02: Adorable Black and White Baby Wolves! …Or So I Thought, but Identities Are Exposed?!

“Arrrrrrwf!! (Whooooa! This looks amaaaaaaziiiiing!!)”

“Gah-ha-ha! Dig in!”

The dinner the old man prepared for me is a huge Salisbury steak. After searing it and wrapping it in caul fat to keep the flavor in, he slow-cooked it in a low-heat oven before flambéing it in brandy to finish it off. Even the steam coming off the completed steak seems delicious.

I can’t hold myself back anymore! Not a single second longer!

“Woof, woof!! (Don’t mind if I do!!)”

I open my mouth as wide as it’ll go and chomp down on the steak. It’s humongous, and even my Fen Wolf jaws can’t fully close around the whole thing at once. It’s a perfect meal for me.

The moment my teeth pierce the crust—formed by the delicate searing—its juices explode from within. The umami from the fried onions and the slight sweetness from the carrots both combine with the juices to create an unforgettable flavor. It tastes like a thick soup. The sensations flooding my mouth threaten to spill out.

The steak retained its imposing shape and heft after cooking, but with my first bite, I notice it is as soft as a cloud. It practically melts on my tongue, and in seconds, it’s gone.

It’s incredibly rich and satisfying, likely because of the sauce poured over the top. It has an acidity to it that cuts down the slightly sweet umami of the fat. Did he use the fresh tomatoes for this sauce, too? It’s so good I wouldn’t mind drinking it by itself forever.

However! Just beneath that steak awaits steamy, fluffy rice. Now that it’s absorbed the steak juices and the sauce, it’s too much to resist.

“Armgh, armgh! (It’s good! It’s sooo good!)”

I eat with abandon. I consume every last bite.

“There’s more where that came from! You did a good job today! I’ll feed you until your stomach bursts!”

“Woof, woof! (Yahoo! You’re so generous, old man!)”

“Actually, I’d be more worried if you didn’t eat it. I took all the offal from the scraps and muscles in the past and ground it up. It’s not exactly something I can serve the young lady.”

What? But it’s so delicious. That seems like a waste. I will eat all there is to eat, of course. The old man continues to impress, making something this delicious out of offal. The deep flavors must be coming from the mixture of different kinds of meat. No matter how much I eat, I’m always ravenous for more.

Time to dine! Today, we feast!

He cooks more of the steaks, one after another, and I fully enjoy them, eating to my heart’s content.

At long last, I lick up the last few drops of meat juice stuck to the plate and declare dinner finished.

It’s so carefree being a dog—I don’t even have to worry about manners or anything. Nobody complains if I just laze around after eating, either.

“Arrrwww… (Haaahhh… This is pure bliss…)”

I can’t move another inch.

“You’re eating more by the day,” the old man says, happily rubbing my tummy. “You’d finally gotten thin, too. Better be careful or you’ll get fat again.”

No worries there, pal. Now that I have the shape-shifting technique, not even obesity can beat me.

“Yeah. And thanks to your insatiable appetite, our stock is in trouble, too.”

S-sorry ’bout that.

“At least we don’t have any vegetable issues. We’ve been harvesting them like crazy for some reason, and their taste is first rate, too. Even their size is out of the ordinary.”

Well, sure. There’s a special fertilizer at work. It’s a combination of the bones of the Demon Lord’s soldiers and my pee.

…You know what, I’m sorry. I’m really sorry for making you eat something like that. Len said something about the vegetables “not having negative effects on their body” and “In fact, they have better medicinal properties than most herbs,” but is this really okay?

“Ever since I started eating those vegetables, my body’s been in awfully good shape. The maids were happy, too. Apparently, their skin is practically glowing now. I wonder if they have some sort of mysterious medicinal effects.”

“…A-arwf? (…Who knows? Not a regular pet like me, that’s for sure.)”

I turn my cheek to him, pretending not to hear. And I get the distinct feeling Len is making a smug little face inside my fur. Right, right. Your observations were correct, little Len.

“We’ll have to stock up on everything except vegetables,” continues the old man, “but next time, that should be easy. We plan to get more of that rice you like, too.”

Three cheers for rice! I love bread and pasta, too, but still, rice can’t be beat. Why would it be easy this time, though?

“That airship really is something else. With air deliveries, we can get even difficult-to-transport foods in a very short time. Apparently, it’s putting operating costs through the roof, though.”

So it’s all thanks to Papa’s airship, huh? Using an airship to transport foods must be a simple matter for someone as rich as he is.

“I’ll have to thank Lord Faulks. Without that ship, we would’ve never been able to restock this quickly.”

It seems I ate almost all the rice Toa gave us by myself, and tonight’s dinner was the last of it. But thanks to the airship Papa prepared, it shouldn’t be a problem. Our main breadwinner is just so wonderfully generous. Even my insane food costs are something Papa and his wealth can handle easily, with plenty left over.

Just as I thought: Being the dog of a rich family means I pretty much win at life.

“Arw-rw… (Hee-heh-heh… I hope the airship comes soon…)”

Now then, I’d be happy to sleep off this full stomach, but I’ve got plans tonight.

As always, I slip out of the young lady’s bed and sneak away from the mansion.

“Arwf. (Oh, I’ll have to get a souvenir, too.)”

And by that I just mean the usual thing.

I head for the kitchen, where the old man has fallen asleep. Looks like he’s mentally AFK again. I put a blanket over him, and then, as payment for my kindness, I take some preserved meat with me.

“Arwf, arwf! (All right, perfect!)”

Around my head I wear a necklace of sausage links. On my back I carry a large hunk of dry-aged meat. In my mouth I bear a leg of uncured ham. My preparations are complete.

Fully equipped with this feast, I’m nigh invincible.

“Mewl. (If you were a painting, you’d give quite the impression.)”

Nahura rides on my back, having warped there via spatial magic, and immediately begins gnawing on the sausages without asking.

“Woof, woof! (You can eat, but your job comes first!)”

“Mew, mrow. (Oh my! I’m terribly sorry. We’re headed for Miss Garo’s settlement, right?)”

“Woof! (Yup! Thanks!)”

“Meow, meow! (Then please, witness my new power of being able to set more anchor points than before! Further upgraded by my mistress!)”

Upgraded? What did she do to you this time?

When she talks about things like this, she occasionally says scary stuff like “It’s okay if my head pops off” or “Tentacles may sprout from my back,” so I can’t let my guard down.

Nahura lets out a loud meow, and the scenery starts whiting out. When color eventually returns, we’re no longer near the mansion, but in the middle of a deep forest. Even moonlight struggles to reach us in this forest, but it’s no issue at all for me and my Fenrir eyes.

I start walking in the direction of Garo’s settlement, which is right nearby. Tonight’s plan is to celebrate the recovery of Garo and the other Fen Wolves. Nobody died in that battle against vampire princess Carmilla, one of the Demon’s Lord’s generals, but quite a few were apparently injured. Which, of course, was partly because my mouse-dragon was whipping her tail back and forth. The delicious meat is my humble gift as their friend, to help them restore some of the stamina they lost recovering from their wounds.

Course, the old man was the one who made this preserved meat, not me!

“Squeak. (The people at that mansion spoil you far too much.)”

I don’t wanna hear that from someone reaping those same benefits.

Also, I have one other goal today.

“Mewl. (I wonder if Shiro and Kuro are doing well.)”

That’s right. I came to visit Shiro and Kuro, the new Fen Wolves born just a little while ago. Actually, I’ve been visiting them pretty often, but I still haven’t seen them awake. The two young wolves are always sleeping when I come, so I’m only ever graced by their sleeping faces. Apparently, they’ve been up at this hour more frequently, and so, deciding I had to see them now that they’d grown, I figured I’d pay a visit to the Fen Wolf settlement today.

“Grwl! (Your Majesty! Your arrival is most welcome!)”

Please, this way, come, come, motions the young Fen Wolf guide who shows me the way. I’ve seen her a few times before. I think her name is Garu. It’s basically the same as the noise she makes growling, so it’s easy to remember.

“Woof, woof. (Oh, I brought this for you all to eat. It might not be much, but I wanted to let you know I’m thinking of you.)”

To repeat, the old man was the one who made it.

“Grwl, grwl! (It is the highest honor to receive a gift from the king! …Hey!)”

At Garu’s call, other Fen Wolves appear and begin to reverently take off my full armor…of preserved food.

“““Grwl, grwl, grwl! (O king! O king! O great and mighty king!)”””

As I proceed further into the settlement, the Fen Wolves I come across bow and open the way for me. They do this every time. It’s so embarrassing. I wish they’d stop.

“Squeak. (Yes indeed, this reception is most comforting.)”

“Mewl? (Feels good, doesn’t it?)”

“Woof, woof. (I can’t relax. Please, everyone, have a little more fun.)”

I’ve never wanted to be king—not in the slightest—but the Fen Wolves won’t listen to me. If only I could just pass the title to someone else. I’d do that in a heartbeat.

““Woo, woo!””

And then, small figures come bursting out from the bowing Fen Wolves, twisting themselves to get out. One is white, one is black, and both of them jump into me as if tackling me. They bounce softly against my chest hair and stop, but then they start jumping up and down. They’re like little hyperactive balls of excitement.

These puffballs… Could they be…?

“Arwf? (Shiro and Kuro?)”

They’re big enough to walk now? And also, they already run? It’s only been a month! How did they grow so fast?

“Squeak. (I’d think you, of all creatures, wouldn’t be saying that.)”

Len’s right. I’m currently as big as I was at around one month old, too. Grr I wish I’d at least grown at Kuro and Shiro’s speed. My puppy days, when I was able to cuddle with the young lady most of all, were altogether too short.

““Woo, woo!””

The wolf pups squeal and start licking my mouth.

“Arwrwf…! (Yeah, okay, thanks for the welcome…! Wait, you’re being too aggressive…!)”

Kissing me so much right off the bat? My lips don’t come cheap, you know! But my meager arguments don’t get through to Shiro and Kuro, who are licking me to their hearts’ content.

“Arw, rwrw! (Wait, seriously, stop, the drool—I can’t breathe! Please stop licking meeeee…)”

I’ve always been the licker! Being licked is completely outside my realm of expertise!!

Eventually I succumb to Shiro and Kuro’s fierce assault and let them lick me as much as they want.

You’re far more energetic than you have any right to be, kids.

“Awoo, awoo! (Daddy! Daddy!)”

Huh? Did one just talk? You guys can talk already?

Wait, what do they mean by “Daddy”? Were they talking to me?

Daddy…?

……

No, wait, no, no, no! I’m not your daddy! I don’t recall ever doing that deed!!

Wait, Garo, what have you been teaching your kids?!

““Awoo! (Daaaddyyy!)””

Hey, I’m in the middle of being indignant here! Don’t just crawl up me, pleeease!

Waving their little tails for all they’re worth, the wolf pups rub against me.

““Awoo, awoo! (Daddy, I love you! Thanks for giving us names!)””

Huh? Oh, they must mean “Daddy” in the sense that I named them. Well, that was too close for comfort. I just barely managed to avoid a fatal wound.

But let me tell you something right now, you little brats. I have no intention of claiming you as dependents! I’m the one who wants to be a dependent!

“Awoo? (What’s a dee-pen-dent?)”

“Awoo? (Yeah, what is it?)”

Wow, their innocent questions are a shot through the heart…

A dependent is someone who can’t support their own lifestyle and has to rely on someone else to take care of them. In other words, it’s what I am to Lady Mary. I want to depend on her forever. You would do well to seek out your own young ladies.

Now go! Go forth and prosper!

“Squeak. (I swear… Stop teaching the children unnecessary things.)” Len alights from my back and stands arrogantly before the children. “Squeak! (This is the first time we’ve met while you were awake. Allow me to introduce myself once again. I am Lenowyrm. Queen of the dragons and lawful wife of the King of the Fen Wolves! If you would call yourselves his children, then I am more than willing to accept you as my own kin as well. Well, you are already essentially my beloved children anyway! Now I shall teach you the pride of the dragonkin!)”

“Awoo! (Wow! It’s so little!)”

“Awoo! (And cute! And tasty-looking!)”

Shiro and Kuro seem to be enjoying a mouse introducing herself with a smug look on her face, even though she was smaller than they were. They crouch down and listen to her.

Also, I feel like I heard something a little dangerous in there, but I won’t let it bother me. Len would probably be okay even if they bit her.

“Mrow. (My name is Nahura, at your service! Also, Routa is my lover.)”

Nahura leans against me in a coquettish manner.

Hey! Quit feeding false information to them.

“Awoo? (What’s a lo-ver?)”

“Awoo? (Yeah, what is it?)”

“Mewl… (Well, you see…)”

It’s only been a few minutes since I got here and the children are already learning words they shouldn’t be, one after the other. Well, don’t blame me if your mother gets mad at you. Also, I ignore how I was a part of this.

“Shiro! Kuro! You’re not following Mama’s rules! I told you to wait in the den until the king came to meet you!”

See? Look, your mother is right there.

Well, to be more accurate, all Fen Wolves are born from the moon in the sky, so pretty much all in attendance are sisters. But this one is definitely the mother figure to them.

The one chasing after Shiro and Kuro is Garo, in human form. Her black hair and dark skin almost blend with the night. Her golden eyes are aflame.

As always, when shape-shifted into a human, Garo is an easy ten. According to the Fen Wolves, she is either as beautiful as she is in beast form or even more so, but I’m clueless when it comes to whether Fen Wolves are pretty or ugly.

““Woo, woo… (We’re sorry, Mommy…)””

Even as Shiro and Kuro apologize, they conceal themselves between my front legs. They seem to understand Garo can’t be too harsh on them if they hide behind me. Looks like we’ve got a couple of tough customers.

Garo clams up with a frown, but then takes a light breath. She seems to have decided she’ll scold them later.

“It is good that you have come, my king.”

Garo is just too cute when she smiles. Even more so when the smile is combined with her being a powerful, sharp-eyed beauty. That contrast between sweet and spicy is so good that in my previous life, I might have dropped dead on the spot.

But as I am now, it has no effect. After all, I am a being who was reincarnated specifically to spend his life as the dog of rich people. I will live as a pet dog, and I will die as a pet dog. I’ve already made up my mind. All other temptations are powerless before that.

Thus, when Garo tries to pull the Fen Wolf–style greeting on me, I put my front leg in front of her face to guard myself.

“…My king, will you not allow me to greet you as well?”

“…Arwf, arwf… (…No, I got enough of it from Shiro and Kuro, so…)”

“…If I, the organizer of the Fen Wolves, neglect to properly greet our king, those below me will cease to follow my instructions.”

“…Arwf, arwf. (…No, no, you’ll be fine. They’ll follow them to the letter, don’t you worry.)”

Garo groans a little, trying to get her face closer to lick me, as I ward her off with my front paw. Our pushing battle continues.

“…My king, do you think I am doing this because I harbor untoward thoughts?”

“…A-arwf? (…You mean you’re not?)”

“For the Fen Wolves, this is a long-held tradition of swearing fealty to the king. Now allow me to—!”

“Arwrw! (You’re lying! That’s gotta be a lie! You’ve never done that before, ever!)”

Garo has really been trying to get at me lately. I know what’s going on here, though. These advances aren’t like you at all. They’re something you learned from another. The one hidden right behind those trees over there: Bal.

“Bow, bow! (That’s it, Lady Garo! That’s it! His Majesty is a gentle soul. If you keep at it, he will eventually be fettered! Press the attack, always!)”

I will not be fettered. You hear me? I will not be fettered!

“Squeak! (Hey! What do you think you’re doing?! In such matters as these, I should come first!)”

Um, no, there’s no first or second here.

Still, that was a nice one, Len. Upon her indignant return, Garo reluctantly withdraws. Apparently, Len’s position as my self-proclaimed “lawful wife” is working.

Oh, and then Shiro and Kuro chase after Len and capture her. Considering the size difference, Len is snatched up by a set of lupine jaws in no time. Still, it shouldn’t faze her much at all.

I watch Len with lukewarm eyes as the pups play-bite her and cover her in slobber.

“Gohh? (What’s all this? Refusing an invitation from a lady? And you call yourself a man? You’re really a no-good wolf, aren’t ya, Your Worshipfulness?)”

“Arwf? (Eh?)”

That street punk–esque voice that inserted itself in the conversation… I remember it.

It belongs to a huge bear, his chest covered in scarlet hair. He joined up with the Fen Wolves sometime during my boot camp experience.

“Arwf? (Uhh, what was your name again? Redhelmet?)”

“Gohh! (It’s Redarmor! It’s completely different!)”

“Arwf, arwf. (My bad, sorry.)”

Knowledge from my previous life got in the way there for a second. I have the distinct feeling you’ll be losing your right eye soon.

Anyway, I wonder what Redarmor needs. Also, is he always this belligerent? I don’t remember doing anything that would make him hate me. Mystified, I watch as Redarmor brings his face closer to mine, his large frame swaying to and fro.

“Goh, goh. (Don’t get full of yourself just because you beat me once or twice, Mr. King.)”

Actually, I don’t recall ever beating you. The first time, all I did was stop your attack without getting hurt. The other Fen Wolves were the ones who took you down. And the second time was when Len floored you with one tail swipe.

“Gohhh. (I haven’t given up on being king of this forest, you know. I’ll be your underling because I lost to you, but only for now. I will eventually gain power and take up my old position! In the end, it is I who will become king!)”

Redarmor gives a great roar and declares war against me.

But the reactions from those around me are cold.

“Squeak? (What did they call this again?)”

“Mewl? (A hopeless try hard?)”

“Squeak. (Yes, yes, that’s it. Wonderfully hopeless.)”

“Awoo! (Try!)”

“Awoo! (Hard!)”

“G-gohhh…?! (You… The lot of you have got some lip, you know that?!)”

Redarmor’s big body recoils at the girls’ biting interruption.

I, however, feel differently. His words excite me.

“Arwf?! (Wait, seriously?! You’re going after the throne?!)”

Well, what do you know?! He’s a good guy after all! I’ll just give up the title right now. And I won’t take it back even if you decide you don’t want it later. You will be the Fen Wolf King!

“Woof, woof?! (You’re serious?! You’d actually replace me as king, Redhelmet?)”

“Gohh! (I told you, it’s Redarmor! …Damn. You probably think it’s impossible for me, don’t you?)”

“Woof, woof! (No, not even remotely! Even if nobody else believes in you, I will! You could do it! You have what it takes to be king! Don’t give up! Let yourself burn with more passion!)”

With my eyes ablaze, I earnestly encourage him.

“G-gohh…! (Urgh, that straightforward gaze…! I can tell—he’s not lying about a single thing…! He honestly believes I can become king…! He has faith in me, the one who challenged him twice and lost miserably both times…!)”

My desperate cry causes Redarmor to take a step back.

“Gohh… (What generosity… So this is the caliber of a true Fen Wolf King…)”

And then he breathes a heavy sigh.

“Gohh… (I have lost… I am utterly defeated…)”

“Arwf! (Wait, no, don’t lose! For my sake!)”

Didn’t I just say I’d give you the throne?! Why are you giving up now?!

“Gohh! (I swear absolute fealty to you, King. From this day forth, I will be at your beck and call. Use me as you wish. But if you show yourself to be a noncommittal coward…that is when I shall light the flames of revolution!)”

Huh? Wouldn’t it be a little hard to be even more cowardly and noncommittal than I already am? The life I lead is already unparalleled in its disgrace. I thought I’d maxed out on the path of the mongrel, but I guess I still have a ways to go. I guess I need to take it even easier and live even more lazily.

“That’s our king…! Despite all the training, Redarmor has remained rebellious—and yet now he’s been made into such a devoted subject…!”

Upon seeing Redarmor bowed before me, Garo raises her voice in admiration.

And the Fen Wolves around us quickly begin to fall in with her.

“““Grwl, grwl, grwl! (Our king! Our king! Our great and mighty king!)”””

““Woo, woo! (Kiiing!)””

I’ve done nothing, and yet for some reason the Fen Wolves’ loyalty to me has increased.

I think you all really need to stop taking everything in the best way possible! I keep telling you I don’t want to be the Fen Wolf King! Please listen to what I’m saying! I beg you!

My protests fall on deaf ears, however, and the howls of the Fen Wolves singing my praises echo through all the forest.

After that, I lounge around in the forest, rolling the little balls of fur Shiro and Kuro around with my paws and tasting the sausages with the Fen Wolves.

I planned to return to the mansion early, but it’s already past midnight when I get back.

“Arwf. (Despite what I say sometimes, they’re fun to play with, too.)”

For the moment, I wonder if there’s a way to keep my friendship with the Fen Wolves and only reduce their loyalty to me.

“Squeak. (I should think it is the most natural desire of all males to stand at the head of their pack. You are a strange one.)”

“Woof, woof. (I’m not strange. I think the same as any regular pet would.)”

“Mewl. (A regular pet? I don’t see any of those here.)”

I’m right here! I’m a cute dog, no matter how you look at me! I may be a little big, and have a mean face, and the ability to barf up laser beams, but I’m still just a dog!

“Mew, meow. (Oh, you and your jokes.)”

Ree! It makes me so mad!

As Nahura beckons to me with her paw with a grin on her face, I stomp my feet. Then I jump high over the mansion wall, leaning into my anger, before landing on the other side.

“Arwf. (Okay, time to sleep. Can’t get enough of how good it feels to finally get some Z’s after staying up late.)”

A luxury I can afford, thanks to the complete lack of responsibilities awaiting me tomorrow. I wash my feet in the fountain, and as I’m about to enter the mansion, I hear someone talking.

“Arwf? (The back door?)”

I was pretty sure nobody was around when I left the mansion. Are some of the servants still up this late? Poking my head around the wall, I check inside the back door.

“I can’t stand this anymore, Uncle…!”

“Now, don’t say that. The current situation is miserable for me as well…!”

There I find the blond tsundere maid, Mircalla, and the old butler, Richmond.

Is working at the mansion really that difficult? The two of them are together, voicing their complaints to each other. Maybe the two newbies have similar grievances.

I get that. I remember it well. Back at my old job, I’d always be told to think for myself. And then when I actually did, I’d get scolded for acting out of line. So unfair.

…Urgh… Away with you, memories of my previous life…!

Still, I doubt the servants here are taught their jobs in that manner. Maybe their concern is something only they would understand.

So I decide to listen in, and soon I notice that their conversation is getting strange.

“As long as we do nothing about this subordination spell,” says Richmond, “we are no different from powerless humans. We must somehow endure this and think of a way to turn the tables.”

“It’s been a month since you said that! To think I, the vampire princess Carmilla, one of the five great generals of the Demon Lord’s army, would be reduced to a servant of mere humans…!” Mircalla balls her hands into fists and growls. “All of the other maids are nice, and they teach us our jobs politely, and they don’t get mad even when we mess up! What is with this den of stupidly good people?! And the food they give us as payment is so good that I’m forgetting the taste of blood! Especially that tomato juice we had this afternoon—it was sublime…! Rich, full-flavored, and powerful. Blood can’t satisfy me anymore…! I can’t believe a vampire like myself would experience such humiliation…! They must plan to keep on domesticating me like this…! Curse you, humans…!”

“I, too, notice myself becoming prideful each time the marquis compliments me on my tea-making abilities. The joy that comes from being praised by an excellent superior is impossible to put into words. I cannot but honestly say this is a very good workplace to be in. Curse you, humans…!”

Wait, wait. Even though you keep cursing humanity, it seems like you’re really enjoying your lives as regular people. Are you just trying to out-humblebrag each other?

“This situation would have been unthinkable for us when we were in the Demon Lord’s army. What could be the matter? Ever since the day we were defeated by that Fen Wolf King, I cannot help but feel as though our wickedness has been draining.”

“Wait, Uncle, get ahold of yourself… Still, it’s the same for me. I feel like my malice toward humans is rapidly disappearing. In fact, why exactly did I want to destroy all humans to begin with? Me aside, regular vampires have to coexist with humans. I still can’t remember what the Demon Lord looks like, either… Maybe that witch did something other than just steal our mana…”

“Yes, and about that. What we need to be discussing is the way we shall break that witch’s curse and recover our power. I do not know why the witch hid our identities and forced us to work at this mansion, but putting us next to that Fen Wolf King likely doubles as a way to keep a watchful eye on us. Should a miracle occur and we gain our powers back, she has it set up so that the Fen Wolf King will devour us immediately. A fearsome two-layered strategy indeed. Should our identities be revealed to that thing, it will all be over. We will surely be destroyed, this time without a trace…”

“Y-yeah. We absolutely have to make sure he doesn’t find out.”

I’m sorry. I heard literally everything you just said.

Who would have thought these two were generals in the Demon Lord’s army? I thought I’d defeated them. If they’re working here, then it must be Hecate’s doing, one way or another. It looks like they can’t do anything bad anymore, but it also doesn’t seem like they’ve given up.

I can’t pretend not to have seen this, so I plop down behind them.

“That’s correct, Miss Carmilla. We must be prudent and not allow the Fen Wolf King to learn of it—Hwah?!”

Oh, he finally noticed me. My Fenrir paws barely make a sound when I sneak around. These plush paw pads are good for a whole lot more than getting played with by Lady Mary!

Richmond begins trembling madly after noticing me. I’m not that surprised, to be honest. If something this huge were to abruptly appear right before my eyes, I’m pretty sure I’d piss myself.

“Miss…Ca-, Ca-Ca-Ca-, Ca-Ca-Ca-Ca-Ca-Carmilla…!”

“Eh? My name isn’t Cacacacacacarmilla, you know… Wait, why are you shaking…like—”

I look down at them, the moon at my back. Mircalla’s expression shifts to one of horrified realization.

“Arwf… (Never would have guessed this about you two…)” I say with a sigh, taking a step toward them.

“Y-y-you’re wrong! I’m just a maid!”

“Yes, and I am just a butler!”

The two miserable Demon Lord’s generals fall on their butts and inch away.

“Arwf? (Reeeaaaally?)”

““Yes, really!””

“Arwf. (Oh, I see. I must have been jumping to conclusions, then.)”

““Yes, jumping to conclusions!””

I stop, and the two breathe sighs of relief.

“Squeak. (No, considering they understood what you said, it’s fairly obvious.)”

““Oh no!””

Unfortunately for them, the jig is up.

“Squeak, squeak. (Of course, I knew it right from the start.)”

Are you serious? Say something earlier! Then I could have had a lot more fun driving them into a corner.

““Please, if you spare nothing else, spare our lives…!””

The generals of the Demon Lord’s army get on their hands and knees and start begging for their lives. I almost tear up at the sight of it. Knowing exactly how strong these characters were when they first showed up makes me all the sadder at seeing them now.

Well, if Hecate is involved, I doubt she’d have done this to them for no reason. I trust in my friends.

Also, I’ve been watching these two ever since they came to the mansion, and they’ve been working earnestly the whole time. Mircalla was a mess in the beginning, but now she’s an excellent maid, performing her duties quickly and efficiently. Richmond already held mastery over his work when he started, but his expressions used to be much stiffer.

Despite all they were saying, they do seem to be enjoying life at the mansion. Even now that their identities have been revealed, I can’t just exterminate them right off the bat. They haven’t done anything.

“Woof. (All right. I’ll overlook this.)”

Their faces positively light up when they hear that. I do need to give them a warning at least, though. Someone just as terrifying as me lives here in this very estate. What am I beating around the bush for? I mean Zenobia—the mansion’s violence machine.

“Arwf, arwf. (But if you ever mistreat any of the mansion’s residents, you’ll both end up ripped to shreds.)”

By Zenobia.

“Woof, woof. (So you might want to be careful.)”

I’m being careful, too. Zenobia really doesn’t have any mercy. Course I’m cautious.

““Y-yes, sir…!””

They both nod furiously, tears streaming down their faces. I think they got the message.