Lord of Disease (JP-GL) 63

63: The Job of Petting for the Nation

“Master, um… this might be a bit of a hassle, but it’s the kind of request you’d enjoy.”

“What kind of complicated request are we talking about?”

I’d heard her phrase things like, “This is a troublesome request,” or “I have good news.” But this was a first.

“They want you to… take in thirty Barghests.”

“Accept it, Liz.” I nodded.

“Ask for details.”

“Right. Details.”

“They want to temporarily transfer thirty Barghests currently serving as ‘guard dogs’ across the nation to your care. Reports indicate that the coordinated efforts with Barghests on the front lines have yielded impressive results.”

“So, what am I supposed to do?” I tilted my head.

Liz paused for a moment, then sighed.

“Pet them to your heart’s content.”

“…Liz, is that an official order?”

“It’s not an order. It’s a request. Essentially… they’re asking you to train the Barghests, given your… expertise.”

“So, I can really just pet them?”

She’d used the same cutesy language I sometimes used. Even for a long-time vice-commander, it wasn’t appropriate language for conveying official business, especially to avoid misunderstandings.

—Unless I was actually going to pet them.

“While I personally find it… unorthodox… I can’t deny the effectiveness of your ‘methods.’ I don’t know if there will be a second opportunity like this… but honestly, I’ll leave it to you. Consider it ‘work,’ except for important matters.”

“Liz, are you sure you want to give me that kind of permission?”

“It’s for the nation.”

The job of petting for the nation.

It didn’t sound like the work of the Lord of Disease.

“Alright, Liz. I’m a dedicated supreme commander. I’ll do my best for the nation!”

“…I… have no doubts about your dedication… and I understand you’re being sincere… but that’s… the most enthusiastic declaration I’ve ever heard from you…”

Liz’s eyes seemed to have lost their spark.

“You need more healing. Come pet them with me.”

“Is that an order?”

“You can interpret it however you like.”

“…Fine.”

A few days later, the first batch of Barghests arrived. Ten of them, for now. They would gradually increase the number, depending on the situation.

“Then, if you’ll excuse me.” The coachman tipped his hat and flicked the reins. The empty carriage rattled away.

Surrounding us were ten dark knights in matching black full plate armor, mounted on warhorses.

Mounted knights were a rare sight in the Listrea Demon Kingdom.

Simply put, horses were valuable. Land suitable for grazing was scarce, and magical beasts that preyed on livestock were numerous.

Most of the horses that were bred were used for carriages and wagons.

Only a select few, those with the size and temperament suitable for warhorses, were chosen and trained.

But even then, mounted cavalry didn’t have an absolute advantage on the battlefield, where offensive magic flew and magically enhanced warriors clashed.

However, if… if one could seamlessly integrate strengthening magic with the horse, the armor, and the sword… If one could truly achieve ‘unity between horse and rider’…

Enhanced mobility, the ability to strike down at opponents from above, and the powerful hooves of the warhorses, capable of trampling unarmored foes…

It was a dream, a grand aspiration, for many young dark elves, a story told in bedtime tales. That was the heavy cavalry of the Listrea Demon Kingdom’s Dark Knights.

Their numbers fluctuated depending on the availability of suitable horses, but they were an elite force, numbering fewer than fifty.

They were usually stationed in the capital, patrolling the nation and dealing with magical beasts. They were, literally, the protectors of Listrea.

And ten of them were here.

That meant they anticipated a significant threat.

“Master, I’ve said this many times, but I’ll say it again. Black Hound Barghests are dangerous magical beasts, and their threat level increases exponentially in packs. That’s why we’re gradually increasing their numbers… but please be aware that ten is already pushing the limits of what’s considered safe.”

“I had forty-eight at one point.”

“Not noticing that sooner was a near-fatal mistake… I was careful about them decreasing, but I never expected them to increase.”

“I was surprised too, when I found out.”

“Don’t just say ‘surprised’… Ten or fewer is normal. Twenty is dangerous. Thirty… could wipe out a town.”

“That’s an exaggeration.”

“I told you, fifty is equivalent to a dragon. Unless there’s a hero-class warrior nearby, thirty could easily destroy a town or two.”

Ten Barghests, freshly unloaded from the carriages, watched me from a distance.

“What will you do, Master?”

“I’ll let them get used to me first… alright.”

I knelt before the Barghest at my feet.

“Let’s play!” I ruffled its head and scratched under its chin. The Barghest, the one I’d had before, closed its eyes contentedly.

“…What about the new Barghests?”

“I’ll leave them alone for now. They probably wouldn’t appreciate being forced to ‘play.’”

So, I focused my attention on ‘my’ Barghest.

After a while, one of the new Barghests hesitantly approached.

“Do you want to play, too?”

It nudged its head towards me. I reached out and gently stroked its fur.

The first Barghest rolled onto its back, inviting me to pet its belly. I obliged.

One by one, the remaining nine Barghests approached, and I petted them all in turn. Scratching their heads, under their chins, their necks, their backs, their bellies, occasionally stroking their thick paws.

“…This is a surreal sight.”

“It is! It’s not every day you get to play with so many large dogs. And they’re all black! They’re like a family.”

“Yes, well… that’s not what I…”

“Liz, if petting them is part of my job, then napping with their bellies as my pillow is also part of my job, right?”

“Yes. Undeniably… undeniably part of your job.” Liz’s tone suggested she didn’t want to admit it. But she had admitted it.

So, I gently rested my head on the belly of the Barghest that had rolled onto its back again, probably the first one. We both shifted slightly, finding a comfortable position.

My hood slipped, and the soft fur brushed against my cheek. I reached out, burying my fingers in the thick fur, and slowly combed through it.

I withdrew my hand, then plunged it back in, stroking the fur with my palm.

The other Barghests gathered around, forming a fluffy black pile.

“This is truly a surreal sight…”

“Liz, I know we received notification, but what’s the meaning of this?”

“Rebecca, Master is currently working with unusual enthusiasm.”

“This is ridiculous, even for her.”

“She’s definitely working. So please don’t disturb her…”

“Ah, right. Understood.”