Volume 8 Chapter 2 (2/2)

I finally understood.

Thinking on it, because I used the [Beast] medal to make her, I arbitrarily decided that she was a Hound of Tindalos despite her status clearly stating otherwise.

”As you might know, a Hound of Tindalos is pretty much a lump of incomprehensible nightmare and Tindalos itself is even more so. That being said, only so much of it can manifest as a monster. In other words, its form—be it a dog or otherwise—is irrelevant. I mean, even stories about the Hounds of Tindalos didn't explicitly describe it as hound, merely a congregation of foulness. As for why it takes the form of a humanoid, it's most likely responding to your subconscious wish. And that's why I was calling you Pedocell earlier. Get it now?”

”…it's still not nice to hear.”

I acknowledged and agreed with what Marcho said. However, my desire for Tiro to take on a humanoid form still didn't make me lolicon. All I wanted was a companion whom I could develop a bond with.

”Well, actually, there's been something that's on my mind. That girl's [Human Transformation] might satisfy your wishes, Pedocell, but it's much too weak. A monster of her rank should have something stronger, don't you agree? Maybe it's a skill that evolves after some level ups. Who knows, it might become something amazing, like a skill that allows her to assume other forms. Or maybe even give her a special human-based weapon.”

While Marcho said so, I looked at Tiro who was just tilting her head in wonder, oblivious in what was going on. Shortly after, she made a huge yawn, reverted back to her large hound form, and then began to sleep.

What an awfully carefree child.

It was pretty hard to imagine her to be something so frightening when she was acting like this.

In any case, I noticed something when she transformed. Despite returning to her hound form, her clothes didn't get torn. On the contrary, the clothes even transformed to fit her hound body.

”Rorono, her clothes are amazing.”

”Mhm, if I may say so myself. These magic-power-woven clothes are made using Kuina's clothes as reference. They exhibit the ability to change form based on the wearer's current state. Due to the lack of time, however, this is more of a rush job and thus has rather poor performance. I intend to make a proper one later this evening. This child can't use weapons like us, so I want to give her good protective gear at the very least.”

”How thoughtful of you. Thank you.”

”She's my little sister, so this much is only natural.”

While saying so, Rorono petted dog-form Tiro's head.

Thanks to Rorono's caring and helping nature, I no longer had to worry about a nude young girl pushing me down.

”Rorono, Aura, thanks for everything. You may now go back to your duties. Kuina, Ruhe, and I will take care of the rest. We'll be taking Tiro to the [Crimson Cavern]. She'll often be fighting alongside Ruhe and sometimes be commanded by Kuina, so I think it's best to familiarize them with each other now. Well, how does that sound? Kuina? Ruhe? You okay helping Tiro to raise her levels?”

”Yeah ♪!”

”Of course, patron. I kinda have to if I ever want an easier life, right?”

Great. It seems they're eager to help.

Like that, Rorono and Aura left the room. Meanwhile, Kuina and Ruhe retrieved their weapons.

”Well then, I better head back too. I had fun teasing you, Procell.”

”Sorry, you came all this way and yet I wasn't able to properly welcome you.”

”Oh, it's fine. I just don't want to be a bother. Take care of that kid, okay? Without a doubt, she's gonna be helpful to you.”

”Yeah, I know. Hopefully, she could fill in for whatever Avalon lacks right now.”

Tindalos was a monster that could help Ruhe fight in the other dimension.

She also had the strongest tracking ability which could sense anyone wherever they might be.

Furthermore, she also could use [Transfer], thus eliminating our complete reliance to the crow monster that was sent as a spy by the [Time] Demon Lord.

Truly, Tindalos was everything I wished for.

There was also the monster that became available for purchase—using DP—when I made Tiro. It was only at B rank, but it was still a powerful and convenient monster. So much so that I was already considering buying a [Maelstrom] for it later that evening. Like this, Avalon was bound to get even stronger.

”Well, it looks that you know what to do. Give it your all, okay?”

”Yeah, I will. I'm running out of time, after all.”

I was referring to the 1-year grace period that was protecting new Demon Lords like me. If I let it by doing nothing, that time would be gone in an instant.

At any rate, I saw Marcho off.

After that, I took a deep breath and spoke.

”Kuina, Ruhe, Tiro, let's go. Tiro, show us what you can do, okay?”

”Guruu!”

Tiro enthusiastically replied so. Hearing that, I couldn't help but smile a little.

And so, all of us ready, we walked toward the Transfer array that would bring us to the [Crimson Cavern].