If they wipe out the humans, there won’t be anyone to take care of me. “G-g-grww! (I—I feel like such a fool……!)” Good wolf. I’m just glad you understand where I’m coming from. The old man’s cooking dispels the murderous intent of wolves. “Woof, woof. (You should all try some; it’s good. Oh, make sure you share them with everyone.)” The sausages are divided for everyone, leaving only a little for each wolf, but it will have to do for a taste. The lower-ranking wolves, who had been lying prostrate, rush forward for the sausages. “Grw, grwl! (Delicious! Amazing!)” “Grw, grwl! (The king is marvelous! I can’t believe humans can make something like this!)” “Grw, grwl, grwl! (The king already has the humans under his control! Incredible! The king is wonderful!)” ……Huh? Is this conversation going in a direction different than I wanted? “Awoooooooooo!! (Oh, King! We shall follow your will wherever it leads!)” “Awoooooooooooooo! (King! King! Our magnificent king!)” “Woof, woof! (Ah, w-wait! I forgot to tell you—you’re wrong! I’m not your king! I’m certainly not this Fenrir, I’m just a normal dog!!)” “Grw, grwl. (Ha-ha-ha! You make the most excellent jokes, my king.)” “Awoooooooo! (But I’m trying to tell you I’m not your kiiiiiiiing!)” It looks like it’s going to take some time to convince these wolves. I howl mournfully at the moonlit sky. No matter what I say, these Fen Wolves keep barking back at me as if they don’t believe me. After the moon falls a little, they finally calm down. “Grwl, grwl. (I have been wondering something for a while now, my king. Why is it that the noblest King of Fen Wolves chooses to speak like some common cur?)” So he’s interested in the barking voice I worked so hard on. “Woof, woof. (I told you already. That’s because I am a dog.)” “Grwl? (Hmm? No, no, surely you jest. You are not some lowly pet of the humans. You are the proud King Fenrir.)” “Growl! (Silence, whelp! I shall grant you true enlightenment! [For the second time!])” “Y-yipe! (Eek! F-forgive me!)” The wolves all cry and shrink back, tucking their tails and lowering their bodies on the ground at the same time. They’re so cute when they hide their faces with their front paws. Wait, I’m getting distracted. “Woof, woof. (Anyway. I already told you: No attacking the humans. You’re going to live peacefully in the forest. I shall bring you more delicious food if you do.)” “Grwl. (We follow our king’s orders. Your word is law.)” I’ve already given up on convincing them. No matter what I say, they just reply with something like “The king is incredible!” If they’ll listen to my orders and behave themselves, then that’s good enough for me. Seeing them shaking with their tails between their legs, they actually aren’t that scary. “Bark. (Oh, right. I just remembered. You guys might know something.)” “Grwl? (Something about what?)” “Woof, woof. (Well, there haven’t been any monsters in the forest before, but the other day, these small, imp-like monsters appeared. I came out tonight to find out what they were.)” I also wanted to figure out what I was, but thanks to these guys, I’ve think I’ve found my answer. Fenrir? Wasn’t that some wolf from a Scandinavian legend? Seems like they have a similar story in this world. I’m sure it was something like a wolf big enough to make the earth tremble. Wasn’t it also the one that eventually killed Odin? ……Hmm? Does that mean I’ll grow as big as that in the end? That’s not good, is it? That’s definitely bad, right?! “Arww…… (No, this is terrible. Really awful.)” I’m a dog. I’m a dog. As long as I think I’m a dog and act like a dog, I’m sure I’ll be able to convince everyone else, too… “Grwl. (Goblins? We kill all monsters that show their faces in this forest, although there might be one place they’re leaking in from.)” The wolf’s voice brings me back to reality. “Bark? (Huh? What was that? Oh, right, I did hear the divine protection of the sacred lake keeps the monsters away……)” “Grwl, grwl. (I have never heard of such a tale. We Fen Wolves have maintained our pledge for a thousand years to clear out any monsters that come out of the deep woods.)” So the legend about the lake was a lie. Which means there’s no giant crystal that sank to the bottom? And I’d been considering swimming down there and checking it out sometime… But that also means it wasn’t thanks to the lake that Lady Mary and everyone at the mansion have been able to live peacefully. Nice work. I’m impressed. “Woof, woof. (You’re amazing. You’ve worked very hard these last thousand years…)” “G-grwl! (W-we are extremely delighted and humbled by your praise!!)” The black wolves lower their heads and, one by one, begin barking. “Grwl, grwl! (The king praised us!)” “Grwl, grwl! (Oh, King! Such a benevolent king!)” “““Grrrrrrwwwwl! (King! King! King!)””” Now, now, that’s enough of that. “Woof, woof? (So why are some suddenly appearing after you’ve done such a great job?)” “Grwl… (Well…)” The black wolf falters. “Bark? (Did something happen? Tell me.)” “Grww. (Very well, then. I believe it would be faster to show you. I can explain on the way. Would you mind accompanying us?)” “Woof, woof. (All right. But I have to get back before morning, so make it quick.)” “Grw! (Yes! This way, then.)” The black wolf lets out a single howl, and all the others head into the forest. I line up with the black wolf, and we venture into the dark wood. “Grw. (My apologies for the late introduction. My name is Garo. I am the warleader of the Fen Wolves.)” “Bark. (Garo. Okay, then. It’s nice to meet you. You can call me Routa.)” “Grw! (You would bless us with your hallowed name…?! There is no greater honor…!)” “Grwl! Grwl! Grwl! (King! King! King!)” I am really getting tired of these wolves’ songs of praise. “Grw. (This is the place, my king.)” “Bark? (Oh, so this is where the monsters live?)” We examine a spot hidden by shrubbery. It looks like a small mountain with a cave entrance jutting out of the ground. There are no monsters nearby, but I can smell and sense the creatures deep inside the cave. “Grw. (They do not actually live here. It is more accurate to say that this is where they spawn. Monsters are different from regular animals. They are more closely related to spirits and generate naturally from locations such as this, where magic gathers.)” “Bark. (Ohhh. So they’re not birthed from a mother.)” “Grw. (That is correct. The cave you see before you is actually a special kind of giant monster.)” “Woof? (Huh? This cave? This cave is a monster? It just looks like an ordinary cave to me.)” “Grw, grwl. (No, that hole is alive. It takes root in places where magic gathers, expands inside the open areas underground, and keeps monsters in its belly. These creatures kill anything that enters and absorb the flesh and magic of the dead, growing ever larger. It is an incredibly dangerous monster. We call this one the Labyrinth.)” “Woof. (Wow. You’re incredibly knowledgeable, Garo.)” “G-grw! (I—I am grateful for your praise…!)” “““Grwl! (Oh, King—!)””” “Woof. (Quiet.)” “““Arww…””” I beat them to the punch before they could start their chorus again. Phew. Looks like I’m getting the hang of this. “Woof, woof? (So this Labyrinth thing is what’s causing the problems? You all look incredibly strong. Can’t you go inside and just kill it?)” “Grwl, grwl. (No, we cannot. The Labyrinth controls all monsters that enter it. We are no exception. Any monsters that get any closer will be assimilated.)” Hmm, so it’s like a Venus flytrap. The fact that it controls monsters like slaves makes it even more dangerous. “Grwl, grwl. (Therefore, we can only observe from afar and try to block up the hole in any way we can. It is already dangerous just being this close. Can you not sense it, oh, King? The sweet fragrance that hangs in the air, drawing us in…?)” “Bark. (Nope. Not at all.)” In fact, it stinks. That cave reeks like a park bathroom. If it wanted to invite me in, then it should have smelled more like Lady Mary. She smells amazing when she holds me. Haah, I miss her. I want to go home. I want to lie down next to her and fall asleep. I think that, and yet, here I am, working. I don’t get it, either. I’d like to finish up soon and head back. “Grwl! (Of course! The Labyrinth could never affect someone as powerful as you…!)” No, I think it’s simply because I know someone who actually smells good. Lady Mary’s heavenly fragrance beats toilet funk any day of the week. “Woof. (What’s the best way to resolve this…? I don’t think sealing the entrance will make a difference.)” “Grwl. (It would quickly return to normal if we did that. To kill the Labyrinth, you must cut down its true form, the Labyrinth core, hidden in the deepest recesses of the cave.)” “Woof? (Do you know where that is?)” “Grwl. (Yes. Strangely enough, the core is roughly around the entrance. If you go straight down, you will reach it shortly, but as its name suggests, the Labyrinth has stretched itself out in all directions like the roots of a tree. It is an incredibly complicated thing. It will not be easy to reach.)” “Bark. (Hmm. Okay, I know what to do. You guys stand back.)” That nugget of information just made this a lot easier. “Grwl! (Ah! …No, it’s too dangerous…! Any closer, and you’ll—…!)” “Woof, woof. (I’ll be fine, just wait right there. That’s an order.)” “G-grwl… (Yes, sir……)” I leave Garo and the other wolves behind and step inside the Labyrinth entrance. “Bark. (Hmph. This really is no big deal. Way to go, super body.)” From what Garo said, the Labyrinth’s weak spot is directly down from here. Piece of cake. I have my killer weapon. “Grwl……! (Let’s do this…!)” I take a deep breath and howl with all my might. “GARUROOOOOOOOOOOO! (Excuuuuse meee!! But caaaan I! Destrooooy! Your hoooooome! Noooooooow?!)” Of course it wasn’t to going to respond yes. A beam of light appears with my howl and fires straight down. It instantly carves a hole into the bedrock of the cave and bores its way deep into the ground. I shut my eyes against the bright light. When I open them again and look down, I see a terrifyingly deep pit. Did that reach it? I wonder. Maybe I should fire another one? But before I can give firing again due consideration, an agonizing echo resounds from the hole. The earth shakes, and the cave begins crumbling. “Arf?! (Wh-whoa…?!)” The earth echoing gets louder and louder until the sound of everything breaking apart reaches me. It seems I can hear all the way into the Labyrinth’s body. “Bark! (This is bad! Time to run!)” As I retreat, behind me, the cave entrance begins collapsing. At the last second, it seems to almost melt away into sand. All the monsters inside were probably buried alive. Forgive me. Rest in peace. “Bark! (All right then, that’s one problem dealt with! I’m off! I’m going to bed!)” The wolves rush over to me. “Grwl, grwl! (That was…! The Labyrinth! In just one hit…! Rejoice everyone! Our king truly is the strongest in the world!)” “““Grwl! Grwl! Grwl! (King! King! King!)””” “Woof, woof. (Okay, yes, yes. I know. I understand how you all feel. That’s it, now. Time to disperse. I’m done for today.)” I’m tired and can’t handle any more of this. I dismiss the wolves. I look up to see that the sky is already starting to brighten. I need to get back ASAP or my lady will wake up. “Grwl! (Thank you ever so much for this, my king! We Fen Wolves will follow you anywhere!)” “Woof, woof. (Hmm. No problem at all; don’t worry about it.)” I think that perhaps things will go a lot smoother if I act more regal around them. “Grwl! (Please at least allow me to escort you some of the way.)” “Woof. (Oh, all right, then.)” Seems like the black wolf will come even if I say no. I just want to get back to the mansion. I won’t be long now, my lady. Your fluffy, cuddly pup is on his way home. “Grwl. (By the way, my king, I wanted to ask you about the howl you used to summon us.)” “Arwf? (What now?)” “Grwl, grwl— (What does ‘Ooohhhhhh gnh’ mean? I would be most grateful if you could tell me for my studies—)” “Grwn! (Silence, whelp! [For the third time!])”
Chapter 8
11 min read