Chapter 5

Without realizing it, I look at Leo.

Leo, who seems surprised to be noticed, doesn’t look like the type to attack people at all.

Sure, his face is fierce and wolf-like, and his body has grown larger, but there’s no way such a cute dog would attack anyone.

Still, a monster that attacks people seems more like something from a game or anime.

...Am I still dreaming?

A corner of my mind brings up the light novel setting I ignored earlier, but I ignore it again.

“So... what is this Silver Fenrir?”

“It refers to the monster over there, but is it different?”

“Eh? Uh... yeah, this is the Silver Fenrir.”

“Wow!”

I’ll just go along with it.

Leo is a Maltese, but his appearance has changed a lot, so he probably looks like this Silver Fenrir.

“Amazing, to have a Silver Fenrir as a familiar!”

“Eh? Is that so...”

“Yes. It’s said to be the strongest monster that never obeys humans. Many people have tried to make it a familiar in the past, but no one has succeeded. Besides, it’s a monster that can’t even be defeated, so it’s famous for being one that you should never approach!”

“...Are you... the strongest?”

“Gau!”

Leo looks unusually proud.

I can’t help but think, what does it mean for a Maltese to be the strongest?

“The Silver Fenrir is said to move faster than the wind, breathe fire from its mouth, and have claws that can tear through anything, and fangs that can crush anything.”

“...”

...I’m pretty sure I saw fire come out of his mouth when we made the campfire earlier.

And he did bite and take down the orc, and tear it with his claws...

Is Leo... not a Maltese? Is he a Silver Fenrir...?

“The shining silver fur of the Silver Fenrir is said to be a symbol of its strength, and its image is used as the royal family’s emblem in this country.”

“...Really?”

“According to literature, it’s said to be able to control various types of magic besides fire, but no one has actually seen it.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Seeing it means facing the Silver Fenrir, and if that happens, you won’t survive.”

“...I’m just standing right next to it...”

“That’s why it’s amazing! Having a Silver Fenrir as a familiar will go down in history!”

“...Uh...”

Just being with Leo will go down in history...?

I’m getting a lot of confusing information, and my brain can’t process it all.

Anyway, Leo is definitely strong, but he’s more like a partner I’ve been with for a long time.

I don’t really understand what a familiar is, but I’m not forcing him to obey.

“This is Leo. Whether he’s a Silver Fenrir or not, he’s my partner.”

“Wow!”

When I say that, Leo licks my face happily.

“A Silver Fenrir as a partner... Who are you...?”

“...I’m just a regular guy.”

“There’s no regular guy who can be close to a Silver Fenrir! You must be someone famous.”

“No, I’m really just a regular guy...”

“...May I ask your name?”

“It’s fine. My name is Takumi Hiroyoka.”

“Hiroyoka... Takumi... I’ve never heard of you...”

“Right? I’m not famous.”

For some reason, it feels like my name was read in katakana.

Maybe she’s a foreigner because of her beautiful blonde hair.

Come to think of it, I haven’t even asked for the lady’s name yet.

“I haven’t asked for your name, what is it?”

“...I apologize. My name is Claire Liebert. Thank you for saving me from that dangerous situation.”

The woman took a step back, held the hem of her skirt, and bowed gracefully.

She looks like she could be from the upper class.

I’ve never seen such a beautiful bow.

I’ve bowed to apologize to clients many times, but...

“...Is something wrong?”

“...No, no, it’s nothing.”

I was just mesmerized by the beautiful bow from such a beautiful woman.

“So, Liebert-san?”

“Please call me Claire, Hiroyoka-sama.”

“...Then, Claire-san. Call me Takumi, and you don’t need to use honorifics.”

“Understood. Takumi-san, then.”

It seems Claire’s first name is Claire and Liebert is her last name.

In foreign countries, the last name comes last.

And this really isn’t a Japanese name! She’s a foreigner!

“So, Claire-san.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Why are you in this forest?”

“I came here to gather herbs, but I ended up deep in the forest while searching. I didn’t notice until the orc appeared, and the horse I was riding ran away.”

“...I see.”

A horse... a horse, huh...

Sure, Claire riding a horse would make a beautiful picture, but she’s not using a car or anything.

“Why are you here, Takumi-san?”

“...Hmm, why am I here?”

“Wow?”

“Eh?”

“No, I woke up in this forest. I’ve been wandering around trying to find a way out.”

“...You woke up in this forest... Why...?”

“I really don’t know why...”

“I see.”

I’m still not sure if this isn’t a dream.

Pinching my cheek hurt, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a dream.

Wake up, me.

I need to play with Leo.

But... isn’t a dream supposed to be a way to organize memories?

I’ve never seen such a beautiful woman like Claire before.

Is this a wish? A desire?

While I’m thinking about this, Claire speaks up hesitantly.

“Takumi-san, may I ask a favor?”

“...What is it? If I can help, just say it.”

“Thank you. I said I came here to gather herbs, and I would like your help in finding them.”

“Herbs? I’m not sure if I can find them, but I’ll help you.”

Meeting here must be fate.

Besides, I can’t refuse a request from a beautiful woman.

Thank you to everyone who has read this.

I am also serializing other works.

There are links to the work pages at the bottom of the page, so please check them out.

If you found this interesting and want to read more, please bookmark it.

It’s a big motivation for me to continue the story, so I would really appreciate it.