Vex didn’t immediately take action against me which is how I managed to salvage the situation.

I told her how such pathetic creatures were not worth of a glorious leader.

I didn’t do it because I hate cats, this point must not be understated.

I did it because I loath cats.

Filthy vermin…

Ah, were was I…

Right, how a leader needs the best minions.

Since every cat lover loves them so much, I turned the tables on Vex.

Cat-type creatures are sinister.

Think back, think!

Remember how they flee from cuddling?

Remember how they disdainfully stare at their food as if it’s not good enough?

Remember how they leave dead creatures in your footwear to show their hatred?

That’s right!

There’s a far superior creature that doubles as a supreme pet!

Canine-types!

Dogs! Wolves! Foxes! Kitsune!

Their superiority is so obvious, I’m actually shocked such a great leader hadn’t considered them yet.

Of course, Vex wasn’t convinced right off the bat.

So I tweaked a few of the genes of some samples I kept on hand.

Shadow dogs.

Shadow foxes.

Ninja shadow wolves.

There were also a few more that I haven’t found names for yet, regardless each one is unique and unrivalled.

As a side result the cat-type population around Vex’s castle has died out largely due to the moss.

The innocent canine-types had nothing to do with it.

Hmm there’s another canine one with a dead cat creature in its mouth…perhaps they are very nutritious? Yes, that must be it.

Well, things are fine now anyways.

After introducing the canine-types, Vex was won over almost completely.

A huge selling point is their solid loyalty.

She can string them up, beat them, torture them, fry them, fricassee them, it doesn’t matter!

They still give devoted cuddles!

I’m such a genius!

Dryad simply had no words for my awesomeness.

Yes, now that things have been resolved I’m going to take a nap.

I’m not an idiot though, I’ve carefully left a large amount of security measures in place.

Vex and Dryad get along nice, true, however I’m just nervous.

My recent, to me, occurrence with the Green Lady Kidnapping Incident has perhaps made me a bit…cautious.

Not completely batshit crazy, just cautious.

The mines, carnivorous blood moss, explosive nettles, shadow predators, and of course my Domain are merely me being safety-conscious.

Anyone would be strained in this place, so I don’t feel bad about all the lethality guarding me.

I’m a Tree, it isn’t paranoia since things like woodcutters exist in the world.

Paranoia is when they aren’t out to get you, and you still take drastic measures.