Chapter 224
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 224
"Mr. Gio?"
Ju-hyeon, who greeted Gio with Sankalut draped around his neck, tilted his head in confusion.
"Is something wrong? You said you wanted to rest for a while, so I didn’t schedule anything. Are you bored of staying in the cabin already?"
"The day I get bored of staying in my cabin will never come, not even if I live to the end of my days."
"Then what brings you here today? You usually send a letter before visiting, but I didn’t receive one. Is there something you needed to tell me?"
"Have you ever raised a dog?"
"N-no…?"
A dog? Out of nowhere?
"A dog?"
"Cute little puppies."
"Hold on."
A sense of foreboding washed over Ju-hyeon.
"What exactly are you trying to say?"
"I found some cute puppies and was wondering how I should help them."
"If their parents are with them, the parents will take care of raising them."
"They said they were hungry."
"This witch is at it again…"
"I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that."
"You heard me perfectly."
"I refuse to acknowledge it."
"No, Mr. Gio."
Ju-hyeon wore a troubled expression.
"I know it’s bizarre for me to be saying this to you, of all people… but you shouldn’t meddle with young animals when their parents are around. Where on earth did you even see these puppies?"
"I saw them in the Ruined Abilas Rainforest. It’s my hometown, as I’ve mentioned before—a demonic lair also known as the Black Forest. An opportunity came up, so I paid it a visit."
"You saw puppies there? Are you sure they were puppies? Given everything you’ve told me about how dangerous that place is, I find it hard to believe you’re talking about ordinary puppies."
"…"
"Mr. Gio?"
The figure in the portrait, resting his chin on his hand, spoke with confidence.
"It’s not a crime to adore something cute, is it?"
"…I suppose not?"
"And it’s not a crime to feed a hungry beast, is it?"
"…Perhaps not?"
"Then I am innocent."
"I suggest you explain yourself before declaring your innocence."
"Oh, honestly."
Sure enough, the hair of the figure in the portrait turned red.
"I came to share some adorable news, and you treat me so coldly? My feelings are hurt."
"How does your ability to lie through your teeth improve by the day?"
It was impossible to see his eyes through the thick black paint covering the center of the frame, but the fact that he’d taken on his Arjio persona—the one best suited for bulldozing his way through any situation—spoke volumes about the absurdity of it all.
"What is it you want to do?"
"My dear Ju-hyeon, you don’t have to worry about a thing."
"Did it ever occur to you that I’m asking because I want to worry?"
Groaning in frustration, Ju-hyeon hesitated before asking, "…You aren’t doing something that threatens the safety of the world, are you?"
"Good heavens. Why would you say something so terrifying?"
"That reaction was so artificial it’s actually making me more anxious. What do you want from me?"
"As I said, I merely came to share some delightful news."
"The fact that you found puppies?"
"Yes. A precious little family led by a seven-year-old breadwinner."
Arjio declared, "They are also my children."
"…Is this another case like Honey, or like Dana?"
"If I had to choose, it would be closer to Dana. But they called me father first, so isn’t our bond even stronger? We are a family, proven by history."
"What kind of scam are you running on an innocent seven-year-old breadwinner?"
"This is all highly educational and beneficial."
"And for whose benefit, exactly?"
Silence fell.
"…"
"…"
Ju-hyeon narrowed his eyes at the portrait. "Does this have anything to do with that damned Demon King Project?"
"Perhaps?"
"Just go easy on them."
Despite his words, Ju-hyeon didn’t believe for a second that Gio was some evil deity destined to bring pain and wrath upon the world. He might be an Evil God in name, but in reality, he was more like a witch whose most wicked deed was stuffing someone with so much food they got indigestion.
"If you can, please introduce me to them later."
In the end, Ju-hyeon simply accepted the situation.
"You don’t have to if it’s a burden to you or that… young breadwinner. It’s just, as your manager, I thought it might be helpful to build a relationship with someone who has your affection."
"Once we’re a bit closer, I will ask for their understanding."
"Yes, thank you."
Though the man’s words and actions could be rough and indifferent, the effects he had were anything but. Even now, both the rich and the poor were crying out the name of the Black Cloak as they performed good deeds.
In the end, it won’t be anything bad.
Ju-hyeon trusted his foolish friend.
"I’ve been learning to cook lately, so please drop by when you have time. If you tell me what that seven-year-old breadwinner likes to eat, I’ll prepare it. I’ve felt bad for always being on the receiving end."
"A meal personally prepared by you, Ju-hyeon? I look forward to it immensely."
Arjio chuckled softly, and his hair soon returned to black.
"Then, I shall visit again when time permits."
"Yes, take care."
"Have a peaceful day."
"…"
Soon, the portrait vanished.
"…Hmm, puppies."
What kind of food can dogs eat again?
*
"Hey there, my friend! I’m here!"
"Oh."
The wolf, who had been waiting at the rendezvous point, approached with a gentle wag of his tail.
"Thank you for what you gave us last time. We couldn’t give the seasoned ham and jerky to the pups, but the chunks of meat you set aside for the little ones were a huge help."
"I was wondering how to deal with the surplus meat, so it helped me as well. A cook always likes to keep their pantry neat and tidy, you see."
"You said it was Golden-Step Sheep meat…"
The wolf marveled. "Everyone loved it. It wasn’t contaminated."
While tribes like the wolves had survived by learning to avoid and neutralize the poison as best they could, most creatures couldn’t escape the 'epidemic' that had spread from the Black Forest.
Its aftermath threatened the diets of many creatures. Even if the wolf tribe wanted to hunt, the beasts of the Black Forest were extremely ferocious, and their flesh was thoroughly steeped in poison.
While the adults had developed some resistance and could manage, it was out of the question for the young pups.
"Everything we hunt is dangerous…"
"Then how did you usually prepare food for the children?"
"The prey’s blood is the most heavily poisoned part, so we chew the meat to drain the blood before passing it to the pups. It’s more effective than using tools or herbs. We aren’t as clever as the foxes or the crows."
"That must have been exhausting."
"If we hadn’t done at least that much, our tribe wouldn’t have survived this long. It’s been seven years since my mother, the former chief, returned to nature, so I have to work even harder."
"Truly a young breadwinner…"
"I told you not to call me that…! Wolves are considered adults at the age of two. Our lifespans may be longer than ordinary wolves, but we grow incomparably faster than humans! I am not a child!"
"So mature, to be leading a tribe at such a young age."
"Grrr… Woof! Woof woof!"
Only after the wolf resorted to barking did Arjio stop his teasing.
"My apologies. Your reactions just make me want to tease you."
"I really can’t tell if you have a good personality or a bad one…"
"If I had to choose, wouldn’t it be on the bad side?"
He was an Evil God, after all.
"May I visit your village again today?"
"…As you saw last time, the others won’t exactly welcome you with open arms."
"I’m well aware, and I understand."
"Yes, please do. In times like these, a creature in human form makes everyone jumpy. They grew up hearing nothing but bad things about humans…"
"I fully acknowledge the pathetic nature of the human race."
"Well, if you put it that way."
"Besides, the children seemed to like me, didn’t they? I promised them I’d visit again. You wouldn’t want to make me a heartless liar, would you?"
"Hey, I already said you could come. Stop making it complicated."
The wolf turned his massive body and headed toward the 'village.'
To protect themselves from danger, they lived in a massive underground tunnel they had dug themselves. It was the only way to survive with their pups in a forest where everything was steeped in poison.
"Digging those tunnels must have been incredibly difficult. It’s truly impressive."
"Well… we certainly don’t have the same talent for it as the fox tribe. Our bodies are much larger than theirs, so it must have been a tremendous effort. It’s something we have our ancestors to thank for."
"Come to think of it, how does the crow tribe build their nests? Surely they can’t burrow underground."
"From what I know, they build their homes as high up in the trees as possible. They weave together branches they’ve drained of as much poison as they can… Since they don’t live together like us or the foxes, they might find it more convenient."
"They don’t live in groups?"
"Isn’t that true for most birds? I believe the fox tribe only started living together recently as well."
Even though they had acquired wisdom equal to or greater than humans, their basic animal instincts remained. Still, he hadn’t expected them to live separately, even in a situation like this.
One would think sticking together is safer, but being scattered reduces the risk of being wiped out at once. There are pros and cons to both, I suppose.
As they chatted, they soon arrived at the entrance to the wolves' underground tunnels.
"Ahem."
Clearing his throat, the wolf craned his neck and howled.
"Awoooooooo—!"
"Awooo…!"
"Awoooooo!"
It was a signal announcing that 'family' had arrived.
And at the same time, a signal announcing my presence.
Wolves possessed incredible senses. Communicating like this, despite already knowing who was there, was clearly a way to reassure the others, as if to say, 'It’s okay, it’s safe. I vouch for him.'
Then again, there were probably beasts that tried to approach by faking a family member’s identity…
The fox tribe would occasionally pretend to be wolves to get close or steal food, and the Black Forest was also home to beasts that could mimic the form and voice of others.
One can never be too careful.
It was a harsh world.
"Now, let’s go in."
"Thank you."
Guided by the chief, Arjio entered the massive cavern. As expected, every wolf’s gaze locked onto him.
"…"
"…Grrr…"
"…Whimper…"
Some were wary, others terrified.
If there was one thing they had in common…
Every single wolf feared him.
"…"
Smiling, he grabbed the hem of his black cloak and gave it a light flick—a gesture to show he had no hostile intentions. Then, he presented the bribe he had prepared for the day.
In an instant, a massive mound of meat piled up on the ground.
"Woof! Woof woof!"
"Yip! Snort!"
"Whimper! Bark!"
The first to welcome him were the wolf pups.
"Kids, wait a moment…"
"I told you not to just run up to him like that!"
The pups, who hadn’t even learned to speak yet, couldn’t understand why their parents and relatives feared Arjio. Though he was a creature they had never seen before, these were youngsters who had never even laid eyes on the fox or crow tribes. A different appearance wasn’t enough to make them wary.
"Whimper…"
Good heavens, how can they be this adorable?
Gio was deeply moved by the pure, precious sight of the wolf pups approaching him, wagging their tails in welcome. He felt his heart, battered by terrifyingly obsessive mermaids and the harsh, cold-hearted modern world, being thoroughly healed.
As the other wolves hesitated, the chief spoke up.
"He is my guest. I vouch for his safety. Do not make our guest uncomfortable."
His voice was firm. At their leader’s command, the mothers and fathers who had been holding their pups by the scruff of their necks slowly set them back on the ground. Obtaining clean, poison-free meat was an incredibly difficult task in this world, so they, too, wished to avoid upsetting the 'guest' if possible.
"…"
"…Whimper…"
From among the hesitating wolves, the chief’s friend stepped forward.
"Welcome, guest. I apologize if we made you uncomfortable."
"Not at all. I felt I was being quite warmly welcomed."
"I am glad to hear that."
The she-wolf, quite robust despite her age of thirty-five, seemed to be an elder who supported the young chief. She bowed politely, then approached, baring her teeth in a friendly grin as she asked in a warm tone, "Could you tell us your name today?"
"I believe I already have?"
Arjio smiled.
"Call me Gio."
In this place, 'Gio' was a word that meant 'beast.'
Arka let out a small sigh of exasperation that sounded almost like a scolding. From her perspective, it was only natural; it seemed he was using a clumsy alias instead of a proper name.
"That’s not a real name…"
"Why not? It could be."
In truth, he had no name.