The envious friend became greedy.
Seeing how even that fool who seemingly had nothing managed to earn a substantial amount of money with the help of the dog, he began imagining just how rich he could become if only he got his hands on that very same dog.
Thus, the envious friend said,
“I’d like to borrow that dog for a bit. Can you lend it to me?”
Hearing this, the husband paused to think for a moment before shaking his head.
“I don’t think lending you this dog would be respectful toward the mysterious guest who entrusted it to us. Sorry.”
The husband was firm in his decision.
And indeed, it made sense.
To the couple, this dog wasn’t just an ordinary pet—it was a cherished member of their family and a treasure entrusted by a mystical visitor.
It wouldn’t be right to let someone else take care of such a precious dog.
“Then… how about I return the valuable heirloom I used as collateral when I borrowed money from you? Would that work?”
The husband hesitated.
Deep down, the fact that he had once used such a treasured heirloom as collateral still stung, but despite that, he shook his head again.
Even if the heirloom was important, he couldn’t betray the gratitude they owed to the dog.
At that moment,
“Woof!”
The dog stood up and barked once.
“Woof woof!”
As if saying, “Let me go with him.”
“See? Even the dog wants to come with me. If you give me back the heirloom, please lend me the dog.”
The husband looked at the dog.
Its bright face wagging its tail seemed to say, “Don’t worry, send me along!”
“Alright. I’ll lend you the dog next time you bring the heirloom.”
The envious friend wanted to take the dog as soon as possible, but the husband’s resolve was unshakable.
So, after returning home, a few days later, the friend came back with the heirloom, and thus the dog left with the envious friend, parting ways with the couple.
–A Classic Fairy Tale: The Grateful Dog.
—
Hmm. The sightseeing in Arcadia turned out pretty well.
We saw Killer Queens and Killer Hornets acting surprisingly friendly toward humans. Hmm.
After all, monsters are still living creatures at their core. With certain elements combined, it’s possible to domesticate them, isn’t it?
In the future, maybe people will start taming monsters to use them as livestock or pets—like in some famous game, except they won’t fit into pockets.
Anyway, after the tour of Arcadia ended, the hero and I prepared to set off on our journey again.
—
“Are you really going to entrust this child to us?”
The wife of King Macai cradled the First Beast in her arms and asked.
“Yeah. It’s about time that guy settles down somewhere.”
As a god, consistently receiving worship is important. Unlike me, who travels around the world spreading faith through pilgrims visiting Temples of Life.
Especially for gods revered by specific races, staying in one place is crucial.
Take Yggdrasil or Sagarmatha for example.
It’s easier for people to offer devotion to a god they can see than to one they can’t.
By gathering more faith, he’ll be able to grow stronger, right?
Plus, the Dragon Priestess will be there beside him too.
“Therefore, I leave him in your capable hands.”
“Yes, we accept the responsibility.”
With that, surrounded by farewells from the king, queen, and many others of Arcadia, the hero and I continued our journey.
Leaving behind the beast that had served as our mount, it didn’t matter much.
Walking on foot, feeling the ground beneath us, is also part of the charm of traveling.
If we ever need to hurry, flying would suffice.
“Walking together like this reminds me of old times.”
“Old times?”
“Yeah. The moment we first started our journey.”
Ah, yes. It wasn’t until a bit later in our travels that we captured the First Beast, who was running wild like an untamed creature.
Since then, the three of us traveled together, so this feels like a rare occasion.
While advancing through the lush forest, I casually brought up a topic.
“So, when do you plan to settle down and start a family?”
“Huh?”
“You don’t intend to never build a home or have children, do you?”
“Well, that…”
Cutting off the hero’s response, I continued.
“Don’t give me any nonsense about being content with just me around. You need someone who can provide what I cannot.”
I can be a parent figure, but not a lover.
There’s no way I can empty my mind enough to fill that role properly.
“But…”
“Or do I need to intervene? Should I spread word through the pilgrims of the Temple of Life that the hero seeks a companion?”
The hero’s face turned pale at my suggestion.
No one spreads rumors better than the pilgrims of the Temple of Life. They travel everywhere like the blood circulating through the world, spreading messages.
Soon enough, marriage proposals for the hero would rain down like arrows.
Moreover, the hero’s reputation extends well beyond human realms. Even dwarves and elves might respond.
Especially those dwarves—last time, they were practically drooling over the Sword of the Hero during the Dwarf-Elf war.
They’d probably want to inspect, taste, and enjoy every inch of it if given the chance.
“P-please don’t do that.”
“Then how else will you find your partner?”
The hero’s name carries immense prestige, surpassing even kings of mighty kingdoms.
Traversing the world and defeating powerful monsters makes the hero nothing short of a hero—a superhero.
In an era lacking entertainment, each of the hero’s actions becomes a thrilling tale.
Thus, choosing a partner must be done carefully.
There will surely be those who seek to exploit the hero’s fame.
“Grrr…”
The hero groaned softly, clearly pondering these concerns.
“What about that girl near the village close to the Temple of Life?”
“She… wouldn’t it be too much for her?”
The hero’s reaction was skeptical.
“It’s been decades since then. By now, she might already be married with children.”
The weak response from the hero. Hmm. This won’t do.
I’ll confirm myself!
The hero has no choice!
—
After following the envious friend, the dog initially received lavish treatment.
Delicious food, soft bedding, even servants dedicated solely to the dog.
Yet, despite all this pampering, the dog showed no extraordinary behavior.
Sometimes it dug up rocks mixed with yellow metal from the mountain or dug holes to provide water for thirsty travelers, but to the friend, these acts seemed like mere play.
After all, the friend’s household was already extremely wealthy, lacking nothing.
Not knowing what more it could contribute, the dog simply played day by day.
This displeased the envious friend.
The dog eating without contributing felt wasteful. Thus, the friend gradually reduced its privileges.
Luxurious meals turned into dry bread, soft beds into straw mats, and the servants assigned to the dog were reassigned elsewhere.
Though the dog enjoyed its stay at first, it soon grew unhappy and longed for the couple.
However, the wise dog refrained from returning to them. If it did, the envious friend might harm the couple in retaliation.
One day, the envious friend grumbled while looking at the dog,
“Why aren’t you doing anything? I gave up a great treasure to get you!”
“Woof!”
“What’s this ‘woof’ nonsense?! Ugh! What a disrespectful dog!”
After venting his frustration, the friend kicked the dog away.
–A Classic Fairy Tale: The Grateful Dog.
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