I Built a Divine Zoo in Another World

Chapter 95: Rat Infestation

Prata was well-fed. She had never shown any aggressive intentions, at least not toward Astra. The same could not be said for the manor’s servants, who were terrified of Prata whenever she moved.

Even so...

Lukas remained attentive.

He treated Astra with the same affection he dedicated to the other two. Perhaps even more. After all... she was still injured.

Lukas closed the book resting on his lap.

His gaze fell upon his three companions.

And then... He sighed.

There was a problem. A big problem. Or rather... Two big problems.

Prata and Tilbo were growing rapidly. Consequently... They ate more. Much more.

Tilbo was not difficult. She liked fruits. Vegetables. Some grains. Even small pieces of meat. She was omnivorous, like most ants.

Prata was not. Neither was Astra. Both were carnivorous.

Lukas rested his chin on his hands, his elbows supported on his knees.

He could use meat from the kitchen. Helga always had leftovers. But...

That felt wrong. After all... Prata was not an ordinary domestic animal. She needed to hunt. She needed suitable prey.

Lukas yawned.

"Tomorrow I’ll talk to my parents."

With that thought... He fell asleep.

The next morning... Lukas woke up early.

The first rays of sunlight passed through the curtains, painting the room in golden tones. The smell of fresh bread was already coming from the kitchen. Helga was working.

Tilbo was still sleeping, curled up on her pillow. Prata remained motionless in her web. Astra watched silently from inside the box.

Lukas dressed quickly, a light-blue tunic and thick cotton trousers. He tied his leather sandals around his ankles.

He went downstairs for breakfast.

Aurora was already seated at the table, a cup of herbal tea in her hands. Her white hair was tied into a loose braid over her shoulder.

Clavor was reading some documents while drinking tea, papers bearing the seals of the territory’s administration.

Judite swung her legs beneath her chair, impatient.

"Good morning!" Lukas announced.

"Good morning," Aurora replied.

"Good morning, little brother!" Judite said with a huge smile.

Clavor lowered the papers.

"Did you sleep well?"

"Yes."

Breakfast began peacefully.

Freshly baked bread, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. Fresh fruit, red apples, yellow pears, green grapes.

Cheeses, one creamy and white, another firm and yellow. Warm milk sweetened with honey.

After a few minutes... Lukas cleared his throat.

"I have a problem."

The three immediately turned their attention to him.

Aurora tilted her head.

"What kind of problem?"

"Prata is growing."

"Tilbo too," Judite added, as if she were helping.

Lukas nodded.

"They need to eat more."

Clavor frowned slightly.

"And?"

"Astra eats meat too."

Aurora immediately understood.

"You’re worried about feeding them."

"Yes."

Lukas looked down at his plate, his violet eyes fixed on the bread he had not yet bitten into.

"I don’t want to depend only on the kitchen’s meat."

Aurora remained silent. Thoughtful. Then... Her eyes lit up.

"Wait."

Clavor raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

Aurora turned toward Lukas.

"I heard something a few days ago."

"What?"

"Forest Village is dealing with a rat infestation."

Lukas blinked. Aurora continued.

"The villagers said the rats are coming out of the forest. A lot of them."

"A lot?"

"A lot."

Judite made a face.

"That’s disgusting."

Aurora nodded.

"They’re causing problems in the storage buildings. Destroying supplies. Eating the grain."

Lukas’ violet eyes widened.

Rats. Meat. Natural prey. Prata. Astra.

Everything seemed to fit together perfectly.

"That’s brilliant!"

Aurora laughed.

"I thought you’d like the idea."

Lukas practically rose from his chair.

"Can I go there?"

Clavor crossed his arms.

"Don’t go deep into the forest."

"I promise."

Aurora nodded.

"Stay close to the village."

"Yes."

Judite raised her hand.

"Can I go too?"

"No," Clavor and Aurora answered simultaneously.

Judite pouted. Knowing she had to continue training.

Lukas quickly finished breakfast. He ran back to his room.

Tilbo was already awake, her antennae moving as they sensed his presence. Prata slowly descended from her web, her long legs stretching out. Astra raised her head, her golden eyes fixed on him.

Lukas turned toward his companions.

"Let’s get to work."

Tilbo moved her antennae, a gesture Lukas already knew well.

Prata slowly opened her eyes, or rather, she simply looked at him, since spiders had no eyelids.

Astra tilted her head.

Lukas smiled. A short time later... He left Dmond Manor.

The road to Forest Village was pleasant.

Green fields stretched around him, dotted with wildflowers, yellow, white, and purple. The wind carried the scent of flowers and the smell of damp earth.

Tilbo walked beside him, her legs striking the ground with a rhythmic sound. The enormous ant attracted curious glances from the workers in the fields, but no one seemed particularly frightened.

Everyone knew Lukas. Everyone knew about his animals.

Astra remained perched on his shoulder, her favorite position. She observed her surroundings attentively, her head turning in every direction, her golden eyes recording every movement.

Prata... Followed silently among the trees. Nearly invisible.

Her silver-white body blended with the tree trunks, and her movements were so smooth that Lukas almost forgot she was there.

After some time... The first houses of Forest Village appeared.

And Lukas noticed immediately. Something was wrong.

People were talking anxiously. Groups of villagers gathered in small circles, gesturing as they spoke, their voices tense.

Barrels bore bite marks, small holes in the wood, as if sharp teeth had gnawed through the surface.

Bags of grain were torn open, grain spilled across the ground, scattered like golden tears.

A man sighed heavily, his shoulders slumped.

"More rats?"

"More rats."

Lukas approached.

"Excuse me."

The adults turned toward him.

"Young Master Lukas."

"The rats come from the forest?"

One of the villagers, a thin man with a gray beard, nodded.

"Mostly at dusk. They come out in groups. Ten. Twenty. Sometimes more."

Lukas looked toward the nearby forest. The trees appeared calm. Peaceful. But something was wrong.

He turned toward Tilbo. Then Prata. Finally... Astra.

A small smile appeared on his lips.

"I think we found food."

Tilbo moved her antennae. Prata silently descended from a tree. Astra let out a small chirp.

Lukas observed the forest before them. A forest Aurora had asked him not to explore too deeply.

A forest from which strangely numerous rats were emerging.

Maybe it was just an ordinary infestation. Maybe not. But one thing was certain.

This would be his first small adventure in a very long time.