Lush green mountains stretched as far as the eye could see, majestic cloud-wreathed peaks connecting Gairy and Felttro, linking city and town, yet dividing the landscape into two distinct scenes.
As evening fell, mist instantly filled the mountain valleys, coiling around the woods and the travelers, bringing a faint fragrance and washing away some of the weariness and dryness. The evening glow scattered the last light of the setting sun across the mist, rays like luminous curtains gradually diffusing before finally fading into the shadows.
Night had truly arrived.
The Caralt Mountain Range was not just a place of wonder; it was also a source of opportunity for merchants. At the foot of the high mountains lay a natural cave. Upon entering, one could see various colored magic stones glittering and raw gold exposed, tempting one’s greed.
If the surface was this lavish, what lay deeper…
A light set of footsteps sounded at that moment, standing out crisply against the backdrop of the silent forest.
It was a melancholic girl with sky-blue hair. Her pure golden eyes, if they held any spark, might seem able to see through anything. Her boots, though clean, were already scarred and worn.
Who knew what she had been through?
“It’s already so late… How long have I been walking? Feels like not even three hours yet.”
The blue-haired girl stopped and sighed. After a moment’s hesitation, she chose a clearing with reasonably wide shade under a tree, adjusted her clothes, and sat down on the ground.
“I left the orphanage in the morning, got caught and thrown in a cell, then got out and went to the tavern… Day after day, there’s always something.”
A breeze blew past, annoying the branches, which responded irritably with a chorus of rustling leaves. The whole forest joined in, back and forth, eventually forming a simple lullaby.
“Kind of want to sleep, but I can’t. How sad, feeling like I can’t do anything…”
The girl sighed again, closed her eyes, leaned against the tree, and quietly breathed in the forest air she hadn’t experienced in so long.
“The last time I leaned against a tree like this was probably back in the Luminous Woods. Ah, without the ‘Guardian,’ that place will vanish… Hm?”
The girl felt something brush against her hand. She reached out to feel it, then opened her eyes.
It was a young Fangwolf—a wolf species named for its sharp fangs, capable of easily tearing a grown man apart when adult. However, they were naturally gentle and wouldn’t attack unless humans approached their young.
“Did you come to comfort me? Where are your parents?”
The girl smiled and gently stroked the young Fangwolf.
Immersed in the forest’s atmosphere, the girl couldn’t help but recall days gone by… those beautiful times… Of course, she didn’t regret escaping from there for a single moment.
Another Fangwolf approached, then a third, a fourth… It seemed the whole pack had been drawn over, and only then did the flow stop.
“—Ow, don’t lick, it’s really ticklish!”
The girl tried to keep distance from the cub’s tongue without hurting it, but failed. Instead, another cub pounced on her.
This action, which might look like marking food, was actually just their way of showing friendliness.
And so, the girl and the Fangwolves snuggled together (or rather, she was snuggled by them), and she quietly closed her eyes…
…
…..
I ‘awoke’ from amidst the Fangwolf pack, buried beneath the tree.
“Can’t sleep… If the Fangwolves would just move, maybe I could comfortably continue on my way now…”
Using brute force, I could certainly break free. But looking at the cub in my arms, I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.
The main road was right there. Wanting to keep moving, yet unable to—how pathetic. Well, maybe not so pathetic.
Whenever things got quiet, my mind would wander endlessly into the future. On one hand, after meeting Elph and Alec, I could dedicate myself to helping them again, instead of drifting aimlessly. On the other hand, after everything was over, I could return to Cliff and properly apologize to Madam Clerole…
But there was always that dark thought—
What if Elph and Alec were gone? What if I was caught before returning to Cliff? What if I died before accomplishing everything?
[Then, let me help you—]
“Huh… No, crying so easily isn’t like me at all.”
I buried my face deep into the Fangwolf’s fur, not wanting any creature to know.
I really want to sleep, have a good sleep, then have a good dream, remember nothing, pretend it was all a dream, and wake up still feeling moved—
This adventure, I really want it to end soon.
Creak
Somehow, I heard the sound of a door. Looking up, I found myself in a quiet, dark space without knowing how I got there.
“Where… is this?”
I slowly got up. There was no scent of Fangwolves on me at all, and a door had materialized before my eyes.
That color, that style… it was definitely from “that place.”
Holding onto a sliver of hope, I walked forward and knocked on the old but still solid wooden door.
“My body feels numb. Is this a dream? Am I already dead?”
While confused, I heard a response from inside—
“Coming.”
The voice was familiar. It was the ‘voice’ that had been with me for ‘three months.’
“Eek! My face?”
Reaching up to touch my cheek, I realized a handful of mud was smeared there. Then I heard a sound from the left.
How’s the mud taste?! (Sticks out tongue)
No image, just that annoying voice.
Then, the wooden door in front of me slowly swung open. I stepped back. What met my eyes was a figure in a pale yellow dress, with a hairstyle that seemed risky, and a kind, benevolent face smiling at me…
“Shiling, you’re back.”
My mouth slightly agape, I desperately wanted to answer, but the words stuck in my throat.
“Shiling, welcome back. Don’t just stand there silly, come in. It’s time for dinner.”
“Okay… I’m sorry, Madam Clerole, for being away from you for so long…”
She stopped, turned back, and stared at me with a puzzled expression. Of course, anyone would make that face after hearing such a reply—
She patted my head and said with a smile.
“What silly things are you saying? You just went out a little while ago.”
“But, I’ve been away from home for more than three or four days—”
She covered my mouth and said gently.
“No need to say more… Shiling, you’ve had it hard, haven’t you? So, don’t carry everything on your own shoulders. Talk about it. With me, with Xielo, with everyone, it’s all fine.”
She took my arm and led me into the house.
“…I’m home.”
“There, there, welcome back.”
My chest felt tight, as if something was blocking it.
Tears flowed easily from my eyes. I didn’t want to stop them.
“Shiling, don’t cry. A pretty girl like you won’t look good with a tear-streaked face.”
“Yes, yes… You’re right, Madam Clerole. Waaah—”
“But also, don’t hold back. If you want to cry, just cry, okay?”
Before I knew it, I was bawling, crying until my eyes were sore and dry.
It was an experience that can’t be described in just a few words.
“Feeling better?”
“Mhm…”
“Then let’s go eat. Come with me.”
…
…..
“To think we lured that girl over so easily. You really have a knack for this.”
“Of course. This spell takes a while to set up, but the effect is top-notch. Not only can it hypnotize her, I can even control her actions.”
“Speaking of which, that girl’s eyes are truly beautiful. Combined with her looks and that pitiful expression… (Licks lips)”
“Hey, hey, we’re completing a bounty job here. We need to ensure the target is unharmed. The client made that very clear in the posting.”
“Of course, of course! Huh? A Fangwolf cub?”
“Shoo, shoo! Don’t get in the way!”
Whimper! Awooo!
“Hey! Don’t touch the Fangwolf cub! Its pack might be hiding nearby!”
“What’s there to fear?! Can’t our carriage outrun them?”
“To be honest, maybe not.”
“—You.”
…..
…
I’m so sleepy. I actually want to sleep now.
“Madam Clerole, I want to sleep.”
After washing the dishes, I said to her.
“Alright. Let me take you to the bedroom to get some proper rest.”
“Okay…”
Finally, can I sleep? Huh?
I sensed something tugging at the hem of my skirt. Looking back, I saw a Fangwolf cub biting it.
“What’s wrong, Shiling?”
“Nothing, it’s nothing…”
I replied, trying to continue following her.
But the Fangwolf cub seemed determined not to let me leave, pulling hard on my skirt.
“No, let go. If this goes on, my skirt will tear.”
“Shiling, come on. Don’t you want to sleep?”
“Madam Clerole, sorry, could you please wait a moment?”
But she also grabbed my hand and started walking forward, paying no heed.
Plus, the Fangwolf cub wouldn’t let go…
Rip!
Ah, as expected, it tore.
“Eek! No—!!!”
Overwhelmed by shame, I gathered my strength, broke free from her and the cub, quickly covered my lower body, tears already welling in my eyes.
Even though, even though I’m wearing tights underneath, so you can’t see anything! And I’m actually male myself! But! Why does it feel so mortifying when my skirt comes off?!
“Me? Where is this?”
In the blink of an eye, I found myself no longer in a small house, and Madam Clerole was nowhere to be seen.
“What… happened to me?”
When I finally came to my senses, I noticed the Fangwolf lying beside me, and I saw a carriage being chased by the wolf pack, continuously shooting arrows at them.
So, I had almost been captured…
“Phew… That was close—to think that just wanting to rest a bit would leave me open to attack like that.”
Stroking the Fangwolf’s fur, I smiled wryly, yet part of me still felt a lingering attachment to the scene from before.
Would it have been better to just continue like that…?
“Thank you.”
…
