Episode 302.1

(EP-302.1) #3

302 – Home #3

After regenerating his wounds, Kubilai led me to a place that looked like a cave.

Inside, a white wolf with fur as soft and rich as silk sat calmly. The beauty and fullness of its coat were incredibly striking.

The only unusual feature was its three tails.

As I was marveling at the peculiar wolf, Stella, who was beside me, nodded and spoke a few words.

“I see. This must be the true master of the forest. I once saw a deer that ruled the Witch Forest. I feel a similar elegance.”

Elegance?

Now that she mentioned it, it did seem that way.

Kubilai then addressed the wolf.

━Mother, I have brought guests.

Mother?

So, this was Kubilai’s mother. The white wolf looked at us and slowly opened its mouth.

━Who’s here?

━It’s me, Kubilai, your second son. I’ve brought guests. They have some questions about the cabin.

━Who?

The white wolf was busy licking her coat. I noticed that she seemed a bit unwell, as if I were looking at an elderly person suffering from dementia.

As if to confirm my thoughts, Kubilai scratched his ear with his claw and said.

━Mother is quite old now, so she’s a bit absent-minded. She hardly recognizes me these days. But in her youth, she was the master who commanded this forest.

I see.

So, Kubilai was something like the second-generation successor?

The white wolf then spoke.

━I am not the master of the forest. I merely guard it for a time. Little fairy—no, half-fairy... I’ve heard you defeated the ogre Dordor and Kubilai.

Her speech was dignified. Sensing her elderly grace, I felt it was appropriate to speak respectfully to her, even though she was a wolf.

“My name is Theo Gospel.”

━They’re fruits that restore one’s mind. I’ll guide you, so climb up the tree and pick some.

Stella and I mounted the back of Kubilai, who had transformed into a giant wolf.

Thud, clunk, thud.

The ride wasn’t exactly smooth, but the experience of riding a giant wolf was novel enough to excite my mind.

Stella chuckled.

“They’re not as dangerous as I expected. I thought that all the beasts beyond the wall would be ferocious, terrifying monsters, but this wolf is surprisingly gentlemanly.”

━Well, yes. But, until recently, this place was full of savage creatures.

“Theo-kun, what’s the wolf saying?”

“It says this place used to be overrun with savage monsters.”

━Lately, they’ve been quiet. But when things get too quiet, it makes me worry something might be brewing.

Seuk.

The giant wolf turned its head and looked up at the sky.

I could tell it was gazing at the rift in the north. Both Angala and Kubilai had looked at that place with a heightened sense of caution.

“What exactly is over there?”

━The master of the north. Many challenged, but they all lost. Half-fairy, no matter how strong you are, it’s best not to go there.

The master of the north.

Well, I’m not heading north anyway. I only want to cross the southern wall.

Sususu-.

Then, an ominous wind blew from somewhere, and one by one, monsters began to emerge from the bushes.

━Graaargh-.

━Grrrrr-.

They were skeletons—remains stripped down to bare bones.

Stella frowned as she looked at them.

“Undead...? Are these guys also Kubilai’s subordinates?”

But Kubilai raised his paw and smashed their bodies. Though the shattered skeletons just crudely reassembled their bones seconds after.