I was an Inferno Wolf in Lord Kuro’s pack.
I possessed enough skill to be entrusted with leading the group whenever we moved in packs of about ten. I was moderately strong—not quite enough to brag about, but respectable. There was always someone better at the top, after all.
My mission at the time was to lead a few others on a scouting patrol through the forest. Our goal wasn't to hunt, but to assert our territory. The location was quite far from the village, about a two-day journey at our pace. We would move in a massive circle centered around the village, a task that took about twenty days in total. It was a mission everyone loathed because it kept us away from home for so long.
However, there were perks. We were allowed to eat whatever prey we took down during the mission right then and there. It was too far to carry anything back, and we would have starved if we didn't eat on the job.
And there was one other thing: looking for a mate. When you traveled that far from the village, you would very rarely encounter Inferno Wolves that didn't belong to a pack. Our goal was to recruit them. Of course, they couldn't just join the pack for free; the condition was that they had to become someone’s partner.
Personally, I wanted to find a partner within the pack, but there weren't any decent females available... cough, cough. Excuse me. The competition was fierce, and a guy like me didn't even get a second look. So, what was the harm in seeking my ideal mate during a mission?
About ten days into the patrol, while we were sustaining ourselves primarily on Fanged Rabbits, I found a strange creature.
It was a puppy.
A puppy?
It wasn't an Inferno Wolf cub. I could tell that much by the scent. Why was there a puppy in a place like this? Moreover, it was lying there, completely limp. It was still breathing, but it looked to be on the verge of death.
What was I supposed to do with it? There wasn't enough meat on it to bother eating. It was barely half the size of my muzzle—a snack I could have finished in two bites, if not one. We had been told that if we found something unusual, we should either bring it back or leave a mark, but...
Well, it couldn't be helped.
I called out to my subordinates and had one of them take over as leader. If I was bothered by it, I would just have to bring it back myself. If it died by the time I reached the village, then that was simply its fate. I could have ordered one of the others to carry it, but I didn't know if I’d actually be praised for this, and my subordinates were just like me—they wanted to find mates. It was hard to force the task on them. Besides, I was the one who had found it.
I left the rest of the patrol to them and headed back to the village with the puppy. At first, I carried it in my mouth, but the vibrations seemed too rough for the little thing, so I hoisted it onto my back. It was exhausting work making sure it didn't slide off.
On the way, I took several breaks for water and food, making sure the puppy got its share. It was still clinging to life.
Hmm? Was it having trouble eating like that? Fine, fine. Here, I’ll soften it up for you first...
By the time we arrived at the village, the puppy had somehow survived. I called out to the Boss.
"Woof! (Boss, Boss! I found something strange. What should we do?)"
As soon as the Boss saw the puppy, he hurriedly called for someone who could provide medical treatment. As expected of the Boss.
"So, you saved a puppy. Well done."
Oh! I actually got praised. And he was patting my head... Wait, my belly too?
I was definitely glad I’d cut my search for a mate short.
Three months had passed since then.
"Woof! (Big Bro, Big Bro!)"
That puppy was still by my side. Although, it wasn't really a size you could call a "puppy" anymore. In fact, it had grown larger than me—about twice my size, actually.
At first, the Village Head had been taking care of it, but perhaps because I was the one who had looked after it on the way back to the village, it had grown deeply attached to me. Naturally, the responsibility of looking after it fell back onto my shoulders.
Maybe it hadn't lost its puppyhood habits, because it kept slamming its massive body into me. I could withstand the force since I was technically stronger, but the impact was still incredible.
"Woof! (You're going hunting, right? I’m coming with you!)"
It still couldn't beat me in a fight, but it had become quite powerful. When it came to magic, it was actually more proficient than I was.
"Woof! (Big Bro, I got a rabbit!)"
...Did it just breathe fire from its mouth? It claimed it could do it if it just tried hard enough, but I didn't think that was how magic usually worked.
Yeah, you weren't a dog. I’d had my suspicions for a while. Dogs didn't get that big. Besides, there was no way a normal puppy would have been out in the middle of nowhere like that.
If it wasn't a dog, what was it? It had silver, fluffy fur. Its face, which had looked like a puppy's before, now looked more like a wolf's. However, I didn't think there were any wolves other than Inferno Wolves around these parts. I’d heard that different species lived on the outer fringes of the forest... maybe it was one of those?
Well, even if it wasn't a puppy, I was still going to call it "Puppy." It had apparently received a proper name from the Village Head, but I was jealous, so I refused to use it.
Mating season eventually arrived. As someone who still hadn't found a partner, this was a time of year that made being in the village a bit painful. I figured I would just go eat some fallen apples in the orchard and sleep off my frustration.
"Woof! (Big Bro, Big Bro!)"
The puppy followed me. Come to think of it, I supposed I had to find a partner for it, too. I didn't want to complain, but the fact that I hadn't found a mate was partly the puppy’s fault. Every time I seemed to be hitting it off with a female, it would barge in right at the perfect moment. It was as if it were doing it on purpose. I was sure it didn't mean any harm, so I didn't get angry, but still...
Sigh.
Well, it had protected me from the more violent females who tried to pounce on me before, so I suppose we were even.
"Woof woof! (Big Bro, an apple fell over here!)"
Oh. What, only one? I guess the others had already cleared the place out.
"Woof! (Here, Big Bro, you have it!)"
No, it’s fine. You eat it.
"Woof... (Oh, Big Bro!)"
Despite its hesitation, the puppy chewed and swallowed the apple, looking delighted. Ugh... the sweet scent of the fruit was killing me. I should have been honest and—no, no, that would be pathetic.
Sigh.
"Woof? (Big Bro, are you going to sleep?)"
Yeah. Don't bother me.
"Woof. (Okay. Then I’ll just stay right here next to you...)"
Hey, you’re too close. Oh, for heaven's sake...
I’ll allow it since this is likely the only year we’ll be able to do this. By next year, the puppy will have hit its own mating season and won't have any time for me.
...Hmm, I suppose I really should try to find another of the puppy's species. No, no, a partner is something you’re supposed to find for yourself. It’s not something that should just be handed to you.
"Woof? (Big Bro, did you say something?)"
No, it was nothing.
Sigh... I really hope mating season ends soon.
A conversation between the Village Head and a High Elf who frequently looked after the Inferno Wolves.
"It sure got big."
"It did indeed. I was worried at first, but they get along wonderfully without any fighting. Especially..."
"With the one who brought it home. I guess it's a surrogate parent thing?"
"Once they reach that size, they naturally distance themselves from their parents. That behavior, no matter how you look at it..."
"Hm?"
"Is that of a male and a female."
"Eh? That thing is a female?"
"Her features are quite fierce, but she is indeed a female."
"Is that so? I ended up giving her such a gallant name."
"Does it really matter? There’s nothing wrong with a gallant name."
A conversation between the Vampire Progenitor and the Vampire Princess.
"No matter how you look at it, that’s a Fenrir, isn't it? And it’s living peacefully within an Inferno Wolf pack? How is that even possible?"
"This is a village where the Vampire Progenitor takes casual strolls with a cup of tea in hand. I think it’s best if you just don't worry about it."