Chapter: 745
Hmm…
Hrm…
‘Something feels off.’
I rubbed my chin as I stared at the map I’d doodled on with my fountain pen. No matter how I looked at it, something was definitely strange.
‘Why is the route like this?’
Titi was eager for a walk, while I was too lazy to go out. In this contradiction, I decided to let Titi roam outside. Of course, I took all necessary precautions to ensure Titi wouldn’t get into any accidents, including a tracking spell to pinpoint Titi’s location.
Thanks to that, I could perfectly track where Titi had been wandering and how long he spent in each spot—
‘He stayed in one place for hours.’
There was one place where Titi lingered unusually long within the territory. Not ten or twenty minutes, but more like two or three hours.
That’s odd. If he had just rested for a while, I’d think he was taking a break. Given the weather, even fluffy Titi would get tired. But it didn’t seem like Titi, who desperately wanted to play, would just sit idle for hours.
‘Could it be a place where mid-level officials or key personnel reside?’
Moreover, the area where Titi was hanging out was one of the residential zones in the territory, primarily for mid-level officials, knights, and mages. They didn’t quite reach the nobility level, but they were far from being ordinary peasants—they were the backbone of the territory.
And Titi didn’t have any significant connections with those backbones. If he had been lingering around the noble area, I’d have thought one of my acquaintances might have played with him.
‘Could he have been kidnapped or something?’
I couldn’t help but entertain such thoughts. What if some crazy person had snatched up Titi, who had been roaming around so carefree?
But to call it a kidnapping felt far-fetched given Titi’s calm movement pattern, how he returned on his own before sunset, and the bright expression Titi had when he came back. A kidnapping didn’t quite add up.
‘…It’s probably nothing.’
After staring at the map for a long time, I slowly folded it up. There was nothing wrong with the odd routes—after all, if Titi hadn’t been harmed in any way, there was no reason to intervene, and it was his first solo walk. It would be fair to let him do as he pleased. It would be ridiculous for me, the owner, to be sitting at home and then ask, “Why did you go there?”
Yeah, let’s just leave it be. Titi deserves the right to wander freely, too.
Yet, Titi’s unusual behavior had been ongoing for a week.
‘What the heck?’
I’m confused. On the first day of the walk, he explored a different area, but from the second day onwards, he headed straight to that same familiar residential area.
And he stayed in the same spot in that vast residential zone throughout the week. Right in front of the same mansion.
‘Almost ten hours…’
I unconsciously frowned. Maybe it’s because it’s the height of summer, but the sun in the territory rises early and sets late. Titi starts his walks almost at dawn, which means he’s been hanging around that unidentified house for ten hours—give or take.
It’s truly bizarre. Our lovely Titi hanging out in someone else’s yard for so long? Even though Titi returns before sunset, it’s still a situation that feels hard to overlook. Who could have possibly enchanted our Titi with some strange trickery?
Thus, I hesitated to let Titi roam free as I mentioned earlier.
“Ah, the magic that blocks scents! Titi has a keen nose, so no matter how well they hide, if they can’t mask the smell, he’ll catch onto it right away.”
“Great. This means he won’t be detected.”
With Trixie’s help, I decided to tail Titi.
Honestly, it’s a bit embarrassing. I was too lazy to go out and had chosen this absurd automatic-walking method, and now I’m using magic to follow Titi. If Titi saw me in this light, he might look at me with disdain.
Still, my worries overshadowed my embarrassment. I was concerned that something strange might have happened to our Titi without me knowing, or that whoever lived in that mysterious mansion lured him in.
‘Protecting one’s pet is a duty of its owner.’
I promised myself as I watched Titi pass through the front gate.
In the name of Titi’s safety, my trivial feelings don’t matter. If someone was doing something weird to my pet, then that’s a challenge to my authority. I should address it at least once.
That’s the mindset I settled into. That way, I could feel less embarrassed about it.
*
Today, I’m out for a walk!
But right now, what’s more important than enjoying the walk? There’s something ten times! No, a hundred times more important!
– Woof!
As soon as I stepped out of the master’s house, I dashed off! I’ve got to hurry if I want to see that friend again!
My beautiful friend with glossy fur and dark, shiny eyes! She doesn’t pay much attention to me, but just looking at her makes my heart race!
– Woof woof!
It’s my friend Jenny! I’m here to see Jenny again today!
“Did you come again?”
“It looks like someone has taken a liking to Jenny. Our Jenny is quite popular.”
And upon arriving at Jenny’s house, the guards greeted me warmly!
These folks must be hard workers, just like those guarding our master’s place, right? They keep this house safe, and they also take care of Jenny—thankful people!
Nice to meet you! Thank you! Hope to see you more often!
– Woof woof! Woof!
“Haha, at this rate, your tail’s going to fall off.”
“If only Jenny resembled you even a bit! She’s way too aloof; even when we greet her, she just ignores us.”
That’s a strange thing to say! Jenny’s aloofness and indifference are part of her charm! I love every bit of Jenny! She doesn’t have to resemble me!
Of course, it would be nice if Jenny welcomed me like my master does when he cuddles me or praises me! But I don’t want to force her! Just being Jenny is more than enough for me!
So, I don’t mind if Jenny is lying down or just glancing at me before closing her eyes again! It’s okay even if she ignores me! I’m just happy to see Jenny!
“Oh, Titi is here!”
“Oh, Miss?”
“Good morning, Miss.”
“Woof! Good morning!”
While I was having fun with the people guarding Jenny’s house and staring at Jenny, a little person, about the size of the little masters, came out from Jenny’s home.
She looked somewhat like the biggest of the little masters! Maybe a tad taller than them! She seemed about the size of the smaller people who often visit the master’s house!
“Titi! Hi!”
– Woof! Woof!
Hello! Hello!
“Is Jenny doing well?”
– Woof.
As the little person came outside, Jenny, who was lying down, got up! She even approached the little person and licked her cheek!
Jenny is indeed beautiful and charming! Even indifferent, she’s friendly toward the little person!
“Hehe, that tickles~”
Jenny responded by licking the little person faster!
That’s right! Little people enjoy that kind of attention! Just like our little masters!
“Come on in, Titi!”
“Miss?”
“Woof?”
“Let’s sit down, Titi!”
As the little person called, the guards opened the door for her.
It may not be as grand as the master’s house, but once inside, I saw a garden where we could play! Jenny lived here, so I like the garden too!
Ah, of course, the master’s house and garden are the best!
“Are you going to have snacks, Titi?”
“Um, Miss.”
“Wag!”
“Calling you Titi feels a bit… Wouldn’t it be better to call you Woofy instead?”
“Woofy? Naw! It says Titi here!”
As the little person spoke, the guard patted my head.
“Miss, this isn’t just Titi, it’s Titi from Tailglehen… Actually, no, let’s just call him Titi.”
Then they touched the gift my master gave me!
I bet the guards are jealous of it! It’s no wonder people are astonished by it!
“If the master finds out, he’d go crazy!”
“Turns out not leaving work recently would actually help in this way.”
Though the guards whispered softly, I didn’t mind! It seemed to be an important conversation meant just for them!
“Alright! Jenny and Titi! Time for snacks!”
– Woof woof!
– Woof.
Anyway, I grabbed the treats that the little person handed me!
But I’m not planning on eating it! Once Jenny eats her own snacks, I’ll have mine too! I eat plenty of delicious food at the master’s house!
*
Keeping a suitable distance, I watched Titi.
Today, Titi arrived at the same old mansion again. This was already the eighth day he visited, meaning the guards were growing accustomed to him, and even a young child who appeared to be part of the mansion welcomed Titi into the garden.
While it’s possible they treated him that way because Titi isn’t a wild dog but an identifiable one, it’s also normal to be cautious about bringing him into the garden. If anything went wrong with Titi at someone’s mansion? Even if accidental, the owner would undoubtedly be held responsible.
Yet that child brought Titi in. Maybe they didn’t quite understand the significance of having a Count as their mindful guest—
‘But the guards surely couldn’t have missed it?’
Thinking it through, it’s possible a child might be unaware, but there’s no way grown adults wouldn’t know the name Tailglehen Count.
‘Maybe they’re stubborn?’
I looked at the grinning child. If that child’s persistence is strong enough, perhaps the guards weren’t able to prevent her from taking Titi inside with tearful resignation.
And if her will overpowered that of the guards, it might mean the owner of the mansion isn’t home.
‘Whose house is this?’
I shifted my gaze from the child and Titi to the entirety of the mansion.
It wasn’t a noble house, but it was modest, nonetheless impressive compared to regular people’s homes.
It wasn’t a single-story mansion, but rather included a small annex, and the garden was decently maintained. It boasted reasonable size and flair for a residence. This place was likely where a mid-level official from the administration would stay.
‘A mid-level official.’
Okay, I identified that specific title, which is good, but unfortunately, there are many mid-level officials in the administration. To put it bluntly, there are nearly a hundred managers, and even more below that level.
Should I go directly to the mansion to check? No, that might be problematic. The guards would just panic at the sight of me entering a mansion when the owner is absent. It’s asking too much to hope that child would respond to me.
So should I just head back? I don’t know why Titi is obsessed with this mansion, but it doesn’t seem like he’s gotten into any trouble, does it?
“Um, Your Excellency Minister?”
While I was pondering all of this for a long time, I heard a strangely familiar voice from behind.
‘Huh?’
Turning my head, I saw a strangely familiar face.
What is this? I feel like I’ve seen them somewhere, but who are they?
“Who would have thought I’d see Your Excellency here! It’s an honor to see you again, Excellency!”
“Oh. Yes, it’s good to see you.”
But since the other person seemed too thrilled, I nodded my head for now.
Hang in there, my brain. Judging by the reaction, this isn’t a mere acquaintance. Someone whose name I should at least know.
“Thanks to your consideration and kindness, I, Luciano, have reached a position far beyond what I deserve and have been happy ever since! I’m just so glad to see you in person now!”
‘Ah.’
Hearing the name, I remembered.
My consideration and kindness. A position beyond what I deserve. Luciano.
‘It’s the guard!’
That guard who took care of me when I was imprisoned during my time at the Academy. It was indeed Luciano’s name. I unexpectedly ran into an unexpected person in an unexpected place.
“Ah, but Excellency, what brings you to my humble abode…?”
‘Is this your place?’
I almost chuckled at Luciano’s words. I never expected to connect our fates in such a way.
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