Chirp-chirp-chirp-.
Somewhere, the sound of a nightingale singing can be heard.
But I mustn’t let my guard down. This is Demon Forest, where monsters and beasts that surpass imagination run rampant.
That nightingale sound? It’s actually some huge unknown critter trying to lure prey. Conversely, if there’s a big noise in Demon Forest, nine times out of ten it’s weaker creatures trying to scare off predators invading their territory.
The last possibility? A truly massive beast letting out an overwhelming howl. If that happens, you’re done for. Might as well kneel down piously and accept your death. What can you do against a crazy guy who has the guts to shout loud enough to catch the eye of one of the Five Kings?
Of course, within the next 500 years, I plan to hunt down one of those Five Kings and become even stronger than my past life, preparing for future wars.
Anyway…
“Wow, you smell really bad. How many days has it been since you bathed? Hmm, but do wolves even bathe?”
“Grrr…”
“Haha, don’t worry! You won’t die just from not bathing for a day or two! Though I personally value cleanliness very much, wolves and demons can’t be held to the same standard, right? Still, if we find a lake later, let’s take a bath!”
“Ruff! Ruff! Grrrr…”
“Why are you barking all of a sudden? Is it because my voice is too loud? Still, you shouldn’t bark! It’s rude to your master! Bad wolf!”
“Bark! Bark! Demon! Die!”
“Tsk, no manners at all. Well, you’ll learn proper etiquette from me slowly! Alright! Let’s shake hands to start fresh!”
I extended my hand toward the wolf girl trapped in the iron cage. Slipping my hand through the cold iron bars…
Her reaction was fierce.
“Grrr! Bark! Bark! Bark! Stay back! Roar!”
BOOM!
Startled by the sudden intrusion, the wolf girl lunged to bite my hand. I quickly pulled it back before she could.
Phew, this one isn’t going to be easy. How did Lilith create such a savage machine without any emotions?
Actually, the method is simple. Just beat her all day long. Then starve her, beat her again, beat her when she disobeys, beat her when she looks annoying…
Eventually, she’d either commit suicide or wear down while resisting. But this wolf girl, despite looking frail, is of royal blood. She wouldn’t choose suicide.
Of course, I’m not going to use that method. Back in my old ways, maybe, but now that I’ve been reborn through the Saintess’ love, things are different.
I need to make this Wolf King my servant, but a relationship based solely on violence and forced loyalty isn’t safe or reliable.
“Alright, if you’re going to be like this, I have no choice.”
“Grrr…”
“Let’s start with introductions. We’ll get along gradually, right? Do you understand what I’m saying? What’s your name?”
“Roar! Demon! Go away! Bark!”
“So your name is Roar? Hmm, got it. Roar, nice to meet you?”
“Bark! Bark! Roar isn’t my name! Don’t call me weird stuff!”
“Not your name, huh? Then what’s your real name? You have to tell me if you want me to know.”
Though I know her as ‘Wolf King Lua’.
That probably isn’t her real name. Lilith likely gave her an easy-to-use name.
“Urrr…”
Judging by how she’s showing her fangs without recognizing her master, she doesn’t seem willing to share easily.
“Ah, speaking of which, I forgot to mention something important. Alright, let’s clarify this first.”
I reached deep into the sack I had tucked under my arm. Pushing it up to my shoulder, I rummaged around inside for something.
My fingers brushed against a long stick. Grabbing it between my index and middle finger, I pulled it out of the sack.
Whish!
Out came a three-foot-long magic staff, known as a magic stick among magicians.
I waved the magic staff in front of the wolf girl.
She was warily eyeing the unfamiliar long staff. Understandable. She’s probably been beaten with similar sticks at the auction house.
Reaching into the sack again, I pulled out another item. Holding a bloody piece of raw meat in one hand and the magic staff in the other, I waved them both in front of her.
“?! Grrr…”
Perhaps due to her wolf instincts, drool started forming at the corners of her mouth. But unwilling to show weakness in front of me, she kept her teeth partially bared and her growling softened slightly.
Smiling slyly, I spoke.
“We’re about to do something fun!”
“Grrr…”
“Every time you misbehave, I’ll tap your forehead with this magic staff! But if you listen to me, I’ll give you a reward! This delicious meat!”
“Bark!? Bark, Bark! Nonsense! Who says so!”
“Haha, don’t like it? Don’t worry! You don’t have a choice!”
The most common way to train wild beasts: carrot and stick.
There’s a saying that one carrot is enough to train a dog. Rewarding good behavior and withholding rewards for bad behavior is supposedly the best method.
I agree with that. Why? Because dogs naturally follow humans!
However, the wolf in front of me is fundamentally different from a dog. To train this ferocious beast, sweet rewards and severe punishments must be applied thoroughly.
And adding a bit of “love” I learned from the Saintess. Though my version of love might differ quite a bit from hers.
“Alright, here’s my first command. Kid! What’s your name?”
“Roar…! Bark! Bark! How dare you command the king!”
“This is a command, so you can’t disobey, understand?”
“Bark! Bark! Bark… Roar!”
Crack!
I struck her forehead with the magic staff. Not enough to break bones, but painful enough to feel like her head is splitting.
“Roar! Roar! Roar!”
“Good, let me ask again. Kid! What’s your name?”
“Keeeen, mmm, mmm… Bark!”
Crack!
“Keen! Keen!”
“Hmm, let me ask again. Kid! What’s your name?”
“Keen… Urrr…”
Crack!
“Roar! Keen! Mmm!”
Striking the same spot repeatedly might have been excessive. The Wolf King clutches her forehead and writhes painfully on the prison floor.
I should release her eventually, but she needs to follow at least this first command.
“You’re only hurting yourself by resisting, right? Kid! What’s your name?”
“Grrr… I, I won’t give in…”
“Give in? Is your name Give In? No way!”
Crack!
“Roar! Keen! Mmm!”
“Say your real name! Kid! What’s your name?”
“Uuuuuh…”
The key is maintaining dominance.
Like when I teased Lilith earlier, I need to show that I will never back down or admit defeat.
Also, to make her realize that no matter how she reacts, the result won’t change, and she’ll only end up hurting herself.
This is the first goal of this training – breaking her stubborn pride.
Crack!
“Aah! Why, why hit me! Bark!”
“Because you exceeded the time limit? Hmm, don’t want to get hit?”
“Bark! Bark! Of course not!”
“Then why aren’t you answering properly? I thought you liked getting hit! What was it called again? Masochist? Masochistic Wolf?”
“! Nonsense! Stop saying nonsense!”
“Wow, the wolf says stop saying nonsense. Coming from someone in the Canidae family.”
“Bark! Bark! Don’t confuse things! Never compare me to dogs!”
“What’s that supposed to mean? You half-beast. If you want better treatment, tell me your name! Then I’ll recognize you as a proper wolf!”
Crack!
“Bark! Roar! Roar!”
“Kid! What’s your name?”
Crack!
“Roar! Roar!”
“Kid! What’s your name?”
Crack!
“Roar! Roar…! Roar…”
“Kid! What’s your name?”
Crack!
“Roar…! Keen, keen…”
“Kid! What’s your name?”
The resistance is weakening. However, the hatred in the Wolf King’s eyes grows inversely proportional to her growls.
Let’s deal with that hatred carefully, but first…
We need to set the foundation right.
She’s holding out pretty long, but it’s within expectations. It’s natural for her to grit her teeth and endure.
What must not be forgotten is that I won’t tire. Even if I do, I’ll never show it. These are the two absolute rules to maintain.
Crack!
“Bark! Mmm! Keen…”
“Kid.”
“It hurts… Stop it… Keen…”
“What’s your name?”
I ask quietly, wearing a cheerful smile.
Pain is repulsive.
Living beings cannot endure repulsion.
If the repulsion continues, living beings will break down.
“Nasty demon…”
In her blue eyes staring at me, fear begins to form. Her previously perked-up ears droop, and her tail curls between her legs.
The rags covering the Wolf King tremble. I respond by showing her the magic staff.
“Please, stop! Bark!”
“Kid, listen to me. What’s your name?”
Crack!
“Roar! Aru! My name is Aru!”
“Great! Now you’re finally listening! Good job, Aru! You’re the smartest, prettiest, most handsome, coolest, and nimblest wolf in the world! Keep it up!”
“Keen… It hurts… It stings…”
“Unfortunately, as your master, I can’t empathize with your pain. It’s quite regrettable!”
Her real name being the opposite of Lua was unexpected.
“Good job answering! Just keep following my commands like that! Oh, since you completed the task, I should give you a reward, right?”
“Keen… I’ll kill you… evil demon…”
With genuine joy, I hide the magic staff behind my back and present the raw meat in front.
Good work, magic staff. You’ve earned a rest. I’ll use you plenty more in the future.
The juicy, bloody piece of raw meat is neatly placed in front of Aru. Could Aru, who has wolf blood, refuse this?
Sniff-sniff.
Aruru’s nose twitches upon catching the fresh scent of meat.
Come to think of it, though Aru has a human-shaped nose, how does she inherit a wolf’s sense of smell? An interesting question.
“Bark! I won’t eat it!”
“What? You’re refusing to eat? A wolf refusing meat?”
“Enemy! Trash! Demon! Bark!”
“Aha, so you won’t eat meat given by me, an enemy trash demon? I understand why you see me as an enemy, but calling me trash is pushing it.”
“Enemy! Demon! Bark!”
Geez, so noisy. Does this mutt never get hoarse? Too bad I can’t just give her a vocal cord surgery.
“Alright, think about it. Aru, how did you end up at the auction house?”
“Bark! The demons killed everyone! They were all bad!”
“That’s right! Those demons were truly despicable trash deserving divine punishment!”
When finding a target to curse, cursing together is essential for building rapport and redirecting resentment.
“My words! Bark!”
“But Aru, what would have happened if I hadn’t bought you there?”
“Bark? I don’t know!”
“Think about it! Even dumb Aru needs to think for her brain to function!”
“Bark, Bark? I’m not dumb!”
“Even if you’re not dumb, think about it! What do you think those nasty demons who bought you would have done? They might have tortured you in all sorts of uneducational ways! Or played with you like a wolf toy!”
“Grrr…! I’m not a toy!”
“That’s right! Aru isn’t a toy! But those demons might have treated you like one! Worse cases include being used as materials for alchemy or black magic research! In the worst scenario, you could have ended up as a stuffed animal with just your fur left! Scary, isn’t it?”
“No, stop saying weird things! Bark!”
“That shows how evil demons are! You know that, right Aru!”
“Yeah! Demons are bad!”
Oh, the rapport is forming nicely. Nothing beats shock therapy, right?
“Bark! But you’re a demon too!”
There comes the expected question. Pathetic wolf pup, swayed by the superior demon’s eloquence.
“But I’m not tormenting you, am I? Therefore, I’m different from those utterly wicked demons!”
“You hit me! Grrr…”
“That was a loving tap! Aru, haven’t you ever been hit by your parents when you made mistakes?”
“Keen… Y, yes! I got hit on my calves when I missed prey!”
“Exactly! Why do you think your parents hit Aru? It’s because they love you! Same with me! As your master, I hit you because I love you!”
Aru’s round face looks confused. I nudged the juicy meat dripping with juices while moving my lips.
“Recall your memories! When Aru listened to her parents, they praised you, right? I’m praising you now! And giving rewards too! All because I love Aru!”
That’s it.
This is the method.
Love.
Its effectiveness is beyond doubt. I’ve experienced it firsthand.
The Saintess reformed me, the worst scoundrel of the Demon Realm. Though not entirely in the direction she intended, she showed me sincere light. It was an incredible achievement, even surprising myself.
Even the continent’s top Hero, Shine Stella, failed where she succeeded.
Anyway, I plan to train Aru using the same method the Saintess used on me.
Just as I became the Saintess’ servant, I’ll make Aru my servant.
Just as I follow the Saintess, I’ll make Aru follow me.
“Hehe.”
“Don’t laugh! I’m scary!”
“…What? Am I scary?”
“Bark! Bark! Scary!”
Why is she scared when I’m being so compassionate like the Saintess? The Saintess never seemed scary, not even jokingly.
Hmm, thinking about it, the Saintess used hugs as punishment while I’m using the magic staff to discipline Aru. From Aru’s perspective, it must be scary – a strange demon pounding her forehead.
Though it’s a little sad that Aru doesn’t understand my love.
“And! Why am I your boss!”
“What? Aru, what’s that supposed to mean?”
“Grrr…! I’m not an object! I’m a king! Bark!”
“Oh dear! Aru, you’re breaking my heart with such words!”
Anyway, let’s focus on training Aru. Losing concentration would ruin everything.
“Bark! Bark! Why should I!”
“What? Didn’t I spend a lot of money on Aru? Fifty million and one gold coins! Do you know how much that is?”
“Bark?”
At my heartfelt lamentation, Aru tilts her head. She seems to have forgotten the pain in her forehead.
Looking closely, the red stick-like mark on Aru’s forehead has completely faded. Indeed, the hybrid’s miraculous regenerative power.
“Fifty million and one gold coins means! You could buy fifty thousand wolves like Aru with that money! I spent such a fortune! Just to buy Aru alone! How can you say I’m not your master?”
“Bark, Bark? Something you can’t eat, valuable?”
“Tch! Such a dull beast! After I went through all the trouble to buy you, you don’t even appreciate it! That’s why we should listen to the ancient sages’ teachings! They said gathering black-haired beasts leads to trouble!”
“Who asked you to buy me? You decided to! Bark!”
“If you weren’t going to treat me like a master, you should have stopped me! It’s all your fault! I lost all my money, and now you say I’m not your master? Ridiculous!”
One thing to note is that wolves are a species with extremely strict hierarchy and obedience. The title of “master” carries great authority, making it difficult to become one. Unlike dogs.
There’s a simple method – beating Aru in a direct confrontation and declaring oneself master – but frankly, I don’t think I can win. Aru is a hybrid, so the Saintess’ cross won’t work on her.
Besides, I came to Demon Forest to train, not to waste energy fighting Aru.
That’s why I chose the trustworthy training method of love. Since I can’t handle Aru by force right now. I need a reliable support in this dangerous Demon Forest where every corner is perilous.
Of course, expecting immediate loyalty is greedy. I don’t expect that.
Easily gained loyalty can easily be swayed to others. Like a carefully cultivated fruit with high sweetness, I’ll train Aru slowly. Only then will she be loyal solely to me.
“Alright! Naughty Aru doesn’t understand her master’s feelings! Just eat the meat quickly!”
Pretending to be angry, I sharply spat out the words while pointing to the meat I had placed in front of Aru earlier.
Aru stared at it silently, then turned her head and curled up in a corner of the cage.
“Aru, aren’t you going to eat the meat? It’s very fresh!”
“Grrr… Evil demon. Won’t listen to demons.”
“Oh, so you’re not calling me an enemy anymore! I thought Aru couldn’t learn anything! This makes her master happy!”
“Master, nonexistent! Master is for dogs! Wolves have leaders!”
“Huh? Ah, so you’ve been rejecting me because I called myself your master? Wolves have leaders, dogs have masters?”
Tsk, even as a beast, you’re picky. Fine, I’ll accommodate you.
“Alright! From now on, I’ll be Aru’s leader! Everything else stays the same, got it?”
“Grrrr…! I’m the king! The king of wolves! Kings don’t have leaders! Bark!”
“What do you want me to do! Hmm, alright! Got it! If you don’t want to eat, there’s no need to force you! Eat whenever you feel like it! It’s meat I prepared with utmost sincerity!”
“Grrr…! Won’t eat!”
Aru childishly displayed her stubbornness while cautiously watching me. Determined to stick to her words, she settled in a corner away from the meat.
How long can she hold out?
I have all the time in the world.
The leisurely whistle of the demon flows through the cold iron bars. The lonely heart of the young wolf girl burns with anxiety.
*****
It hurts.
It hurts.
It hurts.
It hurts more than when dad hit me.
Evil, wicked demons.
May they all die already.
I’m cold.
The lonely mountain is cold.
I’m hungry.
I’m so hungry.
I want to eat anything.
Even things I usually avoid, I could eat now.
But there’s nothing here.
Not even the grass mom sometimes said I should eat exists.
I’m hungry.
There’s meat.
I’m hungry.
I shouldn’t eat it.
It’s from the evil demon.
Haven’t I been tricked before?
Dad ate the demon’s meat and foamed at the mouth.
I shouldn’t fall for it again.
I’m hungry.
My vision is getting blurry.
I’m the king, the king of wolves.
I shouldn’t be humble.
I shouldn’t have a leader.
So I shouldn’t eat it.
It hurts.
I’m cold.
I’m hungry…
![[TS] The End of Magical Girls Has Come](https://i3.wp.com/darkmtl.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1737407792-8993-TS-The-end-of-magical-girls-has-come.png?resize=85,105 "[TS] The End of Magical Girls Has Come")
