by Tôwa
I was kinda relieved that Plum called me big bro as opposed to mister, even though it meant Eyck and I shared the same title.
The two seemed to understand somehow that I had helped Cion out. They didn’t know that I’d done it with my rearguard skills; all they knew was that I’d protected them somehow.
“Thank you. I’ll tell Mommy that you saved us.”
“Just tell her Cion protected you. Don’t worry about the rest,” I replied. I didn’t want them to worry about the possibility that the man would come back for revenge. Even better, hopefully the man would just forget everything that happened. Hey, totally plausible, since Cion’s Tail Counter knocked him out completely.
Once Eyck and Plum had finally dried their tears, Cion came over and sat down in front of me.
“…Awoo.”
“…Wh-what’s up? That was a cute bark for such a big dog,” I said.
“I think she likes you. Dogs act really submissive toward people they approve of,” said Igarashi.
“She says she wants you to pet her. Cion begs people she likes to give her pats,” added Plum.
“You wanna pet her, too, miss? Cion’s a good girl; she won’t mind,” offered Eyck. The excitement on Igarashi’s face was plain as day, so even the kids noticed. She looked at me as if to ask if it really was all right, and I replied with a smile and a nod.
“…She’s so fluffy. It makes me think of the doggy my parents had… I wonder how he’s doing now,” she cooed, stroking Cion’s fur with hands that seemed accustomed to petting dogs. Cion seemed to enjoy it, but she also looked at me like she was hoping I’d pet her, too.
Even at almost six feet tall, she’s still got those puppy-dog eyes… She may be big, but she seems to like being pampered.
“Ah… K-Kyouka! What are you doing, getting distracted by a dog? Weren’t you going to go meet up with Arihito?” asked Elitia suddenly.
“Ellie, Arihito’s right here,” said Suzuna.
“Hey-o, Arihito! Wooooow, look at this giant pupper! She’s so big that it’s a bit scary… But I still kinda want to stick my face in that fluff!” exclaimed Misaki. Both she and Suzuna also seemed to like dogs, since they both started to pet Cion with Eyck and Plum’s permission. Theresia held back, hiding behind me for a bit, but Cion was so well-behaved that she eventually gathered her courage and reached a hand out to pat Cion on the head.
“……”
“Oh, good, you’re not totally terrified by dogs, then,” I said to her. However, it didn’t seem like she’d completely overcome her fears; Theresia went back to hiding behind me after petting Cion for a moment. Eyck and Plum smiled in amusement, their tears from a moment before now a thing of the past.
“Right… Shall we take the children home?” I said.
“You think that’ll be okay?” asked Igarashi.
“Yaaay! Big sis is coming along, too!” cried Plum.
“Wh-what the heck? She seems to really like me all of a sudden,” said Igarashi, confused as Plum clung to her. I suddenly remembered something Falma had said as I watched the two of them.
“Falma said something once about how she admired Valkyries… Maybe Plum feels the same,” I said.
“Big sis is so cool! I wanna be a big, strong woman someday!” exclaimed Plum.
“…You don’t want to be a Swordswoman? Maybe I just don’t come off as mature enough,” said Elitia enviously.
“Ellie, don’t get yourself down,” Suzuna consoled her. “You’re an amazing Swordswoman.” At level 9, Elitia was very easily the strongest person in our party, but she was still as sensitive as you would expect from someone her age.
Anyway… Incredible that Cion is so skilled. A guard dog, huh…
Cion was still in my party. I decided to return her once we got to Falma’s house. I looked at her as she walked by my side, and I had to admit, I really wanted a dog like her.
Part III: Parents and Children
When we arrived at Falma’s shop, Eyck and Plum rushed into their mother’s arms as she came out to meet us.
“Goodness… What happened, you two?” she asked.
“Um, ummm… A bad man tried to be mean to Cion, but that guy saved us!” said Eyck excitedly. As she crouched down to talk to him, her apron stretched across her ample chest. Obviously, a mother is gonna dote on her child, but I had to avert my eyes for a little bit.
“Mr. Atobe, thank you so much. I’m the one who should be protecting the children, but you went to such trouble…,” Falma started.
“It’s all right. I’m just glad I happened to be passing by at the time. I couldn’t let someone steal a kid’s allowance.”
“Thank you, Mr. Atobe! I have a present for you!” said Plum as she tried to give me a piece of candy she had clutched in her tiny hand. I wasn’t sure if I should accept it, but Igarashi pulled a bit of candy from her pouch and handed it to Plum in exchange.
“Are you sure? Thank you, big sis!” said Plum.
“I like sweet things, too. I hope you like this one.” Igarashi bent down to stroke Plum’s hair. The street Falma’s shop was on was peaceful, and everyone seemed to be smiling.
“People shouldn’t be doing such awful things in town where they can rack up karma… But I suppose there are a few who will find some sort of loophole,” said Falma.
“Cion was trying to protect Eyck and Plum when she ran into that poor excuse for a man. She really is a brave dog,” I said.
“…Woof!” She seemed to recognize she was being praised. Falma’s eyes grew large at the sight.
“My… Has Cion grown fond of someone else? Silver hounds aren’t supposed to open up to anyone but their master, but it seems like she likes you, Mr. Atobe.”
“’Cause Cion knows he protected us,” said Eyck.
“Mr. Atobe’s so cool! Just being with him, it’s like there’s some sorta magic that—”
“P-Plum, shhh. Can we keep that our little secret?” interrupted Igarashi.
“Why?” asked Plum.
“Arihito gets embarrassed reeeally easily. If you compliment him, he blushes and runs away,” Misaki hastily explained.
“Really? Okeydoke, I’ll keep it a secret!” I mean, I understood why Plum wanted to mention my role as a rearguard, and I didn’t think word would get out even if she did say it. But whatever.
Cion had likely become so attached to me because I’d supported her. Looks like I’d proved that support increased Trust Levels even while outside the labyrinth, even though my license only showed that the fight between us and Jack had happened.
“I’m so very sorry; the children just get so curious about everything,” said Falma.
“No need to apologize,” I replied. “Actually, Falma, I was wondering if you might know of a place where I could meet a guard dog like Cion.”
“Have you taken a liking to Cion as well? Ha-ha… And you—Ms. Igarashi, was it? You seem to love dogs yourself,” said Falma.
“Yes, I used to have a dog… Atobe, are you thinking of getting a dog like Cion?”
“Whoa, are you getting a dog just for Kyouka?” asked Misaki.
“Oh… C-congratulations. I can tell that you two have been really close since before you met us if you’re thinking of owning a dog together,” said Suzuna.
“N-no, it’s not like that. Igarashi was my manager before, so I’m just like her employee.” I tried to explain things, but that only seemed to anger Igarashi. She had said before that it was almost like she’d become the employee now, so maybe I should have respected that? I still didn’t understand women.
“And I thought that we’d started to build a more trusting relationship now that we’re in a party… I guess nothing’s really changed from before we were reincarnated, if you still feel that way,” said Igarashi.
“Th-that’s not true. We’re a party; we work together, and I can rely on you and…”
“Ha-ha… Mr. Atobe, you do seem to be such a serious soul,” chuckled Falma, stroking her children’s heads
. “From where I stand, it looks like the entire party has a strong bond, including Ms. Igarashi. Sometimes, I wish I could experience adventures with such friends… Although, I’m quite content with my current life.”
While she was talking, Cion seemed to react to something in the shop’s entrance. What came out was a silver hound that was significantly bigger than Cion.
“Falma, you have two dogs?”
“Yes, this is Cion’s mom. Cion’s only two years old, and look at how big she is,” replied Falma. The mom dog had a scar over one eye and gave off an impression you would expect from the massive war dogs of old, but when she saw Cion, she went over to her and started licking her and cleaning her fur.
“She was away for a little while helping the Guild and just came home today.”
“Did she? I imagine it must be comforting to have two strong dogs in your home,” I commented.
“Indeed it is. I don’t think it’s particularly unsafe here, but there’s always someone with ill intentions… Oh, Cion…!” Cion had left her mom to walk over to me and stare at me. It looked like she was waiting for some sort of command…but she wasn’t my dog, so I couldn’t really order her around.
“Mr. Atobe, if you like, would you want to try taking Cion with you the next time you go on a seeking expedition?” offered Falma.
“Ah… Would that be all right? She would certainly help us out a lot…”
“Cion’s father also works as a guard dog. I think Cion gets bored being stuck in town all the time, so I’d love for her to be able to experience seeking at least once… She’s never been attached to anyone but us, so I had been planning to let her go with Eyck when she’s old enough to seek. But Cion’s gotten quite attached to you, too, so if it wouldn’t be too much trouble…”
If Cion came along with us, the party’s defense would become even stronger, since she could use Covering. I did feel a little uncomfortable using Falma’s dog as a shield…but we shouldn’t encounter too many difficult battles if it was only labyrinths in District Eight.
“What do you think? If you’re not comfortable doing it…,” started Falma.
“No, I’m actually worried about the opposite. Cion would help us so much… Would you like to come seek with us?” I asked Cion, holding out my hand. She lifted one heavy paw to shake, trying not to scratch me with her nails. Her paw pads were surprisingly squishy.
That means Theresia will have to be around her. But I think I can use my skills to make Trust Levels increase even for relationships that wouldn’t normally improve. Since neither of them can talk, it’ll depend on how we do things, but here’s hoping they’ll get along eventually.
“Would you mind petting Cion? She loves it,” said Falma.
“Yeah, sure… Do you like this?” I said as I stroked Cion’s head. She started to move and then flopped on the ground, rolling over to show her fluffy belly.
“She looks so blissed out… Arihito, you sure you weren’t a dog breeder or something in your past life?” asked Misaki.
“You’re right… She’s so cute. A gentle giant,” said Suzuna.
“See, Atobe, you don’t have to be so intimidated by her,” added Igarashi.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve petted a dog… I think I’m getting used to it, though. What’s wrong, Elitia?” Elitia was sneaking glances in our direction every so often. She hesitated for a moment before deciding to speak.
“…Can I pet him, too?” she asked.
“Of course. Theresia, you wanna try petting him again?” Theresia would have to get used to Cion, too, if Cion was going to join our party. She seemed to understand that, so she came over with Elitia, and they both reached out to touch Cion’s soft belly.
“……”
“Cion seems to like that,” commented Falma. “She isn’t wary around demi-humans, so you have nothing to worry about.” Theresia nodded back. Elitia was silently absorbed in stroking Cion’s tummy—it looked like my party had a lot of animal lovers.
Part IV: The Dissection Center
Falma invited us to stay for dinner, but since I still wanted to make it to the Dissection Center in time, unfortunately, I had to decline. I decided I should try to take her up on the offer some other time while we were still in District Eight.
“Ah, Mr. Arihito. You’ve got quite a few companions with you,” noted Rikerton when we walked in.
“Yeah, I’m lucky that I keep finding new friends. Seeking is going well, too.”
“Just a short while ago, I received a delivery of materials from your storage unit. The joint dissection of Juggernaut is also complete, so I can give you the report for that and let Melissa dissect the new materials.”
Just then, Melissa came out from the back of the shop dressed casually in a shirt and shorts with a yet-unsoiled apron over her clothes.
“…The Carriers just delivered your monsters—Gaze Hounds and a Plane Eater. Can I dissect them?” she asked.
“Yes please. Sorry I didn’t get anything rarer,” I replied.
“They’re rare enough. Be better if they were Named, but Plane Eaters aren’t common.” She walked over to a table that had the monsters laid out on top, tied a rope around the Plane Eater’s foot, and hoisted it up.
“…It’s fresh, since you caught it today,” she said, licking her lips in a way that was almost inappropriately seductive for a girl her age, and picked up a butcher’s knife.
“—Hah!”
She made one swing. Just with that, the Plane Eater’s body was sliced open. It was followed with a series of small, fast strokes, and the parts—the materials from the Plane Eater—started to fall onto the table. There was less blood flying about than I would have expected. I felt like I was watching a master of their craft.
“I guess people do really eat chameleon meat, too…?”
“It’s considered one of the finest meats of all the monsters in the Field of Dawn. Some of it is used in cuisine… You almost never see a Named one captured, but the meat on those is on par with the finest cut of beef on the market. The stronger the monster, the tastier its meat,” explained Rikerton.
“R-really…? But I bet no one would eat Juggernaut meat, though, right?” I asked.
“We don’t, no, but its large hunks of meat can be used as bait to distract dragon-type monsters. Different breeds have different eating habits, but the dragons in the Sleeping Marshes prey on anything. Even a level-three party can just about take down one if they prepare large amounts of bait to lure it in.”
Monster meat could be used as bait to lure other monsters… I guess even the labyrinths had their own food chain. Now I understood why Cotton Balls were so hostile toward us: We preyed on them.
“When you say just about, you mean some parties lose, right? I wonder what happens to them…,” said Misaki.
“Eighty percent of novice Seekers remain in District Eight after one year. Fifteen percent never make it back from an expedition,” replied Rikerton. “That percentage decreases the higher you go in the districts. Even if they aren’t completely annihilated, promising Seekers dying or coming back as demi-humans are an everyday occurrence. So very unfortunate…” He closed his eyes for a moment, almost as if in prayer, but once he opened his eyes again, he’d returned to a gentle smile. “Although, I have heard there’s a way to return demi-humans to their previous form. I believe the labyrinths hold the hopes left behind by the Seekers.”
“I believe the same. I decided I would do everything it took to return her to her human self when she joined my party,” I said. Rikerton looked at Theresia, who didn’t seem to understand why she was being stared at. However, she returned his gaze, and he suddenly looked very serious.
“I may have worded things as if it had nothing to do with me, but in reality, I have been searching for a way to return a demi-human to their previous state for a very long time.”
“Rikerton… What do you…?” I asked.
“My wife lost her life in the labyrinth once. She came back
as a demi-human.”
He had told me that he’d gone on adventures with his wife when they were young.
Yet, I hadn’t seen a sign of his wife… And this was why.
“My wife died in a labyrinth in District Seven. She was discovered a month later by a search party, having turned into a demi-human. She was pregnant with Melissa at the time. I only realized after living with my wife as a demi-human for three months.”
“…That must have been so hard. And your wife…?” I said.
“She’s traveling with an acquaintance’s party. She has to travel with skilled Seekers and climb the ranks in order to find a way to return to being human. She’s become an even better fighter after turning into a demi-human. I’d just hold her back.”
“So that’s why you’ve been raising Melissa apart from your wife…,” I said, and Rikerton nodded. Melissa didn’t seem to notice our conversation. She had sliced open the Plane Eater’s abdomen and was retrieving something shiny from inside.
“Melissa’s never had much interest in things most kids like. The only thing she’s ever shown a passion for was my job—dissecting monsters. She must have been born with the talent, since her skills have already surpassed mine. Every once in a while, we’ll go in the labyrinth to keep our levels up. It’s a bit embarrassing to admit, but she ends up protecting me instead of the other way around.”
Children could inherit skills, so Melissa had inherited Rikerton’s skills and developed them while she was still a child.
“The thing is, lately, I’ve been thinking that it’s about time Melissa starts thinking about becoming independent. I think it’s a waste of her youth for her to sit here helping me out with the shop, just waiting for the occasional rare monster to come in… How about you, Mr. Arihito? How do you feel about adolescence?”
“Uh… W-well, I can’t say I had much of an adolescence, I guess, but I suppose I did do some things when I was young.”
“Arihito, were you ever a troublemaker?” asked Misaki. “You sometimes get suuuper intense, like when we’re all in a tight spot.”