After fending off the attempts of the strange trainer of surnames to get at them with his jokes, the whole company headed straight for the forest.
Zatuji walked in front, followed immediately by them, meaning Ichika, Sanji, Sona, and Tsubaki.
With every hundred meters the surrounding landscape changed more and more, and it had no definite "theme". In this area there was a green meadow with flowers, in the past a quiet swamp that periodically released suspicious bubbles.
Ichika felt like she was in some fantasy theme park. Ichika felt like she was in some sort of fantasy theme park, but it was interesting, because sometimes there were strange creatures that only remotely resembled their earthly counterparts. In such cases, Zatugi was happy to tell me what they were, and also told me various interesting stories.
In fact, Zatuji turned out to be an excellent guide. He skillfully led them through the forest and told them funny stories, but with a little touch of madness or black humor.
They stopped briefly in front of a bald cat, very familiar from the internet, by the way.
«And this is a Canadian sphinx!
Ichika blinked perplexed when she didn't hear further explanation.
«That's it? - Ichika faced an equally perplexed Sanji. - What's the difference with his Earth counterpart? Isn't it... Magical?
«Zatugi shook his head with a laugh. "All cats like that are magical! - All cats like that are magical! Didn't you think such an ugly cat couldn't be born naturally?
«Wait, so all cats of this breed are magical?!
«Yeah," he shrugged. - You think this kind of 'beauty' just happened?
«Uh-huh...
After a couple of minutes, they stood hundreds of meters away from the huge monster.
Ten meters tall, a huge body covered in large scales of mostly green color, but most strikingly nine heads that were tearing their prey with ferocity. It was as if this magical "beast" had decided to break all the records for lethality all at once, because it was so terrifying.
«And this is Hydra! - The master of the familiars proudly introduced. - One of the most popular choices in our forest!
«Are these magical beasts so popular! - Ichika asked with panic. - Are they so easy to tame?
«Nope," Zatuji crossed his arms in front of him, showing complete denial. - I've never seen anyone tame her at all....
«Why do they take these Hydras?!
«Hydr? - Zatuji stared back in bewilderment. - There is only one hydra.
«I thought you said ten seconds ago that the Hydras were one of the most popular choices!
«Well, yes," he corrected his cap. - Only it's not Hydra, it's Hydra. When the past owner, uh, 'changes his mind', he brings her back. But even that hasn't stopped her popularity!
Ichika was at a loss for words. Now it was clear why this choice was popular. Because there are a lot of underdogs who fall for the "cool" look of this stuff, and then... She didn't even want to think about what happens to them afterward! She internally put a big, fat cross on this beast. She had enough "monsters" of her own in her daily life. She wasn't going to add another one that would try to eat her.
«By the way, we have a promotion on it! - Zatuji caught their attention. - Take Hydra and get insurance for every other limb! - When he received only awkward looks in return, he added. - Just kidding! Ha ha ha ha...
«Ha ha ha... - Sanji supported him in the most awkward way.
«Oh, man, ha ha, I can't," Zatugi was dying from his own joke. - Hydra insurance! Like we're so stupid to just give money away like that, ha ha ha ha....
Sanji shut up abruptly after the last comment from the master of the familiars.
They walked through the forest, meeting all sorts of interesting animals along the way. Ichika, as well as Sanji, couldn't pick anything up yet, because Zatuji was showing either some uselessness or some unrealistic monsters like Hydra. It seemed like there was simply nothing in between those options. Though, Akeno-sempai had told her that a familiar could be subdued far from the first time, so if it didn't work out this time, there was no need to be sad.
In fact, the most interesting part of the tour was exactly the presentation from Zatuji. It seemed that he could add to the "magical forest dwellers" and his cockroaches, who had set up a real kingdom in his head.
«Hyodo-san," Sona suddenly addressed her. Zatuji didn't react to the fact that they were ignoring him completely. He didn't seem to care at all, as he was so engrossed in what he was doing.
«Yes, Kaicho?
«You're surprised," Sona struggled to find the right word. - Master Zatuji's eccentricities?
«Well," she looked away. - Probably more yes than no...
«You don't have to be so surprised," Sona seemed to be formal about everything in her daily life. It was obvious that there was a lot of discipline behind her behavior. Quite a contrast to the President. - Didn't you learn from the example of your own king all the "weirdness" of demons?
Ichika couldn't answer that question right away. It was kind of true, but she didn't want to make her favorite President look bad. Though, she had to keep in mind that Sona had known Emeric since childhood, so she didn't need any confirmation.
«Supernatural people are much "weirder" than normal people," Sonja didn't need her answer to continue her explanation. - First of all, you have to define what's 'normal' and what's 'weird'. For example, Hyodo-san.....
«Yeah? Uh...
«Didn't it seem strange to you the first time you were able to fly safely?
«It's true!
In fact, even a month later, Ichika still couldn't get used to the new possibilities. It seemed like you were just a normal teenage girl, and the next moment you were a demon. A demon, which, by the way, could not only withstand a gunshot, but also had "full-fledged" wings.
«That's the point," Sona nodded calmly. - The 'ordinary' people have a clear picture of the world, where a simple man can't stand up to a whole army or just take flight. So it is from this picture that they build their 'common sense'. But the other part of the world," Sona looked at her and Sanji in turn. - "A completely different idea of 'normal'. The boundaries of their perception are broadened, and in some cases they don't exist at all, which is why there are so many "weirdos" in the supernatural world....
The most important "weirdo" present at that moment began to show them some abnormal flora, which tried its best to grab him in its "embrace". Zatugi only laughed and dodged playfully, occasionally making flat jokes about the plant.
Meanwhile, Ichika was really starting to understand what Sona was trying to tell them. In the normal world, everyone would clap if a magician pulled a rabbit out of a hat, but in the supernatural world, no one would blink an eye if the magician simply vanished on the spot. The idea of "normal" depends on the environment.
At that time the whole company came to a green meadow lit by fireflies, on which beautiful animals were settled. They were incredibly graceful white horses that had a sharp horn on their foreheads.
«And these are unicorns! - Zatugi proudly introduced. - Incredible familiars that can perform a huge range of tasks, though most of them are logistical in nature. They have tremendous stamina and can even run through the air, making them incredible companions. It's true they are not mended to men," Zatuji looked at Sanji and then at her. - But pure virgins are just their type....
All past admiration evaporated from Ichika's gaze. She wrinkled her nose and looked away.
«Ugh...
«What the hell are you talking about?! - Sanji exploded at her incomprehensible reaction.
«What do I need a surname that won't even last six months. a year? Soon I'll be the President's "rider."
«Are you sure you were born in Japan! - Sanji continued to walk away even more shocked by her remarks. - Do you have any shame?!
«Why don't you try a unicorn yourself? - Ichika glanced back dismissively. - I'm sure you'd be fine as a pure maiden....
«Fuck you!
In general unicorns were overlooked.
That's how they walked through the forest until Sona started the following conversation.
«Hyodo-san, I wouldn't be wrong," Ichika turned her attention back to Sona's continuing lecture. - If I assume that you've already formed some initial impression of Hell's high society? Like some idea of the aristocracy that spends most of its time on banquets and "crunching French rolls"...?
Ichika only hid her confused look in response. That was exactly what she had assumed.
«Hmm," Sona sighed. - You're right about a lot of things, but that's just the outer shell... - Sona hummed thoughtfully to herself. - Hell's high society is not lacking in 'strange' personalities. It all depends on the strength of the individual, that is, the stronger you are, the more lenient the people around you will look at your oddities, - Sona began to say something depressingly. - Even if you dress up for official events like a Sorceress Girl....
«Why is the example so strange...?
«You'll figure it out in the future... - Tsubaki tried to hold back a smile, knowing that Sona might not react very favorably.
Sona complained to herself for a couple more minutes, and then continued.
«Don't you have the clearest example of these "oddities" right in front of your nose?
Ichika immediately realized the hidden subtext.
«Are you talking about the President?
«Exactly," Sona nodded in agreement. - Emeric Gremory is a perfect example of how power can affect the behavior and perception of others...
«Don't say his name! - Suddenly Zatuji looked around in horror. - Don't call his name in this place!
Ichika twisted her head in the same perplexed manner, as if 'reason' was about to jump out of some bush right now.
«Why?....
«That's a topic for next time, but... - Sona couldn't hold back a smile this time. - Zatuji's example directly shows that even at an age slightly over twenty, any demon can make a big name for himself... - Sona met her gaze. - There's actually a lot you don't know about your king.....
«Please tell me, kaicho! - Ichika asked with shining eyes.
She finally has a chance to learn more about her object of admiration.
«Well, for example," Sona looked up at the sky thoughtfully. - He has two nicknames, ha ha....
«What nicknames?!
«Well, the first nickname has a rather telling name, I'm sure," Sona turned to her, holding back her inner laughter. - That you'll recognize its origin right away. His first nickname...
Sona paused dramatically while Ichika and Sanji held their breath as if right here and now they were going to be told the secret of the century.
«The Scarlet Prince of Ignorance!
A silence formed. Even Zatuji stopped his introduction to the "void" for a second.
«Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!.....
The Forest of Familiars sank in their friendly and hysterical laughter.
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