Chapter 203 – Wolf and Tail

I see the Guild Master, Ecla-san, about to be attacked and pull out my Browning Hi-Power. Myrril then grabs my hand.

“Woof♪”

“Moff?”

Ecla-san is unmoved, holding Moff’s huge body and stroking his neck. What, they know each other? I think I heard Moff say something like that (to Myrril) in Lafan.

“Could it be that you are taking care of this Snow White Wolf?”

“I’m taking care of him, or rather, being taken care of.”

“Woof.”

“We met near the border between the Kingdom and the Republic in the Wilderness in Between, I think it’s called. When he was attacked by some bandits, we helped him, and we’ve known each other ever since.”

“Woof.”

“Oh?”

Ah, as one would expect from a witch, she can communicate with beasts and monsters without a problem. I don’t know what she hears, though.

“So there are still survivors. They avenged your mother’s death, I suppose.”

“Woof.”

“Huh, that’s a lot of purchase.”

Oh, she’s totally “talking” to the beast, just like Myrril. I don’t know what this “mother” thing is, but it can’t be a bad thing since Moff is a smart and kind fellow.

“Takifu, what’s that white, round, flying thing?”

“Hey, Moff!”

The fact that we were transported by Rinko’s airship is difficult to explain and might cause a fuss, so I wanted to keep it under wraps… or so I thought.

“Well, it’s a little late for that.”

I reconsidered after being told by Myrril-san. I was beginning to think that an airship was not such a big problem at this point in time.

“That “white round thing” is an airship developed by Casemaian. I was taken on a test flight to the Republic.”

Ecla-san’s eyes widened slightly for a moment as if she thought I wouldn’t be honest with her. There was a faint, questioning glint in her eyes.

“Oh, it’s not the kind of thing you can use in a war. It can only carry about ten people at best.”

“Don’t tell me you don’t understand that the difference in altitude is an absolute tactical and strategic advantage.”

“That’s true, but it’s too fragile in many ways to be used on the battlefield. It can only be used in peacetime and with some degree of security.”

“That white round thing is the floating function, isn’t it? That’s what makes it vulnerable to attack, isn’t it?”

Of course, that’s one conclusion. I don’t intend to use it for combat, so I don’t really care.

“Yes, that is true. I would like to propose the establishment of a regular shipping route at a later date, once friendly relations with the Republic have been established.”

“You sound like a merchant.”

“As I said, I am a merchant now, aren’t I?”

“Woof.”

The witch looked at Moff with a dumbfounded expression, then back at me.

“So the young lady is in charge of fighting, and Takifu is in charge of negotiations and supply. You seem to work well together.”

“Yes. It is a mutual understanding. Because we are one.”

Ecla-san could not help but laugh at the directness of the heartfelt love. Well, lately, Mir-san has been taking over the negotiations, or rather daring to negotiate in the heat of the moment.

The witch relaxes her gaze and lets out a small breath.

“If the Snow White Wolf likes you, I have no choice but to trust you. Your Majesty, the Demon King and Queen, please remain calm in Sarz.”

“Of course. This is where the real vacation begins.”

Really? Do you really think we’ll have a peaceful vacation? I can only see the rough stuff coming at us from the other side, if I may say so.

“Well, we’re leaving now.”

“Woof.”

Moff wagged his tail and followed us out. I turned around, curious.

“Moff… Have you known this Snow White Wolf for a long time?”

“Yes. His parents were killed by the Imperial Army. I took him from the nest when he was very young. Even though he was a baby, he didn’t drink milk.”

I see. So she provided Moff with the magical power he needed to survive. She has a good heart, doesn’t she?

“And what happened to the Imperial Army?”

…Myrril!? Can you please stop stepping on the kind of tiger’s tail that you shouldn’t step on?

Ecla-san leaned back against the sofa and tilted her head.

“Oh, you only see snowy landscapes, so maybe you don’t get it. There is a lake in the Wilderness in Between.”

A lake? What are you talking about? Did you drown them there?

“We passed through a large open area in the mountains. There was no vegetation or rugged terrain, so it was probably a frozen lake or something. That’s where we met Moff.”

“Yes. That was the location of the forest where the Imperial Army was encamped back then.”

Hey, that’s scary! She didn’t burn down the forest; she opened a crater the size of a lake!

“Ha-hahaha… I’m sorry I missed it. We will try to establish friendly relations.”

After crawling out of the guildmaster’s room, we were caught by Haru-san, the receptionist, at the first-floor counter and forced to update our adventurer IDs and receive our rewards.

“Haven’t we already been paid?”

“That must be a personal reward. After the event, we received a report from McKin-sama about the completion of the quest. The Guild Master also approved the rewards for the Bandit Guild and the Mole Bandits.”

“Huh.”

That was it. It’s a gesture of putting a noose around our necks. Acceptance is the only way to save both sides’ faces, external paperwork, and public reputation.

“Then we’ll take it. Haru-san, please.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. It will prove that we didn’t just move to another country on our own. That way, everyone will be happy.”

“Then you two are first-class adventurers from now on.”

“Huh?”

“”””Ooooohhh.””””

There is a commotion among the adventurers gathered in the background. Stop it, don’t make a fuss. Going from seventh to first class is a bit much, don’t you think? I don’t know if there’s anything above first class, but I’m pretty sure it’s a high rank.

“W-wait…”

The process has already been completed, and the joint application has been distributed to all guilds in the Republic with magical tools. After the changes are approved by the lord in the area, they must be approved in the capital city of Hagwai.”

Haru-san, you conspired against us!

“That’s what I said!”

Noooooo… this whole plan of not attracting attention is going down the drain, isn’t it? What we need now is not money but a quiet life!

“W-well, I guess that’s okay. I don’t have to show off my adventurer card, do I?”

“You’re getting agitated.”

Of course, I am! My plans for a winter vacation in the Republic are completely off the table. Can’t you get things back on track?

“This is a contingency fee for the request…”

With a thump, a coin in a leather bag is placed on the counter. I don’t know if it’s gold or silver, but it’s about a hundred coins.

“This is the token of pledge entrusted to us by the Lord.”

“Token of pledge?”

I had never heard that word before, and Myrril and I both tilted our heads. The one in front of us is a short sword, about the size of a survival knife. The construction is solid and sturdy, but the scabbard has a pattern on it that looks like the rising sun.

“Ah, this is the one. It’s a giant octopus, isn’t it?”

“Yes. It is a token given to those who have made great contributions to the Lord, indicating that the Lord will give them the greatest possible help.”

The greatest possible help, huh? He is a man of virtue. Let’s hope we don’t have to give it back to him.

“We’re back now.”

“Sorry for the delay.”

“Woof♪”

It seems that the landlady was preparing food at the “Wolf’s Tail Restaurant,” where we hadn’t been for a while, and she came out while wiping her hands on her apron. We had planned to return in a few days, but it turned out to be a long trip of almost a week.

“Ara, ara, Takifu-san, Mir-chan, you’re back. I heard about all your stories.”

“Eh?”

“Maybe two or three days ago, a man came to me and said that he was sent by the lord and that you would not be able to return for a while because of some official business. The lord paid for your lodging, including Moff-chan’s.”

It was, well, that fat is surprisingly caring… but what the landlady offered me was ten gold coins.

“What is this?”

“As I said, the lord paid for your lodging. So I’ll give you your money back.”

“The lord’s money is for today, isn’t it?”

“It’s until spring.”

“Huh?”

“If you want, you can stay as long as you want. The Lord’s will is the same as ours, and we welcome it.”

Oh no. I’m glad they’re not hostile, but I have no intention of moving to the Republic.

“In the meantime, we will be in your care until spring.”

“Leave it to me.”

By the way, I heard that a special shed for Moff was built next to the stables with the lord’s share of the labor costs. I took a quick look at it and found it to be a triangular-roofed kennel, a luxurious version of a kennel. Cream walls and a red roof. The interior is about four and a half tatami mats in size, probably based on the size of the house after it was built. One Japanese person could live in it.

“Woof♪”

Moff, who seemed to like the place, went inside and curled up on the brand-new hay. He is the strongest guard dog, perfect for the Wolf’s Tail Pavilion.

He is a “Snow White Wolf,” though.