Chapter 3 — The Knight Order

 

"I am William, captain of the knight order in the city of Cardinal, just beyond this forest. These four behind me are Oliver, Liam, Noah, and Matthew, in that order. Oliver is my vice‑captain—he always acts more important than me. He’s far better at paperwork than I am."

…Should he really be saying that so proudly?

"Of course! You could never be trusted with paperwork!" Oliver declared confidently.

Wow, even the vice‑captain is so sure of himself. Maybe Captain William should try harder with paperwork… he is the captain, after all.

"What’s your name?"

"Um… my name is Yūki."

"Yūki, do you know why you’re here?"

He asked gently. But I didn’t really know. This place was a gift from God. Better not mention that, though. I’ll just say someone brought me.

"Um… a stranger brought me here. And Mashiro was given to me as a present."

"A stranger? A Fenrir as a present? Anything else you remember?"

"Um… they told me, ‘Be happy.’"

Yes, that’s what God said. Even if I heard him mutter “I messed up” at the end, he still sent me to Mashiro.

"I see. Wait here a moment."

"Okay!"

William stepped aside to talk with the others. I waited, happily stroking Mashiro’s fluffy tail. Then he returned.

"One more thing. Is that Fenrir your contracted beast?"

"Contracted… beast?"

I tilted my head. Mashiro was my friend—was that what he meant?

"Mashiro is my friend."

"Friend…" William murmured.

Mashiro spoke up: "Master doesn’t yet understand contracted beasts. He gave me a name so I could stay by his side."

So Mashiro explained for me.

"So the contract is real, then. We intend to protect Yūki—may we?"

"Yes. Please. Alone, I have my limits." Mashiro agreed.

Protect? That meant they’d take me to the city. Maybe then I’d really have a family.

"In that case, a contract mark is needed. Anything will do—a collar, a bracelet, something to show the bond."

Mashiro considered.

"I don’t have anything… Mashiro, will we be separated?"

Tears welled up. I didn’t want to lose my friend. William quickly reassured me: "No, no—it’s fine. I think there’s a collar in our supply box. It should fit around his arm instead."

I clung tightly to Mashiro’s tail. I couldn’t bear to be apart. Then my stomach growled loudly. Oh… I hadn’t eaten anything.

William chuckled. "Quite the lively stomach! You must be hungry. Let’s head to our camp."

He scooped me up easily.

"Waaah, so high!"

No one had ever carried me before. My heart raced with excitement. When I squealed with joy, William laughed and lifted me onto his shoulders.

"Hehehe, this is fun!"

"Glad to hear it."

Laughing, he strode through the forest. Somehow he never got lost, even though everything looked the same to me. Soon the trees opened up to reveal three tents.

"This is our camp. We were just about to cook dinner. Wait here a bit."

He set me on a log and went inside a tent. The others busied themselves with tasks. Everything was new to me—I just sat and watched, fascinated. Mashiro lay behind me, steadying me with his tail so I wouldn’t fall.

William returned holding something. "Found it—this collar. Too small for Mashiro’s neck, but it should fit his arm. Let’s try."

"Yes! Please. Mashiro, is that okay?"

"On my arm, then. Do it."

William fastened the collar around Mashiro’s foreleg. It fit snugly.

"Good. Now Yūki, you can stay with Mashiro even in the city."

"Thank you! Mashiro, we can stay together!"

"Yes. Always." Mashiro’s tail swayed happily.

I smiled too.

William muttered softly: "Damn… too cute."

"Captain, what did you say?"

"Nothing. Anyway, dinner will be ready soon. I don’t know how much you can eat, but Noah’s cooking is quite good."

He returned to his tent. I cuddled Mashiro’s fur, waiting eagerly for dinner.

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