I Built a Divine Zoo in Another World

Lukas looked at the creature again.

”So those spines...”

”They are part of its adaptation.” Aurora’s explanation was calm.

Judite was still sulking.

”I don’t like that adaptation.”

Aurora held her daughter’s hand.

”I’m sure you tried to touch it.”

Judite looked away.

”Maybe...”

”Come. I’ll take care of that wound.” Aurora took Judite to the other side of the tent, taking some materials and beginning to carefully clean the small puncture.

Meanwhile, Lukas continued looking at the butterfly.

’So it’s a carnivorous butterfly...’ He became thoughtful.

’That really is rare.’

On Earth, Lukas had never heard of a butterfly that attacked humans in such a way. He knew there were insects with unusual eating habits, but that was completely different.

’On Earth, butterflies normally feed on flower nectar.’ He observed the creature.

’This one feeds on blood.’

The butterfly seemed completely calm, remaining on his finger. Lukas slowly moved his hand, and it followed the movement.

”You really don’t want to leave?” The creature didn’t answer, obviously, but remained there.

Lukas felt that strange sensation again, as if there were some kind of connection.

’Could it really be Affinity with Beings?’ Perhaps. The ability could explain why that creature was so comfortable around him. But he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something more. The butterfly seemed interested in him, not merely indifferent, interested.

Lukas observed its tiny eyes.

”You’re strange.”

At that moment, the entrance to the tent opened, and Clavor entered.

”Already awake?” He stopped, his eyes finding the butterfly. The expression on his face immediately changed, his smile disappearing, his eyebrows furrowing.

Lukas noticed.

”Did something happen, Dad?”

Clavor remained silent for a few seconds, his eyes fixed on the butterfly. Then he answered.

”No.” But his voice didn’t sound convincing.

Lukas tilted his head, concerned.

”Are you sure?”

”I am.” Clavor looked away.

”Get out of the tent. Eat something before we leave.”

Judite, still with her hand bandaged, complained.

”But I wanted to keep looking at her.”

”Later.” Clavor’s answer was firm.

”But...” Judite’s protest was interrupted.

”Judite.” She stopped.

”Okay.”

Aurora finished taking care of the wound, and the three of them left the tent. Lukas was the last to leave. Before stepping out, he looked at the butterfly again, which was still on his finger. He carefully brought his hand toward the entrance.

”I think you should go back to the forest.” The butterfly didn’t move. Lukas tilted his finger outward, but even so, it remained there.

He finally gave up.

”Do whatever you want.” Then he left.

Clavor remained alone inside the tent, his gaze immediately going to the ground. There were a few small drops of blood where Judite had been injured. He stood still, his face remaining serious.

”...” He knew that species. A vampire butterfly, extremely rare. Clavor had seen one only once in his entire life, and it wasn’t a memory he liked to recall.

He approached the drops of blood, crouched down, and observed them for a few seconds.

”A vampire butterfly...” His expression became even heavier.

”They are attracted to large quantities of blood...”

Clavor closed his eyes for a moment, the image of that colossal creature passing through his mind. The orange aura, the absurd pressure, the trees being knocked down, and the amount of mana that seemed impossible for a living existence to contain. He opened his eyes again, looking toward the entrance of the tent, in the direction Lukas had gone.

”I hope I’m overthinking this.” He took a deep breath.

Finding a vampire butterfly wasn’t necessarily a good sign, but it also didn’t mean that something bad would happen.

Perhaps it was merely a coincidence, perhaps the creature had been attracted by some dead animal in the area, or perhaps it had simply followed the flow of the wind. There were many possibilities.

Clavor would not allow a coincidence to control his decisions. Even so, he couldn’t completely ignore that feeling. The journey had to continue, the border was still far away, and they couldn’t remain in that place forever.

Clavor left the tent. Outside, Lukas was finishing breakfast. Judite was still looking at her own hand, clearly annoyed by the small wound.

”Does it still hurt?” Lukas asked.

”A little.” Judite’s answer was hesitant.

”You shouldn’t have tried to touch it.” Lukas’s observation was practical.

”I just wanted to pet it.” Judite seemed offended.

”It didn’t look like it wanted to be petted.” Lukas’s response was dry.

”How was I supposed to know?” Judite’s defense was weak.

Lukas laughed, the sound echoing through the morning. Aurora shook her head.

”Are you two finished?”

”Yes,” Judite replied, still sulking.

Clavor looked at his children, then at the road.

”Then let’s go.”

The guards began dismantling the rest of the camp, the tents being folded, the utensils stored away, and the fire completely extinguished. The horses were prepared, and shortly afterward, everyone was once again in their places.

Lukas entered the carriage, Judite sat beside him, Aurora took the seat opposite them, and Clavor remained near the front window. The carriage began to move forward.

’Clop... clop... clop...’ The wheels turned, the forest slowly passing by the windows. Lukas was still thinking about the butterfly.

At one point, he looked at his finger, but it was no longer there. He didn’t know when it had left. For some reason, he felt a small pang of disappointment but soon smiled. That creature had merely been one more of the many strange things he had encountered during the journey.

He turned his eyes toward the window, the mountain continuing alongside them, its slopes seeming endless. They would still need to spend some time going around it, and beyond it would be the territory of Marquis Slyr, a completely unknown place.

Lukas had no idea that this journey was only just beginning. Much less did he imagine that, somewhere in the forest they had just left behind, a small creature with red wings had watched their departure for a few moments before disappearing among the trees.

The road continued, and the carriage headed toward the border.