VS Campo Flicker, Part 2

Kaban advanced through the Lodge, guided by Wolf. It didn't take long for an unbelievable sight to come into view.

"Gih…!"

The gentle smile that guided through the Lodge had disappeared, and the pupils behind the lenses shone in a dazzling wild light. There, hurting herself on walls or prided ornaments within the confined space of the hallway, flew Campo Flicker.

"Campo Flicker-san!"

Kaban called out her name, but it only made her stern expression more hostile. Campo Flicker changed her body's orientation, having slammed it into the ceiling. The black Sandstar flowing from her hands did not go unnoticed by Kaban's eye.

"That's…"

"Look out!"

Pinning down Gray Wolf's body, Kaban brought them both to the ground. Overhead, Campo Flicker had suddenly swooped right by. As if to run away, Campo Flicker flew down the hallway, away from the group.

"Wolf-san, follow her please!"

"Got it."

Gray Wolf had begun her chase after Campo Flicker. Kaban lagged behind. Running away from Gray Wolf, Campo Flicker came upon a split in the hallway, where―

"Uhh, rawr! Road ahead closed nanoda―!"

Common Raccoon, donning the hat, raised her voice standing in the way of one of the paths.

"Gih!"

Campo Flicker had run away to the hall without a foe― Common Raccoon. On the next split,

"Too bad, this way is a no-go―"

Because Fennec was standing in the way, Campo Flicker went down the hall no one was in. This way, Campo Flicker, being led by the narrow corridor, reached Serval, who stood in the way, and a wide-open door.

"I won't let you through!"

Campo Flicker stopped in mid-air. Before her stood Serval. Behind her Gray Wolf and Kaban were approaching. She's been surrounded.

"Gih!"

Campo Flicker made a short sound, and raised her altitude until she was grazing the tall ceiling. In that state, she intended on continuing deeper, flying over Serval.

"Like I said, I won't―"

Serval had swiftly crouched down. Wagging her short tail twice or thrice, she put her strength into her legs, and kicked off the floor.

"Let you through!"

Reaching the altitude of Campo Flicker's flight utilizing her prided jumping ability, Serval spread out her arms as if to block the way in mid-air.

"!"

Surprised, Campo Flicker twisted in mid-air as if to turn around and flew into her only means of escape left― into the wide-open door.

"Alright!"

Kaban, who caught up, hurriedly closed the door. Silence has returned within the Lodge. The group, including Common Raccoon and Fennec, who returned, observed the closed door.

"Ju-Just what's happening…? Is Flicker-san not rampaging in there?"

Next to Gray Wolf voicing her concerns, Serval's ears were twitching. Could it be picking up sounds from the other side of the door?

"She's incredibly quiet. Has she become obedient?"

Kaban, breathing heavily from running, nodded.

"This is the 'calming' room. While showcasing the room for us, Campo Flicker-san said that due to the moisture present, you can relax by being right next to the walls… Since we've put her in that room, she calmed down. Looks like it went smoothly."

At the sight of Kaban's reassuring smile, Common Raccoon let out a sigh of admiration.

"She's smart nanoda…"

"Arai-sa―n, it seems like this girl really is Kaban-san, doesn't it―? She's very clever and she's a good person too―"

At Fennec's words, Common Raccoon, grating her teeth, resolutely took off her hat and presented it to Kaban.

"―Here, returning it noda."

"Huh… Is that alright?"

"You're a good person nanoda. To the good person Kaban-san, Arai-san presents this hat noda. Sorry for calling you a thief and attacking you."

"Good, seems like you've finally understood Kaban-chan's deal."

Having put on the returned hat, Kaban thanked Common Raccoon. For a brief moment, peace has filled the air. However, Kaban had realized that nothing's been resolved.

"―I'm worried about Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey and Giraffe's wounds, so let's return to the lobby. There are still some things left on my mind…"

Hello, this is PoGu. This time we get a new translation note.

- The "calming" room is called "しっとり" (shittori) in Japanese. It means both "moist" and "calm", hence why it is the way it is.

Anyway, since FF doesn't like any kind of link anywhere, I'll instead leave directions on how to find the original work.

First method is to search for "「けもの」の本能" and find the link that leads you to a Japanese site called "kakuyomu".

Alternatively, you can go to the kakuyomu site and add "/works/1177354054882921926" to the domain.