Why Did I Have to Enroll

Why Did I Have to Enroll - Chapter 166

Lesson 34. Free Subordination - 1

The term “God-Eating Wolf” refers to a wolf that devours gods. In Norse mythology, Fenrir, the child of Loki who devours Odin during Ragnarok, is a prime example. After coming to Union Academy and studying the histories of various dimensions, I discovered that similar legends to Fenrir’s exist across different dimensions, albeit under different names.

――In fact, there are quite a few cases where even the names match, but considering the Tower of Babel originates from Earth, there’s no point in arguing about it.

What about the Nine-tailed fox? On Earth, it originates from East Asia as a great yokai, and like Fenrir, it’s not hard to find in the legends and myths of other dimensions. It’s famous for having nine tails that grant it supernatural powers and for enchanting people to steal their livers. In China, it was depicted as Daji, the concubine who brought down the Shang dynasty, and in Japan, as Tamamo-no-Mae, who bewitched the emperor.

Whether the true nature of the Nine-tailed fox is as depicted in stories is unknown, but it is arguably one of the most famous mythical beasts.

“But Luciel has the blood of both of them?”

“It’s a miraculous probability. It’s already difficult for those like us, who inherit the blood of ancient divine beasts, to leave descendants.”

“That’s true.”

“Son-in-law, that’s a bit different. It’s true it’s difficult, but――they’re not even trying.”

Canid poured a drink into Ban Yu-won’s glass until it was full, then took a swig directly from the half-full bottle, wearing a bitter expression.

“It’s my fault. If I hadn’t been so greedy in my youth, I wouldn’t have made that contract with him…”

“Luciel’s suffering is enough. We can’t give the Constellation any more leverage.”

Lucia explained in place of Canid, who trailed off. Indeed, Ban Yu-won soon realized. They were worried that the Constellation might pull the same trick on Luciel again.

‘Wait, but that’s something I can somehow――.’

Ban Yu-won looked at Luciel, who was purring happily in his arms (thanks to the alcohol), and swallowed the words that almost escaped his lips. What was he thinking? Was he really going to suggest that if they had children, he would subordinate them and protect them from the Constellation? That would just mean changing the owner while keeping the leash on.

Even as he pondered his relationship with Luciel, calling that “help” was shameless to an extreme.

“Luciel’s Heart Furnace… can’t be considered completely resolved.”

So instead, he brought up another topic.

“I’m still researching how to fix it. So… please wait a little longer.”

“Thank you.”

Did Canid notice the hesitation or guilt in his words? He smiled and patted Ban Yu-won’s shoulder.

“Our daughter has found a really good master.”

“She said he’s a master worth dedicating her soul to.”

Lucia added calmly. Embarrassed, Ban Yu-won averted his gaze, while Luciel clung more tightly to his sleeve.

“Looks like she’s asleep.”

“We trained her hard.”

“Just in case, please don’t tell me what kind of training.”

The idea of training to make children is terrifying enough, but having a Nine-tailed fox as the instructor makes it a terrifying combination. He smiled wryly as he stroked the sleeping Luciel. As the daughter of a Nine-tailed fox, it was only natural for her to inherit the ability to enchant people.

“Take good care of her.”

“Of course.”

Ban Yu-won nodded firmly at Canid’s words. He had been prepared for that since the moment he was bound to Luciel in a master-servant relationship.

“――Ah.”

At that moment, Slothia, who had been slowly approaching while hugging a jar of alcohol, sighed softly as she looked at Luciel.

“The princess beat me to it.”

“See, I told you to practice seducing men, Slothia.”

“It was too much trouble back then…”

―Thunk. She placed the jar on the table and replied to Canid, but her eyes were fixed on Ban Yu-won, as if she had locked onto him.

Ban Yu-won was genuinely grateful for Luciel’s presence. Without her, he might have been devoured in an instant.

“It’s not too late to start trying now.”

“Yeah, the lazy queen shines in war. Plenty of chances to appeal.”

“War…”

At Slothia’s nonchalant words, Ban Yu-won tensed up. She was already preparing for the upcoming war. Even amidst the revelry of the Beastmen, who were drinking and partying, Slothia, the caretaker of the forest, was calmly assessing the situation. Perhaps even the Beastmen, who seemed so carefree, were…

Ban Yu-won petted Luciel’s head, who showed no intention of getting up, and asked Slothia.

“They say the enemy comes from the sky too. Can you monitor that?”

“Yeah, the leaves whisper to me.”

At that point, it seemed more like she was a Spirit than just controlling trees. Just then, Dokgo Yeon appeared, carrying a pile of food.

“They said it was for you and your companions, so they gave me a lot. Eat up.”

“Thanks.”

Ban Yu-won accepted the snacks (sweet treats made from solidified sap) from Dokgo Yeon and took a bite, asking, “Have you been together this whole time?”

“We fought.”

At Dokgo Yeon’s casual remark, Ban Yu-won flinched. Come to think of it, he hadn’t noticed at first, but Slothia had many scratches on her body, and her hair was even more disheveled. Meanwhile, Dokgo Yeon—Ban Yu-won didn’t need to worry about her.

“She was strong. She wasn’t just some bug drawn to your power.”

“You really don’t hold back with your words. Why did you fight in the first place?”

Dokgo Yeon turned her head away, seemingly unwilling to answer the obvious question. Meanwhile, Slothia tilted her head and replied nonchalantly.

“Stress relief?”

“She was strong. A strong man attracts strong women.”

“Hey, what――!”

And then, as if something was missing, she added. That remark seemed to imply that Dokgo Yeon was also one of Ban Yu-won’s women, so he hurriedly tried to deny it…

“Hmph, we’re just a team training together. Just because we’re together doesn’t mean we’re family. Don’t lump us in with you.”

Dokgo Yeon cut off the misunderstanding before it could take root. Depending on how you heard it, it could be a very offensive statement, but perhaps, as Slothia said, fighting had calmed her down. Slothia, hearing that, seemed puzzled for a moment, then shrugged her shoulders as if she understood, and sat next to Ban Yu-won.

“Anyway, you’re quite popular.”

“I am a bit popular.”

His inability to lie was annoying at times like this. As Ban Yu-won replied calmly, Slothia leaned her head on his shoulder with a determined expression.

“Then I’ll let the princess have the first. I want to be the second.”

“……I told you not to show such vulgar behavior in front of me.”

Ah, so there was a reason for the fight. Ban Yu-won shook his head as he watched Dokgo Yeon, who was raising her fighting spirit again, and Slothia, who was reluctantly getting up to respond—sneakily touching Ban Yu-won’s hand in the process. He was certain that getting involved in their fight wouldn’t end well for him, so he decided to ignore it and focus on what he needed to do.

“Is that a Mirror?”

“It’s a tool for accessing Union Net. Come to think of it, can’t the chief access it too?”

“We connect through shamanism. We don’t use it often, though.”

After quickly finishing his business, Ban Yu-won offered to give his spare Mirror, just in case, but Canid refused, saying he didn’t want to bring any more external affairs to this planet. They clearly didn’t like being connected to the outside world. This special activity was a serious issue that warranted sending a distress signal to the Union, even considering that――.

“Luciel is completely out cold. Sorry, son-in-law, but could you take Luciel to her room? Do you see the hole marked with pink fur on the largest tree over there?”

“Should I take her there?”

“Yes. I think we’ve said everything we needed to, so you should rest too.”

Were they trying to put him and the sleeping Luciel in the same room to make something happen? If that were the case, they were underestimating Ban Yu-won’s patience. He had shared a room with an unguarded woman (Light) for an entire semester without anything happening!

Ban Yu-won inwardly scoffed at Canid’s sly scheme, then picked up Luciel and stood up.

“――That’s what I mean by vulgar!”

“Humans are so inconvenient, it’d be easier if they just stripped everything off…!”

Looking back, he saw the drunkards who had been drinking and partying, now clapping as they watched Dokgo Yeon and Slothia engage in a fierce battle, whether it was a spar or a real fight. From that perspective, it seemed like Dokgo Yeon had blended into the Beastmen’s midst faster than anyone else—but Ban Yu-won sighed and made a request to Canid.

“She has a bad mouth, but she’s not a bad person. Please look after her if she makes any mistakes.”

“Haha, of course. We wouldn’t be rude to the son-in-law’s woman.”

“No, I mean, she’s not like that with me… never mind.”

There was no way to resolve the firm misunderstanding stemming from the difference in species. Ban Yu-won sighed and withdrew from the scene.

“Rest well, son-in-law!”

“Just do as you were taught.”

He nodded in response to the cryptic words from Canid and Lucia, then leaped to his destination in one bound. Entering the large hole, he found a room that seemed to be the one Luciel used before coming to the Academy. It was filled with cute furniture, several books, toys, and a large, soft-looking bed.

“It’s quite touching.”

Everything he saw was a testament to the history and records Luciel had built in this world. She was someone special to him, so even these trivial records were moving.

Thunk.

A heavy sound echoed.

“Huh? Ah…”

He quickly realized that the light pouring in through the hole had disappeared, meaning the hole had closed. Was this another of Canid’s tricks? But Ban Yu-won’s eyes could pierce through any darkness, so he wasn’t flustered by the closed hole. He planned to lay Luciel on the bed and leave――.

“Hehehe.”

A seductive laugh reached his ears. The moment he heard it, Ban Yu-won realized his calculations had been wrong from the start.

“Were you pretending to sleep?”

“Yu-won, did I fool you?”

Luciel, who had been in his arms, was now wrapping her arms around his neck, facing him at a distance close enough for their noses to touch.

“I was sure you were asleep… with my authority.”

“Then it means I fooled you properly. Did you know that Nine-tailed fox are famous for deceiving people?”

“You learned that, huh.”

“If I were still the half-wit I used to be, it would have been impossible. It’s all thanks to you, Yu-won.”

Even in the darkness, he could see Luciel’s bright smile. Ban Yu-won thought, indeed, my authority still has a long way to go, and quietly raised the white flag. Soon, Luciel’s beautiful smile filled his vision.