Chapter 65

Magician Thomas almost widened his eyes in surprise at the words of his superior, Oswald, on that day.

"I'm sorry, but I'll be leaving at the regular time today."

(Huh?)

The fact that he managed to keep his surprise from showing, he wanted to commend himself for. If it had shown on his face or in his voice, this young leader might have worried and ended up staying after all.

Oswald, looking apologetic even at this point, informed Thomas.

"I will go home, but if anything happens, call me. I'll be ready to receive calls even in the middle of the night, as usual."

"No, that would never do, Leader!"

Thomas shook his head vigorously.

"Leader, you not only fulfill your duties as the leader but also carry out the regular tasks of a magic knight. On top of that, you manage your own territory... I've been worried about when you get to rest, so I'm relieved!"

The magicians who are directly under Oswald all admire him. After all, Oswald is strong, kind, and cool.

Of course, Thomas was one of them. That's why the fact that Oswald worked non-stop was also a concern for Thomas.

Perhaps sensing his thoughts, Oswald's lips curved into a smile.

"I'm sorry to trouble you. ...Then, I'll leave the rest to you."

"Yes!"

As he watched Oswald's figure as he teleported away, a colleague entered the room at that moment.

"Huh? Where's the leader?"

"He just left."

"Really? That's unusual."

When asked if it was an urgent document, the colleague, while reorganizing the papers in his hand, denied it. They talked about how it could wait until tomorrow, and Thomas muttered.

"Still, it's good that the leader has finally grasped the concept of leaving at the regular time. He even took a day off yesterday."

"He lets us take breaks and quickly assigns overtime to the night shift. Yet, he's so careless with himself."

"But, what kind of change in mindset could it be?"

Tilting his head, Thomas received a joking remark from his colleague.

"Maybe he finally found a woman?"

"…But he didn't look like someone heading to a lover's place…"

Oswald's expression when he went home seemed somewhat heavy. Recalling, Thomas remembered that Oswald also looked melancholic before he took a day off yesterday.

"Then, maybe it's related to an arranged marriage. Perhaps he couldn't refuse a marriage proposal and ended up in an unwanted marriage."

"Haha, maybe."

Laughing together, Thomas and his colleagues didn't know.

That Oswald was indeed being forced into an 'unwanted marriage' at that time, and the marriage had already taken place the day before his 'day off.'

They also didn't know that Oswald's marriage partner was the cruel holy maiden Charlotte, who had declared her love at first sight to Oswald that morning.

Therefore, they couldn't possibly understand the truth that Oswald was worried about the strange behavior of Charlotte and returned home early.

***

"The mystery of the leader leaving early these days has been solved! It seems the leader has started keeping a dog."

"Dog!?"

A few days later, at noon, a particularly loud voice echoed through the bustling knight's canteen. The magic knights, including Thomas, focused on the colleague who brought the information. The table where about ten members were gathered was abuzz with the unexpected news.

"Didn't Douglas have a dog? It seems the leader asked, 'Is there a good book on dog training?' When 'How to Raise Dog-Type Monsters' was suggested, the leader immediately bought it."

"A dog, huh. I can see why he'd want to get home early. They must be cute..."

"Even when the leader is patrolling the town, he always follows with his eyes when he passes by a dog on a walk."

The reason the members were so excited was that Oswald's early departure wasn't just for that one day.

Oswald started to go home a little after the end of his work every day. Thomas and the others, who were worried about Oswald's overwork, were happy about this change but still found it mysterious.

(So, it was a dog.)

After lunch, as Thomas was walking, he passed by Oswald coming out of the office.

"Leader! Good work today!"

"Thomas. I'm sorry, but can you attend the afternoon meeting? I'd like to hear your opinion on the western guard."

"Of course, I will! ...By the way, Leader."

Looking up at the tall Oswald, Thomas smiled and said,

"Congratulations on getting a puppy!"

"……………………"

At that moment, Oswald made a strange face.

"Huh? Was I wrong?"

"…No… Well, it's just that…"

His response was somewhat hesitant. Perhaps he was embarrassed about having a dog.

Thomas, being a dog lover himself, recalled his family's dog to show solidarity with Oswald.

"Dogs are so cute! When the owner comes home, they welcome them with all their might!"

"…Yeah. Every day, they run towards you with such force that they might crash into the door."

"They can tell it's you even before you open the door!"

"Their ability to distinguish footsteps is amazing. How do they do it?"

"No matter how short the outing, they express their loneliness and joy at your return with their whole body."

"Indeed, they run around me in circles, excited, when I come home…"

Oswald, seemingly recalling his dog, frowned deeply. Thomas, tilting his head slightly, continued to talk about his dog.

"When you go for a walk, they keep looking up at you instead of the direction you're going. It's so endearing!"

"……"

What a lovely creature. As he spoke, such thoughts welled up in him.

"They show how much they love their owner, it's so obvious!"

"………………"

Sighing, Oswald covered his forehead with his hand.

"……Yeah……"

"Huh?"

Thomas was puzzled by Oswald's back, which seemed unable to bear the situation.