Chapter 17: The Thunder Wolf Girl’s Entry and the “Escort Knight”

A new burst of energy arrived at the golden log house.

After yesterday’s fierce battle, the Thunder Wolf girl Ferris was officially made a knight. In other words, she now had permission to stay by Allen’s side as his ‘escort knight.’

But by the next morning, her knightly spirit was completely replaced by a strong ‘loyal dog instinct.’

“…Um, Ferris? Could you let me go? I can’t wash my face.”

In the washroom that morning, Allen found himself lifted off the ground, tightly hugged by Ferris’s strong but gentle arms. Ferris’s silver ears twitched as she pressed her nose to the back of Allen’s neck and took in his scent with surprising intensity.

Sniff, sniff.

“…No can do, Master. A knight’s duty is to ensure their lord’s safety twenty-four hours a day. …Besides, Master, you smell amazing. …If I don’t overwrite this with my own scent, I just can’t calm down.”

Ferris’s tail smacked against Allen’s legs so hard it almost hurt.

Thump, thump, thump.

Her cheeks stayed red, and Allen could feel her body heat rising just from being close to him.

“Hey! You stray dog over there! What kind of shameless things are you doing first thing in the morning!”

Luna stormed in, holding a toothbrush in one hand.

“Washing and purifying Allen is my privilege! I will not allow a beast-smelling knight like you to defile Allen’s sacred fur. Now, release him at once!”

“…I refuse. …I am a knight. …It is ‘discipline’ to never leave the Master’s side for even a single step. …If you have a complaint, try moving me by force, Glasses.”

“G-Glasses…!? Just who do you think I am! I am the Court Mage, Luna Alma! How about I scorch all that silver fur of yours with my indigo lightning!”

The air in the log house felt thick from the start of the day. Stuck between the two of them and almost squished, Allen let out a small squeak.

Kyuu…

Even after they moved to the living room, Ferris kept clinging to Allen.

At breakfast time, Kuu had prepared a special chair just for Allen. As Allen tried to sit there, Ferris swiftly scooped him up and secured him on her own lap.

“Master, I’ll support you while you eat. …It serves as poison testing, too.”

“No, Kuu’s cooking is safe, and I can eat with my own hands — front paws — so it’s fine…”

“…No. …You just need to let me spoil you, Master. …Here, say ahh, Master.”

With shaking hands, Ferris fed him soup with her own spoon. The calm knight was gone; her face was bright red from the joy of serving her Master, and her wolf ears bounced so much with happiness they looked like they might come off.

“…Oh my. …It seems the new puppy is quite poorly disciplined.”

Misha slithered up to the dining table with a cold smile.

“Did you say your name was Ferris? …Can you not see the ‘amber crest’ on the nape of Allen-sama’s neck? …That is my special seat. …It is not a place a newcomer can just trample over with dirty shoes.”

“…Huh? I don’t know anything about a crest, but we’re connected directly by a ‘chain (leash).’ …When it comes to the depth of our souls, I’m the one on top. …The Master shines the brightest and coolest on my back!”

Not wanting to let anyone take Allen, Ferris hugged him even tighter. Allen’s fluffy body was pressed into Ferris’s chest, leaving him almost unable to breathe.

“A-Ghh… Everyone, stop fighting… Ferris, wait, you’re squeezing too hard…!”

“…Hyaa!? S-Sorry, Master! Whenever I touch you, I completely lose control of my strength…”

Ferris quickly loosened her hold, but she still wouldn’t let Allen go. Her silver tail wrapped around his body, holding him in place.

“…I can’t bear to watch this. …Aria, weave a ‘knight’s uniform (straitjacket)’ to keep that girl quiet. …Sui, make her lose her footing and peel her off Allen!”

When Luna gave the order, the log house suddenly turned into a battlefield.

Ferris tore through the adhesive threads Aria fired with her lightning-clad legs. She swept away Sui’s viscous body with her tail.

“I won’t hand the Master over! Not to anyone… Not to the Luminous woman, not to the forest monsters, I will absolutely never hand him over!!”

Holding Allen tight, Ferris jumped out the window and into the yard.

“Wait! It’s a kidnapping! An Allen kidnapping incident!!”

Luna and the others chased after them, shouting.

Ferris finally stopped in the Forest Plaza. Even as she caught her breath, she looked at Allen in her arms as if he was her greatest treasure.

Pant, pant.

“Master… …My bad, taking you out here by force. …But I… I just can’t stand sharing you with those girls. …That golden fur of yours, those azure eyes… I want all of it to be the pride of me alone, your single knight…”

Ferris lowered Allen to the ground, then bowed her head deeply before him.

Her ears were flattened, as if to hide the face flushed red with shame beneath them.

“I… until I met you, I thought being alone was the most comfortable. …But the moment your chain connected me… I was so happy I thought I’d die. …Even though I was bound, I felt set free. …That’s why…”

Ferris raised her head, looking at Allen with moist eyes.

“…Could you pet me, just one more time? …Like you did yesterday. …I want you to tell me I’m a ‘good girl’…”

The once lonely warrior now looked like a young girl who only wanted her master’s affection.

Allen couldn’t help but give a wry smile at her awkward but honest feelings, feeling his chest grow warm.

“…Ferris. You are the greatest knight. …You really saved me yesterday. …Thank you.”

With his mascot paw pad, Allen gently touched Ferris’s forehead.

That instant, Ferris’s entire body jerked.

Jolt.

“…U-Uwaaaaaahh! The Master, again… he acknowledged me again!!”

Ferris writhed, rolling around and around on the grass.

Her face turned so red it seemed like it might boil, and sparks of lightning burned the grass nearby.

Crackle, crackle.