DLRV 10

That probably won’t look like we’re having a conversation.

 The wolf stared at me and growled softly.

[This weak man is part of my pack. The leader must protect the pack.]

“Wait, miss! It’s dangerous to get that close!”

The man was startled by how close I was to the wolf’s head and pulled me away.

But I couldn’t take my eyes off the wolf. Its unwavering gaze and firm reply made me want it even more. I was sure I could raise it well.

“This wolf isn’t fit to be a pet for a noble young lady.” His words grated against my ears, but I stayed focused on the wolf. I frowned and turned to look at the man, who was staring at me with a stern expression.

“And it’s not suitable to accompany a noble resurrected being,” he added.

Oh, dear. So it wasn’t just a harmless stray cat after all.

“I think you have the wrong idea.”

“Your attitude doesn’t seem like someone who has been kidnapped. Let’s pretend we haven’t met here and go our separate ways.”

Only then did I look at the man’s clothes again. At first glance, they were ordinary, worn, and covered in dirt from the road. The embroidered pattern at the end of his cloak was faded, barely visible.

But even with just that trace, I could tell who he was. He had no choice but to recognize me.

“You’re from the Magic Tower,” I said.

If it were them, wanted posters and video crystals would’ve been circulating long ago. However, the Magic Tower wasn’t on good terms with the temple, and they weren’t very interested in political strife. That explained why he was treating me so indifferently. More than anything, this man didn’t want to get involved with me.

“…You’re in the middle of a trial,” I murmured. The trial was a process where mages sealed their magic and wandered the world bare-handed to strengthen their bodies. This was the first time I’d met a mage undergoing this training.

A mage with their magic sealed was no different from an ordinary person. For anyone who held a grudge against them or had something they wanted, this was an excellent opportunity.

The man ruffled his hair as if he had a headache at my words.

“There’s no point in both of us denying it,” he said. “Let’s just come to an agreement quickly. It won’t be good for either of us if there’s a commotion. Let’s pretend we didn’t see each other.”

“It’s true we both want to avoid trouble, but our situations are different,” I replied.

“Yes?”

“Those who are looking for me will treat me like a treasure, but that’s not the case for you, is it?”

The man hesitated, seemingly at a loss for words, but then shook his head, his brow furrowed.

“…Even if you say that, I can’t give you this wolf.”

“I’ve changed my mind.”

The man looked at me with suspicious eyes. As I gazed at him, the hunger I had momentarily forgotten began creeping back.

“If he can’t bear to part with a member of his pack,” I mused, “then I’ll just keep that member with me. Besides, I’m very hungry right now, and I need someone to cook for me. Someone who’s gotten used to odd jobs while living a wandering life.”

“I want to buy you,” I said plainly.

“…Me?”

“Yes, you.” I nodded brightly.

“As I said, I’m in the middle of my training. I can’t serve you as a mage.”

“That’s not what I want from you. You’ve been on the road for a long time, right? You must be used to a wandering life. But I bet you’ve spent almost all your money.”

“Even though it would be difficult to travel together for a long time, you’d be useful to me until I could escape this situation and find a new path.”

“And it just so happens that I need someone like you right now,” I said with a knowing smile.

Someone who doesn’t want to get involved with me and will do their best to avoid any trouble.

“It must be a burden to have to take care of the wolf’s food, so just earn some money by my side.”

The man was silent, but his golden eyes flickered. Seeing that, I was convinced: he was perfect.

Once I found a place to settle down, the first thing I needed was a reliable odd-job worker.

How wonderful it would be to have someone who could do things I couldn’t, especially in such a harsh environment.

The man accepted my short-term employment offer, and I paid him an advance. When the job was finished, I promised to give him double the advance, and he didn’t argue anymore.

The righteous wolf seemed quite satisfied that the man had agreed to help me, even if it was because of the deal.

I decided I would do my best to lure the wolf away by the end of our journey. I couldn’t give up on it, no matter how many times I saw it.

Because of the wolf, we couldn’t stay in a village inn, so we ended up camping on the first day we met. But it was okay.

He seemed skilled at camping, and I had plenty of camping equipment that I could buy with money. Even food.

I loaded all the luggage onto the packhorse the man was leading. I wished I could’ve bought a horse too, but that was impossible in a rural village.

Even if I had bought a horse, I doubted it would’ve been properly controlled with the wolf traveling with us.

“To think that the resurrected being who threw herself at monsters to save the citizens was a person like this…” The man mused.

“How can mere mortals fathom the will of the gods?” I replied. “Instead of dwelling on useless things, think more productively.”

Without glancing at him, I studied the map as if memorizing it, focusing on the terrain of the forest we were about to enter.

The man, noticing my focus, sighed. “Do we have to go that way? That area is frequently visited by wild animals. If you’re unlucky, you might even encounter a monster.”

“It has to be a secluded path,” I said. “I told you I’d give you extra hazard pay.”

“If it weren’t for that hazard pay, I wouldn’t be cooking here right now.”

We had already finished eating. The stew he had made as a demonstration was truly excellent, and I praised my judgment of hiring him full-heartedly.

“Yes, I’m glad you’re a good cook,” I said. “But what should I call you?”

“You’re asking so soon.”

I glanced up at his somewhat gruff murmur, and the man looked at me with a displeased expression. In his eyes, I could faintly see a hint of disappointment.

“Why?”

“There’s no point in exchanging names politely when you’re not going to tell me your real name anyway.”

“Why do you think I wouldn’t reveal my real name?”

I hesitated at the man’s question. It was strange to ask something so obvious. Folding the map, I answered firmly.

“Because you don’t want to get involved with me.”

That was probably the correct answer. Even I thought I was at the center of a maelstrom of chaos, the root cause of all conflicts and incidents, or about to become one. Even I wouldn’t want to exchange names with someone as troublesome as me, even if I tried to be friendly.

“You’re making me out to be a heartless person.”

“Not exactly. I’m just being rational.”

It seemed I had sharpened my gaze without realizing it. The man flinched and quickly averted his eyes.

“You don’t have to look at me like that,” he said. “I don’t want to get dragged into any political mess by carelessly talking.”

He emphasized that he had no intention of revealing my whereabouts. When my expression didn’t soften, he began to complain to the wolf, which was lazily lying by the campfire.

He probably wasn’t expecting the wolf to respond but was merely seeking someone to vent to.

However, the wolf, unable to understand his words, subtly sided with him.

[This man is too weak to lie. Surprisingly, he’s a man you can rely on.]