Chapter 110
－Shion's POV: Mistaken for a Wolf－
A fire suddenly breaks out at the cave entrance.
As I try to find out what happened, something falls from above, bursts into flame, and makes the fire surge higher.
I heighten my vigilance in surprise, but I sense Master's magic in the flames, so I know it isn't an enemy.
When I look at Master... he wears an indescribably bitter expression.
?
It happened so suddenly that I had no idea what was going on.
Master may be using enhanced vision; he can identify distant objects in an instant.
We can see quite far ourselves, but we can't compare with Master.
On top of that, lately he has expanded his danger detection to cover a wide area in the forest.
We are supposed to be Master's protectors... but I feel like we are the ones being protected.
I have to try harder.
...
The King and all of us train every day in pursuit of greater strength.
I keep working hard because I want to become stronger too.
My goal is to land even a single hit on the King.
I don't want the children to see me in such an undignified state.
In the past, we had been unable to fully gauge Master's strength.
When the King and Big Boss-san were together, I swallowed my pride and asked.
The King and Big Boss-san gave the same answer: the fight would end in an instant.
I was a little confused, but then realized that meant the King would lose in a single instant.
This surprised me, but it also made Master's strength easier to understand.
That explained why we couldn't understand Master's strength.
I'm glad he isn't an enemy.
Master values us very much.
At first, I glared at Master because I thought he was human, but he forgave even that with his generous heart.
He really is kind.
Master's broad-mindedness has brought change to the forest.
Not only did he save our lives, he taught us the meaning of living.
I learned the importance of comrades from the way Master values us.
He let us live with him instead of keeping the dwelling to himself, and made it comfortable for us, too.
To be honest, those countless golems are far stronger than we are.
Even the King gave a wry smile.
Despite possessing such strength, Master prioritizes what we want to do.
There are things Master won't allow.
That means harming Master's food—but he shares that food with us, too.
There are so many things I've never eaten before that my tail starts wagging before I know it. I try to resist, but...
Sometimes, Master even rewards us by making something himself.
I couldn't help noticing the King's tail wagging, too.
Though Master is strong, he opens his heart to other races as well.
Master is amazing—stronger and kinder than anyone.
I've been surprised by all sorts of things, but lately, it's the dragons.
The fact that three dragons have gathered around Master.
Dragon kings are all strong-willed, and when they met, they would sometimes fight to the death again and again.
Yet in Master's presence, they have become like entirely different beings.
Apparently, the King confirmed this once.
Big Boss-san and Shuri-dono were apparently surprised as well.
And the answer was Master's magic.
When we're near Master, we feel as though his magic is enveloping us.
It feels very good.
They say it gradually calms the heart, too.
I know that feeling.
Indeed, Master's magic mysteriously calms my heart.
Normally, it's hard to even get close to someone with powerful magic.
Just being near such magic fills us with fear, and our hearts scream.
It's a little better with our own kind, but with other races, it's nothing but terror.
But though Master's magic is powerful, it gently envelops us.
And it seems to affect the magic of other powerful beings as well, so lately I don't feel afraid even near the dragons.
I would probably feel fear if I angered them, but in everyday life I can interact with them normally. Thinking about it, that's strange.
The reason I can train with Big Boss-san is that his magic doesn't make me freeze up in terror.
Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to approach him.
Competing with the Kings over food... Looking back, that was incredible.
I was too desperate to notice it at the time.
...Amazing.
Even though I bared my fangs, even though I snatched a tiny bit, I'm still alive!
Big Boss-san and the water dragon forgave me.
As expected, Master is amazing.
I got lots of rewards again today...
Ah! Earth Dragon-san, could I have just a little of that? Just a little.