MPBAGS Chapter 24

"...There should be what you're looking for over there."

Daisy said, pointing to the Rohanson estate. The man who checked the estate through the carriage window looked at Daisy as if sizing her up, then nodded. Since he had asked her to guide him to his destination, he seemed to acknowledge that there was no need for Daisy to accompany him all the way to the Rohanson estate.

"Right. The scent is strong. Did that thing set up residence there?"

"...Probably."

If the man was talking about the eye, it seemed he was right, as it didn't appear to leave the Rohanson estate.

Daisy wanted to get away from here immediately. She wanted to distance herself from the Rohanson estate as quickly as possible, fearing that the eye might watch her again, and she also wanted to escape from that man who looked fresh and kind on the surface.

That was a monster Daisy had summoned. Just knowing that her transgression was walking around alive made it hard for her to breathe.

Her deal with the man ended here. He said he had business with that eye, so once that was finished, he would probably leave on his own.

Surely he wouldn't stay here permanently?

She had no idea how many people he had killed while coming here with the man. Calling it a feast after a long time, he had cut people's throats to kill them, and in some twisted hobby, reattached their heads.

People who should have died got back up like Priest Berga and walked around perfectly fine. If not for the red line across their necks, they would have been indistinguishable from ordinary people.

Finding the eye was one thing, but could this man have also revived Miss Evangeline? No, the man didn't know about the Rohanson estate.

"Call me again if you need help. Next time I'll charge the proper price though."

The man waved his hand casually as he got off the carriage. Through the small window, she could see the man's retreating figure. Where the man was heading, there was a cherry tree in full bloom. That tree still hadn't shed its flowers even after the young lady hanged herself and died.

"Where shall I take you?"

The coachman asked.

"Where shall I take you?"

The coachman turned his neck to look at Daisy. The sight was eerie, making Daisy swallow dryly.

"Where shall I take you?"

When Daisy didn't answer, the same question continued to repeat with unchanged tone and speed. Was he planning to keep asking until he got an answer? Daisy glanced at the red line across the coachman's neck.

Daisy reflected on that nightmarish day and today, then decided on her destination.

"To the temple."

"Save me!"

I encountered a talking black wolf. I should throw a Poké Ball to capture it... just kidding, that's not how it works.

Is it injured? If it wasn't talking, I would have thought it was just a wild animal being hunted.

But it spoke, didn't it?

All the romance fantasy novels I'd read flashed through my mind. I had my suspicions from the spirits appearing and the strangely desolate setting, but this novel seemed to be a somewhat older work. Why?

That's a werewolf... A talking black wolf? I don't need to think about anything else. It's like a mathematical formula.

The male lead is probably Gabriel, so is this guy the second male lead? My suspicions were bubbling up.

I could roughly guess the plot...

Kanna is being bullied by Evangeline and is secretly wiping away tears alone in the garden when she hears rustling sounds from the bushes. She's startled and on guard, but then an injured wolf appears. Usually it's a common development where they're fleeing from threats like family enemies or slave traders.

Kind-hearted Kanna would carefully tend to the wolf, and since she'd think it's just an animal, there'd be physical contact too, right? I do the same with Pudding, applying saliva and making a fuss. After spending time like that, the wolf would eventually be fully healed, and Kanna would release it back into the wild.

After forgetting about it and living on, years later, a handsome man would return saying he wants to repay the favor of being saved. What would his line be? Something like "You called me cute back then"? Suddenly, my romance fantasy excitement was overflowing uncontrollably.

I stared intently at the wolf. Right now it's completely in wolf form, so I can't tell if the original form is handsome. If it's handsome, it's definitely the second male lead. Or maybe Gabriel is the second male lead and the wolf is the male lead? Since it's an old work, it might have been a reverse harem. I'm confused by this unexpected appearance.

Wait. So on top of Gabriel, I'm also getting the werewolf route? Once would have been enough. Twice?

"...Please save me."

The wolf spoke weakly. Its tail was tucked in, seeming scared. Why is it saying "save me" twice? I was a bit flustered, then remembered that I'd just been staring at the injured wolf without taking any action.

I do feel sorry. Honestly, I briefly considered pretending not to see it and calling Kanna over.

But I wasn't trying to ignore an injured animal, okay? I was going to call Kanna to treat it. I just thought that since the original form would be human, maybe it could endure things more human-like.

But somehow... since it went as far as to say "save me," it would be morally problematic for me to just leave, right?

"Then come with me."

When I extended my hand, the wolf hesitated then stuck out its front paw. The soft, squishy jelly pad was squishy.

I didn't mean give me your paw — I meant since you're human, just transform and take my hand to get up! I wasn't trying to violate your human rights.

"What's your name?"

Still, I'll gratefully accept the paw that was already offered. I asked for the name while touching the jelly-like squishy paw pad, but the wolf didn't answer. No name? That can't be right.

It seemed reluctant to reveal its identity to me. Well, usually they only reveal their true identity to the female lead later on.

Then let me give you a name I can use for now. Let's see. Since you have cute, squishy jelly paw pads...

"I'll call you Jelly."

The wolf looked displeased but didn't resist. I don't care if you don't like it. If you don't like it, reveal your real name.