Chapter 236 The Onslaught
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Two weeks had passed since our meeting with the Coalmine mission to discuss the “Ddo-Buddy Economic Sphere¹” and talk about the “Stampede².” The first one to notice “it” was our house dog, Laika.
”Kento…” Laika said.
”Hmm, what’s wrong, Laika? Do you feel sick…?” I asked.
”No, my body is fine…” Laika replied.
While I was watching the shop, Laika came over and spoke with a weak voice. Her dog ears, which usually stand straight up, were flat against her head, and her tail was curled between her legs.
”……”
She stayed quiet and hugged me, rubbing her face and sniffing my scent. Even when I petted her head, the base of her tail only shook a little bit. Usually, she would wag it fast to show her joy…
Since she is usually our happy mood-maker, her strange behavior worried me. I quickly held her face with both hands and looked at her.
”What happened, Laika? What’s wrong…?” I asked.
”No, nothing…” Laika said.
”It can’t be nothing. Are you worried? Tell me anything, okay?” I said.
”Mmm…” Laika muttered.
Even when I asked, she said nothing. She just climbed onto my lap and stayed small while shaking. She was like a puppy scared of something.
For a while, I rubbed her back and warmed her cold hands and feet. Slowly, she became calm. she moved slowly and hugged me while sitting down.
”Sorry, Kento. This makes no sense, right…?” Laika said.
”No, don’t worry. I don’t really know why, but I’m glad you feel safe on my lap,” I said.
”Yeah, I guess so…” Laika replied.
In a rare way, Laika snuggled close and looked shy. It seemed she didn’t think about it much; her body just chose my lap for safety, and she was embarrassed. She is so sweet.
”Honestly, it’s because my father sent that letter…” Laika said, looking grumpy.
As I petted her hair and tickled her, she spoke with a bit of a pout. Her tail started to wag a little, so I felt better seeing her get her energy back.
”A letter…?” I asked.
”Yeah, a bit ago. I thought it was just a normal one, but it’s rare for it to be from Dad. He said the ‘Pack’ is moving…” Laika said.
The “Pack” she meant was the village of dog-beastmen where she grew up. If the whole village is moving, it must be a big job.
”That sounds hard… Does moving happen often?” I asked.
”Mmm, it happens, but not a lot. The last time was ten years ago? Before that was before I was born,” Laika replied.
”Ten years ago…” I muttered.
”Yeah. I think the King died and there was trouble with the other countries. I didn’t understand then, but I remember they said we should run south…” Laika said.
So, something big is happening again? I could think of one reason…
”Well, they also move when the hunting grounds are bad, so maybe it’s that. But he wrote ‘You be careful’ and ‘Run if you have to,’ and said not to send letters for a while until things are quiet…” Laika said.
I had already told Laika about the “Stampede.” But she never said the word. She seemed to keep it out of her head. If her “Pack” sensed something wrong and decided to move…
”So you’re worried…” I said.
”Yeah, that too, but mostly… I just have a bad feeling. My tail won’t stay still, or something…” Laika said.
It seemed she felt something strange herself. Laika shifted on my lap and started fixing her tail fur. As a normal human, I couldn’t feel what she felt. I felt frustrated, so I petted her head and kissed her forehead.
”Well, I’m sure it’s nothing… really… I… hope…!” Laika said.
Right then, Laika’s shy smile turned into a serious face. Her words stopped. She jumped off my lap and spoke in a low voice.
”…Kento, hold Momo-chan and stay near Lady Lily-sama. Do NOT go outside, okay!” Laika said firmly.
”Ah, hey! Laika!?” I shouted.
She ran out of the shop entrance immediately.
* * *
”Kento! Did Laika already leave?!” Tania asked, running into the house while sweating.
About ten minutes later, the Elf adventurer Tania arrived. I was worried about Laika, but I didn’t know what was happening, so I followed her orders. I was talking to my slave, Lily-sama, while holding my daughter Momo-chan to my chest.
”Waaaaah! Waaaaah!!!”
But Momo-chan wouldn’t stop crying. While I tried to quiet her, time passed. Tania looked at Momo-chan and spoke.
”Ah, so Momo-chan can feel it too… Good girl. This baby will be strong one day,” Tania said.
”Tania, what is going on? Laika looked scary and ran out…” I asked.
”A dragon. Or maybe a wyvern, but a big flying dragon was seen in the west,” Tania replied.
”Is it… the ‘Stampede’?!” I asked.
Tania flinched but shook her head slowly. She seemed to be trying to calm me down or herself.
”No, no other monsters are seen yet. It’s likely one that got lost. It flew faster than a horse, so we saw it late. The link to the west is… not known yet,” Tania said carefully.
She spoke with care, but I knew they must be linked. Big monsters don’t usually come near towns because they know humans are dangerous.
A young one might, but a dragon that can be seen from far away wouldn’t come to the capital, Canarias³, for no reason. Tania saw my face and put a hand on my shoulder.
”Look, this is common for this town. The capital, Canarias, was built after dragons in the north were defeated. Those mountains look like a good place to live, so a big dragon shows up every hundred years,” Tania said.
”I never heard that…” I said.
”Hmm…? Ah, I guess it hasn’t happened for two hundred years…? Well, its target is likely the north mountains. It might stop for a snack, but driving it away isn’t too hard. Then we can get ready and hunt it slowly,” Tania explained.
I didn’t say anything as she changed the topic from the “Stampede.” I didn’t want to ignore her kindness, and the dragon was more important now.
”The Guild probably called for everyone. I have to go, okay?” Tania said, like talking to a child.
She only stopped to check on us and get her gear.
”Wait—Laika left with nothing…” I noted.
”Yeah, she is stronger with her bare hands. Any weapon or armor would break before Laika’s fists do,” Tania replied.
”I-I see…” I said.
”Don’t look so worried. Did you forget that Laika and I are both Dragon Slayers⁴?” Tania asked with a grin.
Tania left the house. Knowing how strong Laika is, but remembering how she shook on my lap, I was still worried. But if I panicked, I would only be in the way.
”It’s okay, Master. I will protect you and Momo-chan. If we have to, I will carry you both and run,” Lily-sama said, helping with the baby.
I was reminded once more of how weak I am.
—
Summary:
Laika displays unusual fear and anxiety, eventually fleeing the shop after sensing an approaching threat. Tania arrives to inform Kento that a large dragon or wyvern has been spotted heading toward the capital. The adventurers, including Laika and Tania, are summoned to deal with the stray dragon. Kento is left at home with Lily and Momo, feeling powerless as the city prepares for a potential attack.
—
Character Insight:
This chapter highlights the contrast between Laika’s fearsome reputation as a ‘Dragon Slayer’ and her deep-seated animal instincts. Despite her strength, her father’s warning and her own intuition regarding the ‘Stampede’ leave her physically trembling. Similarly, Tania’s attempt to downplay the danger as a ‘routine’ dragon sighting shows her protective nature toward Kento’s civilian life, even as she prepares for a high-stakes battle.
—
Behind the Scene:
The mention of the king’s death ten years ago and the subsequent border troubles provides historical context for the kingdom’s current instability, suggesting that the ‘Stampede’ is part of a recurring cycle of geopolitical and magical unrest.
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T/L:
Notes:
• Laika – The beastwoman dog.
• Kento – The owner of the magic tool shop ‘Harvest,’ which discretely sells adult goods. He’s a former overworked, ordinary salaryman from modern Japan who was suddenly transported (isekai’d) to this fantasy world. He has dark hair and an unremarkable appearance, typically wearing a plain, slightly suspicious-looking shop owner’s clothes looks like Kazuma Satou from certain series. He has a minimal amount of magic power, enough to craft his specialty items.
• Lily – the sl*ve and primary experiment subject for the magic shop, ‘Harvest.’ She has striking pink hair, Blue eyes, medium breasts, which the Protagonist associates with being ‘wanton’. She has a working knowledge of magic, which she kept hidden from the slave trader.
• Momo – The newborn daughter of Kento and Lily. She has pink hair and her father’s ear and eyebrow shapes.
• Tania – An Elf adventurer who, despite her race’s reputation for low sex drive, is secretly quite passionate. She initially seemed ‘wasted’ (emotionally dry) to her friend Raika, but was easily introduced to the pleasure-items sold at ‘Harvest.’ She is easily embarrassed and attempts to maintain a dignified facade, despite her recent, frequent purchases. She wears practical but light armor over a simple cloth tunic and short pants, highlighting her grace and agility. Her primary relationship is one of friendly senior-junior with Raika.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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