BTTD 13

Chapter 13

When Maiden lowered her head, her short bob swayed lightly around her ears.

Lately, because Valentin had been appearing at the kennels more often, Maiden had been managing the dogs more strictly than usual.

Even if Valentin’s intentions weren’t surveillance, it was only natural for a subordinate to feel self-conscious when their superior paid frequent visits.

“The method you recommended last time worked very well. As expected of Sir Maiden.”

Maiden fell briefly into thought. The method he mentioned must mean treats.

Just a few days ago, Valentin had suddenly shown up and asked what method was most effective for training puppies. She had simply answered: treats.

‘What is it this time?’

Maiden stared at Valentin without replying. As if he had no intention of wasting time, he got straight to the point.

“What else do puppies like?”

The question was far too broad.

‘It depends on the breed and personality.’

But Maiden had already realized that the “puppy” Valentin was referring to was the newly joined apprentice knight, Sir Nathan.

She sank into deeper thought.

‘Nathan LaFellia.’

An apprentice knight of unknown origins.

No one truly believed Nathan LaFellia was an ordinary puppy.

‘They just go along with it because the Duke calls him one.’

On an otherwise ordinary day, Valentin had spoken about Nathan with a bright smile.

It was the first time Maiden had seen such a clean, untainted smile on his face.

Unlike the polite smile he showed everyone, his eyes were usually sunken deep with irritation, annoyance, boredom, or contempt—like he wanted to sweep something unpleasant away.

Maiden lowered her gaze as a strange, wistful feeling crept over her.

She had long known that animals could have a powerful effect on humans. But she never expected such a warm theory to apply to the great Duke of Berenice.

Maiden was no exception. As a devoted dog lover, her heart pounded every time she looked at Nathan.

His well-shaped fangs, towering height, glossy black fur, and the fierce golden eyes characteristic of a predator were irresistibly attractive.

And his gentle behavior, so unlike his intimidating appearance, created a striking contrast that shook her heart.

‘If I get the chance, I want to touch his paw pads.’

Her greatest concern was how to become closer to Nathan. Never had she resented her lack of social skills as much as she did now.

Even Ayla, a maid from the ducal castle, seemed to be eyeing Nathan’s paw pads covetously. Maiden grew increasingly anxious.

“Maiden?”

At Valentin’s urging voice, she returned to reality and opened her lips.

“Please praise him often.”

“Praise?”

“Yes. Even for small things. Tell him he did well. Puppies are sensitive to their owner’s tone and the emotions behind it, so you must speak sincerely.”

In Maiden’s view, Nathan’s inner self was closer to a human…

But whether dog or person, the method of handling them wasn’t that different.

She was certain this approach would work.

Suddenly, my ears itched.

‘Is someone talking about me?’

I shot a sharp look around, but everyone was busy with their own tasks.

For a moment, I wondered if Devon was silently cursing me with his eyes—but that wasn’t it either. Instead, he gave a small nod and praised me.

“You’ve learned to control your strength to some degree. Good work. Keep training consistently.”

Oh! To receive praise from Commander Devon, who looked like he wouldn’t shed a tear even if stabbed with a sword.

I felt delighted, as if all my effort had finally paid off. Wasn’t he the one who always glanced at me coolly and said, “Try harder”?

But my joy was short-lived. Devon added:

“Don’t relax yet. The goal is perfect control.”

Does it hurt his tongue to simply say “good job”?

Perhaps he noticed my sullen expression, because one eyebrow lifted slightly. His face clearly asked if I had a complaint.

“…Yes, sir.”

Unlike the other knights who still kept their distance from me, Devon showed no such hesitation.

Judging by his attitude, he treated me like a large, muscular knight rather than something else.

Maybe that was why, though he was intimidating, I didn’t dislike him. If anything, he made me want his praise. He was a respectable knight commander.

‘Except at times like this.’

I accepted a bundle of raw eggs from his hand—where he even got them from, I had no idea.

Seeing my tightly closed muzzle, Devon turned toward the training grounds and shouted:

“Attention! A notice has been issued regarding Shamantra!”

‘Shamantra?’

While counting the eggs, I perked up at the unexpected place name.

At the northernmost edge of the continent lay the Black Swamp, inhabited by demonic beasts and monsters. Separating it from human territory was the Rotten Forest of the Arphos Mountains.

The Arphos range grew steeper and taller toward the east, but in the west it was hardly worthy of being called a mountain range—more like hills.

As a result, the northwestern region was vulnerable to monster attacks.

That was where we would be scouting: the Shamantra region.

“A report has come in that the newly discovered monster ‘Kaleb’ has appeared in Shamantra. We’ll track down and eliminate the Kaleb that descended to the forest. Knights assigned to this expedition will prepare immediately.”

The list of names was shorter than expected.

Four new knights including me, Neumann and Devon, and Sir Maiden, who handled the hunting dogs.

It was also a journey meant to sharpen the combat instincts of those who had yet to properly face a monster.

“What kind of monster is Kaleb again?”

“Kaleb resembles a dog or wolf but boasts flexibility beyond that of ordinary animals. Its fangs are coated with a small amount of venom.”

Startled, I flinched.

George Teller had appeared like a ghost.

I stared down at him silently, and his ears turned red.

Perhaps he disliked even speaking to me, but felt obligated as a fellow knight to share information.

He listed details about Kaleb mechanically, never meeting my eyes.

“Once it bites, its jaw strength makes escape difficult. Don’t give it an opening.”

When I tried to thank him, he had already walked off.

‘What is he, a wooden puppet?’

As I scratched my cheek awkwardly, I heard multiple sets of paws striking the ground.

Turning, I saw well-trained dogs entering the training grounds behind Maiden.

One, two, three… five.

Hunting dogs for the reconnaissance, perhaps?

Elegant, agile bodies—clearly well cared for.

One was large enough to reach a grown man’s shoulder when standing on two legs.

Before, I might have been afraid.

Now?

‘They’re just… cute.’

Even their sharp fangs looked adorable.

But I seemed to be the only one in a good mood.

The dogs lining up proudly at Maiden’s command began acting strangely.

They growled and whimpered.

Even Maiden looked flustered.

“Line up.”

She clapped sharply and ordered in a stern voice, but they didn’t listen.

“La, Li, Lu, Le, Lo! Line up!”

Names clearly chosen out of laziness echoed through the air.

The dogs either bared their teeth or crouched low.

While staring at me.

They weren’t just wary. They were afraid.

If I left things alone, Maiden’s face might turn whiter than paper.

With Valentin standing behind her like an observer at a play, I stepped forward.

“I’m not your enemy. So don’t be afraid.”

As I had tested with Charlie before, animals understood my words—like automatic translation.

Thankfully, the hunting dogs gradually calmed and lined up before me.

“Dog leader, huh.”

Valentin had appeared beside me.

Reducing this solemn communication scene to “dog leader”? Really?

I placed a hand on my hip and glared at him.

“Good job.”

…That was the most soulless praise I’d ever heard.

Ten bright, blind eyes stared at me.

‘Well, good is good…’

With both the hunting dogs and the knights watching me intensely, I gave an awkward smile.

For a moment, I wondered if my goal of seducing Valentin was really progressing at all.

It took three full days of riding without rest to reach Shamantra in the north.

For knights who trained daily, such a forced march was nothing.

What worried me more was Black, the black horse carrying my massive weight over long distances.

“Are you really okay?”

“Snort!”

Clearly tired, but too proud to admit it.

Black was the strongest warhorse in terms of muscle and power, but his terrible temperament made him a headache in Berenice.

He had unmatched physique and stamina—but an awful personality.

After Valentin disciplined him once, Black at least pretended to listen.

When Levi suggested Valentin personally tame him, Valentin refused.

Something about not wanting to grant him the honor of carrying him.

‘Well, there are plenty of fine horses. No need to pair two ill-tempered creatures together.’

Yes, I had just categorized Black and Valentin together.

Still, for me, Black was the best horse. Not many could carry a heavily armored beast like me.

Of course, he hadn’t accepted me easily either.

But with urgent training ahead, I had chosen a strong approach.

When Black snorted arrogantly as if to say, “You only look scary—who are you?” I punched his feeding trough.

‘Maybe that was a bit much.’

As I recalled Black backing away from the shattered trough—

A dense forest came into view.

“We’ve arrived at Shamantra!”