Chapter 43

『Guh...』

The large, black-furred body moved, and Boss Wolf opened his eyes.

His still drowsy golden eyes turned towards me.

He tried to get up but realized he couldn't move, and looked at himself with a puzzled expression.

He noticed that his entire body was completely bound with metal ropes—“wires.”

『What is this!』

“Ah, you’re awake?”

When I spoke to him, he shook his immobile body from side to side and growled.

『Wooooo! Untie me, damn it! What did you do to me!』

『Be quiet.』

Entia’s front paw was placed on Boss’s head.

『Ugh...』

『Guh... Can I at least see...』

『Guh... What... What’s happening to my body...』

At that moment, the other wolves started to wake up from their unconscious state.

Of course, their bodies were already restrained.

Furthermore, the conditions for communication were met, allowing me to converse with all of them.

『My body won’t move!』

『Damn you, humans! Is this your doing!』

『Boss! Help, Boss!』

They all looked at Boss with anxiety.

However, Boss was also bound and was under the control of Entia.

『Boss!』

『If you resist, I’ll crush your head.』

Entia’s threat made the wolves flinch.

『Guh... Everyone, stay calm.』

Boss seemed to have given up on resisting.

He relaxed his body and lay down weakly.

『There’s no choice. We have been defeated. Let’s accept the consequences.』

He was straightforward.

『By the way, human,』

Boss turned to me again.

『What do you want from us?』

“Hmm, let’s start with names.”

I asked.

“Tell me your name.”

『...Name, huh?』

Boss chuckled through his nose at the question.

...What is it? His attitude is so middle-schoolish.

『I, who have inherited the blood of the divine wolves since ancient times, have no concept of a name. If you want to call me by a specific name, call me this—The Black Malevolent Star.』

『『『『『Boss is so cool!』』』』』

“Yeah, I get it. But it’s a bit hard to say, so I’ll just call you Kuro.”

『...Kuro』

“Are you really the descendants of the divine wolves?”

『...Kuro』

Boss, now Kuro, was speechless at my words.

Sorry, I don’t feel like nitpicking, so let’s move on quickly.

“Are you really the descendants of the divine wolves?”

『Of course. We are the descendants of the legendary divine wolves who once ruled this continent in ancient times.』

『Duh! The descendants of the divine wolves are me! Me! Don’t claim it for yourself!』

Entia pressed down on Kuro’s head even harder.

『Hey, stop it, you! You have no right to treat me like this!』

『What did you say!』

“Hmm, about that...”

I opened the status window in my mind and activated the skill “Tame.”

All the animals I can communicate with after touching them are listed in this “Tame List.”

――――――――――

■Kuro (Level 19)

Species: Black Wolf

Magic: ○

Attribute: Lightning

――――――――――

...It says this.

“You’re actually the Black Wolf species, right?”

『...! How do you know!』

『You were lying to us, weren’t you!』

Entia pressed down on Kuro even harder.

Kuro, in response, shook his body and growled.

『No! I’m not lying! We are the noble descendants of the divine wolves! The gods said so!』

“...Gods? ...Well, anyway, I have the ability to discern your species and powers. Earlier, when Entia suddenly gained the ability to use magic, it was because of this power. According to it, Entia seems to be the true descendant of the divine wolves.”

『What!』

『Look, you finally realize it, you fool! Baka Baka!』

『Grr... I won’t accept it! A fool like you being a descendant of the divine wolves!』

“Okay, both of you, calm down, calm down.”

I tried to stop the two of them from fighting.

Let’s put that aside for now.

“So, next question. Why were you attacking the farms and ranches around here? I didn’t fully understand earlier, so please explain more clearly.”

『Why? ...Hmph, it’s obvious, isn’t it? It’s revenge against humans.』

Kuro snorted at my question.

『Originally, we were driven out of our homes by humans. Therefore, we harbor resentment towards them. This is our revenge.』

“Driven out of your homes...”

『A group of soldiers in black armor and a haughty woman came and drove us out of our land.』

“...Ah”

That’s definitely Antimischa.

It seems that her actions have indeed caused harm to the human side as well.

『That enemy has been defeated by my sister.』

『What!』

Kuro looked up at me in surprise when Entia said this.

『That’s ridiculous, the opponent was not a minor force...』

“Yes, it’s true. Though, it wasn’t just my doing. I had help from Entia and others to defeat them. They won’t be driving other species out of their homes anymore. Also, the land they took is being restored to its original state by another prince.”

『...Mmm』

Kuro, who initially looked skeptical, gradually lost the doubt in his eyes as he listened.

『...Indeed, to have driven us into such a predicament, your strength must be genuine.』

『What predicament? We’ve been completely defeated.』

『Shut up! White fur ball!』

『What did you say, black fur ball!』

“Hey, stop fighting. So, Kuro, you were attacking the farms and ranches around here as revenge for being driven out of your homes?”

『Yes... Well, to be precise, there’s a bit more to it.』

“?”

『Earlier, I said I called myself a descendant of the divine wolves because the gods told me so, right?』

Yes, that’s what you said.

『When we were driven out of our homes by that army and were consumed by a desire for revenge, a voice suddenly echoed in my head.』

“Voice?”

『Yes, it said, ‘As a descendant of the divine wolves, lead your companions and defeat the evil humans.’ It felt like a divine revelation. I believed that we were the descendants of the divine wolves and planned to attack the capital, where the most humans gather, and start from there.』

“So, your main goal was to attack the capital?”

『Yes. As a start, we planned to attack and destroy the farms and ranches around here, instilling fear in the humans.』

“...”

...It seems the story is more complicated than I thought.

Is that voice really from a god?

If it’s a god, then it’s lying.

Is it just Kuro’s misunderstanding?

Or did someone try to brainwash Kuro and his companions?

『...Human, what is your name?』

Kuro asked me as I pondered.

“Huh? I’m Mako.”

『Mako... Will you untie me and my companions? We have no intention of resisting anymore.』

Kuro’s voice was calmer than before.

“Really?”

『I feel a sense of reverence for you, who defeated the humans who took our land. I acknowledge the defeat... no, I acknowledge the subjugation.』

“Subjugation?”

Kuro said seriously.

『We swear our loyalty to you. You may call me Master Mako.』

“No, just call me by my name. No need to be so formal.”

『...Formal?』

『Sister, as much as it pains me to say, his voice is sincere.』

Entia looked at me.

Yes, I could feel Kuro’s sincerity.

Maybe it’s because of the “Pet Master” ability, which allows me to read emotions and subtle feelings to some extent.

I removed the “wires” that were restraining Kuro and the other wolves.

The black wolves, now free, didn’t run away but instead lined up in front of me and sat down.

It seems they are serious about swearing their loyalty to me.

『...By the way, you,』

Kuro then turned to Entia.

『Why are you with Mako?』

『Hm?』

『What’s your story? You seem to be a true descendant of the divine wolves, but I don’t recognize you.』

...Oh oh?

It seems things are getting a bit tense.

『I am the knight most suitable to stand by Mako’s side.』

『Huh, you don’t understand the bond between me and my sister.』

Entia lifted her nose and smiled slyly.

『What?』

『It’s ridiculous for someone like you, who just met us, to claim to be suitable to stand by her side. Let me tell you, I’ve been sleeping with my sister every night for a long time.』

『What!』

Kuro became hostile.

But, I’m not sure why he’s getting so worked up.

『Furthermore, my sister often pets my belly and feeds me delicious meals every day. We have a very close relationship! There’s no room for someone like you to intrude or replace me, you fool!』

『Grr...』

『Besides, your rough fur, far from being fluffy, is the thing my sister hates the most in this world! Don’t come near her with such a shabby coat!』

Well, she doesn’t hate it the most, but it’s true that Kuro’s fur, probably due to his long life in the wild, is quite rough and unkempt.

『Isn’t that right, sister?』

“Hmm... Well, in terms of fur, Entia does have the edge.”

『N-no... I can’t accept that!』

Instantly, Kuro let out a roar and started running from the spot.

『『『『『Boss!』』』』』

His companions could only shout.

As he ran, Kuro leaped over the rocky cliffs—

『Wooooo!』

—and dove into a river (which he must have found on the way here).

『Nooooo!』

He thrashed around in the water, then jumped out.

『Haaaaa!』

He shook his body vigorously to get rid of the water.

『How’s that!』

He came back at an incredible speed and charged at me.

I thought I would be blown away, but I was enveloped by Kuro’s fluffy, dry fur and didn’t fly off.

Wow... so fluffy...

『How’s that! Is my fur still rough?』

『What, you! To resort to such cheap tactics! Do you have no pride!?』

Is this a cheap tactic?

While I was thinking this, Entia pressed her body against mine from behind.

『How’s that, sister! Whose fur feels better to touch!? Who do you want to sleep with every night!?』

『Of course, it’s mine! Don’t come near Mako!』

『You stay away too! Black ball!』

『What did you say, white dust!』

Hey, stop fighting, especially in front of your companions, Kuro.