Chapter 69 - Cleaning Up After the Doggos' Mischief
* Chirp chirp chirp chirp. The peaceful front yard of the bunker. I started cleaning up the mess the doggos had caused, trying to calm my far-from-peaceful mind.*
"Sora? For now, make that post private... not deleted."
"Understood, Rain."
Deleting it outright might lead to memes with the doggos' faces popping up. While the gallery lurkers were fixated on the now-private post in the exhibitionist gallery, I decided to handle it quickly.
That was close. I'd made that post private, but if I'd been chilling with my eyes closed, clueless? Gallery folks who remembered the doggos' faces would've commented, and boom—my location exposed.
A solid approach: explained the censorship reason, promised compensation. Best terms possible. But for a concept-post fiend, it wasn't enough? This lurker shot it down flat.
Way more of an exhibitionist than I'd thought. Needing a "concept post" every day? Yikes.
My heart was already checked out. Let 'em keep gallery-ing as long as they behave. But don't push too hard, or they might track me down. Time to toss some info as a peace offering.
"Looks like it wrapped up well, Rain."
Sora confirmed the deed was done and spoke up.
"Phew. Yeah. If they'd taken the deal, I'd have asked for a doggo escort... but they'll make it back fine."
I wanted to fetch 'em quick and scold, but decided to hold off. Spirit beasts claiming a forest crawling with undead and magic beasts as territory—our house doggos. No worries about injury; they'd return safe eventually.
"Work's done, so back to relaxing?"
The rest I'd barely started. I suggested resuming to Sora.
"Very well, Rain. I just noticed—the sunlight today is truly warm."
She seemed pleased, promptly reclining on the sunbed.
Chirp chirp chirp chirp— Clear skies, warm rays. The bunker's front yard brimmed with peace. Sure, a little incident, but Sora and I decided to keep chilling.
* Dense forest. Dim, shadowy landscape. A spot where Sora's magic blocked mana detection. Hero Duke Graywarden pressed on, relying on scent.*
"To think they'd use it so flashily... Making this a hassle."
Spreading mana across the whole forest? Without the east wind, he'd have waited endlessly outside. The direction where Helga's mana had pulsed pre-entry. And the roasted chicken aroma wafting from there. Without those, even a hero like Duke might've hesitated to scout.
It let him continue, but questions arose.
"Why no movement? Lingering draws magic beasts."
Scouts sniffing human scent—best avoid staying put. Especially with chicken? That scent had lingered over an hour. Could mean surrounded, fighting now. Duke hurried, heart heavy with worry for his daughter.
After a long trek, voices.
"----!"
"---.----...."
Someone angry, a meek reply. Following the strong chicken smell, Duke quietly assessed.
"My bad, Aunt Helga... Plz help..!"
"No. If you'd listened and taken Moderator's deal, no suffering. Handle it solo, Hilde."
"Hnggg..."
""Woof! Woof woof!""
His daughter deboning chicken by stacked boxes. Old friend Helga Kreiger vigilant with battle-axe. Two small dogs whining before her. Too cozy for a perilous forest.
Duke nearly revealed himself but hid to observe daily daughter life. Harmless indulgence, he figured. Safer with Silvaraes around vs. before. Helga on guard. Even the dogs: Moderator's two Silvaraes. Zero danger.
"My hands are burning..! For real, can't anymore! Switch plz, Aunt Helgaaa..."
"Nope. You do it, Hilde."
""Grrrr...""
From talk, Hilde's fault. Normally don't interrupt discipline, but angry Silvaraes changed things. Duke approached fast, plopping behind the doggos.
"Phew. Dunno the deal, but calm down. Hero... or Hogul?"
""Woof?!""
Recalling gallery post names. Doggos whipped around, shocked. Helga and Brunhilde startled too, but routine—stayed cool. Sensing Duke's overwhelming strength? Hero and Hogul bared bellies in surrender.
""Whine...""
"D-Dad? How?! They ignored me no matter what!"
Shocked Brunhilde. Helga sighed, chiding Duke.
"Make some noise when moving, Duke. My remaining lifespan shrinks every time."
"A guy good till 120—how much can it shrink? Quit joking, tend the pups. Chicken smell means move fast."
Duke had slashed many beasts en route—fewer than expected. Still, forest fights bugged even him. Urged quick secure-and-move.
"Uh... Can I touch? Moderator's pups are Silvaraes, right..?"
Helga hesitated, wary gaze on doggos. Forest guardians, near-divine legends—natural caution.
"Hm... Better I carry. Hilde, wash up. Moving now."
Recalling instant hostility sans chicken, Duke opted to carry for safety, rushing greasy-handed daughter.
"Got it! But Dad, what's up here?"
Brunhilde washed with canteen water. He'd said Blackmore Duchy trip—round trip plus survey minimum week. Even rushed, way early. Curiosity peaked.
"Does a dad need reason to check on his girl? Just came."
Actually worry-spurred rush-job, but embarrassed, he deflected. Confirmed hands clean, scooped doggos, strode off.
Brunhilde panicked, halting him.
"D-Dad? Good we're moving, but rendezvous ain't that way! More right!"
Time lagged already—wrong path meant overnight forest. But Duke kept going, unconcerned.
"Too late, Hilde. Your pace hits sunset in-forest. Alternate spot. Rendezvous tomorrow."
"Slow down..! At least say where!"
Brunhilde chased, yelling. Too lazy to explain? Duke silent-strided on.
"Sigh..."
Helga sighed, guarded surroundings, trailed Duke—while inputting to chat that rendezvous was tomorrow.