The Silent Pact of a Wolf Babysitter
Chapter 100: She’s Pushing Me Into the Spotlight?!

Chapter 100: She’s Pushing Me Into the Spotlight?!

"Alicia," I placed a hand on her shoulder. "You’re not among the participants," I said calmly.

"Oh?" she sneered. "The she-fox Tamayō gets to play, but not me?"

Well, naturally!

You might just attempt to destroy the realm again!

Despite the back and forth, Alicia still walked up to the crystal, dragging that oversized weapon of hers.

"A... Alicia, dear," Master Raven called out, his voice slightly trembling. "Do try to control your magic, alright?"

"Of course, Ruby!" she beamed. "I’ll shatter this foolish stone and receive my reward—in the form of your seed."

Master Raven sighed. "Okay... do your best. Actually, don’t. Wait—what was that part about a see—?"

But Alicia was already closing in on the Gleipnir stone.

That weapon she carried, Bone Saw, was quite ancient.

At least four millennia old.

And one thing with relics like that is, with time, their power grows.

She held the saw in her left hand and swung at the crystal without ceremony.

The stone started to crack even before the blade got close.

Bone Saw glowed with a faint silvery-blue light, releasing a static hum of pressure.

CCCCCRASSHHH!

Before the blade could touch it, the crystal shattered completely—as if crushed by a force greater than the weapon itself.

Alicia stumbled forward, likely because it felt like she had swung at nothing but air.

She’s a monster, yes. That much has been established. But pairing her with a relic like that? It’s just unfair.

No magic. No technique. Just a girl swinging a big saw—and the stone collapsed in response.

Alicia ran off to collect her "reward" from the thoroughly exhausted Master Raven. Cheers erupted again from the crowd.

At this point, I was beginning to think they would cheer for anyone.

...Though, I admit, a part of me wanted to be cheered for, too.

But I had already claimed I was too weak to participate—a ploy meant to draw Master Raven’s attention.

Not only did that fail, but he outright told me to sit out and conserve my strength.

Now that Alicia had gone, the participants with special moves were complete.

The others—especially some of the newcomers—were still strong. And I wanted to observe at least a glimpse of that strength.

So I ordered that any remaining contestants with the power to attempt breaking the Gleipnir stone be allowed to try.

However, apart from the overachieving upstart, Jorō, only Cetus volunteered.

So I began to harvest—forcefully—the rest of the followers with a Prime Value of 500k and above.

First of the forced participants was Swanir, head of the Phantom Fangs.

*

SWANIR

Goodness... I knew we had some brutes in our group, but I didn’t realize the depths of their savagery.

Trigger, Tamayō, and the other elites... They’re too strong. I don’t think we’ll ever stand on equal ground with them.

Honestly, if the Supreme Lord hadn’t suddenly taken a liking to the Phantom Fangs, we’d still be nothing more than background extras.

After one of our mistress—Alicia, the first wife and baby—put on that phenomenal show of unmatched power, I assumed the event was done.

But then... Levina, the second wife and baby, rubbed her chin thoughtfully—then turned to me.

"Swanir," she called, firm and clear. "Step forward. Try your hand at breaking the Gleipnir stone."

...What?!

She’s pushing me into the spotlight?!

Lately, the Phantom Fangs have been getting attention, and it’s starting to annoy the others. We’ve already been getting bullied behind the scenes.

I can’t risk bringing more trouble to my group.

"I... I’m fine, Lady Levina." I waved nervously. "I’m quite confident there’s nothing I can do to—"

But before I could finish, the air grew suddenly cold. A wave of instinctual fear surged through me as I hurried to stop a gasp.

Lady Levina’s eyes were glowing yellow.

"Do you want me to repeat myself, Swanir?"

"N-No, My L-Lady!" I stammered, trying not to shiver. "I’ll do my best!"

And with that, I began the slow walk toward the massive crystal.

"Hey," Lord Ruben frowned. "Don’t intimidate my Swanir!"

Your Swanir?! M-Master, you mustn’t...

"But Master Raven," Lady Levina said calmly, "how is she supposed to grow if she keeps feeling small among her own? They are warriors—not maids."

...She... She was right.

It doesn’t matter if I’m even the weakest among us.

All of us are trying, in our own way, to serve the Lord.

I have to give it my all too. If I fail here, I’ll know what needs fixing.

But if I fail out there, on the battlefield... that’s not a dishonor I can take back.

I turned to Lady Levina with a firm expression, lips pressed in a tight line.

"I apologize for my cowardice, Lady Levina," I said. "I’ll use everything I have to test my strength on the Gleipnir stone."

"Good. That is what I want to hear." Lady Levina smiled. "So... what weapon do you prefer?"

Ah, yes. My Shadow Creation katanas wouldn’t even leave a scratch on that stone.

I told her I was a swordswoman. Like Hachiman-sama.

So, reluctantly, the Sea Demons brought me another blade.

It had a silvery hilt with a blue sash tied to it. The hilt pressed firm against my palm when I held it—solid.

The double-edged blade was wide, about three inches across at the tip, narrowing as it neared the hilt.

This would do.

It was far stronger than anything I could conjure within the shadows.

I didn’t have any special endowment.

I wasn’t especially brave.

Even my magic and physical strength were average, compared to the titans we had in our ranks.

But... I have faith.

Faith that if I truly wished to serve my adorable Lord—then nothing, not even this overwhelming mass of crystal power before me, will stand in my way.

I followed my instincts and took my stance. The blade pointed skyward as I gripped it with both hands.

I focused on the energy flowing through my body—then compared it to the flow running from the realm into the crystal.

It was faint. Barely anything. But it was there.

Golden lines. Smoky, glowing currents.

My gut was telling me, "severe those lines, and breach its strength."

...Okay, it wasn’t so specific, but that was what I could surmise.

So, I drew the sword back, poured in every drop of dull, unfocused magic I had, and swung at one of those golden lines.

At the very least, I thought I’d be able to carve a piece out—like Shizuka-sama did.

But the reality was... entirely different.

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