The moment I set foot in the forest where the Sloppy Fox lives, fairies jumped out from the bushes and surrounded me.
If the kids who guided me here hadn’t been yelling to go over there, I would’ve been overwhelmed by the fairies by now.
While the fairies were sulking like it was unfair, Lucy was happily watching them with red eyes, claiming they were ours, when I turned my head away from the smoke next to me.
“Looks like you’ve been waiting for me.”
“This forest is my territory. I can tell right away if someone as conspicuous as you appears.”
“Like a puppy waiting for its owner at home?”
“Not much different. Look, my tail is wagging uncontrollably.”
Despite being treated like a dog, the woman was grinning, and she was exactly the Sloppy Fox I knew.
“If possible, I’d like you to put a leash on me to show everyone I’m your pet.”
“I want to abandon you in this forest.”
“Well, that’s a problem. Once a pet is adopted, you have to take responsibility until the end.”
“I don’t remember adopting you.”
“What do you mean by that?! What about all the memories we’ve built up until now?!”
Is there anything to remember between us?
The only thing I recall is you rushing at me like a pervert and me being terrified.
A pet that doesn’t know its place and rushes at its owner is a valid reason for abandonment, you perverted girl.
“Lucy, your gaze is too cold. But I like that.”
“You’re really consistent.”
“I’ve lived through several times longer than you, you think I’d change easily!?”
“That’s not something to be proud of, you trash.”
Hah. Hah. Keep insulting me more!
“Ah, really.”
While I was thinking I needed to give her what I owed and run away quickly, the Sloppy Fox suddenly changed her expression.
I wondered what she was plotting with that serious face, but it wasn’t that.
This time, the Sloppy Fox maintained her seriousness. Because,
“If it were up to me, I’d want to follow you around as I said before, but that might be difficult now. After all, I’m the owner of this forest.”
What she said was something she didn’t want to say at all.
“I’ve spent so much time by your side that I can’t ignore what the forest says. For now, I have to stay in the forest and manage it.”
In the end, the Sloppy Fox’s essence is this forest. She can’t wander around outside forever. If she does, she might even disappear.
“That’s good. Now I can wash up without any worries.”
“I… wanted you to feel a bit disappointed.”
“Well then, you should behave well from now on. You perverted girl.”
“I thought my usual behavior was excessive, uuuu.”
“Enough, quickly kneel before me. You need to apologize for your rudeness so far.”
“To think you’d give me a reward at the end. Truly, Lucy is kind.”
With a sad look, the Sloppy Fox knelt down, and finally, our gazes met.
I pouted my lips, displeased, and ordered the Sloppy Fox to close her eyes.
“W-what? Is this a play? How interesting. I shall gladly comply.”
Despite feeling the urge to run away from the Sloppy Fox who licked her lips, I forced myself to endure.
After all, I had suffered enough, so I should give her what she deserved.
Sighing, I opened my inventory and prepared to give her what she had longed for around her neck.
A stylish collar with the emblem of the Allen Family.
“Here. Now open your eyes.”
“…This… this is!”
“From now on, you’re my pet, so you should come running when called like a dog. If you disobey my command… punishment. Got it?”
“Of course! If I can be Lucy’s pet, I’ll do anything! Wait! I mean, I’ll gladly take punishment! If you step on my face with your paw, there’ll be no greater reward!”
After kicking the Sloppy Fox, who looked like she would pounce at any moment, I sighed as I glared at her, who was now trembling while holding the spot I kicked.
“I’m leaving now.”
“Promise you’ll come find me as soon as you’re done with the forest! I’m your dog!”
“Yeah, yeah, I get it. Lina. I really hope you’ll take it easy.”
“Haha! Wait. Lina? You just called me Lina!? Lucy! Just now…!”
Dodging the eyes of the Sloppy Fox, who looked like she was about to cause trouble, I arrived at a place I hate most among the gods.
A crow, who was pointing out various parts in front of her idol, rushed towards me as soon as she saw me, as if she had found a gem.
Naturally, I tried to dodge it, but alas, even though she’s a god, I failed to escape her grip.
“Haaa. You’re even prettier in person! How did the Lord create such a masterpiece! Truly, our lord is amazing!”
“Why don’t you tell that to Mama? She’d love it.”
“I’d love to do that, but there’s a thing called manners.”
“Do I not deserve any manners?”
“Yep!”
H. This girl is unreal.
“Should I spread your dark history across the continent?”
“…Huh?”
“Do you know what my authority is right now? It wouldn’t be difficult to drop someone like you!”
Honestly, if I really tried to incite and fabricate things, it would be easy to tarnish a god’s authority.
To be blunt, if I spill the beans about the sexual harassment I endured from the Perverted Apostle while crying, this place would burn down!
In the past, I couldn’t do it because of Mesugaki Skill, but now I can do it as much as I want.
“Wanna give it a try? You want to see your gods hunted down as heretics? Just say the word. I can make it happen.”
“P-pardon!”
When I raised my head to see, the crow’s eyes widened, and she hurriedly took a step back.
“Is just saying sorry enough? You should show some sincerity. Do you not know basic human decency as a birdbrain?”
“I’m sorry! What should I do?”
“Get down. Tuck your wings in.”
Using the crow as a chair, I grimaced at how awkwardly large her wings were.
This is less usable than I thought. Not even good enough for furniture. How incompetent can this woman be?
Well, it’s fine. I won’t be here long anyway. I should tolerate a bit.
“I don’t know how to react to this situation.”
The Perverted Apostle, who had been blankly watching us, looked very troubled.
It must feel awkward since the crow is technically her god, but I have no intentions of stopping.
She deserves this treatment.
“How about reacting like this! Draw this scene as a picture! I’ll cherish it for my entire life!”
“That’s what she said?”
“If the goddess commands it, I must comply.”
The Perverted Apostle pulled out a canvas and began sketching, and I really didn’t want to be here even a second longer.
“By the way, why did you come here, Young Lady? You’ve never liked coming here, have you? …Could it be you intend to discontinue our artworks!”
“I did come to ask for a favor, but it’s not about that. You all also have a stake in saving the continent, so I’m grateful and won’t prohibit anything.”
Originally, if you guys say not to do it, you still won’t listen, right? If I tried to prevent it, you would probably just do it underground in a shady way.
It’s better to let you do what you want. That way, I can control you.
Honestly, it’s easier to handle you my way than risk making you turn dark by interfering unnecessarily.
“Instead, make sure to go through Karia for proper inspections. If you cross the line, I’ll really get angry.”
“Don’t worry! I’ll make sure Young Lady has nothing to worry about by strictly adhering to the rules!”
I have zero trust in you, but for now, I’ll pretend to believe you.
If I asked how to trust you and you spewed nonsense for a while, I’d lose my mind.
“Also, I have one request. Could you come to the Allen Family later and paint? We need a skilled painter to do a family portrait.”
“I’ll do it! Please let me do it! I’m confident I can create a more beautiful painting than anyone!”
As soon as I made the request, the crow beneath me asserted herself desperately.
“Okay. Then both of you come. I’ll contact you later.”
“I’ll prepare for that day with all my might.”
“I’ll trust you! I’ll gather the best materials from the continent!”
Just as I was about to get up after finishing everything, the crow suddenly grabbed my ankle.
That touch was so gross that I struggled, but the crow wouldn’t let go.
“Wait! Just a little longer! It’ll be enough until that guy finishes the sketch!”
“…Is it really that important?”
“Of course it is! It’s the first painting of me and Lucy together! What could be more important than this?!”
“Hah. Then if I become the model, it’s fine if I spread your dark history, right?”
“Do as you please! If I can complete this painting, I can pay that price!”
I don’t think there’s a need to put my life on the line to be drawn in the same scene, yet the crow opened her eyes wide as if she didn’t mind dying.
Crushed by that madness, I obediently became the model for the painting.
*
‘That was really scary.’
<...To be honest, I was also creeped out. Thank goodness I’m not a cute guy.>
Barely escaping the Arts Church, I arrived at the next place, guided by the fairies.
A rural village far away from the kingdom’s capital.
A place I couldn’t believe the Pope had just assaultedRecently.
The countryside where Visi and Adri were staying had an oddly large number of undead hanging around.
Uh. Um. If my memory serves correct, aren’t those the undead that were in the royal palace? Why are those who pledged to guard the royal palace here?
– It’s the Apostle of God!
– Damn! Did we get caught!?
– Run away!
– Damn! Even here, Lord Jushin’s reach extends!
As I watched the undead fleeing awkwardly like a bunch of gangsters caught by the police, I waved at Visi, who was awkwardly smiling at the end.
“Ah. Aah!”
Then Visi chose to run away too.
…Why is she hopping away again?
What the heck have they been doing?
