章 42: Wolf Cub
In a room filled with material items of indiscernible worth, I found, of all things, a puppy. Of all the things mountain bandits could have in here, an animal was the last thing I would expect. I could only guess that maybe they had decided to sell it off like some exotic animal. Despite Oracle correcting me by detecting it was a wolf cub, it's own features were nothing like I've ever seen. Its fur was a sheen of red and gold that ended with two large fluffy tails on it's rear. The eyes it could barely keep open were slightly slanted; the slit pupils cloudy and unfocused. The body may be the same as a dog but it's features were much closer to a fox.
Ignoring the monsters of this world, the local fauna was very similar to home. Sure, there were a few noticeable differences but this was entirely new. I wasn't sure what to make of it. It was like beholding a liger in person. That feeling of a disconnect was happening in my head.
Regardless of its origin, the tiny being which could fit in the palm of my hand was very weak. Wounded, malnourished and dehydrated; it wouldn't take a veterinarian to know that this one wouldn't have much longer to live if direct intervention wasn't taken.
It didn't even notice when I removed it from its pathetic living quarters and placed it in my arm as I took a seat on one of the boxes nearby. I checked for any visible wounds and noted its gender as female. Nothing stood out fortunately so I decided to try healing the cub with a bit of magic. To my surprise, something was healed within her body as the spell left my hands. I could only guess there may have been some internal injuries; probably caused by the bandits rough handling.
With the wolf cub's body back in shape, the next problem would be how to re-hydrate her. With her pain gone, the cub seemed more coherent of her surroundings as it weakly turned its head towards my face. Just like my own, it didn't make any discernible expression; only acknowledgement of the situation.
With that, I try my luck getting her to take some water. Opening the Maw, I pull out a waterskin I have stored away. Just like food, I do take a few drips of water from time to time just for appearances and keeping up [Spiritual Attunement]. Before I left Haldin, I picked up a few odds and ends just in case I happen upon people who could use the supplies I have. I even made a first aid kit during my spare time--something I was surprised to find that wasn't sold anywhere I looked. With the prevalence of healing magic in the world, it seemed unnecessary but just having it was a familiar comfort for me. And I wanted options on hand just in case.
Placing the cub on my thigh, I dripped a bit of water onto my palm and let her drink from it. She lapped it up slowly at first but after a couple of minutes, she was soon placated after the sixth handful. I could tell she was slowly regaining her strength. For the final test, I grabbed some beef jerky from the maw and tore up a few small pieces for her to nibble on. She must have been starving since, unlike the water, she devoured it all greedily.
After her meal, she finally had a bit of strength to try to stand up on my thigh. Legs shaking, she could just barely get on her four feet before collapsing back on her belly.
"I don't think you're strong enough yet for that, little guy." I said to the cub endearingly, "Why don't we get out of here?"
It gingerly barked back at me in response to my words. I picked her up and cradled her on my forearm and chest as I started to walk back outside; her two tails wagging gently across my chest it could almost reach my face. I was quite surprised to see it take to me so amicably considering she was a wild animal.
She seemed excited to see the sun again for god knows how long as we stepped out of the mountain fortress. Her barks were loud and alerted the nearby adventurers as they turned to the sudden noise, only to see me holding the cub in my arm.
"Arlan, you're back." Aaric greeted me as I came into his view. His face turned to surprise the moment he noticed what I held, "I-Is that a spirit animal!?"
I tilted my cubed head in confusion as the whole host began to gather around me, "A what now?" I asked as the din from the adventurers began to rise.
'Woah, is that really..."
"That tiny dog is a spirit animal!?"
"Why would bandits have...."
Everyone seemed enamored at the creature. Even Mateo couldn't take his eyes off it as he stood in the back. Compared to the others, his surly face stayed on.
Aaric began to push away the adventurers as he tried to move closer, "Arlan, do you realize what you're holding in your hands!?"
"Um, no? Not really..." I asked cautiously, "Is she some kind of special animal?"
He seemed taken aback at my lack of knowledge if his shocked face is anything to go by, "Geh, it's a sacred beast! Don't call it an animal so casually!"
"Relax, Aaric... You're winding yourself up for no reason." I tell him, "Sorry but I told you I just woke up recently. We didn't have 'Spirit Animals' back then and this is the first time I've heard of it." I told him a little lie just to get him off my back.
The elf's surprise shifted to embarrassment as he coughed, "Ahem. I... apologize for my behavior. These sacred beasts are creatures who guard places of power like multitude of ley lines that dissect underneath the continent. They're ancient, powerful and intelligent beings created when an animal manages to live long enough and are blessed by the gods with a spark of the divine. Before they created the nation of Weiss with the local humans, my elvish ancestors worshiped them along with the Pantheon; offering tribute and helping them protect the land."
I looked down on the wolf cub. She turned her head to look at me and barked. She didn't strike me as an all powerful guardian of the land.
Aaric noticed my thoughts and grinned, "Heh, if you're wondering about this little one, she must be a child created by two Sacred Beasts. They can live for centuries but even they can grow tired of such a long life. So they seek out others of their kind to create an heir. Teaching and raising them so that they may succeed their predecessors... and take their final rest."
The pup looked downcast and began to whimper softly, "You said they were intelligent, Aaric. Does she realize what we're talking about?" I asked.
He nodded, "I don't know how old this one is, but even she would have the intelligence of a normal child. Even if she cannot speak, she understands our words just as well as any other person."
Out of habit, I began to gently pet the wolf cub. Her depression melted away and she began to happily growl as I stroked her back. Aaric still seemed a bit distraught I was treating her like a common house pet, though, "Speaking of which, where is this one's parent?"
"Hmm, that's a good question," he replied, "Even a group of bandits like these would stand no chance against a spirit animal, especially if her parent in general was old enough to decide it wanted a successor." His face wrinkled as he began to ponder, "There's something definitely wrong here..."
"Well we can't just release her back into the wilds on her own." I stated, "If she couldn't protect herself from bandits, I doubt she's strong enough to fare better against whatever wildlife there is around here."
Aaric nodded in agreement, "Yes. If her predecessor is still alive, it will have terrible consequences. They're just like any other loving parent. Their wrath is terrifying and they'll destroy anything to get their child back."
I was so enamored by the conversation I didn't notice the adventurers were huddled so close around me to watch the wolf cub being petted, "Shouldn't you all be grabbing your share of the loot?" I asked sardonically, annoyed by their invasion of my personal space.
Realization of what they were doing dawned on them and they began to spread out. A few of them left to go check on the merchants still inside the fortress and offer them help in their search. The only ones left among us were me, Aaric and Mateo who surprising hasn't left to go join the others after being so excited at the prospect of spoils.
Instead he came closer to us, bending over to look at the cub directly, "You're a cute one, aren't you?" The cub happily barked in response as Mateo playfully patted her head before turning back to us, "So what's your plan for this one?"
"Well we can't do much right now. We should finish the assignment first and escort the civilians back to town," I replied, "I'll probably start searching for this one's parent tomorrow. Is that alright with you?" asking the wolf cub. She pats for a bit before barking in agreement.
Aaric seemed lost in though before he spoke up once more, "...If it's alright with you... I'd like to join you with your task."
I gave him a shrug, "I don't mind. Why are you offering though?"
"As I said before, our kind once held spirit animals as sacred. I feel as if I owe it to my ancestors to help her find her parent." he said sheepishly.
Mateo couldn't help but laugh at him, "Hah! And here I thought you Weissmen didn't believe in that 'One With the Forest' shite anymore. To think you still have it in you...!"
The elf growled, "Some of us still respect the old customs, Mateo! Though I know most of my elven countrymen look down at what they consider... primitive traditions."
Seems like there's issues like that over here as well. People are still people, regardless of the world they live in I guess. For now, I ignored their bickering and sat down with the wolf cub alone. I secretly took out some more food and let her eat to her hearts content. I can only hope that we can find her parent still alive somehow. The idea of just leaving her alone out here would be heartbreaking but I know I couldn't keep an animal like her around. She's just like me; a rare find for anyone with greedy eyes.
On the other end of the spectrum would be her parent is still alive and actively searching for her. A very power and very angry parent. And the thought of what I would have to do if its anger wouldn't abide even if they were reunited.
Well... I can only hope for the best.
週次パワーステータス
-- 推薦
ランキング 
-- 推薦
チケット