CHAPTER 1: RURO OF THE WOLF

***A few weeks earlier, at the Holy Palatial Gardens…***

It was already the end of the day, and the Human Saint of Chersea, Maddie, along with her maidservants Lily and Eris, were waiting at the gates of the palatial complex. Earlier that morning, Kuro excused himself from their usual routine, saying that he needed to do something in Arles and that they should look forward to when he comes back.

And so they did.

The entire day Maddie, Lily, and Eris couldn’t keep their excitement from affecting their work or activities. They tried to placate themselves by playing games, reading, sleeping it out…but none worked. What’s worse is that the closer the hour gets to the end of the day, the greater their anticipation turned into worry.

“Maddie, should we send some paladins to look for him?” Lily asked her friend.

“Just an hour more…” Maddie answered, “If Kuro didn’t appear by then, we would go search for him.”

“Your Holiness Lady Rubinforth, please allow me to come as well,” Eris pleaded.

“Yes, don’t worry. But please don’t be so formal, Lady Braunhauer,” Maddie tried to clear the young maidservant’s unease by patting her head.

The gates behind them then opened, and a contingent of paladins led by the Duchess of Henristone appeared to fetch the saint, “Your Holiness…” she kneeled before Maddie, “I think it’s time for you to retreat to your chamber to rest.”

“Thank you for the reminder, Lady Henristone. However, can you please allow me to stay here for another hour, for Sir Kuro hasn’t arrived yet?”

“He is?” the Duchess of Henristone was so surprised that she raised eyebrows, “Hmm…that’s strange. This is the first time he didn’t return on time.”

“Yes, that’s why we’re getting worried,” Lily explained to her.

“In that case, miladies, would you permit me to assemble a search party for him?” the paladin captain asked.

“Yes please!” Maddie replied, “Can you make them available within an hour, Lady Henristone?”

“Certainly, Your—”

“Captain, someone is coming from the horizon!” another paladin interrupted the conversation and pointed towards Arles. Naturally, everyone rushed forward to take a good look at the new arrival.

But much to their dismay and utter worry, it was a rider on his horse that was rushing to meet them.

“Greetings, miladies, Your Holiness!” the rider quickly dismounted the moment he reached them, “Sir Osmond Hein Rilley of the Arles militia sent me to deliver news about our hero, Sir Kuro.”

“W-What is it?” a sense of dread came upon Maddie, but she never showed it and remained calm while Eris held her hand.

“Your Holiness, Sir Rilley wanted to tell you that Sir Kuro has been missing since this afternoon after they were attacked while helping the Beastman Saint. Sir Rilley lost his consciousness once he was hit on the head, and when he woke up, Sir Kuro and the Beastman Saint were gone. A search party was quickly organized, and currently, we’re still searching for them,” the rider then handed to Maddie four ring boxes, with their names engraved in gold on each one cover, “Unfortunately, we haven’t found them yet, save for these…”

“Th-These are?”

“Sir Rilley says it’s from Sir Kuro.”

Maddie’s grip on the ring boxes tightened as the situation slowly sank on her. Kuro left to get the rings for them; a custom of his world for those who wanted to declare their eternal love to everyone until death parts them. She took a deep breath, for her body was trembling. Lily was saying something to her, and yet she couldn’t understand a thing that her friend was saying. Eris was hugging her, but she couldn’t feel anything. And the Duchess of Henristone…

Why is she running towards them?

Then Maddie’s mind went blank.

----------

The Duchess of Henristone ordered her paladins to carry Her Holiness back to her chambers and summon the new Grand Mother Templar Superior to attend to Maddie. She also assigned some of her ladies to escort Lily and Eris to their respective rooms to calm them down.

“…”

However, as the captain of the Paladin Corps, Lady Henristone decided to remain with the man who carried the dire news.

“How is Sir Rilley?” she asked.

“Our captain is fine now, though he suffered a light wound on the head,” the rider replied.

“Great. Will you take me to him?”

“Right now, milady?”

“Yes. The sooner we move, the better,” Lady Henristone told him, “I want to ask him some questions, for I don’t like it when something bad happens to our hero. If it happens, of course, there will be repercussions.”

----------

**Kuro, back at the present…**

I don’t know how many weeks or days have passed since I was brought here. There’s no hourglass around for reference of time, and basing it on my sleep patterns proved confusing. It’s like I’m back to the old days of Chersea where they weren’t using any time-measuring device.

I guess it’s quite safe to say that I’ve been here for long…

“…” Ruro remained silent as she prepared food for me. Before, I would wake up to find food on the table inside my room. And those weren’t just any ordinary food; I could say that these were the best I’ve ever eaten for a while…

“So…”

“!!!” Ruro jolted from her seat the moment she heard me speak. She was so surprised she also dropped the wooden plate she was supposedly holding. I quickly reached out to help, but she immediately turned me away.

“I-I’m sorry Master…” Ruro sheepishly apologized, “It’s just that…I can’t let you touch me, or I won’t be able to restrain myself and gobble you up!”

“Is that threat real or figurative?” I asked in jest.

Ruro’s face blushed terribly, “Do I really have to specify what I meant, perverted Master?”

We both laughed heartily; I often forget that Ruro’s ‘in heat’ nowadays. It would be a problem if she acted upon her instincts, and I wouldn’t like to betray Maddie’s expectations of me.

Though, really, I wonder…it’s been long since that incident in Stadtsberg where she ‘attacked’ me. Did her ‘heat’ really last that long?

“Master, I’m only like this because I wanted you to be my mate,” Ruro declared, though her face was blushing terribly, I couldn’t keep myself from thinking of her as cute.

“Oh…” was the only thing I could say. Well, there were other feelings mixed within me, but I don’t want to entertain them. I promised I’d be faithful to Maddie, after all.

“Do you remember my story about Maddie’s ancestor, Jimmy Nee?”

“That one time you attacked him?”

Ruro nodded, “It was also around a time like this when that happened. But you see, right now, I could control myself just fine!”

“Yeah…you’re doing great!” That story about Maddie’s ancestor, the hero Jimmy Nee, and Ruro flashed in my mind once again. So that puts all the pieces of the puzzle together! I’m always wondering why she would do that, aside from she’s madly attracted to him before…

Now that I’ve noticed it, Ruro was wearing a new dress; one that emphasized her beautiful curves and assets. And, a turn-away from her usual appearance, her hair was adorned with colorful flowers.

“Ah! So, you finally noticed,” I heard her say, “Humans apparently like it when their mates dress differently according to the occasion.”

“Well, it depends…” I’m having weird vibes hearing Ruro say the word ‘mate’. I think she’s hinting at me for something, so I better keep my guard up.

“Ah, don’t think too much about it, Master! Come, let’s eat!” Ruro then invited me to sit down. Of course, since I was hungry, I obliged.

“Please enjoy the food, Master!” she told me with a smile, “I really chose these for you.”

“Thanks!” I picked the red fruit that resembled an apple and began eating. It’s one of my favorites ever since I came here. Its texture was hard, like an apple, and yet it tasted like spicy-sweet citrus. Tasting it again made me forget my apprehensions about Ruro, “You should also try this!”

“Nah. I’m good Master,” Ruro chuckled, “Though, really, I don’t get you humans liking that thing. I mean, it smelled and tasted horrible.”

“Horrible?” I asked in surprise, since it smelled nice to me. Maybe Ruro’s weak with spicy things?

“I hate that fruit,” Ruro declared as she chomped down on a slab of raw meat.

“Oh…but this is one of my favorites ever since I came here!”

“Yeeeesh,” my Beastman companion never hid her disgust. However, we enjoyed each other’s company, especially since this was the first time in a while that I had someone to talk to.

----------

And then, once we finally settled down and got comfortable with each other, I went to ask her about the important things I had in mind…

“Your Fluffy Holiness?”

“Hm?”

“Where is this place?”

“Ah, this is my land, Cherwind,” she answered as she handed a cup of tea to me.

“I see…then what am I doing here?”

“Well, I brought you over with the help of my guard, Kashca Telis. Do you still remember her?”

Yeah, damn right I remember her. She attacked Sir Osmond and knocked him unconscious, before doing that to me as well…

“My apologies Master,” Ruro seemed to have read my thoughts, “Kashca Telis is kind of…you know, a rough girl.”

“Well, I won’t make a fuss about it, as long as Sir Osmond is fine.”

“Yes he is!” the Beastman Saint was quick to answer, “I made sure his injuries were tended to by Kashca Telis before leaving for Cherwind.”

For someone who kidnapped me, you seemed too confident in your answers, Your Fluffy Holiness.

“Oh…” Ruro became awkward suddenly; it must be that she had looked into my mind once again, “Yes, I guess I kidnapped you, Master.”

Is there any other way to put it? And the way you keep on calling me ‘Master’ tells me you know you did something wrong.

“Uuu…” Her Fluffy Holiness’ ears went droopy. Seemed like my hunches are spot on!

“Care to explain what happened?”

“Yes…” Ruro took a deep breath before continuing, “Master, your life is in danger, see?”

“Oh?”

“You know, human politics,” she said, “Ever since your victory against Seirna’s undead, and your triumphs against the legions of the Empire, a good number of nobles are mad and envious of you.”

Well, that is expected, knowing human nature.

“Of course, and as your slave, I can’t allow any harm to happen to you!”

“Come on, Your Fluffy Holiness! You are not my slave; how many times do I have to tell you, you’re an equal.”

“See? That kind of kindness would get you killed!” she pointed out, “I was just protecting you from them.”

Hmm…honestly, Ruro’s got a point. I guess it still didn’t sink unto me I’m a noble now, and was still seeing myself as an ordinary teacher who’s used to dealing with problem children rather than irked aristocrats. I could somehow understand Ruro’s concerns; it’s a safe bet to remove me from their presence and keep me safe here in her lands.

“…”

However, that only applies to my old self. As someone who survived an assassin’s blade, battled the Imperials, fought in a siege, and helped in destroying an army of zombies, I don’t think I’d be scared by a bunch of whiny nobles anymore…

“Hm…you surely talk tough now, huh?” Ruro commented, “However, you have to understand that these ‘whiny nobles’ you have been belittling has royal backing. See the danger in that?”

“Ah, they’ve been conspiring against me, huh?” I could only shake my head in dismay. After all that I’ve done for Chersea…but, well, I’ve done those things primarily because I wanted to help Maddie, “It’s scary; despite that, I want to go back to Chersea.”

“Master, your enemies are plenty there. The king of Calabria hated you ever since you meddled in Hagena before, and even more so when you bypassed him in summoning his minister Sir Dane Bellingsen to Jeveneria.”

“It’s his fault for doing nothing about the forced slavery in his lands, as well as in helping us.”

“The Amaranthine nobles are angry that you killed their crown prince in Gebrei, too.”

“What? I thought those assholes hated him?”

“Beats me,” Ruro shrugged, “Must be that they’re just searching for reasons to hate you.”

“Yeah, I think so too,” I couldn’t help but laugh mockingly, “Well, is there anyone else on the hate train?”

“The king of Nerfes.”

“Ptuu!!!” I spat the tea I was drinking, “What? That Rambo? Seriously?”

----------

Ruro only nodded, as I couldn’t hide my surprise at her revelation.

“What did I do to him?” Yes, I know that Rambo’s pissed at me, but I surely didn’t expect that it would reach that point he’d want to kill me. I mean, we’ve worked together before; did he even think of that?

But then again, this was human jealousy we’re talking about. It’s just that it’s painful to be betrayed by someone you’re so familiar with…

“Master, you know that King James Walter Reed II of Nerfes is in-love with Maddie, right?”

“So, it really boils down to that…” I guess it’s my mistake to underestimate Rambo just because he’s clumsy and stupid.

“Yes, and he wanted you gone as well, so he could have Maddie to himse—” Ruro was interrupted mid-sentence when I slammed my hands on the table, causing some of the food to fall and drinks spill on the floor. I couldn’t help it, especially now that Maddie’s in danger.

“Master…”

“Your Fluffy Holiness, while I’m thankful for your protection and favor towards me, I plead that you help me return to Chersea as soon as possible. Is that fine with you?”

“B-But—”

“Please!” that was a half-plea, half-demand from me, and I never intended to back down from my request. I could feel my cheeks getting warm in anger, and my fists tightening, for I wanted to punch Rambo right now. If he wants Maddie by all means, he’ll have to fight against me!

Ruro, however, was quiet for a few moments. Her eyes were closed; it must be that she’s pondering on my pleas. Then once she decided, with unwavering eyes, she told me, “I’m sorry Master, but you’ll stay.”

“Ruro!” I couldn’t stay calm, thus I blurted out her name in frustration, “Don’t do this to me!”

“Have you ever thought of your position right now, Master?” Ruro countered, causing me to fall silent, “You’re in MY place, and I could do anything I want, even if you don’t approve of it!”

“You’re the one who brought me here!” I reiterated in anger. And then, just as I was about to say something else, another realization hit me, “Ruro…you…why didn’t you tell Maddie about this? She could’ve helped me deal with those nobles easily!”

“Precisely!” she answered, with an equally strong tone, “That’s because you’re mine, Kuro! You are mine, and no one will take you away from me, Maddie, and others be damned!”

Well, shit. This was the first time I saw Ruro that mad. Naturally, I was taken aback by her determination to keep me around. But, at the back of my mind, it all made sense to me now…

Why did Ruro bring me here? Why did Ruro know of the conspiracies about me?

And why did Ruro never told Maddie about these things…

“…”

The only answer would be, she’s in cahoots with those bastards seeking to eliminate me!

“I’m really impressed you made the connection, Master!” Ruro never hid her true intentions now, “But there’s one thing that you’ve got wrong…”

“And that is?”

“Though those humans never appreciated you, I—a Beastwoman—loved you more than anyone else in this land.”

“Love me enough to kidnap and imprison me? That’s a twisted love, don’t you think?”

“Do you think I care about that, Master?” Ruro laughed mockingly, “Sorry to disappoint you, but I don’t give a damn of what you say to me; what I’m aiming for is that you’re alive, and I have you with me!”

Ah, I don’t think there’ll be any satisfactory agreement in trying to talk to this saint. Guess I’ll have to…

“!!!”

I quickly dashed towards the open door of my prison/room. I rushed in my decision, for Ruro could read my mind and devise a counter-plan to frustrate my move. The moment I finally stepped outside, I lunged forward so that she won’t be able to grab hold of me…

“!!!”

However, I did not need to have bothered. Even without physically touching me, Ruro could restrain my movements by wrapping me in some sort of a strong wind.

“Master, have you forgotten? I can control the weather,” I heard her say from inside the room, “And that includes manipulating the wind.”

“!!!”

At once, I felt my body being pulled back inside my prison/room and got thrown back into the soft bed. Then, Ruro used her magic to remove the makeshift rope I made to tie my hands together on the bed’s wooden frame, effectively keeping me down.

“…”

Like a wolf having cornered her prey, Ruro then slowly went on top of me as she slowly caressed my face, going down to my neck and chest.

“You know, Master, you humans put too much value in your chastity…which is, honestly, easy to grab away from your hands. However, we Beastmen are different,” she licked my ears seductively, “Our loyalty to our masters is something that has more worth than your silly chastity. Would you like me to prove my loyalty to you, M.A.S.T.E.R?”

I know this was quite a difficult situation. I mean, I’m a guy, and honestly, it’s not bad having a cute girl like Ruro pushing herself unto me. However, I’m not some loose man who’d sleep with every woman he could get his hands on.

Plus, I made a promise to Maddie…I’d stay faithful even though I’m far from her.

“Master, I’ll make you forget her…” Ruro, as if in a trance, seductively whispered to me. She removed her clothes slowly.

“Ruro…you’re a cute wolf-girl, you know.”

“!!!” I could tell she was taken aback when I suddenly counter-attacked. Well, I meant what I said, the Beastman Saint is a cute girl, “Wh-What are you saying, Master?”

“Well, thank you for protecting me and staying loyal. But I’m not happy when a cute wolf-girl like you would want to lose her chastity in this kind of situation. Why don’t you peek into my thoughts and tell me if I’m lying to you?”

“Y-You’re not, Master…” she sheepishly admitted.

“Yep, now if you please,” I told her, though my hormones were clearly raging, “I’d like for us to know each other first before we step to the next part of our relationship. Is that okay to you, my loyal, and cute wolf-girl?”

Ruro just meekly nodded.

“Thank you! I love you, Ruro!”

“!!!” Her cheeks were terribly blushing by now. Well, I’m just telling her the truth, so yeah, I think Ruro’s not on her right mind as of the moment. At once, when she realized how embarrassing it was what she was about to do, the Beastman Saint backed off and quickly left the room without even locking the door…

Heh…I surely didn’t expect how effective killing her ‘heat’ with embarrassing moments, but now I can escape this place.

“…”

If only I can remove these ropes from my hands, that is.

----------

“Kuro! Kuro! Please wake up!”

“!!!”

When I opened my eyes, I think I’m in a dream. For one, my hands were already unbounded. I remember I fell asleep, tied on the bed, as Ruro left me there earlier (exhausted from struggling to free myself). Second, it’s as if my body was too light…sort of floating. However, I could still my feet on the ground. And third, as well as the most obvious sign that it was a dream, was that the black-haired saint Natasha was with me, pulling my arm towards the open door of my prison/room.

“What’s happening?” I’m still out of my senses, that’s why I asked that.

“You’re escaping this place,” she told me, “My powers are severely being limited by Ruro’s interference. Hurry!”

I just let her lead the way. I don’t know this place, so I’m placing my bet on her. Natasha led me past two sleeping Beastmen guards a few distances away from my room (that’s why I’m unable to see them). The black-haired saint never trod carefully; perhaps we’re invisible or I’m really just dreaming of my freedom.

“No time to explain, but this certainly isn’t a dream,” Natasha told me. We went through a big hall with a big statue of a Beastman (I couldn’t make out what sort of Beastman was it, because of the urgency of our situation), and a roof that had a hole in it so that the light could pass and illuminate the interior of the cave-palace. It was a beautiful sight.

“Come on! This isn’t the time for sight-seeing!” Natasha urged me to hurry.

“Sorry!”

And then, from that big hall, we went to a corridor where two Beastmen guards were positioned but were sleeping. I suspected that there’s some kind of magic at work in here, for it was unusual to have all the guards in this place snoozing at the same time.

“Yes, it’s a sleeping magic alright,” Natasha explained, “That’s why you feel you’re dreaming. I enveloped this place with that. Now, we’re almost outside.”

“Ah yes! Thanks for the help.”

“Hmm…don’t mention it! I also asked the High-King of the Gods to aid me.”

“Oh? The old chess guy?”

Natasha nodded, “I’m really surprised you played chess against and checked Him twice. I couldn’t do that!”

“Haha…”

“Well, you’re really are something, Kuro!” she just shrugged it off and continued, “Now, once we reached the outside, I’m going to use my teleport, so prepare yourself.”

“Why don’t we use it now?”

“I can’t. Actually, it’s only because of the High-King of the Gods’ power that I could maintain my form in this place. Ruro placed her strongest magic to avoid any interference; I think that’s deterring any rescue attempts for you.”

“Whoa! I’m really confused right now, you mean, you’re not the ‘physical you’ I’m talking to right now?”

“As always. I think I forgot to mention to you that all of my appearances are just illusions. See, I’m not really allowed to go that far from the land I’m watching, see?”

“But you can hold me—”

“Magic.”

“What about that time when you appeared in Chersea with the demon armies? You even ate—”

“Magic.”

“That’s a pretty convenient way to put it.”

“Well, we’re escaping, and I don’t think I’d like to be explaining things when we should be running.”

“You’re right. Let’s go then!” I took the initiative and ran ahead of Natasha.

“Wait! Don’t go far ahead of me!”

“!!!” That warning came too late, as the moment I emerged outside the cave-palace, I was surrounded by hundreds of Beastmen soldiers, led by no other than Ruro’s right hand, Kashca Telis.

----------

***Meldech, capital of the Kingdom of Nerfes…***

The Royal Palace of Meldech had come alive just after lunch. King James Walter Reed II had suddenly ordered his servants to prepare the royal coach and his luggage, as well as a contingent of the royal guards.

“Brother?” Simon asked him, “You’re going somewhere?”

“Yes…” James answered, “It’s almost been four weeks since the hero, Sir Kuro, disappeared. I’m worried about Maddie. You know how fragile her heart is.”

“Indeed, you’re right brother,” Simon agreed, “However, I’m still in shock at what happened to our friend Kuro. I wonder what happened. There’s no trace of him after he disappeared along with the Beastman Saint.”

“Well, there are parties already looking for him, and I’ve had some of our men join in the search. Hopefully, some good news would arrive in the coming days,” James took his sword and fixed it on his waist, “For the meantime, I’ll be checking on Maddie if she’s fine.”

“May I join you? I wanted to talk to her and Lily as well.”

“Simon, may I ask you to remain here?” James tapped him on the shoulder, “You know you’re the only one I could trust in my court nowadays. Please look after the kingdom while I’m gone.”

“Oh…uh, sure!” the second prince nodded, “Well then, take care on your way. Please send my regards to Maddie and Lily!”

“You bet I will!” the king then called his servants to carry his luggage out of the palace and into the waiting carriages.

Meanwhile, Simon was surprised to see that James was carrying a book with him. It was a thick history book with its title in red letters embossed on the cover. As far as he knew his blood-brother, he hated books and would prefer to fool around the palace maids rather than study back when they were children.

“…”

Well, perhaps the king finally realized the potential of reading and having knowledge after getting to know Kuro.

That guy is really something, Prince Simon thought.