“The moonlight wolves were not expected to take long to fully mature into adults, but it had only been about a month since they had grown into juveniles.

No one had predicted this situation. And situations that deviated from expectations always made the researchers uneasy.

So the researchers poured all their energy into sprinting to the breeding ground. Even before entering the wide clearing of the breeding ground, three huge white mounds could be seen in the distance.

“My Lord! We’ve arrived!”

At the shout mixed with heavy breathing, Aspeiran and Shuria, who were standing in the center of the clearing, turned around. A faint relief settled on Shuria’s face, which had been filled with shock and worry.

“You’re here! Please take a look at our babies!”

Shuria gestured urgently. The moonlight wolves were sitting in a line behind her.

They looked surprised, but quite calm and dignified. Elkin approached the moonlight wolves first.

“…Oh my. This is much bigger than the adult moonlight wolves I know!”

“They seem to be about 1.5 times larger than the adult average.”

Kiri took over. The researchers, whose bewilderment had subsided and curiosity had been aroused, began to murmur around the moonlight wolves.

“The amount of mana is overwhelmingly higher than average… It’s a good thing we increased the performance of the mana control device to the limit.”

“I, I think the overall balance looks very stable…”

Prom and Titira drew out their mana to check the condition of the moonlight wolves. Sek also added.

“They’re so big, so cute~.”

“Check their condition!”

Prom smacked Sek on the back. At their usual behavior, Shuria let out a sigh of relief.

“Our babies are okay, right?”

“Hmm, yeah. They’re fine.”

Prom pushed Sek aside and approached Shuria.

“Their mana is stable, their bodies are balanced. In fact, they grew much better than wild moonlight wolves. If we sent them back to Veltrium, they could instantly become the leader of the pack.”

“That’s a relief… I was worried they had grown too quickly.”

Shuria ran over and buried her face in the moonlight wolf’s broad flank. A huge vermilion tongue licks Shuria lengthily.

The soaked Shuria laughed. It was a peaceful sight.

Elkin unknowingly smiled contentedly as he watched the scene. Then suddenly, he noticed Aspeiran standing a step behind Shuria, looking at her.

And Elkin was silently amazed.

On the lord’s lips… there was a soft smile.

“…?”

The only expressions Elkin knew of the lord were indifference, annoyance, or anger. He had never seen a face like that before, he swore.

Leaving Elkin in chaos, Aspeiran approached Shuria. His large hand strokes Shuria’s head as if handling the most precious thing in the world.

“Well done, Shuria. You’ve perfectly accomplished what no one else has done.”

Elkin rubbed his ears. That gentle and sweet voice.

And stroking her head? Since when was the lord the type to make such friendly physical contact?

‘Am I dreaming right now?!’

If so, he wanted to wake up immediately by hitting his own head.

But unlike him, who was swimming in a swamp of confusion, the other researchers didn’t seem to care much.

Even Shuria was accepting the lord’s affection as if it were familiar. Shuria held Aspeiran’s hand and swung it excitedly.

“I’m glad the babies grew up healthy. Oh, and look at this! I tried on the necklace you gave me, my lord.”

“…Do you like it?”

“Of course! Come to think of it, I haven’t properly thanked you yet. Thank you for the necklace, my lord! I’ll cherish it!”

“You can handle it roughly. If it breaks, I’ll give you a better one.”

“Why would I handle something you gave me roughly, my lord? I’ll treasure it like a jewel.”

Aspeiran and Shuria were already lost in their own world.

Shuria holds both of Aspeiran’s hands and sways her body left and right, and Aspeiran matches her rhythm with a faint smile.

Shocked by the shattering of the reality he believed in, Elkin staggered alone in the corner.

‘The lord… gave Shuria a necklace as a gift?’

Has he already proposed? Was I the only one who didn’t know they were engaged?

An overwhelming amount of information flowed in at once. Someone abruptly approached the staggering Elkin and hooked his arm. It was Prom.

He whispered in Elkin’s ear.

“They’re going through the same process we went through a couple of months ago.”

“D-Director. What on earth is this situation…?”

“You don’t need to worry about that. Just think about one thing.”

Prom pressed down on Elkin’s shoulder.

“If we can persuade Shuria, we can obtain information about a new monster…!”

Elkin gulped. A golden ticket to gain the lord’s company was shining brilliantly over there.

After our babies became adults, there was little I could do for them.

I couldn’t take them for walks outside with their size similar to large trucks, nor could I throw balls or play tug-of-war with them. Managing their fur was nearly impossible too.

However, there was one new game I could play with the babies.

“Now that pulling a dog sled seems difficult, how about riding on them instead?”

It was the babies-riding show. Aspeiran suggested it on the day the babies grew into adults.

At that time, we were trying our best to erase the awkwardness that had arisen from the ten-day gap, and when a good conversation topic came up, we actively accepted it.

So the very next day, Aspeiran came to the breeding ground with a custom-made saddle. It was a tremendous drive befitting the lord of a nation.

“I made it with safety as the top priority, so you won’t fall off while running.”

Aspeiran approached the babies to fasten the saddle. Fortunately, the babies did not reject Aspeiran’s touch even after becoming adults.

Although they glared at him with a look that said, ‘What is this guy putting on me?’

In conclusion, the babies came to love carrying me and running.

When I sat on the saddle, they ran wildly through the forest like the Canadian moose I saw in videos in my previous life. I should have named them something like Super Hurricane or Cool Storm.

After riding the babies and running through the forest a few times, the morning had already passed by.

I took my trembling legs and splitting buttocks, prepared lunch for the babies, and then headed to the lab, wobbling.

“Shall I pick up some new books from the library today?”

I had been steadily studying Veltrium. Especially these days, I was carefully looking at the monster encyclopedia.

Now that I’ve raised the babies to adulthood, it’s time to take on other monsters. This time, monsters that can really be mobilized for expeditions.

I carefully opened the library door. Thanks to my attention, Elkin was sitting inside the library.

“Elkin, hello! Have you eaten?”

“Hello, Shuria! I’ve eaten. What about you?”

“I’ve eaten too. It would have been nice if our times had matched. It’s lonely to eat alone, you know.”

“Ha! Ha! Ha! That’s true.”

After briefly greeting Elkin, I headed to the bookshelves. I was pondering which book to take while examining the titles, when I felt a piercing gaze from behind.

I endured it and endured it, but eventually couldn’t stand it and turned around. Elkin flinched.

“Elkin? Do you have something to say to me?”

“Um…”

He hesitated to open his mouth and only scratched the cover of the book he was holding. Why is he acting like that?

I gave up on picking a book and sat down in front of Elkin.

“Tell me! I can consult you on your worries too.”

“Well, the thing is.”

Elkin scratched his head. After hesitating for a long time, he finally spoke.

“Shuria, have you ever thought about going to Veltrium?”

“Veltrium?”

“I’m thinking of returning to the expedition team at the end of August. I was wondering if you’d like to come with me then.”

Elkin placed his clasped hands on the desk. His eyes were like those of a merchant trying to sell goods to a guest he had met after a week.

“I’ve heard you’re studying diligently about monsters. But there’s a limit to the knowledge gained from writing alone.”

“Hmm…”

That’s true… In fact, that’s why I was thinking about going to Veltrium.

Elkin continued his temptation.

“Directly observing various types of monsters and experiencing the ecology of Veltrium. I think it would be good for you to take the moonlight wolves with you and let them experience real combat.”

“Won’t I be a hindrance since I’m completely incapable of combat?”

“Ha! Ha! Ha! The researchers are no help in combat either. Our colleagues even lack stamina! You have nothing to worry about at all.”

Elkin smiled brightly. Somehow it seemed like a smile with an ulterior motive.

Besides, he’s suddenly trying to have me join the expedition without consulting the other expedition members? That doesn’t make sense.

I hid my desire to accept right away and tapped on the desk.

“Elkin, you’re hiding something from me, aren’t you?”

“Huh, huh?”

“It’s all showing on your face, Elkin. Spill out what you’re thinking right now!”

A line of cold sweat ran down Elkin’s face. In the end, Elkin declared surrender.

I wondered if this level of pressure would work. Elkin, you have a softer heart than I thought.

“Ugh, the director advised me to hide it if possible… But I just can’t do that. Yes, you’re right, Shuria. Actually, I was trying to use you!”

“Use me?”

“We desperately need the lord’s help for this expedition. But the lord refused… I thought if you came along, the lord might change his mind.”

“…Huh?”

I frowned, dumbfounded. Putting aside the fact that he tried to use me as bait, how did he come to that conclusion?

“Elkin, there’s no way the lord would change his mind because of me.”

“…Do you really think so?”

“Of course. You know how much the lord values his schedule and plans. He’s not going to suddenly change his plans for me.”

“…”

“It’s a bit embarrassing to say, but the lord does cherish me a lot. Still, not to the extent of overturning his plans for me.”

“…”

Elkin looked at me as if I were someone claiming 1+1 equals 1. Did I say something wrong?

I was pondering over what I had just said, when Elkin bowed his head toward me.

“I sincerely apologize for trying to deceive and use you, Shuria. But my proposal for you to go on the Veltrium expedition is genuine. I’m sure it will be of great help to you.”

I could feel the sincerity on Elkin’s face as he looked at me. I rubbed my neck.

Honestly, it’s absurd, but it’s not that unpleasant either, and it’s not like opportunities to go to Veltrium come often…

Alright, I’ve decided. I held out my hand to Elkin.