NOVEL NEXT chapter 5
5 – The Method of Letting Go (2)
Right now, it’s just the two of us, but inevitably we’ll form an adventurer party.
From what I remember, having experienced over 100 parties, the biggest downfall is the death of a comrade.
Falling to their death, killed by enemies, or even killed by friendly fire.
It’s not just that they die, the dying plea for help leaves an unforgettable trauma on those who survive.
I too was not free from this trauma.
The guilt of being unable to protect them.
Even the fear that one day, I too might die.
Often, these emotions can stop a warrior from stepping back onto the battlefield.
This isn’t something we encounter only once in life, but rather, quite frequently.
Therefore, I’m thinking of giving Lucia an injection of prevention, in preparation for the illness that will come in the future.
Just because she’s too young.
I don’t mind being punished.
Just as long as Xia can continue living.
Forever… I am ready to present tribulations to Xia.
#
“What is this?”
Among wild animals, there are those who approach even when a bonfire is lit. Either they are very dangerous animals, or on the other hand, animals trying to befriend humans. The one who visited this time was a small creature barely reaching my ankles.
“It’s a Hould.”
“A Hould? This small and cute thing?”
“Yes.”
A silver beast with grey claws.
At first glance, it’s a creature that’s favored because it looks cute.
Is it because it not only has combat abilities but also has a good temperament? It responds well to enhancement through holy power. It can also play the role of a guide, it can even substitute for the slow-moving priests and move for them.
‘Plus, it’s extremely loyal.’
A Hould will never betray its master, even if the entire party is at risk of being wiped out.
Thus, priests who roam the battlefield prefer Houlds.
‘Although that’s only applicable at the level of beginner priests.’
In fact, Shia no longer needs an agent to fight for her.
Most importantly, I am also with her. We are camping, and the more mouths, the more we need to gather, right?
That’s why a Hould is unnecessary in this situation.
Even so.
“Should we raise it? It seems to like Shia.”
That it’s a good opportunity is a fact that does not change.
A cute life form that likes people.
Shia can’t just overlook it.
I purposely led Shia to take an interest in the Hould.
“Really? Is it okay?”
Shia asked back as if pleased.
She seems to be already drooling.
I wanted to see her sulky reaction when refused, but Houlds were quite rare. If I let it go now, I don’t know when I’ll meet it again. Among the beasts that can be tamed, its excellence is enough to be counted among the top five.
Of course, they are species that can be seen quite often at the kingdom’s church.
In my past life, I didn’t encounter them often since I stayed around the borderlands, but priests who travel alone tended to have Houlds with them frequently.
‘He is a fellow who I carry around with insurance.’
Looking down at Howld, I responded,
“Isn’t three better than two?”
I was serious.
I don’t think we’ll survive until the end of the hardship, but it will be less boring than toughening up with just two.
The survival rate of Howld until the priest’s retirement is less than 20 percent.
Probably that Howld will die, too.
I didn’t feel guilty.
Howld had chosen his fate.
Anyway,
‘That’s a fellow with bad luck.’
I was looking for Howld.
To snatch him from Shia.
Someday, the person who gave affection will experience death.
It is a preventative measure.
There was a time when I thought all we had to do was save everyone.
It was presumptuous.
Even after becoming a knight, there were those who were lost.
There were nearly none after gaining glory, but they still existed.
The battlefield is such a place.
Therefore, Shia has to become stronger.
On a bloody battlefield, everything transforms into a tool.
Howled had shown up, an uninvited guest.
#
Sia sat happily in front of Howled, bending down to stroke his head and chin.
No matter how strongly she raised him, she never put Sia in danger.
But that guy, from today onwards, every day will be a matter of life and death.
Until death, that is.
“hehehe.”
He seemed to be enjoying Sia’s touch.
Seeing that,
Wow, I never got treated like that.
Such a thought crossed my mind momentarily before the thought, I’m definitely going to kill him, dominated.
But anyway.
He really enjoys it.
“Do you like it that much?”
“Yeah. He’s cute, unlike Sion.”
hahahaha.
Being swept away by mere wildlife.
The feeling wasn’t particularly pleasant.
Originally, he only wandered dangerous places.
Places of cliffs and roaming predators.
But he never went as far as death.
‘Sia might be okay, but there are many deathly places for Howled.’
He only went to such places.
Howuld had a good instinct.
His fur stood on end.
“Huh? What’s up?”
Despite being in a crisis, Howuld enjoyed Sia’s touch, wagging his tail. He didn’t look like an average guy.
He seemed to know that he was safe when he was with Sia.
The fact that he was looking at me with fearful eyes was not simply a coincidence.
He was that smart.
“Yes, yes. Do you want more stroking? I got it.”
His tail wagged as if it was soaring at Sia’s touch.
I giggled and spoke.
“If we’re going to be together, should we wash you up first?”
An untrained wild beast.
But if he’s going to be with a human, he would need to take a bath.
Look at that fur, it’s covered in mud.
Just so you know, Howuld hates water.
“Should we do that? Then I’ll go wash and come back! I need a bath too.”
What?
The world stopped.
“Then. I’ll be back?”
“No, I’ll go wash and come back.”
“Huh? Why?”
“You never know. What if I slip in the water?”
“This guy? He doesn’t look like he’ll do that.”
“He will.”
I asserted.
Sia looked at me with skeptical eyes.
“Shion will take over? You always left these things to me.”
“Anyone would think I’m spoiling him. It’s all training. I intended to enhance his vitality. It could also help build his spiritual strength.
“When Hounds touch water, they could become more aggressive.”
“Is that so…”
Xia seemed unable to comprehend.
One could see his intention to hold back on his words.
To be honest, my act of kindness towards Xia would be considered unusual. In his eyes, I must be a tormenting teacher to an unbearable extent.
That’s what I hoped for.
“Okay. Hand it over for now.”
Looking at the hound, Howl, happy as can be, would boil my blood. I could feel Xia’s touch even while talking.
I personally went forward and snatched Howl from Xia’s hand.
‘What are you doing, puppy?’
As soon as my hand touched him, the Hound froze, as if caught by a predator.
I grab him by the neck and faced him.
Hmm.
He didn’t come close to Xia, but he was cute.
Xia said cautiously from the side.
“Then, I’ll keep an eye on him for a while.”
“Sounds good.”
#
As soon as I arrived at the stream, I threw Howl into it.
#
Hounds have lots of fur. Inevitably, dust would cling onto their bodies. If they went into the woods, they would return covered with all types of things, making it easy to know where they have been.
They are actually better for scouting.
Even if you marked a spot on the map, he would go and come back.
He was that smart and astounding.
The surprising thing is that he can’t swim despite being motivated by four legs.
It’s structurally impossible for him to swim.
‘Just stay afloat in the water.’
Seeing Howl floating and flailing about irritates me.
He’s floating in the water.
But why is he flailing?
He needs to learn how to float properly.
Nonchalantly removing my shirt, I walked into the stream towards where Howl was.
Looking at his growling face, it was easy to lump him in with wolves, but he’s different from the pack animals. He roams the wilds, tastes all the finest things in the world. On top of that, he surmounts crises with an astounding sense of danger, resulting in a high survival rate.
He’s not easily hunted by nature.
‘There’s nothing to eat, anyway.’
It’s better to pour the energy it would take to catch Howl elsewhere. Even if you did catch him, his thick fur hides too little meat. Besides, the fur makes it hard to even put in one’s mouth.
So predators, even if they encounter Howl or play with him, do not kill or hunt him.
That’s why Howl roams alone.
He was flailing to get to me, regardless that I’d pushed him.
He knew I was his only way to live.
A pitiful movement.
Looking at him continuously falling in the water, it reminds me of a child repeatedly slipping on ice.
The reason Howl fell in the water was simple.
‘He’s too light.’
Floating in the water.
Again.
Floating in the water.
So light he could be blown away by a gust of wind.
So, he can’t even kick his legs, let alone keep balance since his legs, too, float in the water.
So, the poor creature, still unable to attain a sense of balance, was at its best merely flailing about.
Swimming?
Impossible.
Being carried away with the wind was the best it could do.
As I picked up the creature, I realized, “I haven’t given you a name yet.”
So, what should your name be?
Before I knew it, the creature was enjoying the gentle breeze by the creek, its fur standing up to allow ventilation.
It didn’t take me long to decide.
“Kyle.”
The name of a warrior.