The Dragon's Fury Ignites, Leaving Not Even Bones of the Maned Wolf

"Around the Red Dragon Mountain Range, there's a pack-dwelling monster called the Maned Wolf. They're extremely territorial. Individually, these monsters are only D-rank, with very low attack power, but when they act as a group, adventurers generally classify them as an A-rank monster disaster. Hundreds of them attacking together can be a real headache."

Lokkishi was lecturing on monsters of the Central Continent by candlelight. After watching the fireworks, they should have gone to bed, but Sylphy didn't want to sleep, so Lokkishi had no choice but to tell them another story.

"That sounds so scary."

Lokkishi looked at Sylphy and Rudy, who were already drowsy and slumped over the table. Though very sleepy, they didn't seem to want to go to bed yet.

"Yes, and after their territory is invaded, no matter who the opponent is, they will tirelessly tear them apart, even attacking monsters significantly stronger than themselves. Even if it's a lone S-rank Red Dragon that has left its pack to forage, they'll still do it."

"…Will the Red Dragon eat them?"

"Uh, no, Red Dragons generally aren't interested in monsters that can't even bite through their skin. To them, it's probably like mosquito bites."

"So, the Red Dragon just lets them keep bothering it? Doesn't the Red Dragon get angry? What happens… after it gets angry? Will… those… Maned Wolves… run… away?"

Lokkishi couldn't help but smile at Sylphy's somewhat childish questions, delivered in a soft, sleepy voice.

"The dragon's fury ignites flames, and when the flames sweep through, not even the bones of the Maned Wolves remain."

She looked at Sylphy and Rudy's closed eyelids and softly finished the last sentence.

"They don't even get a chance to run."

Lokkishi lifted her gaze to Allen, who was sitting upright in a chair beside them, squinting at the map in his hand. He was smiling meaningfully, as if he'd thought of something, then noticed Lokkishi's gaze and turned to look at Rudy and Sylphy.

"They're asleep, huh? Shall I take Rudy back to his room?"

Lokkishi nodded.

"I'll help too."

Allen rolled up the map in his hand and put it in his pocket, then lifted Rudy. Lokkishi looked around and saw there was nothing for her to help with, so she simply picked up Rudy's Magic Textbook and followed Allen to Rudy's room.

Allen gently placed Rudy on the bed, then heard a hesitant, whispered question from beside him.

"Are you serious?"

Allen asked, puzzled, as he took off Rudy's shoes.

"About what?"

Lokkishi's eyes darted left and right, finally settling on a black leather Bucket Bag peeking out from under the bed.

"That… you're certain we'll see each other again in the future."

Allen's hand paused slightly as he took off the shoes.

"Well…"

As Lokkishi spoke, her hand unconsciously picked up the Bucket Bag from under the bed, her fingers fiddling with the Terminator Boar hide.

"…It's okay if it's not true. Even if it's just pretty words to comfort Rudy and Sylphy, it's still very effective."

Allen blinked, then a smile spread across his face.

"You will."

Lokkishi was silent.

Allen placed Rudy's shoes by the bed and added, "But as for when… it could be tomorrow, or it could be years from now, hard to say. But what's certain is…"

Lokkishi still didn't speak. Allen looked up at Lokkishi and finished his sentence.

"You will definitely see each other a—?!!"

Allen froze at the sight of Lokkishi. The word "again" was on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn't get it out.

At that moment, in his line of sight, Lokkishi's eyes were wide, looking bewildered and shocked at the Shrine in her hand…

Inside it was his own Used Underwear.

Allen swallowed hard in horror. Their eyes met for an instant.

The next moment, the entire Shrine, pigskin and all, was slapped onto Allen's face. He quickly caught it with Flow Arcana, then looked up at Lokkishi.

She, flustered and hurried, clutching the underwear, thump-thump-thumped out of Rudy's room, leaving Allen only her retreating back.

Allen stood there, mouth agape, looking helplessly at the open door, then turned to look at Rudy's peaceful sleeping face. Rudy's eyelashes flickered slightly, looking like he was about to wake up from Lokkishi's hurried footsteps.

Quickly!

Allen's Sword God Style demonstrated astonishing effectiveness in that instant!

He darted to the nearby wardrobe, pulled out a pair of Rudy's own white underwear, stuffed them into the Shrine, then shoved the Shrine, undisturbed, into the Bucket Bag. He then kicked the Bucket Bag under Rudy's bed with a flying kick, and then, with a flick of his hand, slapped the pervert on the bed.

Rudy's eyes snapped open.

Allen hurriedly patted his arm.

"Ah! Had a nightmare? Go back to sleep, go back to sleep, it's alright, it's alright. I'll definitely wake you before Lokkishi leaves, go to sleep~"

Rudy, bewildered, covered his face.

"Is… is Teacher still here?"

"It's still early~ Go to sleep~"

"Oh, then remember to wake me up."

"Don't worry~ I will~ Be good now~ Go to sleep~"

"…Oh. Thank you, Allen, you're really a good person."

Rudy tilted his head and fell back asleep.

Allen squeezed words through gritted teeth, his eyes askew and mouth twisted.

"You're welcome."

***

The next morning, Rudy was woken by Zenith.

By the time he came downstairs, Lokkishi was already packed and soothing a crying Sylphy in her arms.

He looked around but couldn't find Allen.

"Where's Allen?"

Zenith looked bewildered.

"I saw him when I got up this morning."

Paul also looked bewildered.

"I just saw him washing up. Allen! Allen!!"

Lokkishi blinked, recalling yesterday's awkward scene, and instinctively blurted out.

"Oh! No need to call him! We already met and said goodbye this morning, maybe he's in the restroom or something."

Rudy patted his slightly dazed face.

Excellent! Allen, I won this round! …Well, finding joy in hardship isn't bad either.

The group moved outside into the courtyard, but Allen still didn't appear.

Everyone waved goodbye to each other. Lokkishi stroked Sylphy's head, then turned to look at Rudy, intending to pat his head as well, but ultimately gave him a playful flick on the forehead instead.

Rudy was overjoyed.

Allen, I really won this time!! But why didn't she pat my head? Uh, why does God's expression look a little off? Did she not sleep well last night?

Lokkishi glanced at the door behind everyone and let out a soft breath.

"Well then… we part ways here. If luck is on our side in the future, we'll meet again."

Zenith, just like the first time they parted, was on the verge of tears, while Paul warmly pulled her into his embrace, casually placing his hand on his wife's bottom.

However, no one saw this scene except Lilia, who was beside the couple.

"Bye-bye! Teacher! I'll definitely come find you with Allen in the future!"

Rudy was also waving goodbye, but at her words, his eyes went dark.

?? What about me?

Unlike last time, a carriage had been arranged in advance, funded by Rolls. According to him, it was all thanks to Allen; if the Terminator Boar's hide hadn't been perfectly preserved and sold for a good price, they wouldn't have had enough savings to show their sincerity for the apprenticeship fee.

And so, Lokkishi left Buena Village.

***

The morning sun shone on the small road outside Buena Village, and the clip-clop of horse hooves saw off the traveler.

Lokkishi sat in the carriage, chin resting on her hand, gazing absently at the grassland rushing past the carriage window.

The decaying fence by the roadside slowly receded as the carriage moved, receded…

Then it stopped.

Lokkishi was still in a daze and didn't notice.

She heard some sound in her ear…

"Miss… there's… a carriage…"

It was the coachman's voice, gradually clearer, gradually louder, then sounding in Lokkishi's ears, rousing her from her stupor.

"Miss!"

Lokkishi jolted, realizing that the carriage had stopped at some point.

"Ah!? What's wrong?"

The coachman's voice held a hint of helplessness.

"Miss, did you hear me? Someone's blocking the road, insisting on a ride."

Lokkishi was unsure how to respond, but instinctively lifted the curtain at the front of the carriage to look ahead.

Then she froze.

The morning glow was dazzling. A figure stood in front of the carriage, their deep gray eyes sharp, giving off an unconscious feeling of cold detachment.

Yet, to Lokkishi, it only made her feel a sense of familiarity.

The person blocking her path chuckled, his voice still that familiar lazy drawl.

"Hello there, ma'am, would it be convenient for me to hitch a ride?"

The morning glow illuminated Lokkishi's face, and an orange fire danced in her eyes.

"Alright."

Greyrat Family.

Lilia, Zenith, Paul, Rudy, and Sylphy all stared at the letter on the table, their faces filled with bewilderment.

My Lord:

I'm off to clear out the Maned Wolves.

I'll be back in a month at the earliest, two months at the latest.

Uh... sorry, I didn't want to leave without saying goodbye, but if I'd mentioned it directly, you probably would have kept me here, right?

Don't worry, I can take care of myself.

Also: You don't need to pay me for these two months. It's fine if you deduct a few extra months' pay as well.

Sincerely, Allen

So sweet! More tomorrow!