Stupid Heroes ~We Draft Candidates~ (WN): Chapter 19

 

Chapter 19: Training a Pet

 The mission in the [Forest of No Entry] ended with the disposal of the corpses of the magical beasts.

 No one is certain that Fenris Wolf has really gone far away, but no one dares to follow it to find out. They know that if they are attacked, they will surely die.

 On the way back to the capital, an adventurer suddenly approached Ren.

"Silver Wolf, give me the money for the herbs when we get back."

 It was the adventurer who had given him the herbs he had fed to child Fenris Wolf.

"Eh? Why?"

“The first one is fine. That was during a commissioned mission. But after that, it was for your dog, right?"

"A dog, it is a wolf, or rather a magical beast."

"But you're supposed to take care of it, right?"

"Forcibly..."

 Ren made a promise to Fenris Wolf. This is the reason why the other adventurers forced him to do it, but it is correct.

"Even so, you accepted."

"Yes, but... but how?"

"How? You've been taking care of it these past few days."

"No, I mean, can a magical beast be taken to the capital?"

"Oh, that's... well, we'll figure it out somehow."

"No, that's irresponsible."

 The third day after taking care of the child Fenris Wolf. The child was recovering unexpectedly well, perhaps due to the effect of the herbs that he fed it every day.

 It is now able to stand up and eat by itself. However, even though it is well, he has no way to return it to its mother, the Fenris Wolf.

 In that case, the question arises as to whether or not it is okay to bring the healthy magical beast back to the capital. And now, Ren noticed and was troubled.

"Silver Wolf."

 Langer called out to Ren who was worried.

"What?"

"There is a way to take it back to the capital."

"Really?"

"Yeah. You should become the magical beast's master. If the magical beast is your subordinate, you can take it into the capital and they won't say anything.

 There is a skill called Magical Beast Tamer. As the name suggests, it is the skill to use a magical beast. It is a useful skill that can be used in a variety of ways, not only in battle, but also for carrying heavy loads. It is naturally rare.

 Is it easy to acquire such skills?

"...Can it be done in a day or two?"

"Well, it's impossible. But you'll be fine, right?"

"Why?"

"You're Silver Wolf, and your cub is also a silver wolf. It's like a parent and child, isn't it?"

"...It's not a good reason at all"

 The joke is funny when it's about someone else, but not when it's about yourself, it's another matter.

“I'm kidding. Anyway, it's all about training. If it is determined that it will listen to Silver Wolf, it will be considered a subordinate magical beast. Then you can enter the capital and train as a tamer later."

"I see. I don't know about Langer, who is so brazenly recommending bogus, but it's a good idea."

"One word too much."

"All right, we'll start training today."

 Once that was decided, Ren immediately decided to start training it.

"First of all... a name. I need to give you a name... Run is weird. Ran, Rin, Ron."

 The first Run is just a combination of Ren and Luna. After that, it's just a bunch of "R".

"Rin is a female. Then Ran or Ron. I wonder if is Ran also feminine. Ran...... storm would be cool. Ron is argument, a dragon. No, it isn't. Ran for a storm. Ah, I'm pretty sure the Chinese reading is Ran, even for wolves. It's a bit aggressive."

 He brings back some comic book memories. It's not like he's thinking about it carelessly, but it's not that he's not picky about it.

"Okay, I've decided. You are a wolf so Ran"

(TN: Ran, meaning "Wolf Shield")

"...Kuu."

"Okay, It's happy... maybe."

 Having decided on a name, he thought he'd start the training process, but Ren, who had never had a pet before, didn't know what to do.

"...What should I do?"

"Kuuun"

"Run"

“…………”

"...Respond to me. Ran."

"Kuu"

"Oh, that's good. Ran."

"Kouun"

"Okay... Ron."

"Kouun"

"...Because it's different. Ran, you're Ran."

“…………”

"……Ron"

"Kouun"

"Ran"

“…………”

"Eh? You want Ron?"

"Kuu"

"...Then Ron."

"Kouun"

"Ran!"

“…………”

"……Ron."

"Kouun"

"It's decided then. With Ron, I can only think of dragons."

(TN: Ron; Japanese: 龍 ロン , Ron; Chinese: 龍, Lóng; both literally mean "Dragon". Ron "論" for a male name in Japanese means argument, discussion, and theory, hence the argument word above)

 Ren's insistence quickly crumbled because of Ron.

“Now that you've learned your name. Next is, after all, hand, right? Hand!"

 Ren holds out his hand toward Ron. One can't ask it to respond to that. He hasn't told Ron what the hand is for.

 Ron, who was staring at the outstretched hand in wonder, eventually bit into the tip of his finger.

"...Ouch. Is it wrong, because I didn't tell you anything?"

 Even though it was late, Ren realized that it would be useless to just hold out his hand. With his other hand, he pulled Ron away from his finger and grabbed Ron's paw and placed it in the palm of his hand.

"Hands. Good job."

 Without paying any attention to Ron's puzzled face, Ren rubbed his body with both hands as if tickling him. He was praising Ron.

"Okay, one more time. Hand."

 He takes his paw with his other hand and puts it on his hand.

"Yes. Good job."

And then tickled Ron again.

"...Silver Wolf, what are you doing?"

 Langer asked Ren with a strange look on his face.

"Training."

"No, that's not what a magical beast user do, you know?"

"Eh? Then what is it?"

"Using the magical beast to hunt."

"Oh, so that's how it is. That's right. Right now, it's just a pet."

"Pet?"

"The language of another world. Like a pet dog or cat."

"Oh. Okay."

"I know it's different from pets. Thank you."

"Yeah, do your best"

 Although Ren thanked him, Ren was actually becoming more and more unsure of what to do. He had no knowledge of how to train a pet, let alone teach it to hunt.

"...Hand."

 In the end, it goes back to pet training. However, that doesn't mean it's easy. Once again, Ron bit into the finger of his outstretched hand.

"It hurts. Do you have a habit of biting?"

 Ron biting his finger looks happy.

"It's only painful now, but when you get older, it won't be so funny."

 Even now, normal people can't do puns, but Ren's weirdness is that he can put up with that normally.

"Ron"

"Kouun"

"You remember to reply. Here."

 Then, knowing that it will be bitten, he held out his finger without hesitation. Ron obediently bit into the finger that was held out in front of him.

"...Stop ....Stop. Can't you tell from just my voice? Stop!"

 At the same time as the last word, He presses Ron's chin with his other hand. In response, Ron weakens his bite.

"Yes... stop. Yes... stop."

 He held out his hand and let him bite it, saying stop and pressing his chin. He repeated it over and over again.

"Stop."

 He tried to speak only without pressing his chin.

"Oh, it's weakened. Ron is smart."

 Ren happily strokes Ron's head. He wondered if his feelings were conveyed. Perhaps feeling this way, Ron, too, for the first time, let out a happy, indulgent sound.

"It's happy. Are you happy? Ron, are you happy?"

"Kuuon."

"Oh, I see. Are you happy?"

 Should one call him an idiot parent or an idiot owner? Ren, who was taking care of Ron, was deredere. One being wasn't happy about it.

(TN: Deredere, A character who is extremely sweet and energetic, and focuses their love on a single character.)

"Muu."

"Eh? Luna?"

"...You're spoiling Ron too much."

"No, this is training. Or rather, don't show yourself."

"Ren is always with Ron."

"Oh, that's what this is about."

 In other words, it's jealousy.

"There must be only one way, I'll let Ron know which one is higher."

"No, Luna. Isn't that childish?"

"But."

"Luna is my companion. Ron is my friend, or at most my son."

"Son?"

"Because I'm going to raise him. He's like a child, right?"

“…In other words, he is Luna’s son-in-law?”

"No...... would that be the case?"

"If that's the case, it can't be helped. Luna has to show parental love."

"Oh, well."

 No matter what the reason, if they get along well with each other, Ren will be grateful.

“Ron, be a good boy. If you bother Ren, you will be punished later!”

"...Uoon"

"Should I discipline you?"

 Maybe because Luna scared him, but from that moment on, Ron began to listen to Ren. It was as if the discipline was over in just a few hours. The only thing that has not been cured is the biting habit.

 As the days went by, Ron became more and more energetic. He is now able to run after Ren.

 And finally, the moment to enter the capital had arrived.

"You're back from the forest?"

"Yes."

 Langer answers the gatekeeper's question.

"How did it go?"

"Two people died."

"What? Is that true!?"

"Why would I be lying? I want to report it to the guild as soon as possible. Hurry up with the procedure."

"Yeah. Even if I say so, it's just a confirmation of the guild card."

"Then let's go."

 Showing his guild card to the gatekeeper, the leader, Langer, was the first to pass through the gate. The other adventurers followed. Then it was Ren's turn.

"...What's on your head?"

 The gatekeeper is surprised to see Ron on top of Ren's head.

"My friend."

"It found a good ride"

"It is his favorite place."

"Isn't it heavy?"

"It's fine."

"Fuu. That's interesting. Maybe I'll try to get one too."

"That's right. It's cute, so I recommend it."

 He can't really recommend it. In the first place, it is usually impossible to obtain a Fenris Wolf's child.

"I see. Well, this is no time for small talk. All right, go through."

"Thank you."

 And just like that, he was able to enter the capital with no problems at all.

"...Careless."

"No, he doesn't think what's on my head, right? It's a good idea."

"No. Ron's biting habit won't go away."

"So the head?"

"If it's the head, his jaw is small and he can't bite it."

"...For now."

 The grown-up Fenris Wolf can swallow Ren's head with ease.

"When he grows up, he won't be able to ride on my head."

"No, that's not the problem. Discipline him properly."

"That's right, but what should I do?"

"...The guild, right? Someone should know."

"Certainly. Well then, I'll stop by the guild."

"No, you're going anyway, aren't you? Did you intend to leave without a completion report?"

"Yes, I was."

 With that said, they headed to the guild headquarters together. The sight of so many adventurers walking together drew the attention of everyone around them, but Ron did not make a fuss.

 No one would have thought that Ron, who looked like a puppy, was Fenris Wolf's child.

 They arrived at the guild headquarters without incident and entered the building. Perhaps already aware of their arrival, a staff member came out of the reception area and greeted us all.

“Thank you for your hard work. Only Langer-sama and Ren-sama should report to the guild leader.”

"Me too?"

"Yes. The guild leader wants to hear the story."

"……I understand."

“The rest of you, please come to the reception desk so we can complete the request.”

"Oh, good. Sorry about that, Silver Wolf."

"Yeah."

 This is not sarcasm. This is the true feeling of many adventurers. Unless you are an outstanding adventurer, you may not be happy to be favored by the guild. They know they will only be forced to take on more difficult requests.

"Don't forget to pay for the herbs, Silver Wolf."

"I'll transfer it to your card later."

"Hmm?"

“I will calculate the amount based on the selling price of the guild.”

"Oh, you knew it."

"I'm not stupid enough to pay the asking price."

"You've got it right. Okay, then."

"Okay."

 After saying goodbye to the other adventurers with whom they had become acquainted, Ren and Langer headed for the guild leader's office. The staff did not complain about being kept waiting. The guild was happy to see the solidarity among adventurers strengthened.

 The room they were shown to was the front office.

"Good work, guys."

"Two people died."

"Was Silver Wolf's information accurate? ......Hey, what's that on your head?"

 Even the guild leader was surprised to see Ron riding on top of Ren's head.

"Under custody."

"……What do you mean?"

 There is no way he can understand the situation from just those words of what he has in custody.

"It's from me. It's an important part of the completion report."

"Well, then, go ahead."

“Fenris Wolf was certainly there. And two people were killed in an instant. I've never seen it before. I didn't think it was that strong."

"You're not going to tell that, are you?"

 Langer is an experienced adventurer, as he is entrusted with the leadership role. As Langer explained, the guild leader realized that he had been naive.

"If we had continued to fight like that, we would probably have been annihilated. It was thanks to the Silver Wolf that we were saved."

"Hoh."

“It seems that Fenris Wolf has been lured.”

"What?"

"This is my guess, but they used the Fenris Wolf to drive the magical beasts into a corner. I think that's what happened."

 Langer doubts the connection between the appearance of Fenris Wolf and the incident with the hero candidates.

"It's not a coincidence, but by a scheme?"

"That's right. The bait that lured it was the Fenris Wolf cub on Silver Wolf's head."

"Wait a minute? What did you just say?"

"On Silver Wolf's head is the child of the Fenris Wolf."

"...What did you bring with you?"

 Fenris Wolf is a very dangerous high-ranking magical beast. The guild leader is dismayed that he brought it to the capital, even though it is a child.

"We had no choice. Fenris Wolf left the place on the condition that he would save the child."

"What is that?"

"The child had been hanging in a tree for weeks. He was weak and dying. We tried to give him back, but the Fenris Wolf would not accept it. It knew it couldn't save him. So Silver Wolf asked him to leave, saying he would do everything he could to save his life."

"You accepted that? The other party is a magical beast."

 He made a deal with a magical beast. Even the guild leader, who knows a lot of information, can't believe it all of a sudden.

"I know it's hard to believe, but yes. I can only assume that's what that gesture was. At least, I'm sure it understood what I said."

"Is that really a Fenris Wolf?"

"The features definitely indicate it."

"Is there a possibility that it's a superior species?"

 Even though it's the guild, it doesn't mean that they know all magical beasts.

"I don't know about that. I've never heard of a superior species of Fenris Wolf."

"...That's true."

 There is no way that Langer, the adventurer, would know what he, the guild leader, does not know.

“We weren’t able to subdue Fenris Wolf. However, we believe that the danger has passed. The fact that we came back alive proves that.”

"Is that so?"

"This is just a guess, but I don't think it would have attacked us if we hadn't set it off."

"Why is that?"

"The two people who were killed were chanting magic. The Fenris Wolf killed only those two. Even though there were other people nearby."

"I see. I can't say that it's okay with just that, but it's a good reference."

 The guild leader was thinking more and more about the possibility of it being a superior species, but he didn't mention it.

"Oh. The rest of the carcasses of the monsters have been completely taken care of. We burned them and buried them in the ground."

"Any chance of them turning undead?"

"Silver Wolf says there is none."

"Is it okay?"

 The guild leader confirmed it with Ren.

"It's fine. It shouldn't be in that place. Besides, I didn't feel any rage from the magical beasts."

"Rage?"

"Yeah, a feeling. In the case of humans, it's resentment and regret, but that's not the case with magical beasts, it is anger at the unreasonableness of being killed. With a magical beast, you can't communicate with it clearly, so it's more of a feeling."

"...I'm surprised that you can understand somehow."

 The deal with the Fenris Wolf. The guild leader began to wonder if that was something he could have done because he was Ren.

"However, I don't know about the undead made intentionally. It has nothing to do with spirits. It's just a puppet."

"Yes, I'm aware of that."

"That's all for the report. What is your judgment of the accomplishment?"

 Langer asked the guild leader for a judgment on the accomplishment of this request. They did not kill the Fenris Wolf, but they did accomplish what they set out to do. But Langer thinks they have achieved the goal.

"I need more time. Yes, half a month. If there's no news of an attack, I'll consider it accomplished."

“Half a month. I don't have a choice. But the guild will explain to the others. I don't want to hear any complaints."

“I understand. Now, that leaves us with..."

 The guild leader's eyes went to the top of Ren's head.

"It's Ron."

"Ron?"

"I gave him a name."

"I see. So what are you going to do?"

"I heard there's a skill called magical beast tamer. I want to learn it."

"...That's impossible."

 The guild leader denied Ren's idea.

"Why?"

"There is a skill of being a magical beast tamer, but it is a natural one. And it's really imperfect."

"Imperfect?"

"There is compatibility with magical beasts. It's not a type, it's an individual."

"Individual?"

"Even though it's the same Fenris Wolf, there's a Fenris Wolf that obeys and one that doesn't."

"I see."

 Whether to obey or not to obey is different for each individual. It certainly isn't a skill.

"It's compatibility. You can't train and acquire compatibility. That's why you can't learn it."

"That's a problem."

"Then do you want to see if you have compatibility?"

"How?"

"Anyone can do it. Just give it a name that the magical beast likes and make it drink your blood. If it fails, it will not only drink the blood, but you will be eaten alive. No one would even think of trying."

"Name it and make it drink blood... biting my finger?"

 Ren remembered doing something similar to what the guild master said.

"You know very well. But that's only if the compatibility is excellent. One says that the magical beast prefers to gnaw on the fingers. I guess it's the same feeling as a baby sucking on a finger."

“…By the way, what should I do with the magical beasts that have been subdued by that?”

"Naturally, it will be written as a subordinate magical beast on the guild card. That's how you can prove it."

 Hearing the guild leader's explanation, Ren took out his guild card and began to trace it with his finger. For a while, Ren looked down and fiddled with his guild card, but eventually, he looked up with a complicated expression on his face, as if he was satisfied, but also a little troubled.

"...I guess, the problem is solved."

"Huh?"

"Ron's name is Ron's own choice. I hold out my hand, and he happily bites my finger. I thought he has a biting habit."

"In short?"

"Ron is already my subordinate."

"You, seriously... now then, you have added yet another title."

"What are you talking about?"

 The guild leader knows the guild card very well. He realized that Ren was taking a little longer just checking Ron's name.