Chapter 76: Woof

"I bring greetings from Inquisitor Jeanne to you, Wizard Merlin," Salser nodded to him, extending his right hand in a polite gesture.

"Are you her subordinate?" Merlin asked.

His expression held neither anger nor amusement, only a serious demeanor as he extended his hand to shake Salser's.

"Salser Bettrafio, simply making ends meet, in service to that Inquisitor woman," Salser nodded.

"I'm not sure whether to congratulate you or not—" Merlin met his gaze. Salser felt the mage's eyes were scrutinizing—much like his own. "However, I wish you well in surviving under her command," he said, "Regardless of national or ethnic stance, the effort to eradicate heretics is always a commendable endeavor."

"It seems you prefer to stay out of it?"

"Not at all, I merely serve the Queen, and after all—I'm not a Celt," Merlin said, releasing his hand, "I respect Her Majesty's decisions, and I wish those soldiers well, hoping they survive and return home. But that doesn't mean my views align completely with Her Majesty's, nor does it mean I'll get caught up in their ethnic hatred."

Salser raised his eyebrows, examining his demeanor as he spoke, observing his expression and gaze.

He began to understand; this man's way of thinking was subtly similar to his own.

"Should we cross paths on the battlefield, I'd appreciate your leniency," Salser said with a hint of a smile, "And if you encounter a promising apprentice, please be gentle as well."

Merlin shrugged, "Oh, for the former, I can agree to that, but for the latter—that depends on our future relationship." He said naturally, spreading his hands, "Honestly, even if we were companions on the same path, I wouldn't make any concessions when it comes to taking on apprentices."

"It sounds like being your companion has no use at all, Wizard Merlin," Caren said with a cold tone.

"You're mistaken—I make an excellent companion!" Merlin chuckled, "Whether it's discussing love woes, recounting tales of Artoria's life from childhood on, or bestowing blessings at a friend's wedding—I excel in all those areas."

"…Discussing love troubles with someone whose skin care rivals that of a woman is indeed a good choice," Caren said with a flat tone, delivering a jab, "The mere state of your skin care makes me uneasy; I imagine you must be quite knowledgeable about how women think."

"It's the etiquette of a gentleman, Sister Hortensia," Merlin turned to Salser, "What do you think? Wizard Salser, although I don't hold much hope for your gentlemanly manners—your personal grooming is indeed quite poor."

"If you were sent to prison, you'd definitely receive some 'rough' treatment."

With that barb, Salser paused briefly before adding, "Moreover, I can sense that you're quite skilled in the art of seduction."

Merlin shrugged, neither confirming nor denying.

Next, he bid farewell to Salser and Caren with a polite gesture, then turned and disappeared into the mist.

The two girls also walked away.

He continued to follow Caren along the floating stone steps, crossing rivers and lakes, passing by scattered spired towers, constantly reflecting on the conversation he had with the mage. Whether Merlin would play a significant role in his future—he wasn't sure, but befriending such a mage—it certainly wouldn't be detrimental.

"It seems you two got along well," at the crossroads corner, Caren tilted her head, her bright amber eyes scrutinizing him, "My opinion of you has changed now."

"What aspect has changed?" Salser pulled his gaze away from the distant black clock tower with six faces, turning to meet her eyes.

"Do you know—that mage's reputation in Britain for seducing women and causing strained relationships?" Caren led him to the left, her tone still flat as she spoke, "Now, I think you might share the same nature as him." She looked up, meeting Salser's gaze once more, her voice solemn: "Do you understand?"

"Perfectly understood, Sister—you're trying to provoke me."

"...I don't think that's the case, I'm actually complimenting you," Caren said with a tone that sounded more like mockery, "You look pretty handsome yourself, I'm sure you could make some little girls' hearts stirring with love."

"I'm honored by your words, Sister."

"Is that so? Then I'm honored as well," she gave a light chuckle, not knowing whether it was a friendly or malicious laugh.

.....

When they arrived at the inn room, they found it empty.

"Could it be that your superior had a sudden heart attack and dropped dead on the street?" Caren pushed open the balcony door. Outside was a tranquil and deep darkness, and across the street, a few shops could still be seen flickering with faint lights.

"I'm certain that's not the case."

"Is that so? Because of your loyal dog contract?"

"What do you think?"

"So, can you give a 'woof' for me to hear?"

Caren leaned on the railing under the night sky, turned to face him, and held a large cup of freshly brewed black tea in her fair hand, heavily sweetened with sugar. She raised the drink, which was sweet enough to make a normal person nauseous, to her lips, took a sip, and waited.

"No, I can't."

"Ah, what a pity, I thought you'd be quite used to barking by now, given the legendary loyal dog contract."

Caren turned around, still in her open white lab coat, emitting a faint smell of disinfectant.

"Just making ends meet," Salser plopped down into a deck chair, placing the half-drunk cup of black tea on the porch, and said, "Now, what do we do? I'm not very familiar with this city."

"You mean finding your master?"

"Can you use a better term?"

"But isn't that contract just like the relationship between a dog and its owner?" Caren smiled, turning around under the vast expanse of stars, her white hair bathed in the night breeze, her hands gently resting in front of her abdomen, like a meticulously crafted work of art, "Give me a 'woof', and I'll help you find your master, Salser Bettrafio."

A white-flame cobra, as tall as a person, slithered out from Salser's mouth, its six blood-red eyes all focusing on her.

"Try saying that again?"

"...You look quite displeased, are you going to use violence to force me into submission?"

"I don't mind using violence."

"Seems you're quite the brute as well—but you seem to keep it well in check, have you had some kind of training?" Caren asked casually, her hands clasped together in front of her chest like in prayer.

The moonlight cast a layer of frost on her fair fingers and cascading hair, her delicate figure clearly outlined under the moon's glow.

"That question is pointless, Sister Caren," Salser lounged in the deck chair, uninterested, "I'm not keen on sharing my privacy with someone I've just met."

"It seems you truly are as Wizard Merlin described—lacking in gentlemanly manners," Caren quietly prayed to the moonlight for a moment, then opened her eyes, turning her head to look at him, "Are you sure you can't give a 'woof' for me? It might just brighten the mood for the young lady in front of you."

The cobra brought its flame-wreathed triangular head close to Caren's face, opening its mouth full of fangs.

"...Really, alright then," Caren looked indifferently into the cobra's eyes, "I have a decent relationship with the local military, tomorrow you can follow me to find the city guards, and we'll inquire about your master's whereabouts."

"Can't we do it tonight?"

"Most of the troops are resting at night, Sir Loyal Dog," Caren seemed to enjoy using such titles, "And I don't see any concern in your eyes."

Salser raised his eyebrows, neither confirming nor denying, "Just don't leave me hanging if you drop dead."

"The love between a dog and its owner is indeed complicated," Caren sighed, then closed her eyes and prayed towards the moonlight, "I need to swear to my Lord that I'm not using these terms with malicious intent."

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