The image of a great white wolf is reflected on the surface of the lake. I stare back at it, feeling depressed. “Grwl… (No doubt about it. No matter how you look at me, I’m not a dog, I’m a wolf. It’s a miracle I haven’t already been discovered… Everyone besides that knight must be blind.)” I sigh deeply. Everyone’s going to think it’s strange if I grow any larger. And the more I look at it, the more terrifying this face is. “Routa!” The water splashes at my lady’s call, and the image of the wolf vanishes in the waves. “The water’s cold, and it feels great. Come swim with me.” The edges of her skirt are drawn up in true tomboy fashion as she rushes over to me. She looks like a water fairy playing in the shallows of the lake. “Grr… A-arf! (C-coming!)” That was close. I almost replied normally and let my feral growl slip out. I’m a dog. I’m a dog. I’m a harmless, incompetent puppy dog. All right! Self-motivation complete. “Come on. You’re not scared of the water, are you? You love baths so much.” Lady Mary grabs hold of my front two legs and pulls as hard as she can, but my body is so huge, I don’t budge at all. “W-woof, woof! (I-I’m coming, my lady!)” I consciously make my voice higher, trying to mimic a dog’s bark. This is harder than I thought. I’m gonna need to practice. “Come on! It’s not scary at all.” “Arrf, arrf.” I try as hard as I can to sound like a dog, and I play in the water with her. Shake, shake, shake. I shake with all my might, flinging water everywhere. “Eek!” Water sprays over Lady Mary, and she laughs. My white fur returns to its once fluffy state now that I’ve shaken out all the water. “Ha-ha, look at that, Routa. You made a rainbow.” The mist made from the spraying water reflects the brilliant rays of sunlight, creating the arch of a rainbow. The beautiful scene is only there for a moment as the heat of early summer evaporates the mist and the rainbow along with it. “Hey, Routa?” My lady looks at me eagerly. “Arf? (Ohhh, you want to see it again? All right, then.)” I’m about to jump from the shore into the lake when the maid, who was sitting in the carriage, calls out to us. “Lady Mary! It’s time to head back. You still have your afternoon classes.” Oh, looks like lunchtime’s over. No surprise considering how long it takes to get back to the mansion. “Aw, that’s a shame. Let’s go, Routa. We can’t keep the teacher waiting.” “Woof, woof! (It must be exhausting studying from morning to night, my lady. I’ll eat and sleep extra for you! Just leave it to me!)” We head back to the carriage as I console her. The carriage could easily fit four people, but half the seats are for me. It hadn’t occurred to me before, but I take up a lot of space. And I feel like I’m still growing. I try to make myself as small as possible in the seat. “Let us be off, then.” The volunteer driver for the day is none other than the freeloading knight, Zenobia. “Tch. Tch.” As she flicks the reins and clicks her tongue, the two horses start slowly in the direction of home, pulling the carriage behind them. They gradually pick up speed until the wind comes blowing in. This is the perfect time to explain the new world I was reincarnated into. First, imagine medieval Europe. Rows of buildings with stone architecture. Golden fields of wheat. The sound of woodcutters’ axes echoing out of the deep forest. It’s as beautiful as a folk song. But then, there are things mixed in that stand out from the norm, things like swords and sorcery. Creatures known as monsters also seem common in this world, and part-time workers known as adventurers go out on a daily basis to fight them. The knight sitting in the driver’s seat is one of them. She’s crashing at the Faulkses’ mansion for now, but apparently, Zenobia used to do some adventuring of her own. It seems that fighting monsters was her forte. Her battle prowess doesn’t do her much good these days, however. She doesn’t have anyone to fight. This area is actually supposed to be pretty unique, since monsters don’t approach it thanks to the sacred lake. Which means that Zenobia, the knight with nothing to fight, has as little work as I do. The extent of her usefulness has been reduced to tagging along whenever Papa or Lady Mary leave the house. She’s a good-for-nothing just like me! HA-HA-HA! …I just realized something. That would make her my rival! This house isn’t big enough for two deadbeats! Well, it is, but it isn’t! For the sake of my own cushy lifestyle, I need to come up with a way to defeat Zenobia… No need to rush, though. Let’s get back to the story. The sunlight glitters in my eyes, reflecting off the giant lake outside the carriage. It’s been said that a giant crystal sank to the bottom of the lake, granting it the sacred properties that keep the monsters away. You’d think it would be frowned upon for my lady and me to play around in such a sacred lake, but all the land surrounding the mansion, for as far as the eye can see, belongs to Papa. No one gets angry with us. This family must be loaded to own acres upon acres of land that’s mostly monster-free forest. Score! This pup definitely hit the jackpot. I just need to do something about the knight…! With these lands safe from just about any monster threat, Zenobia, the only armed person for miles, takes it upon herself to keep a watchful eye on me. She even volunteered to be the carriage driver just so she could make sure I didn’t get up to anything. Then again, I understand how she feels. I’d be on my guard, too, if I were her. There’s no telling when a massive wolf, such as myself, might attack Lady Mary. I had a feeling she wouldn’t let me ride in the carriage on the way back, but if she’d tried that, I would’ve just used my natural homing instincts to find my way back. You won’t get rid of me that easily! Never! I’m like a parasite that refuses to die! Don’t underestimate how attached a human who died from overwork can be to a life of loafing! I huff, cementing my resolution to my pet life. The two-horse carriage proceeds down the dirt road through the forest. The lake isn’t that far from the mansion. After thirty-something minutes of rattling, the estate comes into view. “Haff-haff-haff-haff. (Phew, it sure is stuffy in this carriage.)” I stick my head out the carriage window, letting my tongue loll. It’s early summer, but the wind is still cold. I lift my nose, enjoying the forest smell in the air way more than I thought I would. “Arf…? (Hmm?)” There’s an odd smell mixed in with the scent of greenery. It’s incredibly faint, but it’s a stench I’ve never smelled before. I try to zero in on the scent again and sniff around a bit more. Hmm, this is a worrying smell. I have a bad feeling about it. Where? Where is it coming from? Sniff, sniff, sniff. Ah. Sniff, sniff, sniff. “…Hey, mutt. What are you up to?” Zenobia’s voice snaps from the driver’s seat. I look up to see the knight’s horrific expression. “Arw?! (Eek?!)” Our driver is looking my way with murderous intent in her eyes. Zenobia’s death glare is trained right on me…! Scary! What?! What did I do wrong?! I just want to live a life that doesn’t require me to do anything, a pet life where everything is taken care of for me! “What’s wrong, Routa? Is there a bug or something?” “Arww! (That’s not it at all, my lady! This knight is bullying me! Tell her off!)” “Oh, the back of your ear itches? Right here?” “Arw, arw! (That’s not it, either, my lady! I should be the only good-for-nothing in this household! Get rid of her! Get rid of this terrifying woman right now!)” “Is it your tummy? Under your armpits?” “Arww, arww! (Ah. This is when my meaning doesn’t reach you?! Ah, that’s not it at all! Oh! Right there! Aw yeeeaaah! That feels so goooooood!)” While scratching me, Lady Mary hits a spot that feels especially good, and I can’t resist any longer. She pets me for the entire thirty-minute carriage ride back to the mansion. We climb out of the horse-drawn carriage once it arrives at its destination. “All right then, I’m off for my studies, so wait for me! We’ll have dinner once I’m done and then a bath!” “Woof, woof! (Very well, my lady! I’ll enjoy a nap while I wait for you!)” Hey! That bark just now was pretty doglike, wasn’t it? I happily wag my tail in response to Lady Mary. She waves back at me as she heads into the mansion with the maid. “…Hey.” I hear a threatening voice behind me. The sudden, intense murderous aura I feel sends a chill up my spine. It’s Zenobia, of course. Crap. I really don’t want to turn around. “There’s something I need to talk to you about once I’ve taken the carriage back. Wait here.” Her eyes are blazing as she leads the horses away. Wh-what could she have to say to me? I’m scared. What’s she going to do?! What’s she going to do to me?! “Ohhm, ohhm! (Bone crackers are so good! They’re just fried-up bones, but they’re still so good!)” In just a few minutes, I’m already eating the snacks the old chef had given me—crackers made from calf bones dried in the heat of the sun, then slowly fried in oil. The old chef had done a splendid job. A soul who doesn’t waste a single ingredient is truly wonderful. The crushed bones let out a juice brimming with umami, which matches the crunchy texture perfectly, truly making it a jewelry box of flavors! “Whoa, slow down a little when you eat. You sure can put it away, huh?” The old chef watches me stuff myself with a startled look on his face, but he also seems happy to see me greedily scarf down the food. “Woof, woof! (These are so absolutely amazing, old man! Thanks!)” “…I feel like you’ve suddenly started barking more like a dog… Oh wait, you were always a dog. “Bwa-ha-ha!” the old man laughs as he ruffles my head. The way you pet me isn’t half-bad. Pet me more. And keep thinking I’m a dog. “Awwwn. (Now that my tummy is nice and full, I think I’m going to treat myself to a nap right here with the old man.)” I curl up in the corner of the room so I don’t get in the way, tucking my luxurious tail under my head to use as a pillow. “Grwl… (Good night…)” The sound of the chef’s knife chopping away in preparation for the evening’s meal makes me feel good, and drowsiness takes over. I’m on the verge of falling asleep when— “Y-you liiiiittle—!! So this is where you weeere!!” Just as I hear a clatter and a crash, the knight bursts into the kitchen. “Why didn’t you waaaait?! I told you we had to taaaalk!!” Wh-whoa?! If it isn’t Zenobia. What’s wrong? What’s gotten you so riled up? The old chef is so shocked, he extinguishes the fire on the stove and turns around. Zenobia, who was looking at me, shifts her focus and quickly tries to fix her appearance. “Oh, I-I’m terribly sorry, Lord James.” “Would you like some snacks, too, Zenobia? I’m sorry to say these are all I have, but……” He takes the plate with the leftover bone crackers, sprinkles them with some rock salt, and hands them to her. “N-no, that’s not why… My thanks. I’ll have just one.” She takes a stick-shaped rib, scrunches up her shoulder a little to conceal her eating, and nibbles on it. I’m surprised at the amount of grace contained in the gesture. And how cute it makes her. Once she finishes her snack, she bows her head. “It was a wonderful treat. You have my thanks.” When she looks up again, her gaze returns to me. “…Come.” Just as I realize she’s walking toward me, she grabs the scruff of my neck and yanks. “Arww, arww! (Ah, n-no, stop it! You’re being too rough! I’ve seen how this plays out in fan fiction! …Tch. I’ll get you!)” “Tch, I’ll get you!” —I actually said that. I would much rather switch positions with Zenobia. I’d like to see her chained up, saying “Tch. I’ll get you.” My resistance is futile as she drags me through the back door and outside. Zenobia and I square off against each other in a secluded park of the garden. “The young lady isn’t here. I know you’re not really a dog. Show me your true form. You cannot trick me.” “Arww.” “A dog could never grow this huge in just a month. And look at your face. You’re clearly a wolf. First, the master gets won over, and now everyone else is on board. Why doesn’t anyone in this mansion find this strange?” “Arw?” “…Do not think ill of me. I must dispose of you before you remember your wild nature. It will be too late if you attack the lady.” “Arww, arww.” “I-it’s pointless! I shall not falter even if you use such a pitiful voice!” Zenobia draws her sword as she shouts. Tch. My plan to appeal to her emotions failed. I didn’t think anyone could resist my cuteness. Not bad, Zenobia. No, wait—this isn’t the time to be praising her. She’s serious. Dead serious. This lady’s really out for blood! “Before you do any harm, I, Zenobia Lionheart, shall cut you down!” Following this declaration, she raises her sword high above her head. “Arf?! (Wha—?! No way?!)” Seriously?! Can’t we settle this some other way?! I thought there’d be a bit more buildup! This is all happening so fast, I didn’t have time to get ready! W-wait! Hold on! I’m gonna die! I’m really gonna die! I don’t even have time to think about dodging it. With terrifying speed, the sword slashes down. The blade strikes my head cleanly, and the force behind the attack instantly splits it in half. …The sword, that is. It lets out a metallic screech, and the broken end tumbles through the air. “…Arw? (…Huh?)” “Th-th-that’s impossible…” Zenobia stands before me, flustered. I survey my body while trying to make sense of what just happened. Surprisingly, there isn’t a single drop of blood. Amazing! I’m unharmed! I’m alive! Thank God! Actually, if I hadn’t been reincarnated as a wolf in the first place, this would have never happened. I’m not thankful at all! “I-it can’t be… My sword… A sword forged by the craftsman Rouen…,” she mumbles as she falls to her knees. She remains crumpled there as she stares dumbfounded at the broken sword. …Ohhh. I see. Dear, sweet Zenobia, it seems you’ve been swindled. That sword is a fake. You poor thing. It’s clearly just some crummy old sword that someone sold to you for a fortune under the pretense that it was a rare artifact. “That…can’t be… I spent so much money on it…” Called it. That was painfully predictable. Zenobia looks so sad that I can’t help but call out to her. “Arww… (Um…)” “You…!” Eek! She’s glaring at me. Ah. Upon closer inspection, her eyes are welling up with tears. She’s gonna cry. The knight’s sword broke, and now she’s about to cry. “Y-you! You’re no ordinary wolf!” “Woof, woof. (Nope. I’m an ordinary dog.)” “Shut up! It’s useless to keep pretending you’re a dog! …I will not let this farce continue! You’d best prepare yourself for next time!” She delivers a parting shot and runs away.
Chapter 4
14 min read