After giving Platform a hell of a scolding, I did the summon.
Specter Wolf Summon, huh...
No time to think about it now. I'll check it out once I cross over to the other side.
Platform summoned one just like I told her. But...
Hmm. It didn't look much different from my usual Shadow Wolves.
Shadow Wolves were monsters created from Evil Curse energy and magic. They were about three times larger than your average wolf, with menacing red eyes.
This Specter Wolf, though… same build, same eerie presence—except for its golden eyes.
I gave it a mental command to fetch some human food nearby, and it hurried off.
Pluto continued, "I knew it. You have some strange abilities for a Fenrir that's only a few centuries old."
Strange?! How could he say such a thi—
Okay, alright, Platform is strange, but what's so weird about my Shado—uh, I mean, Specter Wolf?
To be honest, I don't even know what a Specter Wolf is.
Specters, on the other hand, were kind of powerful... restless spirits with no place in Heaven or Hades. They just did whatever they wanted.
But a Specter Wolf? No clue.
!?
My Wolfie just died!
{He was ambushed, Master.}
…Can you be a little more caring about it?!
{No need to be stupi— No need for panic, Master. Just offer a bit of your magical energy, and it'll revive.}
Oh, is that so?
In that case, I'll ignore the fact that you almost insulted me just now—
!?
What?! He died again already?!
What's going on in Gihon?!
"Hey, Platform, between a Shadow Wolf and a Specter Wolf, which is stronger?"
{Depending on the magical energy provided, one can surpass the other. But ordinarily, Specter Wolves are approximately stronger. Does this answer your question?}
Something about the way she phrased that last part felt off.
But if they're supposed to be stronger, why is mine getting killed so easily?!
Tsk! Fine.
I'll pour in even more magic—maybe 30% more will do—
!?
Hahaha. Yup. He died again!
At this point, it's like he's mocking my efforts.
{Well, he is trying to steal food from a high-level champion, after all. Can't be helped.}
A… high-level champion?!
If you knew that, why didn't you say something sooner?!
Tell it to go rob someone else!
{Ah!}
What now?!
{The high-level champion wearing the skin of a wolf has sensed the information I passed to the Specter. He's tracking it back here—at full speed!}
YELP!!
Why is it brought to my attention that he's wearing the skin of a wolf?
Anyway, I can't deal with a champion right now!
Pluto suddenly glanced into the distance. "Hm? Something's approaching at high speed. A friend of yours?"
AHHHHHH!!
"Pluto, I'm sorry, but I need to get out of here—fast! Do you have any food or something?!"
…Wait.
Why didn't I just ask him in the first place?!
"Food? That's what you were so desperate for? Why didn't you just ask me?"
The obvious, huh…
Pluto sighed, rummaging through his all-purpose treasure chest. "Ugh, you're such a pain. But if it's about a nice erotic body, you'll remember to whine and complain… Dumb, lice-ridden dog."
...I'll keep my mouth shut. Not like I'm not at fault here.
After receiving my hard-earned prize—a sack stuffed with three days' worth of bread and water—Pluto gestured, and the dark fog behind him parted.
A wave of deathly miasma and crushing pressure seeped through, like the devil himself was waiting on the other side.
What sort of foreboding nonsense is this…?
But there was no time to hesitate. I could already feel a strong magical impulse approaching fast.
Right before stepping through, I turned to Pluto. "Uh… Thanks for the… uh…"
"Don't worry about it." He waved lazily. "If you ever need anything, I'll come help. We're allies now, and I'll never forsake an ally."
A cool breeze conveniently fluttered his hood.
The picture of reliability.
Of course, I had no idea at the time that it was all a lie.
That Pluto only ever remembered my existence when he had a task to dump on me.
But naïve little me had no way of knowing. So I smiled back, feeling utterly grateful to the god who had tricked me into a suicide mission.
The fog closed behind me.
Though, we weren't in Pison just yet.
Pluto had said to just go straight.
I'd find a large river and a canoe. In the canoe, I'd meet one of his servants, who'd take me to the "Coast," where Pison wouldn't be far off.
Sigh.
A journey filled with thorns, scammers, and near-death experiences, but we finally made it through!
Now, I just need to wish on a shooting star that Pluto forgets he ever made a Pact with me—so I can live out my days in splendor and enjoyment.
{Master, I'm sorry.}
Shut it.
*
Sigh!
…Wait. How many times have I sighed since this story started?
Not that I can help it—I've been walking for ages, lugging around Alicia (potential time bomb) and a sack full of weapons and food.
I'm not even tired, really. It just feels wrong.
I used to have a whole clan, an empire, even.
I barely lifted a finger. I was a Supreme Lord.
And now? Look at me. Working for free.
…Wait, I have Platform!
"Hey, Platform, don't you control some kind of imaginary space? Something like Shadow Space?"
{Yes, Master. I do possess such an aspect. It is called the Shadow Realm, which allows you to own a portion of imaginary space.}
Sweet!
"So, can you help me store this stuff in there?"
{Are Master's hands hurting from carrying these burdens?}
"…Not exactly."
{Then I humbly refuse. Master shall not abuse the Shadow Realm for his leisure.}
"..."
It's MY ability, though.
{…}
Platform?
{…}
*
As Platform ignored me, sadly, I had no choice but to keep trudging on, burdened by both Alicia and the other loads.
"Nnngh…" Alicia suddenly stirred a little, then slowly opened her emerald eyes.
Hehe. She smelled like flowers… and books?
She blinked, taking in the dark clouds that now covered the entire area—except for the stone bridge we were standing on.
"W... Wolfie...?"
Hoooh? She recognized me in this human form?
"Where are we? Where's Papa and Mama?"
Ugh… I didn't prepare a solid lie for this.
Okay, here goes:
"First of all, good morning, little lady." I smiled, trying to act casual. "I'm impressed you figured out it was me."
Heheh.
If I can't deceive her, I'll just have to change the subject smoothly.
She responded nonchalantly, "Of course I did. I'll always know Wolfie, no matter what."
Eh?
Wait… No one has ever said something like that to m—
"Now, stop trying to avoid the question and tell me—" Alicia started, her voice rising a bit. "Where's Papa and Mama?"
Oh God, I thought I had her there.
"Uh... Uhm... I kidnapped you." I nervously blurted out. "Yeah, I stole you away and ran off to another world!"
WHAT AM I SAYING?!
Death. I'm so dead.
If she gets furious and releases her magic power, I'll be rendered to cinder. And considering her new dragon vitality, I'm pretty sure I won't even have to worry about her hurting herself.
{Is Master worried about his safety, or Lady Alicia's? It's hard to tell.}
Of course, you'll only show up to mock me and kick me when I'm down, not offer any support in my moment of panic.
"You didn't say a word to me during my three decades of captivity!"
{That's not… that is not the case, Master… I… I… just…}
Platform…
"…Okay, I'm sorry, I shou—"
{I just used that time to relax and enjoy the pleasantries of not being ordered. I never realized I was neglecting you in sadness and isolation. Forgive me.}
"…"
So anyway, about Alicia!
I panicked and blurted out something stupid.
Now I could only wonder how she'd take it.
Her emerald eyes widened, hands trembling on my shoulders.
"You… You…!"
Ah. I guess this is it for me.