Chapter 42: I want to chew it right away

It’s chilling…

Is there a moment more frigid than this?

Icicles, sharp as needles, pierce the air.

But don’t worry…

The hand is quicker than the eye.

One headband from the captain…

One from under Lunari…

Another headband from the captain…

Ah, no…

I unconsciously made a joke.

Jokes aren’t important now.

What matters is activating this headband’s effect.

This “Headband,” by the way, isn’t ordinary.

It’s a wonderful item: the “Creative Headband”!

When you take it off…

It creates an optical illusion that makes the ears disappear for 10 minutes.

A magical item that automatically creates human-like ears.

It also works in reverse; it can give humans beastkin ears.

For 10 minutes, as I mentioned earlier.

It’s a beneficial item for those with particular… tastes.

“Are you satisfied now?”

“…”

He’s speechless.

She looks like a completely ordinary person.

Now, all that’s left is to soothe Lunari, who’s growling and ready to fight.

I whispered softly in her ear,

“…If you endure this, you’ll get 10 pieces of bread tonight. Be patient.”

“…”

At my words, Lunari retracted her fangs.

I smiled and approached the captain.

“Now, since you seem to have nothing more to say, shall we settle the bill?”

I clasped my hands together with a smile and gestured.

The captain frowned, seemingly taken aback.

“…What bill?”

“Hmm? Of course, because of you, the customers left, and with this atmosphere, business is ruined… you have to compensate us, right?”

“Preposterous. Why should we pay? We came here to investigate. We followed proper procedure…”

“Proper procedure? Then, following proper procedure, you should pay for the customers’ drinks, right? We haven’t received payment yet. Didn’t you know?”

I smiled, and the captain looked around.

Numerous bottles of alcohol… and luxurious dishes.

Everything looked expensive.

The captain looked back at us.

“…You said you were the Black Hound, right? Do you have some authority in this tavern?”

“Yes. I’m the manager. That gentleman over there is the owner.”

I looked at Han and murmured, “Right?”

Han cleared his throat and nodded at my words.

The captain looked at me with an uncomfortable expression and asked,

“So what do you want me to do?”

“I’m sorry, but since the patrolmen disrupted our business, you need to compensate us.”

“…Who do you think I am…?”

“If you don’t, you’ll regret it. I’ll personally go to the magistrate and report everything in detail…”

The captain sighed deeply at my words.

“…Alright. Alright.”

That’s what I thought.

I chuckled and held out my hand.

“Hand over the money.”

“…But remember this. I’ll report this to our lord. Do you think our Count will let you off the hook?”

“As the Black Hound, I don’t think I’ll stay still either, will I?”

The captain snorted at my retort.

“You little… be careful. I’ve memorized your face. Got it?”

“Haha, I’m honored, Captain.”

The captain didn’t respond further and tossed a money pouch from his waist.

“Let’s go!”

The captain, looking annoyed, left first, and the soldiers followed him out of the tavern in a line.

“Sigh… That was a close call.”

“Haha… I agree. Are you alright, Lunari?”

“I’m fine! But! I wanted to eat those meats!”

I quietly approached Han and handed him the money pouch.

“You owe me for this.”

“Ha, don’t be ridiculous…”

He said that, but then chuckled and muttered,

“You’ve got guts. As expected of the Black Hound.”

“No, no. It’s not about guts.”

“You little…”

Han chuckled softly, then suddenly exclaimed,

“But… how did you make her ears disappear?”

“Ah, that?”

I wanted to tell him the truth, but…

He wouldn’t understand even if I did.

I put my index finger to my lips.

“It’s a secret.”

“You little… so sly, so annoying… Hahaha! Anyway, I’ve received the payment for the drinks, so let’s wrap things up here for today.”

“Father, what about business…?”

Kaira asked, and Han nodded in response.

“Let’s close up for today! The customers are gone, and we’ve earned a good sum!”

“Oh, yes! Let’s eat something delicious!”

“Shall we!?”

Lively voices.

Amidst this atmosphere, the system notified me:

[Lunari Evergrace’s atrocity has been prevented!]

[Lunari Evergrace’s Malice Gauge has decreased by 1%.]

[Lunari Evergrace’s Malice Gauge is at 99%.]

Oh, the gauge decreased…

This means her socialization is progressing properly.

And they all lived happily ever after… but…

“…Lunari?”

“…”

Despite my call, Lunari quietly stared at them.

With serious eyes, as if deep in thought…

Not with the savage, ferocious eyes from when she attacked humans…

But with eyes filled with pure longing.

Knowing her past, I could understand how she felt.

I quietly approached her and placed my hand on her head.

“Lunari?”

“…?”

“What are you thinking about?”

“…It’s nothing.”

She turned her head, but she looked quite envious.

Seeing that family must have reminded her of her own.

Touching childhood memories…

They might not be clear memories, but feelings from the heart…

Memories might not surface in her mind…

But that longing itself must be envious.

“Hmm… Is that so?”

I chuckled and stroked her head.

“You did well today. I’ll give you 10 pieces of bread.”

“10 pieces of bread!?”

“Yes… 10 pieces. Let’s have a party together tonight.”

“Yay! Good! Isabel!”

Lunari’s face brightened again.

She’s happy as long as she gets bread, but…

It’s important to prevent her from feeling wistful when she sees other families.

That’s the key to suppressing her Malice Gauge.

♥

“Sob, sob, damn it…! So, I said! I’m an innocent citizen now! Please stop bothering me! But you know what those bastards said?”

“…Yes, yes.”

His drinking habit is so severe…

He said he’d drink until his nose was crooked, and it actually looks crooked now.

The smell of alcohol is so strong…

I quietly listened to Han.

“I really said that! ‘Hmm, as expected of the Bald Thief Guild Leader. You’re no fun. Don’t ever greet us again!’ Those young punks said that! I’m not baldy! Damn it, I just shaved it for fashion! Sob, sob! Never do that! Middle-aged men like me get hurt! Huh!? Are you listening?!”

“Ah, yes. I’m listening…”

I said that, but…

I was watching Lunari and Kaira next to me.

“Delicious…?”

“Yeah! Delicious! Isabel’s bread is the best!”

“Delicious! Churu!” was piled high on the table.

Lunari was busy devouring the bread.

Kaira was watching with a smile, looking playful.

They looked like sisters.

“Sob! Hey Isabel! Are you listening…!”

“Ah, yes. I am. I am.”

“So… I’m… really hurt…”

He looks like an octopus.

He kept gulping down alcohol and then slammed his face onto the table.

Bang! At the sound, Kaira quietly stood up.

“Honestly, Father is impossible… Sigh.”

“Haha, I see. You were once the Thief Guild Leader, but… you have a surprisingly low tolerance for alcohol?”

I asked casually, and Kaira smiled bashfully.

“Ah, he seems really happy today… Actually, he’s been treated quite poorly by those patrolmen.”

“Poorly treated?”

“Yes, they’d drink for free and tell him not to disrespect them because they’re government officials…”

Those thugs…

Apparently, they’re going around under the guise of patrolmen, but…

They seem to be quite the thugs.

Come to think of it…

Mysticgrove.

This village is ordinary, but…

Its lord is notoriously despicable.

He flatters the Emperor with bribes…

Even putting on a competent act, pretending to govern the village well.

But it’s all a facade.

In reality, he rules the village like a tyrant.

The patrolmen we met earlier probably acted arrogantly as well.

Eating and drinking without paying, causing trouble at taverns must be commonplace.

So, for Han, it must be gratifying that I resolved the situation like that.

“Father must be happy that Isabel got the money from them. Especially since the name Black Hound is so fearsome…”

Black Hound.

A noble’s watchdog, a villain who doesn’t hesitate to do dirty work.

People don’t mess with them because they assume they have noble backing.

“Haha, I’m glad I could help.”

“But the name Black Hound… Father still doesn’t seem to trust you.”

“Ah… Well, it doesn’t matter. As long as he accepts Lunari.”

“Heheh… You sound just like Father.”

“Yes?”

“Ah, the way you look at her reminds me of my father.”

…Hmm, is this what it feels like to raise a daughter?

I chuckled softly.

“I see. I think I understand Han a little now.”

“Anyway, we’ll be going to bed now. I’ll take care of the cleaning, so you can finish your drink and come in whenever, Isabel.”

“Haha, thank you.”

“Then…”

Kaira skillfully supported her father and walked towards their room.

“Father, you’ll catch a cold if you sleep here. Let’s sleep in our room.”

“Ugh… No… I can drink more!”

“Yes, yes, let’s drink more tomorrow!”

“Ugh…”

That elf, Kaira, seems quite charming.

Even though she’s a sub-heroine, she seems very kind.

Gentle enough to be a wife.

She definitely has a virtuous wife vibe.

“Isabel!”

Suddenly, Lunari stood behind me, stopping mid-bread.

I turned to look at her.

“Where’s Octopus going?”

“Ah, Octopus is… drunk.”

“Octopus… looks pitiful…!”

“I suppose so.”

“I want to be nice to him!”

I smiled and said,

“Of course. Live happily with Mr. Octopus.”

“Hehe… Yeah! We’ll all live together with Isabel!”

Lunari wagged her tail and smiled bashfully.

Such a cute child… becoming a villainess.

What a strange world.

I smiled, stroking her head.

♥

Much time passed.

Lunari’s socialization training progressed smoothly.

Of course… there were ups and downs, and difficulties…

But thanks to that, Lunari looked like an ordinary human without her tail and ears.

“Heheh, here’s your Fruit Cocktail!”

“Ooh! Lunari, you look stunning today!”

“Ah… You flatter me, sir.”

Her gaze and voice…

Moist, golden eyes.

And her seductive voice, appearance, and figure made her extremely popular.

“Lunari! Add a drop of your love to this!”

“Lunari, I brought a big tip for you today!”

“Would you look over here?”

They’re shamelessly flirting.

The men’s nostrils flared…

And the vulgar flirting continued.

“Sister Kaira, there’s an order for roasted turkey at table 5.”

“Okay, Lunari. And take a break. I’ll take over from here.”

“Okay, Sister.”

Lunari said this and quietly sat next to me.

“Isabel, did I do well?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Heheh. Then, a reward…”

“Ah, ah…”

I stroked her head…

And Lunari, blushing, smiled bashfully.

“Mmm… That’s it. I love getting head rubs…”

She seemed especially happy when her ears were touched.

—Whoa! Lunari! Is he your boyfriend!?

—We left our wives behind! Give us some attention too!

—Yeah, yeah! Not that guy, us!

“You must be happy to be so popular, Lunari.”

“Hmph… I want to bite them all… those lowly humans.”

Her eyes suddenly changed.

Sharp and cold.

[Lunari Evergrace is about to commit an atrocity!]

[Lunari Evergrace wants to bite the men flirting with her!]

[Lunari Evergrace’s Malice Gauge is at 78%!]

Always the same pattern.

I smiled and stroked her head and ears.

“Mmm… Isabel?”

“Lunari, calm down.”

“Mmm… Okay.”

Lunari leaned her face against my arm as I continued to stroke her.

“Mmm, happy…”

A canine is a canine…

She seems to love getting her head rubbed.

Of course, I’ll have to do this for five hours to stop her atrocity…