Chapter 28

Oswald shouted towards Charlotte's back.

"Don't misunderstand the meaning of my words!! The divine power I left for you is just the minimum amount necessary to sustain your life!!"

"It's fine! I feel more in danger when I see your handsome appearance, Oswald-sama!!"

"That's not fine at all!!"

As expected, Oswald, who was facing off against Fenrir, couldn't move recklessly, just as he had predicted.

And the same was true for Fenrir.

When Charlotte entered the cage, Fenrir was surprised and tried to pounce. Oswald, who clicked his tongue again, cast a new sleep spell. As Fenrir's attention was drawn to it, and he turned his head forward, Charlotte clung to his neck.

"!!"

While avoiding the wound, it was difficult to cling on. Fenrir shook his body with all his might, trying to throw Charlotte off.

"It's fine... It's fine...!!"

"Charlotte!!"

From behind, the sound of Oswald's running footsteps could be heard.

If he came to help, Oswald would also be in danger. Charlotte squeezed her eyes shut and tried to think desperately.

(I have to remember how to use the divine power!! The feeling of focusing power on the target when I opened the first page of that diary...!!)

She pressed her forehead against Fenrir and strengthened her grip on her arms to the point of trembling to avoid being thrown off. When she tried to open the diary, she had focused strongly. Recalling that memory, Charlotte prayed.

(I offer my divine power. You can take even the amount necessary to sustain my life!! Please, heal this wound. Heal it.)

A warm sensation began to form in her left chest.

(Erase the intense pain that keeps me from sleeping, from this Fenrir...!!)

She could feel the power overflowing with her wish. The light that was born near her heart immediately spread around. The light enveloped Fenrir's wound like a soft blanket.

"The wound has closed...! Oswald-sama!!"

"---"

Oswald, who had stopped right beside her, instantly deployed a magic circle. A short flash of light ran, and a lightning-like spell entangled Fenrir, causing him to sit down with a thud.

"Are you okay...!?"

Charlotte ran to Fenrir and checked his neck again. The large, painful wound had disappeared without a trace. Charlotte sighed in relief, and Fenrir gently leaned his face towards her.

Then, he purred like a spoiled child.

"There, there, good boy. ...You must have been in pain and scared, losing yourself, right?"

When Charlotte gently reached out her hand, Fenrir rubbed his nose against it.

"Were you crying, being injured and caged, and carried away? ...It's okay. It's okay now..."

Charlotte, who was soothing Fenrir, was approached by Oswald, who had come through the icicles.

"...Are you okay? Charlotte?"

"Yes, I'm not injured!"

After nodding vigorously, Charlotte told him.

"Fenrir, who live in groups, try to protect the weakest member of the group in times of crisis. Fenrir, who was feeling fear due to the injury, might have been trying to protect a human child from the fear he was feeling."

"Come to think of it, Fenrir was heading towards a small child, but he didn't growl or show his fangs to the children."

Thinking about it, Fenrir's behavior became strange when a woman, who was a mother, tried to leave the cage with her daughter.

"Was he just trying to protect the child and go to his side? He might have felt the people who were blocking him as enemies and tried to attack them..."

"Of course, it's natural for people to try to stop Fenrir. You could have been killed if you made a mistake, and your life would be in danger if your divine power ran out. Why did you take such a risk?"

"Of course!"

While stroking Fenrir's nose, Charlotte smiled.

"I wanted to be of some help to the person I love, Oswald-sama!"

"..."

Oswald frowned and lowered his head, pressing his forehead as if scratching his bangs.

"Please, don't risk your life for such a reason."

"But, Oswald-sama..."

Oswald must not have wanted to hurt Fenrir either.

There were no icicles piercing Fenrir. Even as the people raised their voices, Oswald had been searching for a way to avoid attacking as much as possible.

At that moment, Fenrir yawned widely.

He blinked slowly twice and sat down, throwing his front paws out. After that, he rubbed his nose against Charlotte again and rested his head on his front paws. Seeing this, the people sighed in relief.

"Look, it's good..."

"Ah...!"

Fenrir slowly closed his eyes, looking content.

At that moment, cheers rose from the crowd.