A Chemist's Interstellar Saga

Chapter 97: Goodbye Mama Tiger
Chapter 97: Goodbye Mama Tiger

When Mama Tiger returned, she spotted Arix waiting at the cave entrance. Not wanting to scare her with the blood on her mouth, she quickly turned to lick it clean.

Feeling better, she turned back and looked at Arix gently. ”Why are you still waiting at the door? Are you still scared? Don’t worry, the bad guys are gone.”

Seeing Mama Tiger’s gentle demeanor, Arix felt a pang of sadness about their impending separation, and her eyes welled up with tears. But she remembered the Alliance and Thaddeus and Fleur waiting for her. Gathering her resolve, she said, ”I’m sorry, Mama Tiger, I have to go.”

”Go? No way! You’re my little one. How can you leave? You’re still so young; it’s too dangerous out there!” Mama Tiger said anxiously.

”Mama Tiger, I’m actually from the Alliance. My name is Arix Kering. I don’t know how, but I suddenly turned into a tiger cub. I have to go to the capital city to find the Pontifex and receive the Moon Goddess’s blessing to turn back into a human. Then I’ll return to the Alliance to find my real parents,” Arix said firmly, looking into Mama Tiger’s eyes.

After hearing Arix’s story, Mama Tiger was silent for a long time. Finally, she raised a big paw and placed it on Arix’s head, saying sadly, ”Do you really have to go? Can’t you stay?”

Arix shook her head, her voice resolute. ”My parents are waiting for me, so I have to go back. They must be very worried about me now.”

Mama Tiger lowered her paw and sighed, ”Alright, wait here.”

She walked out of the cave and let out a deafening roar. Soon, a tiger even larger than Mama Tiger appeared at the entrance. Daddy Tiger looked at Mama Tiger in confusion and asked, ”What’s going on with our little one?”

Mama Tiger whispered with Daddy Tiger for a while. After he nodded, she came over, picked Arix up, and placed her on her back.

”The forest is still too dangerous. I’ll take you to the edge of the forest,” she said gently to Arix.

”Okay, thank you, Mama Tiger,” Arix replied, touched by the gesture.

Though Arix could leave the forest on her own, she wasn’t familiar with the terrain and would waste a lot of time. She was deeply moved that Mama Tiger, a Celesterror, was so considerate.

Thinking of those hunters who mercilessly hunted Celesterrors, a cold glint flashed in Arix’s eyes. She silently made a decision.

In the future, when she had the power, she would ensure the Empire’s Celesterrors were protected by law, just like in the Alliance, so they could live happily under the sun.

On the way out of the forest, Mama Tiger shared all the important things she knew with Arix.

She explained that the full name of the Empire was ”the Empire of Sacred Moonlight,” which had six major legions.

The first was the Werewolf Legion, directly under the royal family. Blessed by the Moon Goddess, werewolves had the purest bloodlines and were the strongest of the six legions.

The second was the Dragon Legion, led by dragonkins. Known as the warmongers of the Empire, they were powerful but troublesome, greedy, and stingy.

The third was the Tiger Legion, led by tigermen. Most of the Empire’s priests came from the tiger clan, and they were the only ones the dragonkins dared not provoke.

The fourth was the Phoenix Legion, led by birdmen. They were generally indifferent to everything except insectoids, which they loved to study and find new ways to eat.

The fifth was the Merman Legion, led by mermen. Simple-minded and strong, they were close to the dragonkins and often used by them as the front line in battles.

The sixth was the Elf Legion, led by elves. They were the pacifists of the Empire, often at odds with dragonkins but close to the tigermen.

”Arix, if you ever encounter dragonkins, be very careful. They are all bad news,” Mama Tiger warned.

”Okay, Mama Tiger,” Arix nodded obediently.

”And remember, this planet is under the jurisdiction of tigermen. Since you are a tigerman cub, you can ask them for help if needed. They should assist you as a fellow tribe member,” Mama Tiger added, worrying over every detail to ensure Arix’s safety.

”Got it,” Arix said, feeling deeply touched by Mama Tiger’s clear love and concern. She nuzzled Mama Tiger’s neck with her small head.

Mama Tiger felt Arix’s affection, stopped, and nuzzled back lovingly. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting a warm glow on the two of them, making the moment feel timeless.

Unfortunately, beautiful moments are fleeting, and before they knew it, they had reached the edge of the forest. Arix jumped down from Mama Tiger’s back, lingering with her for a bit longer before finally saying, ”Mama Tiger, I have to go now.”

”Take care and stay safe,” Mama Tiger said, raising a big paw to gently rub Arix’s head.

”Okay,” Arix said as she looked at Mama Tiger one last time before turning and walking away.

After a few steps, Arix suddenly heard Mama Tiger call out. She stopped and turned, thinking there was something Mama Tiger had forgotten to tell her.

”Arix!” Mama Tiger sat down, looking at Arix tenderly.

”Mama Tiger, what’s wrong?” Arix asked, puzzled.

Mama Tiger smiled, her eyes soft and tender. She let out a light growl, then turned and disappeared back into the forest.

”Thank you for saving my little ones.”

Mama Tiger had long realized that, since only Arix and the scent of the two poachers were outside the cave, it must have been Arix who had saved her cubs, not someone else Arix had claimed.

Hearing Mama Tiger’s words, Arix’s pupils constricted, and a wave of sentiments surged in her heart. Tears began to flow down her cheeks as she watched the direction Mama Tiger had left.

Then, resolutely, she turned and ran forward.

She couldn’t stay any longer; otherwise, she would find it too hard to leave.

As Arix ran, crying, she made a firm decision in her heart. In the future, she would ensure that the Empire’s Celesterrors were also protected.

Though Celesterrors were fierce on the outside, they were pure and smart inside. They deserved to be treated kindly.