A while later, when I returned to the others with Lunamaria-san, Rei-san and Fia-san happened to walk in, looking haggard.
"Miyama-kun, I'm glad to see you're awake."
"Yes. Sorry to have caused you so much worry."
"No, no, the important thing is that you're safe. How are Kusunoki-chan and Yuzuki-chan?"
"They're still asleep, it seems."
After we exchanged a few words, Rei-san and Fia-san sat on the lounge sofa, letting out heavy sighs.
"Good grief, what a nightmare. Though, I suppose it’s only natural for everyone to be on edge after seeing the Death King’s wrath... Still, I’m truly stunned. I had no idea you were an acquaintance of the Death King-sama, Miyama-kun."
"...If it were only the Death King-sama, that would be one thing," Lilia-san muttered.
""Eh?"" Both Rei-san and Fia-san blinked in unison.
The reorganization meeting must have been a struggle; they both looked completely drained. Lilia-san took a sip of the black tea Lunamaria-san had brewed and sighed, looking at me with an exasperated expression.
"Miyama-sama is also on very close terms with the Underworld King-sama."
""The Underworld King-sama!?""
"Furthermore... he has received the Creator God-sama’s blessing."
""...!!??""
Rei-san and Fia-san’s eyes nearly bulged out of their heads.
Yeah, hearing it laid out by someone else like this really made me realize how insane the situation was. As it stood, I was on friendly terms with two of the Six Kings—the absolute peak of the Demon Realm—as well as the Creator God who ruled the God Realm, and one of the Supreme Gods directly beneath her.
"Ha, hahaha... Lilia-chan, you’ve certainly developed a unique sense of humor since we last spoke."
"Y-You really had me there for a second!"
"I wish it were a joke. Believe me," Lilia-san replied flatly. "I’ve started carrying stomach medicine with me wherever I go now."
""...Are you serious?""
"Quite."
Lilia-san looked positively mournful. I felt a pang of guilt. I’m... sorry.
For a while, Lilia-san and Lunamaria-san took turns giving the shell-shocked couple a detailed breakdown of the absurd social network I’d managed to build in just one month.
I watched the scene feeling more than a little awkward, when suddenly...
(Kaito-san, do you like pets?)
Does this woman not have a "read the room" function? Or any sense of how a conversation flows? And isn't "Do you like pets?" a weird way to phrase that? Usually, you'd ask if someone likes animals... Well, whatever. I assumed she was asking if I enjoyed keeping them.
I do. I couldn't have any once I moved out because my apartment banned them, but I used to look after the dog at my relative's place all the time...
(That is good to hear. I have 'sent' it to the front of the inn.)
...Wait, what? What was she talking about? Sent what? A pet? Why was this even happening? Shiro-san! Shiro-saaaaann!!
(What is it?)
Don't 'what is it' me! Explain! Give me an explanation!!
(I sent the pet to the entrance of the inn.)
That's not what I'm asking! Why are you suddenly sending me a pet!?
(One soul remained. When I asked for its wish, it said it wanted to serve Kaito-san. So, I gave it a body and sent it.)
...I had no idea what she was talking about.
I had a feeling that no matter how much I pressed her, I wouldn't get a straight answer. But more than that, I was terrified of what kind of "pet" the Creator God would send. It had to be a monster, right?
Rubbing my temples at the impending headache, I explained the situation to Lilia-san and the others, and we all headed outside.
When we reached the front of the inn, we found a woman standing there with impeccable, ramrod-straight posture.
She had black hair in a short bob, cut with a shaggy edge that, combined with her sharp eyes, gave her a fierce, wild look. She was a bit shorter than me. Her outfit was jet-black and looked so functional and crisp it could have been a military uniform, though it was paired with a black fur mantle that looked strangely out of place.
But the most striking thing was the ears peeking through her hair. They were definitely not human—they were rounded, like an animal's. A beastman?
"Reporting for duty, Master!"
"...Excuse me?"
The moment she saw my face, she snapped her heels together and gave a salute so crisp it practically made a sound. There were no other animals or people around. In other words, was this woman the "pet" Shiro-san mentioned?
Wait, she’s a person!? What are you thinking, Shiro-san!? She doesn't have any animal traits besides the ears!
"U-Um... who are you?"
"Sir! My name is Anima! I am Master’s loyal servant!"
The woman—Anima—replied while remaining at a stiff salute. Man, she had a loud voice.
"Wait, hold on. I’m completely lost here... Could you explain things in a bit more detail?"
"Sir! Understood! However, before that, I have a humble request!"
"A request?"
"Yes! Please, cease the use of polite speech and honorifics! I am Master’s servant and tool. I ask that you address me simply as Anima!"
"Er, okay. I get it. Then, Anima... tell me what's going on. Also, you can stand down."
"Sir! Understood!"
She really was like a soldier, both in looks and personality. Once I told her to explain, she dropped her salute and shifted into a formal "at ease" position with her hands clasped behind her back.
"I am the 'beast' that harmed Master earlier! By rights, I should have perished, but I caught the eye of the Creator God, Shallow Vernal-sama, and was granted this new physical form!"
"...What?"
"The insolence I showed toward Master is unforgivable! Therefore, I wish to dedicate this new life and soul to Master's service. I will spend my days atoning for my sins by serving you! I am a lowly creature, but please, allow me to serve my great Master!"
"..."
Anima's explanation was a total bombshell.
A beast that harmed me? A new body? And looking at that black fur mantle and those rounded ears... did that mean...
"Um, let me get this straight. You... You aren't by any chance the 'Black Bear' I fought, are you?"
"Sir! I am!"
"""""WHAAAAAAAAT!?"""""
As Anima confirmed the shocking truth, we all screamed in unison.
Dear Mother, Father—A lot has happened today, but it seems the trouble is only just beginning. Or rather, in this case, it’s completely... it's all Shiro-san’s fault.