Your task is quite heavy."

"I know, rest assured. Actually, among the places I visited before, unknown secret realms accounted for less than half. My favorite places to go were still those sensitive regions controlled by the sacred orthodoxies."

"It's good that you understand. The cost of advancing the reform is just too high. Those teachers in the Orthodox University have insatiable appetites; they practically want to order toilet paper made from the waste of bamboo-attribute magical beasts."

"And yet you still indulge them like this?"

"Right now they are needed to get things done. The opening of departments and the setting up of the framework require them. Once the stage is built, I'll send them right back."

"Ooh, truly ruthless."

"This is for their own good, otherwise I would have to start an anti-corruption campaign."

"I'm very curious, Karen. How did you manage to become so tactful?"

"Is this called tactful?"

"Isn't it? You're compromising."

"I am simply getting things done."

The meal was ready. The main course consisted of three fish dishes, and Karen had additionally prepared three side dishes. The Santos couple, Philomena, and Little Kanna were all called up, and the group gathered around the round table to begin dining.

Influenced by Karen, Ashley's family also kept chopsticks at home, though her family members rarely used them. Purr used the chopsticks very familiarly, surprisingly not devouring the food wolfishly but instead eating quite elegantly.

"Is it not delicious?" Karen asked.

Purr shook her head, "It's delicious. Besides, I like this feeling of eating without having to worry about dirtying cat whiskers."

Little Kanna picked up a large fish head and stuffed the medicinal pills inside.

Once stuffed, she held the fish head that was as large as her own face and took a massive bite right out of the fish lips with a loud crunch.

Madame Selena immediately said with concern, "Careful with the bones."

Santos gently tugged his wife's sleeve, reminding her, "She's a bone dragon."

"Ah, yes, I forgot," Serena laughed, tapping her forehead.

To think she had actually worried that a bone dragon might get a fish bone stuck in its throat.

Little Conna said to Karen and Pu'er with great delight, "Eating like this feels really wonderful."

As she spoke, she took another bite of the fish head.

Pu'er reminded her, "Are you certain it isn't just the nature inherent within you that makes you find this manner of dining more pleasurable?"

Little Conna knit her brows, falling into thought.

Pu'er smiled, "Only the fish head, mind you. Do not go dreaming about any other kinds of heads."

"Alright," Little Conna nodded, taking another massive bite, "But why can an exception be made for the fish head?"

"Because I like eating fish."

"Oh, so that's why."

The meal concluded, and Karen could have taken his leave at this point, but Pu'er had not yet shifted back into a cat.

"Accompany me for a stroll around here," Pu'er added, "I want to wander through the zoo from a human's perspective."

"Very well."

Karen led Pu'er and Little Conna out the door.

Aisli made to follow them out, but was held back by the Santos couple.

Serena admonished her, "What are you doing following them at a time like this?"

"Can I not tag along?" Aisli asked, somewhat perplexed.

"Look at her," Serena pointed toward Philomena, who remained seated at the dining table, still eating.

The three fish were each immense in size; a single one would ordinarily suffice as the main course for a family of five for several days, yet to Philomena, it was nothing. Just as the others had finished eating and left the table, she was merely beginning to whet her appetite.

Furthermore, while the others had been at the table, she had more or less exercised some degree of restraint; now that she was left entirely to herself, she had visibly accelerated her pace of consumption.

Santos inquired, "I recall District Head Karen has a fiancée. What exactly is the relationship with this black cat?"

Aisli replied, "It is the great-great-great-great-aunt of the District Head's fiancée."

Serena was utterly dazed by the lengthy string of prefixes and asked her husband, "What sort of relation is that?"

Santos answered, "Much more distant than a first cousin."

...

Not long after stepping outside, Little Conna began to grow drowsy, as she always did after consuming the pills.

Karen hoisted her onto his back, letting her sleep against him.

Pu'er walked ahead, her hands clasped behind her back, appearing very much like someone strolling through a park, glancing here and peering there.

As they passed by Cyndi's enclosure, Pu'er waved to her. Cyndi spread her wings and flew over of her own accord, but halfway through, catching sight of Karen following behind with a bone dragon on his back, she was so startled that she plunged straight to the ground.

"Her feathers are truly beautiful," Pu'er praised.

Karen walked up and said, "Do you want them? We can report her as a casualty."

Cyndi took flight from the spot, pressing herself against the far side of the enclosure.

Pu'er flicked Karen's chest, "Why must you terrify her? She is quite clever and understands everything."

"Perhaps it has become a habit."

"A pity the stupid dog wasn't brought along. Had I known you were going to grant me this gift, I really ought to have brought him, if only to make him envious. You know, when you are happy and there is no one beside you experiencing genuine jealousy, your joy is cut in half."

"Once this affair concludes, rest for a few days. Before you depart, you will be able to transform into a human once more. Then, you may walk the dog."

"How I look forward to seeing that stupid dog witness me in human form, ha ha ha."

Pu'er burst into laughter, a crisp, hearty sound devoid of any concealment or bashfulness, her long chestnut hair fluttering in the breeze; it was a most pleasant sight to behold.

As her laughter subsided, Pu'er ran a hand through her fine hair, "I am quite unaccustomed to having my fur this long."

"You will grow used to it in the future."

"Not necessarily. Right now, I possess a sensation as though I am performing the role of being a human."

Saying this, Pu'er glanced at Little Conna upon Karen's back and continued, "In truth, I am also tired from walking. I rather wish to sit upon your shoulder."

"In a little while."

"Mmh, in a little while."

The two continued their aimless wanderings.

"Karen, you have become a District Head. How swiftly time passes. When we first emerged from Ruilan, I would never have dared dream of such a day."

"Yes, it was beyond imagination. Even the cat of the household must go out and labor to earn vouchers for me."

"Since I am capable of turning back into a human, then Diss shall surely awaken in safety as well. When that time comes, that mischievous little Lathma will no longer pose any problem."

"There is no need to wait for Grandfather to awaken; I shall strive to resolve these matters myself," Karen paused, then continued, "I have already ascended to this position, and the currents outside are currently exceedingly turbulent. Either I shall continue to climb upward, or I shall suffer a most wretched fall.

In short, everything, absolutely everything, has accelerated at this moment."

...

Philomena waited by the vehicle until at last, she saw the three of them return.

At that instant, there suddenly floated into her mind the words spoken by Madame Tangli, who had thrashed her under the guise of training that night. She had said that sometimes, walking alone, one feels afraid and helpless, always sensing that something is missing by one's side.

The honest Philomena had offered a reply at the time: "You are missing an assassination target."

And then, Madame Tangli had smiled faintly, saying, "Let us proceed to the next round of training."

At this moment, Karen spoke, "Philomena, you have parked the car facing the wrong way again. Turn it around."

Philomena instinctively bent down to lift the car, but after a moment's hesitation, she sat inside, started the engine, turned the steering wheel to its limit, and successfully turned the vehicle around.

Little Conna was placed in the rear seat, Karen climbed in, and Pu'er stepped inside as well.

As she drove, Philomena inquired, "With no one sitting in the front, is it not cramped?"

"Not cramped, meow."

Philomena raised her eyes to the rearview mirror. She saw that in the back seat, Little Conna remained fast asleep, leaning against the District Head, while a black cat lay stretched across the District Head's lap.

Karen extended his hand, lightly stroking the black cat's back. The black cat raised its tail, unerringly locating one of Karen's fingers with practiced ease...

And tied a knot around it.