Pluto, now relieved that Alicia won't be coming for his life anymore, was glaring at me dangerously.
Wait... Did I just bite myself in the rear by helping him?!
"A… Ah, Lord Pluto." I began, trying to keep my voice as smooth as possible. "It was a real pleasure fighting alongside you. In fact, I feel like we got closer, don't you think?"
I grabbed the sleeping Alicia from the ground with my jaws. "Now, if you'll excuse us, we'll go find another method to migrate into Pison—"
"Wait." Pluto's voice rang out, firm and commanding.
Good heavens... Can he just let me leave?
I basically saved his life earlier.
You'd think that would count for something. But now that the danger was gone, he was back to acting like a god again.
"Just who is that child?" He asked me, returning to his throne.
"She's the daughter of Bond Blonde, the 7th Mortal Power." I answered.
"Oh, Bond!" Pluto chirped, suddenly amused. "I know that guy… So he managed to trick you into a pact, huh? Haha, dogs are so stupid!"
I swear on my fangs, I will never help another god again.
Pluto rested his elbow on the throne's armrest, his head tilting slightly. "But you… You're also quite something, aren't you?"
"How do you mean?"
"You deflected my mental intrusion rather easily, don't you think? I have my pride as a god, you know?"
Ugh! Isn't that his fault for not having the necessary strength to breach my mind?
Though, I wasn't about to say that out loud.
"Ah, yes, 'bout that," I said instead, trying to sound nonchalant. "I have this ability that's in charge of things like that. I call it Platform." I smirked a little.
It wasn't often I got to brag.
And Yes, wolf's can smirk. At least in this story.
Pluto tilted his head in curiosity. "So it was with this ability that you blocked my mental connection?"
"Yeah. Platform was just trying to be 'safe.' She nags sometimes. And trust me, I'd love it better if she didn't talk at all… Uh, Pluto?"
Pluto's expression was hidden beneath his hood, but something about his posture shifted.
He was staring at me blankly.
"…No, I was just wondering if…" He paused, then straightened up. "Something's wrong with your head."
"Huh?"
Pluto leaned forward slightly. "Don't tell me you're just that lonely."
"Wh-What do you mean by that?!"
Pluto burst into laughter, his voice dripping with mockery. "A dumb wolf who talks to imaginary friends in his head. Pffttttt!" He covered his mouth, shaking with suppressed amusement. "They should… haha… They should change the title to 'The Silent Pact of a Delusional Mongrel!' Hahaha! Ah, my stomach…"
I think it's official—I don't get along well with gods.
Pluto wiped an imaginary tear from his eye, then had the audacity to say, "Okay, let's be serious now." After ridiculing the hell out of me?
"You want to leave Gihon with that girl, huh?" Pluto said, reclining back onto his throne. "I'll help you."
Every single letter in that sentence reeked of suspicion.
A god who just tried to kill me in cold blood now suddenly wants to lend a helping hand?
He truly thinks I'm stupid, doesn't he?
Anyway, I was at a point in my life where I couldn't afford to make decisions influenced by pride. So… let's poke our head a little.
"I know it's not for free," I stated flatly.
Pluto smiled. "I love that sharpness of yours! But it doesn't cost much—just help me run a little errand over at Pison."
"Errand…?"
That sounded fishy.
"What specifically are we talking about?" I asked, my eyes narrowing.
Pluto's gaze drifted toward Alicia's sleeping form. "There's an adage that says, 'If life throws you a grenade, toss it to your enemy.'"
"…Huh? Who said that? No one's ever said that."
"No, someone did. Trust me."
I did not trust him.
Pluto leaned forward, lowering his voice slightly. "What I mean is… that girl is incredibly dangerous. I wonder if she's even human."
Ah. That thought had crossed my mind too.
The moment I saw her magic force, I knew something was off.
Back when I was locked up in her mansion, she'd occasionally peek at me through the bars, smile, and then run away.
Sometimes, she'd just sit in front of the prison door and write, or read a book.
It was kind of awkward. I always thought she was mocking me somehow, but I never sensed that much magic from her.
But… well, her father was human, and her mother…
Wait. Her mother was a fairy, so… so…
Okay, I don't really know what that mean.
Fairies weren't exactly known for their physical strength, but their magic reserves were off the charts. Maybe that had something to do with it.
"I want you and her to help me destroy the operations of a very troublesome entity," Pluto continued, pulling me out of my thoughts. "I would have done it myself, but, you know, as you can see, I'm currently here."
I narrowed my eyes. "This entity…" I started, "are they as strong as you?"
Pluto paused. "…Well, I believe you can do it if you put your heart to it! Hard work pays, you know?" he said, a little too casually.
"So they're stronger than you, then?" I pressed.
And just like that, he lost it.
"Watch your mouth, you mortal! I j-just— I don't have as much stamina as they do, but if it's a one-on-one, I swear, I see no reason I'd lose! I'm serious, it's the truth!"
He's lying. He'd probably lose.
And…
"If that's the case, then I don't see a reason I'd win."
"C'mon, don't sweat the small stuff," Pluto waved me off like we weren't talking about something that could wipe me out in an instant.
Small stuff, he said. Something powerful enough to threaten Pluto is small?
He cleared his throat and continued. "A-And… yeah! I'll direct you on how to shave off their forces until you have them trapped!"
Haaahhh. This guy was persistent.
"Alright, alright! I'll give it a shot." I surrendered. "But like you said, I'll only slowly weaken them first, right? With your guidance, right?"
Pluto happily squeaked. "No problem, we have a deal!!"
Then, as if remembering something, he added, "Ah, of course! To make sure you don't go Judas on me, let's do a Pact."
Huh?! You can't be serious!!!