VS Lion, Part 3
"What should I do…? What can I do…!?"
It had begun.
*ROAAAAAAR*
"Umya!"
Serval evaded Lion's fierce claw swing that would effortlessly shred through the surrounding grass and branches by jumping away. I wasn't a game, but a real hunt. A duel to the death had begun. No matter how you slice it, Lion's combat prowess is far greater. Serval couldn't allow for the smallest mistake, let alone for the tiniest wound. If she kept at it, then surely―
(Though…)
Kaban understood just how completely powerless she was in that fight. More than anything, she'd just be a hindrance to Serval. Staring at her lightly opened hands, Kaban bit her lips. She was frustrated. She complained in her mind about lacking claws or fangs to fight with, or any power. She contemplated being unable to do anything without tools. While lingering on those thoughts, Kaban shook her head. Now was not the time to lament being useless. And so she began thinking. About something that even she could do.
"..."
She shut her eyes and took a deep breath. Drowning out the distant brutal roars of Lion and Serval's shouts, she submerged into her sea of thoughts. She dug into the depths of her memory in search for a means of survival.
(―…That's right!)
And she found it, a solution. Kaban opened her eyes and lowered her sight to Boss by her feet. Reacting to the girl's movement, Boss raised its eyes.
"Lucky-san… Why do you never speak to Serval-chan or the other Friends? You can hear them, right?"
Although Lion was absorbed in the battle, Kaban brought her face right up to Boss and spoke in whispers to avoid being detected by Lion. Boss leaned forward as if it didn't understand Kaban's intentions before straightening out and answering in a similarly quiet voice.
[...Those are the rules. As maintaining the ecosystem is paramount.]
"Is that so…? Then I have one more question."
Keeping her restless emotions in check, Kaban continued asking questions. Meanwhile, Serval kept frantically fighting.
"Lucky-san, I remember you saying that I've been given the 'Park Guide's clearance' back when we were departing from the Lodge. That would mean that you would obey my commands, right?"
[That is right. Since you have been temporarily appointed as a Park Guide. We Lucky Beasts work to support the Park Guides, our duty has been set as such.]
She was sure that this honest answer to her question was part of this "duty". With renewed conviction, Kaban took a small breath.
"―Got it."
Kaban knelt down on the muddy ground and looked at Boss straight in the eyes.
"...In that case, let me give you a task as a temporary Park Guide. ―Please get away from here right now and ask for help."
Boss' eyes glinted a faint green color. Kaban continued whispering.
"My order should be prioritized over even the rule that doesn't allow you to speak with Friends. Be it by returning to the Library and reporting to Professor, or finding help from a nearby Friend… It doesn't matter."
[...In that case, Kaban, would it not be better if we both went out while Serval distracts Lion?] Replied Boss seemingly somewhat cold-heartedly to Kaban's directions.
The thought process of making Human's safety paramount must've had a hand in it. Even then…
"Serval-chan cannot be alone. I'll stay behind and try to think of something else that I could do. ―There's no time. Please go…!"
There was no way that she could run away leaving behind Serval alone. After all, she promised that they would always be together.
[Understood, Kaban. I will leave Serval in your care.]
Boss' eyes glinted green once again.
[In accordance with the Park Guide's directives, the prohibition of interfering with Friends has been lifted. Temporarily suspending guiding. Commencing independent activity.]
Boss turned its back towards Kaban with a jump and hopped towards the forest disappearing into its darkness. Kaban saw it off until she was completely unable to see Boss' distinct large tail.
(And now―)
She tightly clenched her fist as she turned her head.
"UMYAMYAMYAMYAAAA―!"
Ahead of her was Serval rushing towards Lion with her claws primed.
*ROAAAAAAR*
Taking a large swing of her arm, Lion forced Serval into an abrupt stop. Observing Serval engaged in pure defense, Kaban subconsciously brought her fist to her mouth and bit down on her finger.
(I have to think up something more while Serval-chan is still holding out…!)
Serval was using her own body to directly confront Lion, while Kaban was thoroughly racking her brain to come up with a plan.
They were both fighting this endless battle in their own different ways.
Hello, this is PoGu. Jeez, it's been a while, hasn't it? Now, I should finally be less busy, so now I can get back to working on translating.
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.