The Game Heroine's Cannon Fodder Leopard Cub - Chapter 12

Isn’t the Holy Beast you’re holding your guardian Holy Beast…?

For the past two days, Nora had barely slept, staying by Yi’an’s side every moment. She meticulously fed the Little Leopard medicine and applied ointment, following the doctor’s instructions to the letter, fearing that any carelessness on her part might worsen the fragile creature’s suffering.

By the dawn of the third day, Nora finally saw a flicker of long-lost vitality. Just as Ji Qi had predicted, the Little Leopard no longer appeared listless; its breathing had become steadier and stronger.

In its drowsy state, the little one even rolled over onto its back, sleeping sprawled out with its fluffy tail gently swaying and its mouth occasionally smacking as if dreaming of something delicious.

The sight warmed Nora’s heart, and the exhaustion of the past few days seemed to vanish.

Just as she was about to call the tribal doctor for another check-up, familiar footsteps approached the door.

Ji Qi pushed the door open, carrying a bundle of medicinal herbs.

“The tribal healer said Little Leopard has been recovering well, so I came to check on her again,” Ji Qi said, her tone calm yet reassuringly reliable.

Ji Qi knelt beside Yi’an and expertly examined her body.

Her fingertips gently pressed against Little Leopard’s soft belly, observing the rise and fall of her breathing. Soon, a faint smile of satisfaction curved her lips. “Her recovery is remarkable. The bones have almost completely healed. This little one’s self-healing abilities are even stronger than I imagined.”

Hearing this, Nora’s nerves, which had been taut for two days, finally relaxed. The weariness around her eyes was replaced by a soft, tender smile.

“The weather in town is lovely today,” Ji Qi said, rising to her feet and brushing leopard fur from her hands. “Even though she’s still sleeping, you can take her outside to bask in the sun. It will greatly aid her recovery.”

She paused, raising an eyebrow. “But I must warn you, the Little Greens are brimming with curiosity about you. I hope you won’t be overwhelmed by their enthusiasm.”

Nora couldn’t help but chuckle, pressing her lips together to suppress her laughter as she nodded.

She picked up the Little Leopard, still sound asleep, and turned to leave the room.

The moment she stepped outside, a fresh, slightly damp breeze brushed against her face, dispelling the fatigue that had weighed on her heart for days. Nora suddenly felt a long-lost sense of relaxation.

Over the past two days, she had walked this path countless times, yet never before had she taken the time to truly observe her surroundings.

Though the scenery lacked the opulent floral displays of Rose Castle, it was vibrant with lush greenery and teeming with life. Emerald foliage swayed gently in the sunlight, exuding the vitality of nature. The air carried a subtle fragrance of flowers and herbs, mingling with the morning dew.

Nora glanced down at the Little Leopard nestled in her arms, hugging the soft, furry “troublemaker” tighter.

She gently pulled out one of the Little Leopard’s newly shaven paws, letting the breeze caress its tender skin.

Yi’an remained deep in slumber, yet a lazy purr rumbled from her throat, her tail curling slightly around Nora’s arm.

Nora watched her quietly, a faint joy coloring her features. Even the corners of her mouth unconsciously curved into a smile.

As Nora savored this rare moment of tranquility, she unconsciously heard the faint patter of footsteps approaching from nearby.

She looked up to find the Little Greens, who had been playing on the road earlier, had quietly gathered around her.

They huddled together, their small heads bobbing and chattering, their eyes brimming with curiosity.

In the jostling crowd, the smallest of the group was pushed forward.

The little one, clearly nervous, kept her head down, hands clasped behind her back, fidgeting with her fingers as if unsure how to begin.

Nora smiled warmly at the child and asked gently, “Good day, little one. What can I do for you?”

Encouraged by Nora’s gentle gaze, the little one mustered her courage, raised her head, and gave a tentative curtsy. “Good day, Princess Nora,” she said in a soft, shy voice. “Are you and the Holy Beast Princess… planning to explore the town?”

“Holy Beast Princess?” Nora paused, glancing down at the Little Leopard nestled in her arms, her voice tinged with confusion. “The Holy Beast refers to…?”

The little Greenfolk girl paused, seemingly bewildered by Nora’s question. She quickly explained, “The one in your arms… isn’t that your Holy Beast Guardian?”

Her voice trailed off as she spoke, her entire face flushing crimson, realizing she might have said something inappropriate.

Nora smiled gently, reassuring her softly, “Don’t be nervous. I’m just… not very familiar with the term ‘Holy Beast Guardian.’ Could you tell me what it means?”

The little Greenfolk girl’s eyes lit up immediately, seizing the chance to show off. She grinned, revealing a row of perfect white teeth. “O-of course I can!”

Before she could elaborate, the surrounding Little Greens couldn’t contain themselves any longer. They swarmed forward, chattering excitedly and vying to answer.

“Holy Beast Guardians are the Greenfolk’s most important partners!”

“Yes, yes! Only the fortunate ones receive the Holy Beast’s protection!”

“The Holy Beast Princess isn’t just any ordinary animal—she’s a descendant of the Goddess!”

“So, you’re saying that if a Greenfolk is fortunate enough to have a Holy Beast guardian, they marry at the Fountain of Life when they come of age?” Nora’s face showed surprise, her voice tinged with disbelief. “But… isn’t the Holy Beast just a small animal?”

“The Holy Beast Princess is no mere animal!”

“Exactly! The small animal form is just when their energy is low!”

“They need to awaken the Goddess’s divine power!”

As the children chattered excitedly, Nora suddenly recalled Ji Qi’s evasiveness and refusal to discuss Yi’an’s origins.

Feigning casual interest, she asked, “So, is the Little Leopard also a Holy Beast? Does she also need to gain the Goddess’s divine power to shed her beast form?”

The Little Greens fell silent at her words, exchanging puzzled glances. Finally, a small child scratched his head and said, “Huh? Didn’t the Chieftain tell you? She should be able to see the Holy Beast Princess’s human form…”

Another child chimed in, “Yeah! The Chieftain was baptized by the Goddess herself! How could she not know?”

“Maybe the Chieftain forgot!”

“Right, right! She’s so busy, she must have forgotten!”

As the Little Greens resumed their animated chatter, Nora sighed helplessly and decided to drop the subject.

She looked down at Yi’an, who was sleeping soundly in her arms. The Little Leopard seemed completely unaffected by the noise, still peacefully immersed in her dreams.

Nora gently stroked the Little Leopard’s soft ears, a smile playing on her lips. “Little lazy cat,” she murmured, “you’re hiding quite a few secrets, aren’t you?”