Golden Retriever

Man, I didn’t really get the specifics, but apparently Operation Counterfeit Note was going swimmingly. I thought it was a bust when she initially rejected the idea, but it just went to show that persistence paid off. Now that I’d gotten Yukime’s seal of approval, all I had to do was wait for the bills to be printed.

I’d be relatively free until then, but once the counterfeit notes were finished, I’d have my hands full.

My job would primarily consist of disposing of anyone trying to sniff out the source of the bills.

Eliminating enemy agents from the shadows in a stylish fashion—it was a job perfectly suited for a SUPER ELITE AGENT. I was vibrating with excitement.

Heh heh heh... I wonder how I should finish them off?

I couldn't use my katana if I wanted to prevent Shadow Exposure. Then again, that just meant I wasn't tied down to one specific weapon anymore. This felt like a great opportunity for some fresh, creative combat.

I was wandering through the Royal Capital at midnight, mulling over these possibilities, when I spotted a pair of familiar dog ears in the distance.

“Delta...?”

The moment I muttered her name, those ears twitched.

The girl who turned around was, unmistakably, Delta.

“...Boss,” her lips moved to say.

An instant later, she lunged toward me using her Four-legged Dash.

Man, she was needlessly fast. An ordinary person wouldn’t have even been able to track her with their eyes.

“Bo—!”

“I’m not 'Boss' right now.”

“Au... Cid! I missed you!”

She wagged her tail with enough force to generate a breeze.

The huge grin on her face suddenly froze.

“Cid... you smell like a fox...”

Damn. I forgot Delta’s nose is needlessly sharp.

“I-I was just on a Fox Hunt.”

“Fox Hunt? Delta wants to do that too!” her face brightened instantly.

“Too bad. I already hunted the fox.”

“Au... then Fox Hunt next time.”

“Yeah, next time. Hey, stop trying to mark me.”

I used my arm to shove Delta back as she tried to rub her scent all over me.

“But Cid, you smell like fox.”

“It’s fine.”

“No it's not.”

I used pure muscle to push back against the persistent beast-kin and changed the subject.

“Delta, why are you even in the Royal Capital?”

“Au... Cid, you’re so strong after all.”

“Why are you in the capital, Delta?”

“Hmm? Why?”

“Delta. Why are you in the capital?”

“Delta, um, woke up early today, ate lots of meat, and came to the Royal Capital for the first time in a while.”

“Delta. Why are you here?”

“Um, Delta was... hunting.”

“In the capital?”

“Outside! It was fun! I hunted lots and lots! Does Cid want to hunt with me?”

“Why were you hunting?”

“Let’s hunt together, Cid!”

“Why were you hunting?”

“Alpha-sama told me to! Let’s hunt together, Cid!”

I see. So Alpha’s the one who sent her.

“Right, Alpha told you to do it.”

“Yeah! Let’s hunt together, Cid!”

“And what exactly were you hunting?”

“Bandits! Let’s go hunt together!”

“A Bandit Hunt, huh?”

“Cid likes Bandit Hunt too!”

“Yeah, you got me there. I do love a good Bandit Hunt.”

“Then let’s go!”

“Well, I’ve got some free time for a bit. Guess we can go on a hunt.”

“Yay!!”

Delta grabbed my hand and tried to drag me off into the night.

“Wait, wait! Not right this second! I have to go back to the Dormitory first.”

“No!”

“You’ve got things to do in the capital too, don’t you?”

“Things to do?”

“Aren't you supposed to be meeting Alpha?”

“Alpha-sama?!”

“Did you forget?”

“I forgot! Am I gonna get yelled at?”

“Probably. You’d better get a move on.”

“But the Bandit Hunt...” She looked at me dejectedly.

“I’m free for a while, so let’s do it tomorrow. Go finish your business first.”

“Okay! Cid, wait for me!!”

“I’ll be waiting at the Dormitory. Make sure you sneak in.”

“I’ll sneak in!”

Delta vanished into the cityscape of the Royal Capital, moving at the terrifying speed of her Four-legged Dash.

She’d definitely stand out if anyone saw her, but then again, she moved so fast that a normal person wouldn't see anything but a blur. It was probably fine.

I let out a quiet sigh. She reminded me so much of the golden retriever I’d owned in my previous life.