Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Nine: About the Landmine Incident Caused by a Self-Proclaimed "Cute" One
The lair the village chief told us about was at a small hill a bit away from the village. Upon approaching, I understood why—there was indeed a cave mouth gaping open, seemingly leading underground. The size was just about right for Campy to fit through barely.
“There’s no doubt this cave serves as the entrance.”
Hiding in nearby bushes to observe, we can see large and small shadows coming and going. I thought the shadow we caught a glimpse of looked big from a distance, but up close, they’re even bigger. The wingspan is probably wider than Mr. Ville’s outstretched arms.
That grating "kee-kee" sound was definitely one of these bats’ cries. At first, I thought there were just a bunch of big bats, but I see there are smaller ones mixed in too. Well, “small” still means they’re about the size of a large umbrella.
“Hmm… Given the white tips on their wings, white spot in the center of their backs, red eyes, and flattened noses, these most closely resemble giant bats.”
“Do they normally get this big?”
“No, typically they’re only about the size of that smaller one there.”
Mr. Xenon looked up after observing the shadows for a while. A giant bat… certainly sounds like a big creature. But what he said next was quite shocking… He was pointing at one of the smaller shadows—about the size of a large umbrella.
Wait… hold on… I thought that one was pretty big already, but that’s the standard size!?
Then why have they grown even more enormous?
“…Hmm… Could it be gigantism from mutation?”
“Considering how many of them are affected, it might make more sense if they grew larger due to external factors.”
“I agree. There’s a range from normal size to ones that are starting to get big and ones that are already huge.”
Mr. Ed joined the conversation while pointing out several specimens. Now that he mentioned it, there were definitely shadows of various sizes flying around.
Hmm… having different size stages suggests it’s not mutation…
Mr. Xenon’s external factors theory makes more sense, but what factors? The first thing that comes to mind is maybe they found some super nutritious food and grew from eating it?
Wait, what do giant bats eat anyway?
“By the way, what’s a giant bat’s diet…?”
“They’re generally omnivorous, eating insects and fruits.”
“But to maintain those huge bodies, they’d need to eat a ton, right?”
While we are huddled in the bushes, speaking in hushed tones, there is a rustling sound behind. The two men instantly move to protect me and take combat stances, when something is tossed out with a dry rustling sound.
Between their legs, I caught glimpses of the large black and yellow striped abdomen and familiar light blue shoes beside it.
“…They’re probably eating those.”
“Is this… a mud hornet!? But this size…”
“Could it be that all the insects in this area have grown giant too!?”
As the two men relax their guard, I peek out from behind them to see Ms. Aria standing there. At her feet is a massive hornet, its wings, legs, thorax, and mandibles all bound up in thread. It is about the size of a shiba inu! However, the poor hornet, restrained by Ms. Aria’s thread and unable to fly, crawl, or bite, can only wiggle helplessly on the ground.
Judging by Mr. Xenon and Mr. Ed’s shocked expressions, this hornet must be abnormally large too.
This size will certainly fill those bats’ stomachs.
…Wait, if Mr. Ed’s theory is right, isn’t this a huge problem!?
Even if the bats are hunting some of them, having hornets and other carnivorous insects this size running around would be absolute chaos in every sense!
“It’s probably just these mud hornets. We searched the area but didn’t see any other giant insects.”
“…The nest… gives off… a strange feeling… maybe that’s… the cause?”
Mr. Ville explained that while the three of us were observing the bats, he and Ms. Aria found this hornet and followed it, discovering an enormous nest. A suspiciously large nest, giant hornets, and giant bats presumably eating them… At that moment, we all reached the same conclusion—the hornet nest must be the cause!
As we silently nod to each other and quietly stand up, Gomamiso sways its tail and pounces on the struggling hornet. Though still a kitten, it used its sharp claws to gouge at the abdomen near the stinger, then sank its fangs between the head and thorax to decapitate it.
Oof… I was thinking we shouldn’t leave it half-dead like that, but I didn’t expect Gomamiso to deliver the coup de grace.
The cat licks the bodily fluids splattered on its mouth and front paws with its bright red tongue, then narrows its eyes and opens its mouth wide. Combined with its bouncy voice, it seems to be laughing happily.
“Uh, wait… G-Gomamiso…?”
‘Hey… this… has such a yummy smell… and taste!’
…What do you mean by yummy smell and taste…?
As I puzzle over these mystifying words, I see Gomamiso finish grooming itself and try to rub its face against my legs.
“N-No! Don’t rub against me with that face and mouth that just licked insect fluids!”
‘Huh? What’s wrong with cute me wanting to snuggle?’
“Stay away, don’t come closer!! I think you’re cute but bugs are no good! Stop it!!”
Perhaps unhappy at being stopped, Gomamiso taps the ground with its front paws as I carefully keep my distance. I have many questions, but please don’t try to lick me with that mouth that just did things to a bug! First, clean that mouth of yours… then we can talk!
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