MHGA Chapter 287 – The Winged Lion Who Loves Desire
"The situation is critical! We need to kill Kazuma Satou immediately!" Kairo Retsu declared righteously.
Himmel was amused by Kairo Retsu's words, and he vaguely felt a joy reminiscent of the days he traveled with Frieren and their other companions.
"All the Hunters arriving next are women?" Himmel asked. "I wonder what kinds of powers they possess and what kinds of wondrous worlds they represent."
Himmel was deeply interested in the worlds of the other Hunters—technology, different kinds of magic, or unique skills…
Although the presence of elves from other worlds might cause him some subtle discomfort, Himmel truly loved the marvelous sights that other worlds could offer.
"Ah! I know this one—Granny Felyne said they're all magical girls!" Kairo Retsu gave a big thumbs-up. "All sparkly and shiny girls, you know!"
"Then I should rephrase myself: the next Hunters are all young girls," Himmel smiled. "I just wonder what kind of future awaits."
"How would I know that? I'm just a Hunter." Kairo Retsu shrugged. "All I need to do is focus on hunting."
Just as Kairo Retsu said that, a message suddenly popped up on his panel—it was from Tanjiro.
[Guildmaster! Granny Felyne says the first new recruit will be arriving at the Gathering Hall soon! Do you have time to go greet her?]
"Hm?" Kairo Retsu raised his eyebrows. "Speak of the devil—the first new recruit's on her way. Looks like I don't have time to stay here any longer."
He waved to Himmel. "See you around, Himmel. If you ever need anything, just head straight back to the Gathering Hall!"
"I will," Himmel smiled. "If I'm ever needed, make sure to call for me—no matter what kind of difficulty it is, I'll be there."
"Even if it's a crisis in another world… it's no reason for a hero to stand idly by."
"Hearing you say that really puts my mind at ease!" Kairo Retsu laughed heartily and gave Himmel a hug, slapping him firmly on the back.
Afterward, Kairo Retsu returned to the Gathering Hall with the Silly Cat. The first thing he saw was Tanjiro with the Winged Lion curled up next to him.
At that moment, Tanjiro was feeding the Winged Lion—with his emotions and desires.
Since becoming the Gathering Hall's Palico, the Winged Lion had learned how to restore the emotions and desires it had consumed. Though it no longer relied on those to be full, the Winged Lion had retained a small personal quirk…
Now, the Winged Lion was lying in Tanjiro's lap, lazily licking the palm of Tanjiro's hand with its tongue.
From Tanjiro's hand, sparkling gem-like desires emerged and were then licked back into the Winged Lion's belly.
As it licked Tanjiro's desires, the desires themselves regenerated thanks to the Winged Lion's access to Monster Hunter Gathering Hall abilities—creating a steady and repeatable feeding cycle.
"Guildmaster." Tanjiro looked up joyfully as Kairo Retsu returned, then glanced at the unusually sagacious-looking Silly Cat resting on Kairo Retsu's head. "Huh? Who's this Palico?"
"This one's my personal partner—been hunting with me since the beginning." Kairo Retsu gave a brief introduction, then looked toward the Winged Lion. "That Winged Lion really clings to you… Hey, Winged Lion, want to try eating my desires?"
"..." The Winged Lion lazily paused its licking and looked up at Kairo Retsu with a huge yawn. "No need. The flavor of your desires… is just average."
"How can you be such a picky eater?!" Kairo Retsu protested. "Tell me, how exactly are my desires worse than Tanjiro's?! I think my flavor ranks pretty high in the Gathering Hall!"
"There used to be no choice, but now… I obviously go for the ones I like better." The Winged Lion replied drowsily. "At least your flavor's better than Kazuma's… Want to hear my gourmet ranking?"
Having sampled the desires of everyone in the Gathering Hall, the Winged Lion had developed its own preferences—and even took the time to compile a ranking based on everyone's "flavor"...
Currently, its favorite tastes were…
"Tanjiro, Himmel, and Miko's* desires are the best in the Gathering Hall," the Winged Lion declared. "Next come Shirou, Naofumi, David, and Joseph—they each have their own unique flavor, all tasty in their own way, but with slight imperfections."
"The two little receptionists, Laios, Rakuro, and you… are just so-so." The Winged Lion listed its culinary rankings.
"Hm? What about Kazuma?" Tanjiro asked curiously.
The Winged Lion scrunched its face as it answered, "The worst flavor… though not that bad, I guess."
The Winged Lion now preferred desires with more positive emotions.
"Kairo Retsu, when will the Gathering Hall get more members like Tanjiro and Himmel?" the Winged Lion lazily licked its fur while lying in Tanjiro's lap. "Granny Felyne mentioned a newcomer… I wonder what her flavor will be like."
"You say that like you're some demon who eats children." Kairo Retsu shot the Winged Lion a look. "The newbie should be arriving soon. I wonder who she'll be?"
At that moment, Kairo Retsu felt a flicker of anticipation for the incoming recruit.
Magical girls, huh!
Everyone knows that men like him only find the will to go on by seeing something as pure as magical girls!
"No, I gotta go talk to Granny Felyne! We need to throw a welcome party for the newbie!" Kairo Retsu stood with his hands on his hips, nearly shaking the Silly Cat off his head. "Let's make a cake! And other sweets… Maybe I should go back to my world and buy some streamers and party poppers…"
He mumbled as he busied himself, while Tanjiro continued feeding the Winged Lion and said, "Guildmaster sure is thoughtful when it comes to new members."
"That's why his flavor isn't completely bad," the Winged Lion muttered, stretching lazily and letting out a snore-like sound. "The new Hunter is… a magical girl, huh? I bet their desires will taste delicious."
It licked its paw. "Yeah… I really want to try it."
The next moment, Tanjiro gently held out his palm to the Winged Lion again. "Don't get too greedy. Granny Felyne will scold you."
"Got it."
The Winged Lion curled up once again and returned to its snack time, purring in Tanjiro's lap.
"I really love this life," said the Winged Lion. "I'm so lucky…"
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