The One-Eyed Cat

I guess they're not here... Whenever I come to this town, the first thing I do is look for Nina and Mimi.

......

Is that cat on your head an accessory? Or something more?

No, wait! Maybe it's better I don't know. The less I know, the more room I have to imagine...

The cat...

No! Don't tell me! I don't want any spoilers!

Nina... The truth is, I don't know about this cat at all. It was just there one day. It's not heavy, it doesn't move, it doesn't make noise. Sometimes I forget it's even there.

What was that? My head...felt strange. Did I just imagine it?

That cat came back to my house today. I think it wants food.

Can I come see it? I really hope it lets me pet it.

I've never seen anyone else with a cat on their head. Cats are meant to be pets, not hats.

Although this one-eyed one on my head is no ordinary cat. It protects the royal family.

Even so, not much is known about it. In all the documents I've read, it's just described as some kind of guardian deity.

In any case, I won't find any answers just standing around.

Excuse me, might I ask you something?

Yes, dear, how can we help?

Does the king of this land keep a cat on his head?

A cat?

Yes. A cat on his head.

Hmm... Not that I'm aware of.

I believe that thing on his head is a crown, not a cat.

I see...

I suppose you're asking because of the cat on your own head? Yes, a very strange thing indeed... There are some in the palace who know about magic. Maybe they could tell you more about it.

Magic, you say?

Thank you for your help. I will pay a visit to the palace, then.

Yes... That will work nicely...

Well, here I am...but how do I find someone who knows about magic?

What an interesting palace. There's hardly even any gold...

From the town to the palace, it's clear this place is so very different from the Golden City.

It's clear this place is very different from my home.

Hey, you there!

I'm curious about that cat. Tell me about it!

You mean the one on my head? Why is it of interest to you?

No. First, tell me who you are.

I'm Medi. I see with my own two eyes the strange and mysterious things that exist in this world. And I see your cat so clearly!

Are you an expert at magic?

Er, magic's not really my specialty.

I specialize in seeing mysterious things and making their voices heard. Someone like me will understand your cat far better than some magic expert!

Oho...

Wh-What?

I feel like weighing the good and evil reflected in your eyes...

Hmm...

Th-The good won, right?!

Very well. I will hear you out.

Really?! Ahem! I mean... That cat on your head...

Is a curse.

A curse?

It binds you, robs you of your freedom, and leads you down a path of misfortune.

If it stays attached to you...you will die.

Die?

Hahaha! I can hardly believe my ears!

Quite bold of you to so casually predict my demise!

Eek!

You're certain of what you told me? And you understand the gravity of telling someone that they will die?

I-I do! And I assure you, coming up to you like this wasn't some spontaneous decision!

......

......

Keep talking.

Th-Thank you!

Um... So...the good news is, there may be a way to stop the curse from killing you.

You're saying my death is preventable?

W-Wait a moment! I'm getting something... Yes... HMMM...

I see it! If you don't get rid of that cat, then...someone will kill you in the name of revenge!

There's that strange feeling again... (It's almost like a tingling sensation. It feels like it's reacting to what Medi said.)

I know how to break the curse. Come with me. To Keruri Highroad!

If you insist... Lead the way.

So you believe me now?

I'm just curious about the things you see. (Yes, curious about this "revenge" you speak of...and that desperate look in your eyes.)

We're almost there. Keep going down this road, and we'll find the man who can break your curse.

Oh, there he is!

I've been waiting for you. I am Bougia, a specialist in curses.

I knew that you would be coming to see me...with my gift of foresight.

I will teach you how to break your curse. You must...

Do you mind if I ask something first?

Like your friend here, you have a look in your eyes that I rarely see. But what do those eyes desire? To help or to hurt me?

I needn't rely on these to know the answer. You can barely conceal the murderous gleam in your eyes.

What?!

You're the one who wants to kill me in the name of revenge, yes?

Whoa, wait a second. That's quite the accusation, don't you think?

The cat on my head isn't heavy, it doesn't move, it doesn't make noise. Sometimes I forget it's even there. But one thing I will never forget is that it is a sacred being carved into my family crest.

It is a guardian deity, not a curse!

No way! I didn't know any of that!

You insulted this cat by calling it a curse, then casually predicted my demise. You understand what happens next, don't you?

Wait! I'm telling the tru...

No, I wasn't. It was all lies! Please forgive me! I'm so sorry!

I'm almost amazed by how spineless you are.

Call me whatever you like. My job was to stall for time, which I did. So joke's on you.

Yes. And thanks to you, I had time to summon these!

From the moment I saw those cat ears, I knew you were the one who got my associates arrested!

Ah, so you're one of those thieves!

I lost a lot of money after they were apprehended...and I will get my revenge.

She wasn't lying when she said that cat was a curse. You came here to learn more, after all. And that's going to cost you your life!

Those eyes... I see. So that's the power of revenge.

Hah. Have it your way then! Come and get your revenge!

Attack!

Nooo, my monsters!

Give up. You have failed.

Heh. You're so naive. You just gave me the perfect chance to get away!

Oh...

Yeah, I suppose I am naive. I still can't fully grasp the depth of malice and greed that pervades human society.

Um...

Still here? I expected you to flee with him.

That's a little tricky, seeing as he abandoned me. He said we'd stick together no matter what, but I guess that was a lie...

Were you two close?

We're lovers. Though we only got together recently.

You're free to turn me in to the soldiers. I'll admit to tricking you. But I only helped this time around, so I don't think what I did counts as a serious crime...

That desperation in your eyes is gone.

Why are you so obsessed with eyes?

Never mind. Just hurry up and turn me in.

Very well. Let's go back to the palace.

Alright, now that we're back...

There you are! They said I'd find you here.

I remember you... You're from Acteul's defense force.

That's right! I've been waiting for you to return ever since. And then I got word of someone resembling you being spotted on their way to the palace!

Why? Did something happen?

Do you remember how you bought back your treasure from those thieves? Well, that money ended up as compensation for their other victims. When they heard what happened, they asked me to thank you if I ever got the chance.

It was no big deal.

Don't say that! At least let me treat you to a meal or something!

If you insist... Can she come too?

Huh?

Of course! Any friend of yours is more than welcome!

Medi.

A-Are you sure you should be sneaking out of your own party?

I invited you along because I wanted a chance to speak with you. But the party got so lively, I missed my chance.

*sigh* Fine. What did you want to ask?

It's less of a question than a topic I'd like to discuss. You see, I am familiar with the concept of revenge, but this is the first time I've actually encountered it.

Color me surprised. I thought you'd have more enemies with how righteous you are.

I step in when I must, but doing too much would put the guards out of a job. And besides, I've never seen such ill will back home. Or such murderous intent.

Your home sounds like a safe place. Must be nice.

I suppose it is. As for why it is, well...that's another story.

Huh?

In any case, it was all so surprising, yet confusing as well.

Bougia's eyes were full of spite...and yet they positively sparkled with life. Your eyes were the same, so very desperate when you were trying to deceive me. Why is there so much life in those who do wrong?

Haha! That's just what desperation looks like.

He was desperate to get revenge, and I was desperate to stay by his side. We both had deep desires we wanted to fulfill.

That explains the way you looked when you told me to hand you in.

Did I look defeated?

Yes... ......

(The Golden City will face many changes from here on out...) (Perhaps with it will come people like her, driven by their desires.)

(If my home ever does change...) (Perhaps with it will come people like her, driven by their desires.)

(Change isn't necessarily a good thing. But even so, I...)

Why do you look so upset? Desperation isn't always bad, you know. I mean, the defense force and those victims were pretty desperate to thank you, weren't they?

Hah... I suppose you have a point. One can have deep desire to do something for another. The same can be said of my desire to hear your story.

I've never met anyone like you before, so let me tell you something else. I was telling the truth when I said I can see mysterious things.

It's just not always reliable. Sometimes I can see them, sometimes I can't. So people accuse me of lying. That's probably why I fell for Bougia. He was one of the few people who was actually nice to me.

You said that cat was like a guardian deity of your family.

And you may well be right. But it's also a chain that binds you to them. It's like...you have an important role to play, and a tough one at that.

I can't tell the details, but as long as that cat stays on your head, you won't be free of that role.

*gasp*

That's fine with me. I have no intention of unbinding myself from the roya, my family.

Even if you end up being crushed by the weight of all that responsibility?

Even then!

What's wrong?

I got a strange feeling in my head...

Ah, that'd be the cat. I know you said it doesn't move, but...

From what I can tell, it has some kind of influence on you. It's kind of like a guardian deity that helps you in battle.

Yes... That sounds about right!

Hehe. I think what you felt earlier was the cat. It's happy you're on board!

Oh, and one last thing.

That one on your head is the leader of the one-eyed cats.

What?!

So take good care of it, or you'll get in trouble.

Okay, I'm gonna go find a soldier and turn myself in. See you!

Why did her eyes look so full of life in the end?

No, I have more important things to think about now. So this cat on my head is some sort of leader? Hmm...

Perhaps I'll make you an offering sometime. After all, cats are supposed to be pets, not hats.