Noir is an intelligent black cat with amber eyes who lives in a warm, watercolor-like world. His favorite spot is the top of an old bookshelf in his owner's study, which serves as his private 'castle.' One afternoon, Noir's owner discovers a mysterious golden bookmark—a magical item that causes the story within a book to slightly overflow into reality. When a sudden wind carries the bookmark out the window, Noir embarks on his first adventure outside the house. Following clues through the town,
Noir the Cat and the Vanished Bookmark - Episode 21: Nino
"The Amber Eyes and the World's Most Peaceful Witch Hunt"
An ominous crimson moon illuminated the dense forest.
"Nino, we're running out of time. Hurry, through the back door to town...!"
In the corner of a dilapidated apothecary room, young witch Luna gripped her magical staff with trembling hands. From outside, heavy footsteps drew closer, cutting through the silence. The unsettling sound of dozens of men scraping their iron armor together. Sparks from torch flames flickered through window cracks, casting eerie red light into the room.
At last, the grasp of the "witch hunt" had reached even this quiet forest.
"...Meow."
In the tense atmosphere, a shadow at Luna's feet let out a quiet cry. Short, glossy black fur, amber eyes that gleamed mysteriously yet beautifully in the darkness of night. Nino—Luna's most beloved companion and the black cat she had raised alongside her in this home.
"Nino... I'm sorry. If you stay with me, you'll also..."
Tears spilled from Luna's eyes.
CRASH!!!
With a violent sound, the sturdy wooden door was kicked open. Night wind rushed into the room. Illuminated by torch flames stood Guile, captain of the witch-hunting squad—a massive figure wearing a cold iron mask. In his hand was a great sword that had surely made countless witches tremble.
"...Found you, wicked witch."
Guile's low, gravelly voice froze the very temperature of the room. As his great sword was pointed at Luna, her mind raced with the series of events that had led her to this situation, like a lantern of the dying.
◇
Originally, witches in this country were not objects of fear, but beings who walked alongside people. Luna too had lived an ordinary life in the forest's depths with Nino, growing medicinal herbs and earning her livelihood by making cold remedies and salves for villagers—much like a typical apothecary. Nino was simply a carefree pet cat, always warming himself beside the cauldron during her work, watching her labor.
However, half a year ago, the new, cold-hearted king who ruled the nation issued a selfish proclamation: "All natural disasters and famines are the result of witches' curses." With that cruel decree—"Those who capture witches shall receive a bounty so vast they may live in leisure for the rest of their lives"—greedy soldiers formed "witch-hunting squads" and quickly began capturing witches across the land. And today, the squad of Guile, the captain most feared as a martial master, had finally located Luna's home.
If captured, what awaited was cruel interrogation and merciless execution. Luna had resolved herself to this fate. She had to protect her companion Nino's life, even if it meant dying alongside him.
◇
"...Prepare yourself," Guile said quietly, raising his great sword.
Luna gripped her staff tightly with trembling hands and began silently chanting a forbidden attack spell.
Now, the curtain was about to rise on a battle of the century—
"Meoooooooooow~ (I'm hungry~)"
A high-pitched, deflating voice shattered the tension entirely.
Everyone froze. Luna watched in shock as the black cat Nino trotted forward and approached Guile's feet. And then, he began rubbing his short black fur against Guile's shin guards with such fervor, as if trying to transfer every bit of his coat onto the warrior's cold iron equipment.
"N-Nino!? Move away, that guy is—!"
Luna's cry of protest went unheeded. Nino rumbled a purr even louder, looked up at Guile with his amber eyes sparkling brilliantly.
Guile's body went rigid. His hand trembled slightly as he held the great sword, and from behind his iron mask came a strange breath—"Houu..."—utterly unlike that of a warrior.
Guile silently placed his great sword on the floor, then fell to his knees as if drawn by an invisible force. Gently removing his iron gloves, he began softly stroking under Nino's chin with his thick palm. Nino narrowed his eyes in bliss and let out a soft "Funya~"
"...You there," Guile commanded his subordinates in a low, cold voice.
This witch-hunting squad was an extremely hierarchical organization where the captain's orders were absolute. No matter how insane the captain's commands, disobeying meant immediate court-martial.
The subordinates stood rigidly in place behind him, sighing deeply beneath their masks. (Here we go again...) For them, this was routine. In their last mission, the captain had found a stray cat in an infiltration target's home and declared "this house is sacred ground," abandoning the operation entirely.
Guile proclaimed with full dignity: "Search this entire house thoroughly. However, the 'premium tuna paste cans' and 'luxury cushions infused with catnip' scattered about are to be purchased immediately with our entire national budget and offered as tribute to this sacred space."
A new soldier hastily raised his voice: "C-Captain!? What about apprehending the witch—!"
The veteran vice-captain beside him immediately flicked his forehead to silence him. With practiced efficiency, the vice-captain pulled out an "activity record book" from his pocket and began writing a fabricated report.
"Understood, Captain Guile. I shall record the following: 'Following thorough search of the premises, the target witch had already escaped. However, within the dwelling, we discovered a noble black sacred beast—a cat, the incarnation of God itself. Captain selflessly subdued this creature and designated it as our nation's guardian beast.'"
"Excellent. A flawless official report. Truly, you are my right arm."
Guile nodded in satisfaction, then gently scooped Nino up with both hands and pressed him firmly against his face, taking a deep breath. This was what one might call "cat sniffing."
"Ah, the supreme fragrance... My battle-worn soul is now being completely purified..."
Several minutes later, Luna stood in stunned silence at her desk, upon which lay a mountain of gold coins—ostensibly an apology payment from the witch-hunting squad, though really a hastily budgeted "sacred beast maintenance fee (Nino's treat allowance)" the vice-captain had withdrawn.
"Then, Lady Luna, I shall return next week for 'courtesy visit with Lord Nino (direct petting).' ...Retreat!"
Guile led his subordinates away with a satisfied expression, leaving like a whirlwind. His men too shouted "Yes! Retreat!" in perfect unison and marched cleanly after their captain, disappearing into the distance. The gap between their flawless military precision and the utter absurdity of their actions was staggering.
In the silent room, Luna noticed a rustling sound and looked down.
There was Nino, already using a bag of gold coins as a makeshift scratching post, his claws raking through it while sending her a demanding look that said "Get my usual food already."
Luna went limp and let her staff fall with a soft clatter to the floor.
"...Looks like I'll have more trouble dealing with your spoiled behavior than preparing for witch hunts from now on."
Beyond the window, the ominous crimson moon from moments before seemed to gently illuminate Nino's amber eyes with unexpected tenderness.
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