Heading Home (1)
Honestly, I wasn't one to outright hate people, but I did have a tendency to distrust them, suspect them, and keep my distance.
At the peak of my passion for treating wild animals, I lived overseas across the sea, witnessing the absolute depths of human depravity.
I saw not just rare animals, but even human children with collars around their necks being sold off. In my youthful impulsiveness, I confronted that endless malice head-on, and sometimes got caught up in it, taking a bullet to the leg.
But when I realized that no matter how hard I tried, nothing would change, I felt a hollow emptiness and returned to my home country to live as a vet.
After that, I started keeping people at arm's length. Time spent with animals rather than humans was far more peaceful for me.
What about my colleague from my past life? He's the exception.
That guy's so hard to understand that even if I told him to get lost outright, he'd somehow end up hanging around me again, nuzzling close. So we got friendly as an exception.
Because of that, actually facing another person and having a conversation felt so outdated that just imagining it made my face wrinkle up in awkwardness.
That was before Aria showed up.
For some strange reason, looking at Aria didn't trigger that instinctive aversion I'd felt before. Instead, an odd urge to protect her welled up, leading me to act all gentle in ways that didn't suit me. I was surprised at myself.
Was I originally this kind of personality?
Was it just because she was a kid, so less off-putting? Or had she instinctively awakened a gorilla's strong paternal instincts? Anyway.
After soothing Aria, who was lost in sorrow, and even exchanging promises of friendship, we finally prepared to take the child back to where she belonged—her home.
It hadn't been long since we'd finished breakfast, but the sun sets unusually early in this forest. To get her home safely before dark, we had to hurry.
"Wuooo, woof. Woo-ho."
(Kids, it's time to head out now.)
(Ahh, wait a sec, Kong.)
(We haven't even given our gifts yet!)
I'd already packed my treasured hat and basket and was ready to go. But the fairies, desperate to give Aria even more, kept delaying us.
Each one brought pretty flower petals or sparkling magic powder, showering her with gifts. Thanks to that, Aria—who'd had her dress torn and filthy from fleeing monsters—was now adorned with flowers and leaves, looking like a forest princess.
It looked nice, sure, but at this rate, we'd be leaving tomorrow, so I stepped in to mediate.
(Alright, that's enough! Anyone who didn't get to give a gift today can do it next time.)
(Awww... That's so disappointing!)
(It's not like we'll never meet again. Just give something even better next time.)
Only after calming the fairies could we finally set off properly.
The ones coming with Aria were me and Alpha. The other fairies refused to go near the human village, and Alpha said she had something to check out, so she tagged along. Probably to judge if these humans were a threat.
Alpha couldn't fly anymore after her wing got torn in the last spirit fight. One wrong move, and she'd be easy prey for eagles or flying monsters. So instead of letting her follow loosely, I decided to keep her right by my side.
Kiiing! Nang! Kiiing!
Gail's desperate whines echoed from inside the house, but I ignored them and turned away. The pup kept trying to follow into danger despite being just a baby, so I'd shut him in the enclosure.
(Gail's food—don't forget to feed him properly.)
(Got it! Got it!)
(Don't worry and go.)
Sigh... It made me a bit uneasy. But with all those fairies, they wouldn't forget about him. I had to trust that.
Besides, ever since I took down that spirit, no ordinary creature dared approach my territory. Even if goblins or kobolds showed up, the fairies could handle them easily. No worries there.
I was more afraid they'd cause trouble while I was gone.
(Bye!)
(See you next time—we'll be waiting!)
With the fairies seeing us off, we left the house.
I had Aria and Alpha ride on my back, then headed out along the forest path I'd cleared before.
From Aria's story, we figured she'd come down from the north, crossing continuously. She said it'd taken her about two to three hours running, so at my pace, a simple calculation put it at around one hour. Maybe longer.
I didn't know the forest that well either—there was more I didn't know than did. My goal had always been expanding my territory, so even if my range was wide, the distances weren't huge.
So I was a bit surprised to learn there was a human pioneer village not far from these ruins.
According to Aria, humans saw this forest as almost demon-infested, so even without seeking them out, I'd have run into them eventually while expanding. Thanks to Aria, it was happening sooner. Since we'd meet anyway, I hoped it'd be on good terms. I'd adapted to the wild, but civilization was indispensable. I just hoped they were the talking type.
To prepare for any ambushes, I stayed alert as we headed north.
In my ears, Alpha and Aria chattered nonstop. Mostly about the "pioneer village" where Aria lived.
A nameless little settlement, always under threat from monsters descending from the forest, bells ringing emergency alarms without end. She hadn't wanted to go there, but during her time, she'd grown attached—it wasn't a harsh judgment from her.
"Huge logs sharpened to points make a tall fence that hugs our village tight!"
"All the houses smell like fresh wood, log cabins, and outside the fence, there's a sparkling lake and a big mountain just popping up—it's like being in a picture book!"
Alpha helpfully telepath-translated Aria's words for me one by one. Felt like listening to the radio.
Listening was fine, but I wondered how long I'd need this interpreter. It was inconvenient and a hassle.
Without telepathy, I'd just be a mute beast to them. Might as well learn the language now.
Wasn't it said that the moment you think it's too late is actually the best time? Or something like that.
(Hey, you two.)
"Yeah?"
(Why call?)
(Could you teach me the language here... I mean, human speech? I hate relying on translations forever.)
Alpha and Aria went quiet for a moment at my request, then laughed and agreed right away.
(Sure! We'll whip this dumb Kong into a proper speaker!)
(Heh, getting all high and mighty again.)
"Heehee!"
And so, language lessons began mid-journey. Aria traced letters on my back with her finger, teaching one by one, while Alpha handled pronunciation and words.
Since gorilla vocal cords weren't made for talking, it was mostly for listening, but knowing couldn't hurt.
The language was unfamiliar, but the system was like an alphabet. Conversation felt like English mixed with Latin—not too hard to pick up. Grammar was familiar too.
Thanks to my past life cramming languages for survival during overseas studies and volunteer work, I got the hang of it quick.
(Ooh, you're picking it up fast! Next time, I'll teach you fairy tongue!)
(Isn't that a bit premature?)
(What's wrong with it? If he can keep up this pace, he can learn! Study hard, my disciple!)
(Ah, yes yes. I shall endeavor, Master.)
"Ahahaha."
We bantered in our usual WWE style, and it cracked Aria up beside us—as we practiced human speech in our "lesson."
Rustle...!
Suddenly, a rustling from the bushes behind us. I stopped and turned.
Something small was tailing us at our pace. No footsteps now... but definitely there. I felt eyes on us.
It realized I'd noticed and went dead silent. Smart and dangerous—I judged instantly. Warned the two right away.
(Aria, Alpha. Get off me now and hide in the trees.)
"Wh-what's wrong...?"
(Kong, something dangerous?)
(Not sure. First time seeing it. It's sly, hiding all hostility and killing intent. Might target you weaklings first!)
I shielded Aria and Alpha behind me, staring at the trembling bushes.
Instinctively, I thumped my chest in warning.
Dong! Dong! Dong!
Woooaaarrr!!!
I poured mana into a roar, and from the rippling bushes, something small popped out like it was waiting.
Ang!
"Huh? Oh! It's Gail!"
While I stood stunned as Gail burst from the bushes, Aria—who'd hated to leave him—ran over and hugged him tight. Gail licked her cheek furiously.
"Eek, that tickles~"
(Uh... what? The others were supposed to watch him—how'd he follow?)
Alpha panicked too, but I sighed, figuring it out instantly.
(Sigh...)
No need to see it. Obvious.
(What else? They got distracted playing among themselves and didn't notice him slip the enclosure. But how'd he break out?)
His growth was scary fast lately, but strong enough to bust out already? Wasn't this wolf pup acting like a monster? Those teeth were too long for a baby.
(Sigh...)
Even Alpha, the big-sis fairy, sighed just like me.
"Hey Kong, can't Gail come too? Look at him~ Such big, sparkly eyes."
Aria widened her own eyes, showing off Gail.
Grrrrr...
Sparkly? Look at that foam at his mouth. Threatening me: take me or else.
The ingrate I rescued. True to form—always tug-of-warring my fingers and toes.
(Too awkward to turn back now. Let's just bring him.)
"Yay!!!"
(Hehe, Gail's coming too!)
One more charge to protect. What could I do? As their guardian, I'd shoulder it.