The Silent Pact of a Wolf Babysitter
Chapter 107: Arachne, as in THE Arachne?!

Chapter 107: Arachne, as in THE Arachne?!

"I recognized your name. Swanir called you ’Raven,’ and with your wolf-like powers... I started to remember. In Jose’s cloudy past, she adored a dark beast. A Fenrir. His name was Ravenswood. So... I did the math."

Her voice cracked, although she smiled.

"But I was happy. Jose was happy. We thought we’d finally be put out of our misery—by her god."

But even as you fought us... every strike you made—it never felt like incoming death. Each attack felt warm. Every time you hit us, we could feel your exceeding compassion. And in the end, instead of destroying us, you saved us. You brought Jose back to her senses. You even evolved us, and gave us a place in your family."

Her grip on me tightened, her voice barely a whisper now.

"You gave me a place... I used to think; Perhaps all gods were the same. Cold. Distant. And uncaring about mortals. But you, Master Ravenswood, you showed me true kindness." Arachne’s voice was soft, trembling. "And I loved it. I loved... you. Ever since you devoured us with that wolfy mist... my heart hasn’t stopped longing."

She pulled back just enough to look at me, her expression caught somewhere between hope and fear.

"I know I’m a common servant! I can’t even compare to Lady Levina, Lady Alicia, or Lady Tamayō, but... I at least wanted you to know my feeli—huh? Master Ravenswood? Are you listening at all? Haven’t you been trembling for a while now?"

"..."

Oh no.

I think I just got roped into some wild storyline where a side character turns out to be absurdly important.

Sarvest? Athena?

Wait, wait, wait! When she said her name was Arachne, she meant THE Arachne?! The one who challenged a god’s supremacy over mere embroidery and got banished into Spider-Purgatory for eternity?!

{It wasn’t so attention-grabbing.}

And why does this suddenly feel like she’s a secret agent for Sarvest?!

Also, why the hell does she keep saying I’m a god?!

And who the hell is Jose?!

Hold on. Hold on.

Platform...?! Could it be that Jorō isn’t just mentally fractured with two clashing personalities—but actually has two separate souls crammed into one vessel?

{...}

(No, you can’t just abandon me with all these obscurities now!)

And now she says she has feelings for me because of my "Kindness?"

Woman, I brutalized you with every intention of cold-blooded murder. There was no kindness there!

I even stole your loot! And sent you to Shadow Realm to die a "complete" death. I swear I almost danced after your defeat!

I never thought you’d surface in the next few Chapters!

{Fine, calm down, Master.}

(What do you mean calm down?! I’m not freaking out in the least!)

{In times like this, you have to calm down and focus.}

{Yeah... yeah, so I should just wing it as usual, right?}

{Of course, master. You’ve lied your way out of worse.}

"I’m fine, Arachne." I muttered, using a hint of soul magic to stop the shaking. "And that was... a really heavy story. If I’d known, I probably wouldn’t have let things go that far."

She looked away, her face a little red. "I know..."

So you do?!

She looked up at me again, wearing that innocent, childlike expression—completely at odds with her usual bold, mature personality.

"Master Ravenswood... kiss me..."

GULP!

The moment of truth.

Depending on how I handle this, she might call backup from Sarvest’s army.

{That’s assuming she is a spy—}

You can never be too cautious. Always expect the worst!

I nodded cautiously, leaned in slowly—slower—slower—then...

SMOOCH.

Arachne froze. Her hand rose slowly to her forehead where I’d kissed her.

"I understand your feelings," I said, gently patting her head, "and I do appreciate, truly. But I’m not looking for a... romantic relationship right now—courtesy of the Mad Trio."

Arachne looked down like a young hunter who’d just been told Open Season was over.

So I added, "But there’s one thing I’m certain of... You’re my responsibility now. I’ll treat you like family. That, I promise."

"So... I’m like your little sister?"

Arachne, you’re way older than me... but let’s go with that.

"Yes. Something like that."

"But I don’t want to be your little sister! I want to be your little sister and your lover!"

So greedy!!

"Enough, Arachne!" Ah! It seems Jorō have returned. "If you keep disturbing the Lord, and it starts affecting me too, I will be offended."

"Ah... I’m sorry, Jose. I got carried away again."

"As long as you understand... And do not call me Jose!"

Watching her argue with herself like that—it was just plain weird. And honestly? A little terrifying.

Soon, her black eyes shifted back to crimson.

"Please," Jorō said with a deep bow. "I ask forgiveness on Arachne’s behalf. She may be impulsive and a bit much, but she is a good girl."

"Hehe." I let out a soft chuckle.

"My Lord?" Jorō tilted her head.

"Ah, sorry. You just acted like a big sister there... I could totally picture the dynamic between you two."

Jorō blushed faintly, fingers casually twirling a strand of her pink hair.

"Now then, my Lord," she said, placing her hands gently on my shoulders, "it’s time for you to rest!"

"Uh... I don’t need sleep, though. And I’m still very much traumatized by what happened in that igloo-earth-house."

"Worry not about such things," she said with that soft, big-sister smile. "I will protect my Lord."

"...So you’re saying I’m helpless?"

"Ah! N-No! That’s not what I—!"

"Heh, just kidding." I smirked. "I leave it to you, then."

With that, I lay down, using her lap as a pillow.

...I think I can trust Jorō. Even if Arachne still kind of gives me the creeps, I get the feeling Jorō can handle her, if push comes to shove.

{Master is too naïve.}

(Shut that imaginary mouth of yours! All you ever do is whine! And hey, why didn’t you warn me before Levi and the others laid ambushed?!)

{I sensed no threat.}

(Then you better fix your danger sensors!)

I’ll save the question of "how did Jorō get out of the Shadow Realm on her own?" for tomorrow...

For now, maybe I’ll actually get some good sleep on this beautiful woman’s lap—

...

...

.

’Help us... Lord!’

’Where are you, Lord Ravenswood?!’

’I’m in pain—help! Please, save my mother, oh Great Fenrir!’

’So much suffering... Fight for us, Great Wolf God!’

(Oh no... I was wrong. If anything, this just got worse!)