Evening after returning home.
In an old house, three men were meeting secretly.
"Thanks for your work." A boy, no—Cimmerian—praised the two muscular men in front of him.
"Oh. It was nothing. Actually, we're happy that it was successful. It took us weeks to make that huge shelter-like cave, you know?"
"Yeah. We thought your plan would fail. But I was wrong. So, how did you know that a herd of deers would be attracted there?"
Alfredo and Mado were very curious
"It was planned all along. Although I admit that there was a possibility that the plan would fail for two reasons. First is that it rained slightly the past three days. Second, because of the fox."
"What do you mean???" Mado while preparing three mazers wore a quizzical look.
"You know, when I scouted the area, I know that it was the perfect place to make a dummy shelter. I heard from Chief Feldor that a couple of months ago, there was a large-scale monster mobilization in the northern part of the forest. The group of monsters came from the central part who was hunting for food. And the northeastern part had been the abode of deers and of several livestock, right? And since the northeastern side was already a dead end facing the hydoria Sea, the only way for the animals to run was to the northwest. It took them a month to run and wander until they reached the area near the shelter."
"Is that it?" Mado was dissatisfied.
"No. Mado, there's gotta be more to it. Right, Cimmerian?"
"Alfredo is right. I made you build it near the lake because it's still summer, right? Deers are types of animals to need water as much as they need food. I was anxious when I looked at the forest to be slightly wet. I know that it rained and that it could destroy my plan. You know, if rain is not that heavy, deers might just leave the shelter because they already have access to a little bit of water. They don't need the lake anymore. Also, deers can just resist impotent or moderate rains. So I thought that they'd really leave. But they didn't for a single reason."
"What is it?" Alfredo continued to ask.
"It's the abundance of fruits, grasses, and many other edible plants there. Oh. As I said before, the fox was also a factor."
"That fox you tamed???"
"Yes, Mado. Actually, he's very intelligent. When I first came near the lake to do some surverying, I already saw him nearby. However, he didn't attack me. If it was just a normal wild fox, he would have devoured me since I was alone that time. Also, why'd that fox attack us when there were too many of us? It was illogical to me. Hence, I've realized, attacking our party this morning was a strategic move. He wanted me to come after him. When I domesticated that fox, I knew already that the flocking deers didn't leave the place because they were afraid of the wandering fox. In short, he was keeping them there for me. If he did otherwise, and scared the deers, my plan would have failed completely. But he didn't hurt any of them."
"So, it's the fox's doing, huh?"
"An intelligent fox..."
The two were analyzing the situation.
"Oh, aside from that, the one who led Waldo's team to that shelter was the fox as well. The animal Waldo saw while scouting was actually him. He lured them to discover the shelter at the right time... Right, Mr. Fox?"
When Cimmerian called the fox, he went out from below the table. He wagged his tail sideways.
"W-Wait, when did you get here? I locked the door, you know?" Alfredo complained.
"Yeah."
"Don't worry, it's with me all this time. It secretly entered when I opened the door."
"It's really a smart pet, huh? Oh, by the way, Alfredo, didn't we have something to tell to him?"
"Oh, yeah. Cimmerian, No—M-Master Cimmerian, I guess? Can I ask you a favor?"
"Master? Please knock it off. Anyway, what is it?" He blandly asked.
"Please accept us to be your students. Both in martial arts and your wisdom. Please!" The two immediately bowed their heads.
"W-Wait! Stop. Don't just lower your heads like that."
""Please!""
(Tsk. I only did what I can do, you know? It's to help the village and my family. It's not that I'm trying to act super cool in martial arts and in my plans, you know... I did beat them into pulp though. However, becoming students? No. No. Also, wisdom? Who cares about that.)
"Stop. Okay, I'll help you with what I can. So please, stop lowering your heads. I still have a lot to learn for myself too. Anyway, let's be friends from now on. Mado, Alfredo."
"Uhm... Thank you, Master. Let's be friends." Mado held Cimmerian's hands and smiled at him.
"Wait, stop with the 'Master', it's embarrassing me."
"No, you deserve to be called Master. Master. Master..."
"Stopppp..."
(These two are idiots. Anyway, Cimmy-boy is very serious and scary, but he's also friendly deep inside. That's a good thing. But, seriously? He read my actions correctly. I never thought I'd meet a very interesting person like him. This is fun.) The fox looked that them.
"Here, drink with us tonight." With a slightly red face, Alfredo extended to him a mazer full of booze.
"Yeah. Here…"
"Thanks. But I think I'm not allowed to drink yet. Sorry, I'd be killed by my sister. So I'll pass."
"Is that so? Then, that's unfortunate."
"Yeah, booze is heaven, you know?"
(That's exactly the standard and hackneyed words of drunkards. Anyhow…) He thought.
"I'm going now. See you."