Chapter 99 [Fairy Tale] He Has a Little Gray Wolf (25)

Laird carried his hands full of pastries.

He nearly forgot to buy food. But when he reached the stall, he found that he had little gold left. Over the years, Laird had saved up a bit by delivering herbs to the knights’ shop, yet it did nothing to change the fact that he was poor.

He used to simply accept his poverty, but now…

Laird pressed his lips together. He handed over all the coins he had, and in return, took two chickens.

The little wolf was a carnivore. Unlike the wolf clan, which could manage a vegetarian meal, this one clearly delighted only in meat.

So meat it was.

“Come quick, there’s a new quest!”

“What? Let me see too!”

A crowd gathered at the entrance of the Knights’ Recruitment Shop, craning their necks to peer inside.

As its name implied, the Knights’ Recruitment Shop posted missions from higher authorities to each town. Knights could sign up for a quest and receive the corresponding reward in gold upon completion.

Knights were a respected and envied profession across the continent; not everyone could become one.

As the King often said, it was fate.

Take Laird, for example. Because his magic was of the dark variety, he always concealed it, which led everyone in Red Hood Town to look down on him.

They considered him abandoned by the heavens.

In truth, Laird himself often felt forsaken by fate. Otherwise, why would he have been granted only dark magic?

Dark magic, despised and shunned by all races on the continent.

“What? It’s in the Dark Valley Swamp?”

Someone shook his head and sighed.

“No wonder the reward’s so many gold coins. The Dark Valley Swamp isn’t a place for ordinary knights. Even if all the Red Hood knights from the neighboring town joined forces, they might still fail to defeat that evil dragon!”

The knights gathered at the quest board quickly dispersed, each looking dejected.

It wasn’t a lack of confidence—just a clear sense of their own limits.

Laird glanced inside; the gold was tempting.

But…

He clenched his fists. His sapphire eyes flickered with a hint of self-doubt.

-

As soon as he entered his home, As rushed out of the basket, circling Laird in eager delight.

Laird was flustered by the little wolf’s enthusiasm, but he couldn’t help the smile tugging at his lips.

“Not so fast. Let’s go inside.”

At his words, As immediately calmed down, following Laird into the house, her eyes never leaving the bag in his hands.

She hadn’t tasted sweets in so very long…

Laird first handed over the candied fruit, but didn’t let go, instead holding it firmly.

As had seen candied fruit before; she’d tasted it long ago, back when she descended to the mortal realm.

It was deliciously tart and sweet.

She opened her mouth, carefully biting off a piece.

The coating was sugary; as she bit in, the sourness hit her, and her jet-black eyes squinted.

As swallowed, then shook her head at Laird, placing a paw on his knee.

Her tail wagged furiously, yet her gaze drifted to the bag Laird had set on the table.

She could smell it—something fragrant, something delicious.

It was date cake.

Laird was amused by the little wolf and gently stroked her head, pulling out the date cake and offering it.

Again, he held it in his hand, waiting for the wolf to open her mouth before giving it over.

It filled him with a sense of accomplishment, especially seeing the wolf’s tail sway unconsciously as she chewed.

Greedy hovered in the air, watching As gulp down a piece of date cake in one bite.

He spun in circles, anxious.

“As, good As, leave me a little! I’m begging you!”

He’d completely forgotten his earlier mockery, calling others mute.

(The chapter ends)