Chapter 9

The Thing Lurking in the Forest
I had come near the forest with Lindel to search for a lost cow, but we both sensed an unusual presence emanating from within.

"Something's approaching... Lindel, stay close to me."

"Grrrr!"

Lindel was baring his hostility. Until just moments ago, he had been a well-behaved, intelligent dog who followed Santos’ instructions obediently. But now, he seemed like nothing more than a ferocious beast.
It was as if he was expressing his anger toward the mysterious presence approaching from the forest… But why?

Before I could get any answers, the source of the presence finally revealed itself before me and Lindel.

"Grrr..."

Emerging slowly from the dark depths of the forest was—a large wolf covered in jet-black fur.

"That’s… a demon wolf?"

A demon wolf.
Back when I was stationed in the royal capital, I once saw a farming village that had been wiped out by a pack of them. If this one is here, it’s unlikely to be alone. There must be more of its pack deeper in the forest.

That would mean… the creature attacking Santos' ranch recently was likely one of these demon wolves.
Either way, now that one has appeared near the village, we can't ignore it. If we leave it be, Curtis Village will undoubtedly suffer the consequences.

"I’ll take care of this right here."

I readied my Holy Sword, preparing to intercept the beast.
When I was reassigned to the peaceful Curtis Village, I thought I’d never have to wield my sword again. I never imagined I’d be proven wrong so soon.

"Lindel, it’s dangerous. Stay back."

"Woof!"

"Ah! H-Hey!"

Ignoring my command, Lindel lunged at the demon wolf emerging from the forest.
The intelligence he had displayed earlier was nowhere to be seen—he was moving entirely on instinct now.

… Well, since I have to fight anyway, having an ally in battle is reassuring.

"Guh!"

"Grrr! Grrr!"

Lindel bravely launched an attack, but due to the size difference, he wasn’t able to deal any real damage.
Yet, he showed no hesitation, standing his ground without fear.
Was he a former hunting dog or something?

—Wait, this isn’t the time to be thinking about that.

"Get back, Lindel!"

I stepped forward, placing myself between Lindel and the beast, Holy Sword in hand.
I had been so focused on his courageous fight that I failed to notice—his body was already covered in wounds.
Holding Lindel back, I turned my attention to the demon wolf, which now considered me its primary target.

"Sorry, but I’ve fought your kind before."

Back then, I took down thirty-five of them alone.
This one is on its own… There’s no way I’ll lose.

"Hah!"

"Gyah!?"

Fast, as expected—but that’s all.
Its sharp fangs and claws aimed to wound me, but its attacks were predictable and easy to read.
And being agile meant its defense was weak.

With one strike, the demon wolf dissipated into a cloud of black smoke.

"One down, for now."

I scanned my surroundings carefully.
Demon wolves move in packs—and they’re cunning.
There have been reports of them using weaker pack members as bait, lulling their opponents into a false sense of victory before swarming them.
I couldn’t afford to let my guard down until the very end.

Just as I sheathed my sword—

"Whimper…"

Lindel let out a weak cry.

"H-Hey, are you alright?"

"Woof…"

It wasn’t a fatal wound, but he had taken quite a bit of damage.
I took out some medicinal herbs and applied them to the wounds left by the demon wolf’s claws and fangs.

"It’ll sting at first, but you’ll heal in no time."

"Kunn…"

"Haha, you really are smart."

Some dogs panic and bite when they’re in pain, but Lindel seemed to understand that I was treating him.
His fur color was unusual too—maybe he was a rare breed?
I should look into it sometime.

"Alright, let’s take the cow back. Your master must be worried about you."

"Woof!"

And so, my first job in Curtis Village was successfully completed.
Honestly, compared to my days in the royal capital, this was nothing.
I couldn’t help but feel a bit unsatisfied.

I’ll just have to get used to it.