Chapter 203

Side Story: An Observant Pet

My master is nothing if not bizarre . I entertained a thought as I watched the Lord I served bury his face in my fur .

“You’re so fluffy, Rir . Your fur always feels amazing,” he said . “Wait, are you grooming yourself before you show up because you know I always do this?” He lifted his head and instead began running his fingers along the length of my coat . “Now that’s just cute . ”

I knew what my purpose was . It had been carved into my mind the moment I was born . I was a weapon, one created to chase down trespassers and cull them with my fangs . To spearhead assaults against any my master defined as his enemies . I was to live by my duty . And one day die for it .

“Yup! Rir’s super cute!” The one my master thought of as his sister, the humanoid cub I’d known since my birth, stroked my head as she spoke words heavily influenced by his . She too was one I knew not to defy . I had always recognized her as a sort of secondary master, another lord to whom I was sworn .

The two showed no signs of stopping . It was up to me to steer them back on track . I barked once to ask my master about the day’s business .

“Business? Oh, I didn’t call you for business,” he said . “Unless you count play as business . ”

I was stunned into silence . I had been expecting orders, but my master had brazenly declared that there was no work to be had . Sometimes, I can’t help but wonder if my master truly understands my purpose .

Although I appreciated the affection, it was so far divorced from my duty that it left me perplexed .

“Hey, look! It’s Rir!”

“Mhm . ”

A second group began to approach as my masters pet me all over . It came from the castle, and was composed of three individuals . The first was another cub, a slime I’d never seen without a smile . The second appeared to be of a similar age . But unlike the other cubs, her expression was one to remain static . In truth, she was completely unlike the other younglings . She was far more powerful, for her true identity was that of my master’s blade . The final member of the group was an adult, a dragon who stood far above any other .

As I looked upon the many faces that approached, I recalled a realization I had come to . A large number of different individuals—and species—had gathered around my master . And that he and I were the same .

I had never sought companions . And yet, I had become the leader of a veritable legion of monsters . My master had even thrown four of his own into the mix, four that, like me, were weapons who served no other purpose but to guard his domain . I had many duties . Too many duties . There was so much work to be done that I couldn’t help but feel stressed .

Yet, my master was not . He showed no signs of exhaustion despite his workload being just as heavy, if not heavier than my own . I was unsure if he was so capable that he could handle it all with ease, or if he simply didn’t feel the need to care . My observations seem to indicate that it is more likely the latter than the former . But no good will come of doubting my master . I’d best forget I’d ever even considered the possibility .

“Oh, look, you’re finally all here . And it seems we’ve even got someone I wasn’t expecting along for the ride too . ”

“Indeed . The children asked me to join them, and I found myself incapable of turning down their request . ”

“Yeah, I can see that . ”

My master laughed as he turned to address the children .

“Well, girls? What’d you want to play today?”

“I wanna ride Rir!” said the vampire .

“Me too!” said the slime .

“Me three . Riding him is fun,” said the sword .

“Well, Rir, you heard ‘em . ”

I suppose I have no other choice . The master’s were absolute, so I crouched and allowed the little ones to climb onto my back .

***

“Thanks Rir . Couldn’t have done it without you . ”

My master gently placed one of his hands on my shoulder . The other was occupied by his sister, who had been exhausted by our time together . The grip he had on her hand was the only thing that kept her steady as she drifted between a state of alertness and one of rest .

The compliment he had said to me was one that I enjoyed . I felt fulfillment in knowing that I had proven myself useful . But knowing it had stemmed from a task as simple as playing around with a few pups left me feeling as awkward as I was content . But in the end, the latter of the two emotions surfaced above the other . I had justified the task as fulfilling another one of my master’s orders . And knowing that was enough for me to unabashedly bask in the satisfaction of being praised .

“See you later, Rir!” said the slime .

“Bye,” said the sword .

The little ones waved at me as they followed my master back towards the castle . But after a few steps, he realized that a member of his party had yet to move, so he span around to address her .

“You coming, Lefi?”

“I will, but only after I settle an order of business . I will have to ask you to take care of the children in my place . ”

“Uhhh… Sure, alright . ” He was confused, but chose to leave without questioning her .

There was a moment of silence . The dragon stood stock still until she had confirmed that my master had returned to the castle . She then examined our surroundings . Only after confirming that we were alone did she suddenly bury her face in my side .

I was so shocked by the action that I whined in bewilderment . But she paid me no mind .

“The sensation of your fur truly is superb . I see now why the others are so fond of it . ” She continued to rub her face in my side until she was satisfied, at which point in time she shot me a glare . “Do not ever inform any of the others of the events that just took place if you do not wish to suffer the consequences . ” The dragon spoke in a low, threatening growl . “Have I made myself clear?”

I smiled awkwardly as I nodded to affirm my understanding .

The dragon was far older than I or any of the others . And yet, she often conducted herself as would one of the pups . And that was, in my eyes, the reason she had become my master’s mate . The two were very much alike .

“Excellent . Then I bid you farewell, Rir . I know that there will be no end to the troubles and challenges that you must face given your master’s peculiar nature, but I trust that you will continue to do your best for him in spite of his foolishness . ”

With a grin, the dragon turned heel and left for the castle .

My encounter with her had once again reminded me that this dungeon’s residents were bizarre in nature, a reminder whose message only grew more powerful as I gazed upon the castle, its towers and walls lit with the orange glow of the evening sun .

They are strange . But I am one of them . A strange pet who is willing to continue following his strange master’s every whim .

And as the thought crossed my mind, I began to smile .