I Opened an Illegal Animal Hospital in Another World - Chapter 142

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

142

Chapter 28. We’ve Reopened! (5)

“Shana, congratulations on coming back!”

“Welcome!”

“Let’s drink!!”

Waaaah!

Cheers like screams erupted loud enough to burst eardrums. Caught up in the sky-high festive atmosphere, I felt my mood lift as I raised high a glass full of beer.

“Wow! Let’s drink!”

“No.”

“Put it down.”

“You can’t.”

“You mustn’t.”

How many mother-in-laws are there here.

Ian was the first to snatch away my drink, followed by Raven, Renate, and Evelyn taking turns threatening me. Leon took my confiscated glass from Ian and gulped it down in my place.

“That was mine….”

“Here’s some lemonade.”

“I don’t like it because it’s sour….”

“Alcohol is bitter.”

Raven said that, but there was also a drink glass placed in front of him.

I didn’t hate lemonade, but I was annoyed that mine was taken away when I could drink alcohol too. I looked around the bustling interior of the establishment.

The five raccoon brothers, the young wolf clan, and even the bears were all refreshingly downing their drinks, but only I…!

“We’re not letting you drink because you’re the least healthy. It’s not because you’re young.”

“…How did you know….”

Like a ghost, Raven noticed my complaint and gently scolded me. Could he really read minds? When I stared at him sullenly, he smiled slyly.

“It’s obvious.”

“Am I that obvious?”

“Others wouldn’t know. I know because it’s me. And I know because it’s you.”

So confident, really.

Having my thoughts read while sitting still, I obediently brought the drink to my lips, and Ron, who had been watching this scene with displeasure, spoke.

“How has such an esteemed person graced us with their presence at this humble place….”

“While I can’t say it’s very comfortable, it’s a decent enough establishment to overlook, so you don’t need to humble yourself too much.”

“….”

“Ah, but since I’ll probably have to come here often from now on, if you have the means, I’d appreciate more attention to cleanliness. Sticky tables are hard to endure for long.”

Raven swept the table with his finger and frowned. Leon tactlessly butted in to agree.

“That’s right, Ron. You can’t even rest your arms on it. Let’s clean more thoroughly.”

“If you’re complaining, you clean it, damn brat.”

“Prince Raven was the one complaining, so why are you getting mad at me?!”

Well, because you’re the punching bag.

Ron got angry and tapped Leon’s shoulder repeatedly. Leon shot up.

“You want to go at it, right now?”

“Come out if you don’t like it.”

“Come out right now! Let’s have a match!”

At the instantly ignited quarrel, another huge cheer erupted. The more they were regulars at my hospital, the louder their cheers. With their combative nature, nothing would be more entertaining than watching a fight.

“Fight! Fight!”

“If you’re going to clash, clash intensely!”

“Why go outside! Push the tables!”

“Ah, that won’t work! Look at Ron’s size! What can he swing around inside the establishment!”

“Leon, let’s go! Knock Ron’s arrogance down!”

Ron shouted angrily.

“When did I ever act arrogant?!”

“Compared to Leon, your nose is lower, but Ron, you’re still pretty handsome! Not bad to look at!”

“That’s not the kind of nose they’re talking about….”

Amid the noise mixed with jeers and cheers, Leon raised his arms vigorously as if responding to the audience.

“Let’s go outside!”

“Waaah!”

Does he think he’s some lord of war or something.

However, his thoroughly theatrical words and actions seemed perfectly suited to ignite the audience’s excitement. Ron and Leon’s light quarrel became a full-fledged fight, and my combative regulars all rushed out of the establishment in a crowd.

“Don’t make too much of a commotion.”

Renate quietly warned, but whether it reached their ears was anyone’s guess. Renate clicked his tongue.

“If they get into trouble doing that, it’ll be annoying.”

“Who would pick a fight with them?”

Renate glanced at me.

“We get along well enough with the residents around here, but there are some who look at us unfavorably.”

“Ah.”

Like that man.

“He was diligently spreading bad rumors wherever he got paid to do so.”

Renate’s lips curved at a crooked angle. Even in this situation, I nodded while admiring his radiant face.

“The Apothecary Guild, right?”

“That’s not all.”

Is this my fault? I frowned.

“Yeah, seems like it. Our hospital’s regulars are, as you can see, rather aggressive…”

“Yeah, I think so. Our hospital regulars are a bit, as you can see, aggressive….”

“I can see why.”

Raven chuckled. Yeah, that made sense.

“This is honest…?”

The discriminatory consciousness against beastfolk was already evident. People fanned those flames of discrimination even more, fostering hatred and inciting discord. It was a truly despicable method.

They need to be taught a lesson.

“Spending money and deploying people just to spread rumors and insults – how naive. They’re not even children.”

“Spending money and mobilizing people just to spread rumors and insults? How naive. You’re not a child anymore.”

“That’s why we were looking out for her too. After what happened to Shana, we figured she’d leave this neighborhood anyway, so we let it be.”

“Shana.”

Ah, I won’t. I won’t imagine it. I won’t.

“But Raven, shouldn’t you not be here…?”

“You’re his family.”

“But Raven, shouldn’t you not be here…?”

“Well, I’m swamped right now preparing for my brother’s funeral.”

“You’re that person’s family.”

“Think about it, Shana.”

What.

“You… seem like you’d be in your right mind though.”

Raven smiled quietly. Oops.

“What did you say, Shana?”

“Even if not to the point of collapsing, the atmosphere isn’t one where they can force me to attend every minor procedure or ceremony. And here, I need to show some weakness to avoid unnecessary suspicion or conspiracy theories.”

Renate added.

“Are you trying to call it a strategic rest?”

“It’s nothing serious. They might be bedridden from the shock.”

“It’s not like I need to be bedridden, but it creates an atmosphere where they can’t force me to attend every little procedure or event. And here, I need to show some weakness to avoid unnecessary suspicion or conspiracy theories.”

Renat added.

“You’re my former fiancée, but who knows what the future holds.”

“Even if your status disappears, our relationship doesn’t disappear.”

“Thanks for the compliment.”

“Shouldn’t you consider practical problems too?”

Raven leaned back in his chair and said leisurely.

“What’s so obvious about that? I’m not even your fiancée anymore.”

“I’m his fiancée, but who knows what will happen in the future.”

“Please give up because those trivial problems won’t be resolved.”

I had decided my path.

Since I was no longer his fiancée, I couldn’t make promises I couldn’t keep. Raven couldn’t have failed to understand what I meant. However, after staring at me intently with a serious expression, he smiled brightly as if nothing had happened.

“Let’s discuss this matter slowly.”

Really persistent…

I don’t know what Raven is thinking.

It’s not like he doesn’t know the heavy responsibilities and position he carries. He had been opinionated and self-centered since childhood, and being very clever, he manipulated situations well to his liking. Could he have some grand scheme this time too?

Saying things like “you’re mine” or “you’re my possession” – he had stopped saying such things at some point…

The man before me was someone I knew well yet was a stranger.

I had known him for long and kept in regular contact, so he was familiar… but with an 11-year gap, I didn’t know all the sides of him he hadn’t shown me.

On the other hand, Raven always recognized me first and noticed me, no matter what I looked like.

Even when I stood before him as Sena.

It’s not like he doesn’t know the heavy responsibilities and position I carry. He’s been opinionated and self-centered since he was young, and he was so clever that he manipulated situations to go exactly as I wanted. Could it be that he has some bigger picture in mind this time too?

You’re mine, you belong to me. At some point, I stopped saying things like that too….

The man before her eyes was someone she knew well, yet felt like a stranger.

We’d known each other for a long time and stayed in regular contact, so I was familiar with him… but with an 11-year gap, I didn’t know the sides of him he hadn’t shown me.

On the other hand, Raven always recognized me first and noticed me, no matter what I looked like.

Even when I stood before him as Sena.

Even when under a cognitive impairment spell.

There was never a time when you didn’t recognize me.

I’m not dense enough to not understand what this means. That’s why I’m trying to draw an even clearer line. I couldn’t accept it, and I couldn’t take responsibility for it either.

‘A slum hospital that the Emperor frequents… that’s way too suspicious, isn’t it…?’

We barely have any human customers as it is, but now no one will come at all…

‘Maybe I should just change it to a veterinary clinic…’

Then I wouldn’t have to worry about unnecessary interference from the Apothecary Guild.

Thinking it was a decent idea, I was avoiding Renate and Raven’s gazes when the sound of something breaking came from outside the establishment’s door.

Evelyn and Renate shot to their feet, and Raven blocked my path.

“Ahhh! Help! The beastfolk are attacking people! Oh no!”

…I can guess what’s happening…

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————