Catgirls And Dungeons (Yuri)-Chapter 54: Paranoia

As we step through the doors of the Gilded Horns, a familiar warmth envelops us, a stark, comforting contrast to the chaos we've just left behind. The scent of roasted meat and fresh bread lingers in the air, the quiet hum of conversation filling the space like a low, steady rhythm. For a moment, it almost feels like nothing has changed.

Almost.

Before I can take another step, a blur of energy bounds toward us—

Lilly.

Our ever-adorable sheep-girl server, all soft wool and boundless enthusiasm, radiating sunshine as always. Her fluffy ears perk up as she dashes forward, her curls bouncing with each step.

"Eris! Felicia! Welcome back!" she chirps, her voice as bright as ever, paired with a smile so sweet it could probably cure ailments on the spot. Her wide, golden eyes gleam with genuine excitement as she clasps her hands together.

"Are you two hungry for dinner?"

Her infectious energy almost makes me forget the weight pressing down on my chest—

Almost.

Because the moment her gaze lands on Eris, the warmth in her expression flickers.

The joy in her eyes shifts—morphing into something else entirely.

Concern.

"Eris…" Lilly's voice softens. "What happened?"

Lilly sure is perceptive.

However, Eris doesn't answer right away.

She just exhales, her voice steady, controlled.

"Lilly, could you prepare a bath for us, please?"

Lilly blinks, startled by the abrupt request, but quickly recovers, nodding earnestly.

"O-Oh, yes! Just give me a minute!" she says before darting off.

"Thank you," Eris murmurs quietly.

No more words are exchanged. The conversation was very brief.

And with that, we head upstairs.

The moment we step into our room, the tension I've been holding onto seems to double in weight, pressing heavily against my chest.

I drop my belongings onto the floor, barely registering the action, and collapse onto the nearest chair.

My legs feel weak, my mind racing, caught in an endless loop of the night's events. The echoes of dying screams, the spray of blood, the lifeless bodies crumpling to the ground—it all replays in my mind like a cursed lullaby I can't silence.

And as I think of it again, my heart beat rises.

But—

Barely ten seconds pass before a knock at the door shatters the silence.

Rap. Rap. Rap.

Eris strides over to answer it—

And the moment she opens the door, I freeze.

It's the inn keeper.

"Chef Gordon!" I blurt out, more out of reflex than anything, offering a nervous smile.

He acknowledges me with a small nod, but his focus immediately shifts to Eris.

His gaze is sharp, unreadable—

And just like that, the atmosphere grows heavier.

They begin speaking in low, hushed tones, their words so quiet I can't make out a single one.

But even though I can't hear them—

It's obvious.

This is serious.

A part of me wants to listen. Curiosity burns inside me like a stubborn, relentless flame.

But—

I bite my lip, my tail twitching restlessly, forcing myself to stay seated.

After all…

Eavesdropping wouldn't be right.

Would it?

And yet—

A million questions swarm in my mind.

Are they talking about what happened earlier?

Is everything okay?

Are we in trouble?

A tight knot forms in my chest as my mind begins connecting dots I hadn't considered before.

Eris killed those men.

No—she slaughtered them.

Even though it was self-defense, wouldn't it still be considered a serious crime?

After all… despite whatever crime they were trying to commit.

They are still humans.

And of course, they are protected by laws.

Suddenly, like a bolt of lightning—

A horrifying realization slams into me.

Wait…

The bodies.

My ears flatten. My chest tightens. Panic surges through me and my heart nearly jumps out of my chest.

Fuck!

The bodies!

Eris killed so many people. And yet—

We didn't bury them.

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We didn't hide them.

We didn't even try to clean up the scene.

We just… left them there on the ground, like piles of garbage.

Oh no.

Oh no, no, no!

A wave of nausea crashes over me. My thoughts spiral into a pit of dread.

This is bad…

This is really bad!

What if someone finds the carnage?

What if we're arrested tomorrow—or worse, tonight?

Would they even believe it was self-defense?

I shake my head, trying to ground myself, but the questions keep coming, relentless and unforgiving.

After all, there were no witnesses.

None.

It was a one-sided massacre.

Would they see us as victims?

Or would they see us as monsters?

My breathing grows shallow, the weight of it all pressing down on me, threatening to crush me completely.

It's already too late, isn't it?

Too late to come back and clean up the scene…

Suddenly—

Eris turns back to me, her voice cutting through my spiraling thoughts.

"Felicia, the bath is ready. Lilly is waiting for you downstairs. You can head down first," she says, her tone gentle.

"Gordon and I need to talk a bit more. I'll join you soon, alright?"

Oh.

I blink, momentarily stunned.

"Oh… okay," I reply, nodding quickly. Then, hesitantly, "But… is everything alright?" My voice is still shaky.

Eris doesn't hesitate.

"Don't worry, everything's fine," she reassures me, her smile calm and unwavering.

And—despite everything—I believe her.

The panic still claws at my insides, but her confidence dulls its edge—if only a little.

Thus, as the obedient catgirl that I am, I push myself to my feet and make my way toward the door.

Still…

Curiosity tugs at me.

Like an insistent little voice whispering at the back of my mind.

Before stepping out, I glance over my shoulder one last time.

Eris and Gordon remain locked in conversation, their voices still too low to hear.

A quiet sigh slips from my lips.

With no other choice, I leave, heading downstairs to find Lilly.

And just as Eris said—

Lilly is already there, waiting for me.

She holds a basket of soft towels and fragrant soaps, her arms full, her ever-cheerful smile lighting up the dim hallway.

For now, I'll trust Eris's words.

She promised she'd tell me everything.

I just have to wait.