The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family - Chapter 172

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

Episode 172
***
“Tiel!”
Tiel snapped to attention at the sound of Ludian’s voice.
She turned to see him standing there, dressed neatly with his hair combed back.
“Ludian?”
“Why do you look so lost? If you’re tired, you don’t have to go. Really.”
Ludian said.
Tiel shook her head.
Today was the day they would depart to participate in the festival held by the Temple.
More precisely, it was less a festival than a “prayer for the return of light,” but since the Temple itself called it a festival, everyone simply used that name for convenience.
Tiel had already made clear her intention to participate in this festival.
Ever since the days had begun to shorten, she had spent almost all her time within the mansion, going nowhere—this was her first outing in ages.
It was also the first time in a while she would show her face to the Beastkin of the Crasion Empire.
Yet Cassius, Ludian, Ferdi, and Iandros had all strongly discouraged her from attending.
The public sentiment was already poor, they said, and there was nothing to gain by showing her face.
Besides.
“My Ability disappeared not long ago…….”
Since that day, Cassius had vehemently opposed her going to the festival.
But Tiel thought differently.
‘Fortunately, after borrowing some Ability from Iandros’s Subspace last time, my power has been slowly returning.’
Little by little, her Ability was definitely recovering.
So using some of it at the festival shouldn’t be a problem. That was what Tiel believed.
After all, Tiel herself knew her own Ability and physical condition better than anyone.
“I’m fine—I was just a little tired and resting for a moment.”
Tiel extended her hand, and Ludian grasped it, helping her to her feet.
The appearance Lia and the handmaidens of Asterian had carefully arranged for Tiel after so long was dazzling in its beauty.
The white dress Iandros had sent as a gift was adorned with hundreds of blue jewels that sparkled ceaselessly whenever they caught the sunlight,
and her hair, which had been carefully pinned into round loops and twisted to either side, was secured with a large gem-adorned hairpin topped with ribbon.
Small flowers were scattered lightly throughout her hair like decoration, and her long, wavy locks fell in an orderly cascade down to her waist.
Ludian thought Tiel was the most beautiful Beastkin in the entire Crasion Empire.
And those who knew of Tiel’s growth would not have disagreed with his assessment.
Tiel, dressed up for the first time in ages, was radiant and beautiful.
As Ludian gazed upon her adorned form, he secretly resolved that should anyone dare speak ill of her today, he would shield her with his own body from every such word…….
“Where is Ferdi?”
“He’s already in the carriage. Let’s go together—can you walk? I’m worried that dress might be too long. Iandros sent something overly long without thinking.”
“Really, you’re something! All dresses are this long.”
“But you used to wear dresses that came down to your knees just fine, didn’t you?”
“That was when I was younger. Now I’m at an age where I can’t wear those cute, knee-length dresses anymore…….”
“What does age have to do with a dress? Besides, you’re still cute enough to wear one.”
Ludian spoke with surprising gravity, and Tiel laughed lightly.
By the time the two of them had descended the spiral staircase, another voice called out to Tiel.
“Tiel.”
“Tiel!”
The first was Cassius; the second was Alpheus. Tiel’s eyes widened as she saw Alpheus standing there, dressed neatly with his hair combed back.
“Grandfather? You’re coming too?”
“Yes, I’ve decided to go with you.”
“But you said you were busy lately. Are you sure it’s all right?”
At Tiel’s question, Alpheus opened his eyes wide.
“How could I not worry? What if someone tries to do something improper while I’m away? I shall protect you myself!”
Ludian perceptively handed Tiel’s hand over to Alpheus.
Tiel grasped Alpheus’s large, warm hand and laughed.
“I’m so happy you’re coming, Grandfather. It feels just like an outing.”
“Yes, think of it as an outing. Think of it as going out to have fun with your family. Pay no mind to whatever anyone there might say.”
Alpheus squeezed Tiel’s hand gently and released it, speaking softly.
“Everyone’s here, then.”
Just then, Ferdi descended the stairs and naturally inserted himself into their midst. Tiel was surprised once more upon seeing him appear.
“Weren’t you supposed to be in the carriage?”
“Who said I was in the carriage? I went to your room to fetch you, but someone beat me to it—you were gone…….”
Ferdi cast a light glare at Ludian, who merely shrugged innocently.
Tiel understood immediately what had happened.
Ludian had lied again and brought her downstairs first. The two of them had always been prone to such pranks and fibs since childhood, so there was nothing surprising about it.
“If you’re ready, let’s go. We’re running late.”
Cassius spoke.
Remarkably, the festival was not being held in the Capital City, but in Arcadia.
The land where the sun never rose.
But now, the land where the sun had begun to rise—a place of ancient prosperity and abundance…….
The reason the Temple had chosen it as the festival site was simple. Because Tiel had restored light there.
There was no more fitting place to demonstrate that the power of light is eternal and that Lucette the deity endures, serving as both a festival and a place of prayer.
The problem was that it was a very distant place. Because of this, Beastkin who wished to participate in the festival had to depart early before it began.
“Isn’t Olivier coming to this festival too?”
Tiel asked, tilting her head, and Ferdi answered in her stead.
“Olivier left early for Arne. Aunt and Uncle did the same. He seemed quite excited about seeing an old friend.”
Tiel nodded.
And just as they were about to set off in earnest.
Tap, tap-tap-tap!
A small, quick patter of footsteps sounded from somewhere. Everyone turned their heads toward the sound.
“……!”
The moment Tiel identified who was making that small, rapid sound, she quickly bent down and extended her hand.
Then a tiny Salamander leaped onto her palm with a tap-tap-tap.
The Salamander looked at Tiel with an aggrieved expression, as if asking why she hadn’t brought it along, then curled itself into a ball and settled into her hand.
Tiel carefully stroked the warm Salamander.
“That’s right—I saw it sleeping at my pillow this morning, but I must have forgotten to bring it along when we left. It seems upset with me for that.”
At Tiel’s words, the men bearing the Asterian name stared fixedly at the Salamander.
They had already heard the story about Cassius’s Salamander, which had somehow developed a sense of self.
However…….
If a Salamander was going to develop consciousness anyway, wouldn’t it be better if it were a bit smarter?
At least the Salamanders created by the Asterian men wouldn’t loze around sleeping in while their master left the room, only to come charging out afterward and pout about it…….
Alpheus, Ferdi, and Ludian slowly turned to look at Cassius.
Cassius turned his head away, as if the Salamander had nothing to do with him.
Regardless of them, Tiel cradled the Salamander carefully and proceeded toward the door.
As they boarded the carriage one by one, the elderly butler of Asterian personally closed the carriage door.
Neigh!
The massive horses let out a long cry, and soon after, the carriage began to move slowly forward.
The knights of Asterian followed in formation behind it, and the servants left at the mansion bowed deeply in farewell.
Behind Tiel’s carriage, tiny particles of light sparkled, but because the sun still hung high in the sky, all who saw it dismissed it as fragments of sunlight.
***
“So will we stay in Arne again? Or will we stay in Arcadia?”
Tiel asked, lifting her head from the cookie Lia had packed for her.
The Salamander perched on her shoulder, nibbling at the cookie as well, lifted its head with a glimmer.

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