Bonus Short Story

Natalia and the Black Werewolf King

“Finally awake?”

I breathed a sigh of relief when the soldier slowly opened her eyes. She looked young enough that I suspected she was still a minor. Apparently, her name was Natalia, and she was a close aide of Eleora. She also had a long history of exemplary service. When I captured her she’d been severely injured, so I’d been worried she might not make it. Natalia lifted her head and looked around.

“Where am I?”

“The demon army’s hospital. You’re a prisoner of the Meraldian Commonwealth. But rest easy, I swear no harm will come to you. Lady Eleora is our captive as well, and she’s safe. There’s nothing you need to worry about, so take it easy and recuperate.”

Natalia turned to me and examined my face.

“Are...you...”

Oh yeah, I should probably name myself.

“I am the Demon Lord Gomoviroa’s Vice-Commander, Veight. I also happen to be a councilor on the Commonwealth Council.”

Natalia’s expression brightened up.

“I knew it!”

She jumped into a sitting position, her eyes glowing with excitement. What the heck?

“Umm, you’re the Black Werewolf King, right? I’ve watched all of your plays!”

“You have?”

Was she referring to those propaganda plays Forne had commissioned? Natalia grabbed my hand, acting far more energetic than a girl as bandaged up as her had any right to be.

“I can’t believe I was able to meet the Black Werewolf King in the flesh. And on the battlefield no less! This must be fate! Also, I must say you really are as strong as your plays make you out to be!”

“I...am?”

“Yes!” She squeezed my hand so hard it hurt a little. “I’ll treasure the memory of crossing swords with you forever! There’s no greater honor for a Rolmund soldier than fighting you!”

“I see, well I’m glad you got something out of it.”

For a defeated soldier, she sure was lively. I had plenty of other reports I needed to go over, as well as a few inspections I needed to make; so while I felt bad for ditching Natalia, I really didn’t have the time to sit here and chat with her. However, she refused to let go of my hand.

“Umm, you said that the princess...I mean, Lady Eleora is safe, right? You really are how the plays described you!”

“If you say so...”

From the looks of it, Natalia wasn’t going to let go any time soon. She’s the prisoner here, so why do I feel like I’m the one being held captive?

“I’m sorry, Lady Natalia, but there are a number of tasks that require my immediate attention. You focus on recovering for now. Once things calm down a little, I’ll arrange for you to be able to meet with Lady Eleora.”

“Ah, of course! Thank you very much!”

Natalia sat up straight and offered me a crisp salute. Going by the way she was acting, you’d think she’d recovered fully already.

Afterwards, I learned that Natalia was Eleora’s favorite subordinate. I guess they get along well since they’re roughly the same age. From what I’d heard, they were as close as sisters. Meaning, if I managed to win Natalia over, I’d have an easier time convincing Eleora to join our side as well.

In an attempt to curry goodwill, I eased the restrictions that had been placed on the prisoners. Without their Blast Canes, they weren’t much of a threat, so I figured it was safe to afford them some degree of freedom. Since Natalia seemed obsessed with plays, I decided to get her front row seats to the next Black Werewolf King showing. Under the pretense of giving the prisoners an opportunity to relax, I used my privileges to procure said front-row tickets from the theatre. Unfortunately, I’d forgotten that I needed to go see it too.

“Is the Black Werewolf King the strongest werewolf there is?”

Natalia, who was sitting next to me, turned around, her eyes sparkling. Are you asking about play me, or the real me? Actually, they’re probably one and the same to her. Oh well, I guess I can humor her.

“In the play, the Black Werewolf King is the werewolves’ champion, so of course he’s the strongest.”

“I knew it!”

Please stop looking at me reverently like that. Afterwards, Natalia continued bombarding me with questions.

“Is it true that you can annihilate enemy soldiers with a single howl?”

“Annihilate is a bit of an exaggeration, but...”

“Can you fly through the sky?”

“Don’t be ridiculous, of course not.”

“I’ve heard you’re in love with the Demon Ambassador, is that true?”

“No comment.”

Real me and play me are two different people, you know.

Once the play was over, I took Natalia back to the prisoners’ barracks. That had been the most exhausting play I’d ever seen. As we stopped in front of her room, Natalia turned to me and said, “Thank you very much for today. Would it be alright if I invited some of my comrades to the play next time?”

“I don’t mind. Leisure is important when you’re recuperating.”

“Thank you very much!” Natalia smiled and gave me a crisp salute. “You really are an amazing person, Mister Black Werewolf King! I’ll see you later!”

“Yeah, see you later...”

I was caught off-guard by her praise, and it took everything I had to keep a straight face. But the moment Natalia vanished inside her room, I squatted down and covered my face in embarrassment.