“Sorry. But I don’t see myself working under another woman. I’m loyal to the one right here.”
“Asagi… I do not mind, you know? It sounds rather advantageous…”
“Yes, yes, exactly. I am the wolf who drank in the world. Serving the god wolf will be taking a step into the realms of deities.”
For some reason, Daniela was taking Rachel’s side on this matter.
“That may be true and all, but I don’t quite like the fact of being your thrall. I’m not saying that I hate you or anything. I just don’t feel like it.”
I hadn’t minded until now, as it was Beowulf who gifted me ‘Legs of the Forest Wolf.’ But it would be different with Rachel. I didn’t want to think about her every time I used the skill. It had nothing to do with any kind of paranoia over Daniela, okay?
But, more importantly…
“I’m not really interested in the realm of the gods. I just want to continue doing what I’ve been doing. Traveling the world with just Daniela. That’s all.”
“Hmph. These Japanese are so boring with their lack of ambition.”
“Sorry to disappoint you.”
“Then you should accept my offer!”
Daniela watched us with a little confusion. We looked at her and couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Well, I understand you now. I am sorry for trying to pressure you.”
“Don’t mention it. And hey, I’m not exactly a weakling right now. I’ll protect Daniela.”
“Aye, I can trust Asagi to have my back. He deserves the trust I put in him.”
My face turned a little hot. It was rare for Daniela to praise me with such abandon.
Well… I think it’s time to go, Daniela?
“Yes. Asagi looks like he is about to burst. We should leave.”
“Daniela!?”
“Indeed. I will be leaving soon myself. Now, get out! Out you go!”
Rachel smiled mischievously as she shooed us away. I picked up my shoes and went to the window.
“Hey, Rachel. You’ll be sorry if you throw me into the sky again.”
“I won’t. Just get out!”
“You better not. Don’t even try!”
“Asagi, you are in my way. Hurry up.”
“Grrr…”
I clutch my shoe and brace myself as I jump out of the window. However, this time I landed on the ground just fine. I sighed with relief.
“Well, I could easily reverse gravity from where you are now.”
“Don’t you dare.”
□ □ □ □
Daniela used the key again and opened a door back to the Babbling Brook. Yes, time had not passed. If you move backward or forward, your body would not go with you… But perhaps if Rachel was successful in her research, we would one day be able to travel through time.
“Hey, Daniela.”
“What, Asagi?”
“This time travel she talked about… If you could do it, would you?”
“Would I be able to return to the past?”
“Of course.”
“Then… There is only one place I think that I would go.”
Daniela’s hands tightened into fists.
“Father and mother… I would save them from the dragons.”
“I see…”
The stampede that had altered her life… And for the worse. She would probably not hesitate to return to it. And not for her own sake, but for her parents.
“What about you, Asagi?”
“Huh?”
“What would you do, if you could travel forward or backward?”
“I…I…”
What would I…
“I think I’d return to my first day in this world and do what I could to speed up our meeting.”