Chapter 150

Joan Picks Up a Puppy
We arrived at the entrance of Crimson Woods.

Again, I could hear faint whimpering from somewhere.

"Jo, it's coming from inside the forest. But it sounds like it's close by."

"Brother Gene..."

"Sigh... fine. But if any other monsters show up, we're turning back."

"Okay. Snowy, please."

Just like Snowy said, under a tree right near the entrance, there was a grayish lump in a small hollow. That lump was where the whining had been coming from.

When I gently touched the trembling lump, it flinched and looked at me fearfully.

"Brother Gene, it's a puppy. Ah, blood... is it hurt? I'll heal it... I'm going to pick it up."

When she lifted the puppy, it seemed to be bleeding from its hind leg, and the gray fur was stained red.

"Jo, let’s head back home for now. The puppy’s blood might attract monsters."

"Okay. It'll be fine, I’ll heal you at our house. Just hang in there a little longer, okay?"

We got on Snowy and hurried back home.

In one corner of Snowy's stable, I quickly made a makeshift puppy bed out of cushions and a blanket. I gently laid the puppy down there.

"First Aid... looks like the wound's closed. I wonder if it’s thirsty? Should I give it water? Or would milk be better?"

"Milk’s probably better, right?"

"Okay, I’ll go get some." Poof...

"Ah, I did it again."

(That’s just Joan.)

"Right..."

Gene and Snowy sighed in exasperation at Joan’s teleportation, and looked at the puppy who, now with calmer breathing, was peacefully sleeping.

Poof... "I warmed it up a bit."

Thinking that cold milk from the fridge might upset its stomach, I warmed it slightly. As I did, I hoped it would help the puppy feel better quickly.

"Joan, if Father finds out about your teleporting, he’s going to scold you."

"Ah, I was in a hurry. Don’t tell him, okay? … Here, milk. Can you drink?"

"Young master Gene~ Young lady Joan~ where are you~? It's dinner time~"

We heard Sarah’s voice.

"Uh-oh. I'm going ahead, Jo."

"Okay, I’ll come right away. Snowy, please take care of the puppy, okay? Oh, and I’ll leave some water here just in case. I’ll be back later."

＊＊＊＊＊

During after-dinner tea time, Joan was telling everyone about going to Pampas Hill with Brother Gene and finding the injured puppy—

~~Joooaaan, Joooaaaan~~

"Hmm? Did someone call me?"

She looked around, but everyone was shaking their heads.

"No one called you."

Her father also looked at her curiously.

"Huh? Was it my imagination?"

~~It’s not your imagination~~ It’s me, Snowy~~

"Eh!? Snowy?"

"““““““Eh!?””””””"

~~I focused really hard on you~~ and you noticed me~~

"Seriously...?"

"What’s wrong, Joan?"

"Father... Snowy said that when she really focused on me, she could hear my voice..."

"“““““““What?””””””"

"Could it be that rare thing tamers can do... what do they call it, telepathy?"

"Oh, right. Since we have a contract, it’s like I'm a tamer too."

Noel explained.

"So, what did Snowy say?"

Gene asked.

"Ah, I didn’t ask yet... how do I talk back?"

"Well, since it's called telepathy, maybe just think really hard?"

"Oh, right."

~~Snowy? Can you hear me?

~~I can hear you. You see, the puppy woke up, and it seems like it's looking for you."

~~I’m coming now.

"The puppy woke up and seems to be looking for me, so I’m going to go check."

"Oh, I see. Be careful."

"I’ll come too."

"Then I will as well."

"Thank you, Brother Noel, Brother Gene."

The three of them headed to Snowy's stable, and the puppy ran straight up to Joan.

"Wow, looks like you're feeling better. That’s great."

(Joan, this little one seems hungry.)

"Oh, I see. What can we feed it?"

"It’s a puppy, so maybe something like bread porridge?"

"I’ll go ask for some."

Saying that, Brother Gene ran off.

While they waited for Brother Gene to return, the puppy wagged its tail next to Joan.

"So cute~ I wonder if I can keep it?"

"Why not ask Father later? I think it'll be okay."

Brother Gene came back with the bread porridge. The puppy must’ve been really hungry, because it dove into the food, covering its face in porridge as it ate frantically.

"Let’s give you a bath tomorrow and get you all clean."

She wiped the puppy’s face with a towel after it finished eating.

"Alright, let’s go back. Snowy's here, so it should be fine, right?"

(Yeah, I’ll keep a close eye on things.)

"Then I’m counting on you. Alright, puppy, see you again tomorrow."

But the puppy let out a lonely whimper again and wouldn’t leave Joan’s side.

"So... so cute... Brother Noel... I want to sleep with this puppy tonight."

"Ehh, won’t Father get mad about that?"

"But what if I give it a bath and clean it up?"

"Hmm... I wonder?"

The puppy by her side looked at Brother Noel and whimpered.

"Ugh... so cute... I’ll go ask Father. I’ll talk to him too."

"Wait, Brother! You’re too soft!"

"No, Gene, it’s impossible. With those round little eyes staring up at you and whimpering like that..."

The puppy left Joan’s side and walked over to Brother Gene’s feet, letting out another long whimper.

"H-hey... you’re so cute..."

Seeing Brother Gene like that, Joan and Brother Noel exchanged wry smiles.

In the end, the three of us pleaded with Father and got permission. In return, we promised to take good care of it and train it properly.

After that, the three of us gave the puppy a bath. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to let it into the mansion.

Once washed clean in the bath, the puppy, which had been dirty and gray, turned into a fluffy silvery white.

"““So cuuuute~~~”””

The three of us were completely smitten with the puppy.

That night, the puppy slept with me in my bed.

Ahhh, so fluffy and warm.

This time of year, it’s just perfect~

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