"Teach me how to woo you?"
Was that even something a human would say?
Faust had imagined all sorts of reactions from Alkin after he declared his intent to stand by her—surprise, secret joy, perhaps even anger or contempt.
But he never expected the white wolf to say something so bizarre.
"Well, aren't you quite experienced at it?" Alkin said as if it were the most natural thing in the world, lightly rubbing her nose.
"I smelled it the moment we met. You carry a very complex mix of scents on you, foreign prince. You're quite the playboy, aren't you?"
Seriously, why does everyone have such a sharp nose? They can sniff out every single one of my trysts. Is this some kind of anti-cheating mechanism built into every 【witch】?
Faust couldn't help but think of Viviana and Selena. They were the same; no matter how much time had passed since he had finished his intimate sessions with the castle maids, they could always smell it on him.
It wasn't a great look to leave an impression of being a philanderer so soon after meeting, so Faust weighed his words, trying to salvage some of his dignity.
"Actually, I..."
"I'm so envious."
However, the Prince's defense was drowned out by the white wolf's sigh of regret. Alkin rested her forehead in one hand and said, "I've clearly read and studied so many novels, and I thought I was already a qualified hunter, but in front of you, I'm nothing but a greenhorn!"
"In just these short two days, the number of times my heart has skipped a beat exceeds the sum of my entire life. I'm so frustrated; I was the one who wanted to make your heart flutter for me."
"So, please, guide me. Give me a chance to pursue you! This is really important to me!"
Faust replied, "Even if you ask me to teach you..."
Was it possible that my techniques weren't actually that good, but my stats were just too high?
With his character model and skills, in most situations, all he had to do was land a basic attack to finish the job. If a woman could resist falling for him, she might as well be diagnosed with an emotional disorder.
Not to mention he was dealing with a 【witch】, against whom he had a special advantage. He didn't even have to do anything; just standing nearby would make her affection levels skyrocket.
However, the wolf-eared girl's request was interesting, and as a self-proclaimed supporter of witches, Faust couldn't trample on his own devotion.
Thus, Faust agreed.
"Fine. If that is your wish, I will certainly teach you everything I know."
"In exchange, however, you must allow me to help you achieve your ideal."
Alkin brushed aside her long hair, which cascaded down like moonlight, and stood with one hand on her hip, smiling.
"I didn't expect someone to be so eager to join in this act of defiance to reforge the kingdom. You should know that openly resisting the order of the pack is something even the status of an occult noble can't save you from. You might actually die."
Faust stood up as well and said, "Let me teach you the first lesson. At a time like this, you should say..."
The Prince mimicked Selena's tone: "Are you planning a double suicide with me?"
Hearing this, Alkin's beautiful lake-blue eyes widened instantly. She nodded repeatedly, muttering to herself, "Double suicide... double suicide... Faust, you're a genius! Why couldn't I think of such a romantic term?!"
Faust was almost exasperated enough to laugh.
I knew it! No 【witch】 can resist the idea of a "double suicide." He didn't know why, but they were all obsessed with the concept of dying together for love.
But it didn't matter. As long as it made Alkin happy, it was fine. Faust's understanding of his role remained clear: his primary goal was always to stand unswervingly on the side of the 【witch】. As long as it raised her affection, he would do anything.
...
The next day, Faust followed Alkin to register as an honorary hunter. He purchased a new set of gear in the city, consisting mostly of various hunter equipment; the Fog Moon Kingdom didn't have many restrictions in this regard.
It wasn't that only the wolf-kin could become hunters, but rather that only the strong were worthy of holding a hunting license. For a long time, these positions had been firmly held by the wolf-kin of various families, and only the occasional foreigner who stumbled into the kingdom could obtain the title of honorary hunter.
After all, since the Great Moon invited outsiders to join the hunt, the wolf-kin who served as its followers couldn't easily drive people away, even if they were inherently xenophobic.
Later that evening, the two of them, acting as a single hunter team, went to pick up the mission they had discussed earlier.
After two days of purging, it was now rare to see hunters executing dissidents in the streets; in fact, it was even difficult to spot a hunter at all.
This was different from what Faust had imagined. He had thought the rule of the pack would be more tyrannical and overt.
"The pack's plunder isn't carried out through blatant, physical robbery. Spoils are distributed through various rules. Even if there's something you want, you have to exchange merit for it."
When it came to matters concerning the Fog Moon Kingdom, Alkin, the local, was naturally the one to answer Faust's questions.
"Whether it's wealth, slaves, or anything else, the transactions are all completed under the shadows of late night."
They walked all the way to the city hall. In front of the gates, an Arbitrator in a black robe and an iron mask was already waiting.
A carriage was parked in front of the city hall. On the back of the carriage sat a black box that looked like a coffin, and next to it was a sealed golden cup that seemed to be filled with liquid.
Alkin explained to Faust, "The Arbitrators represent the will of the pack and convey the orders of the family leaders. No one knows what they look like under their masks. Once chosen as an Arbitrator, they must wear the iron mask symbolizing the wolf-kin for the rest of their lives, losing their names and faces."
Faust glanced at the Arbitrator, who stood as still as a statue, and remarked, "I think they lack a sense of humor."
Alkin nodded. "I think so too. Very boring fellows."
Only when the two drew near did the Arbitrator point at the carriage and speak.
"【Red Hood】 Alkin, your mission is to deliver these provisions to Grandmother."
Alkin glanced at the carriage and asked, "I've never taken a mission like this before. I don't recall Grandmother's place being short on food or clothing."
The Arbitrator's voice was stiff and cold. "These are no ordinary provisions."
"Then what are they?"
"Cake and wine. These are the necessary provisions for Grandmother. For the sake of maintaining the pack and the family, this is what we must do."
Faust couldn't quite hold it in. "Pfft—my first laugh of the day. I take back what I said; you actually have quite the sense of humor."
The Arbitrator completely ignored the ignorant foreigner and continued, "You must pass through the forest occupied by the Ancient Ones and reach the ancestral lands where Grandmother resides amidst surrounding enemies to offer the cake and wine."
"That sounds quite dangerous... It seems it has to be me, then."
Alkin took the reins from the Arbitrator and nimbly hopped onto the carriage, reaching out her hand to Faust.
"Let's go, partner. Let's head out!"
As the carriage drove away from the town, the voice of Mephistopheles rang out in Faust's mind.
【Faust, something's not right.】
"Mephisto, where have you been?"
Over the past two days, the contract fairy hadn't communicated with him much. No doubt, it had been off scouting for information elsewhere.
【Because it's been a long time since I've seen any of my fairy kin, I drifted to the outer side of the world to take a look, and I discovered something interesting.】
【In this country, there are no Ancient Ones left at all.】
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