The Silent Pact of a Wolf Babysitter
Chapter 97: Levicraft

Chapter 97: Levicraft

This means it’s time for Lord NameGiver-from-the-Void-rius to make his grand return!

Also—maybe feeling inspired by Cetus’ interaction—they all began morphing into human-like forms as well.

Next up was a young-looking boy.

Why the youthful look, though?

Trying to mask your ancient age, are we?

He had white hair like Levi, though with black streaks along the sides. Levi’s black was at the hem of hers.

His demeanor was calm, collected.

And—undeniably—he was cute.

Why were all these monsters hiding behind cute faces? To hide the ugliness within?

So, without much thought, I named him Pok. For no reason beyond "it sounded good in my mouth."

But he reacted like I’d inscribed his destiny onto the stones of existence. Nearly cried.

I didn’t say anything. Just gave a slight nod and a smile.

He was also wearing a "sailor’s uniform," as Alicia dubbed it.

Something I wouldn’t have recognized on my own.

Back in Gihon, I spent most of my time indoors while my wolfkins did the moving around. Unless I was out to bite a leader’s head off, I didn’t really bother watching what humans wore.

If I had seen someone in that kind of uniform... well, I might’ve forced them to be my friend. Or else their village would’ve suddenly disappeared from the map.

Well, you know that’s probably a joke.

The next sea demon was a slimmer male. Toned, but still on the lanky side.

I called him Lancer. Because it sounded like "Lanky" in my head.

Why didn’t I just call him Lanky? Even I do not know.

Though, he accepted it like it was a divine bestowal. There was real joy in his eyes.

Then came another note-worthy woman with soft peach-colored hair that hung over her eyes.

"Why are you covering your face?" I asked, brushing her hair aside.

And paused.

She was striking. Even more than Levi—and Levi stood among the most beautiful beings I’d ever encountered.

"You hide such a beautiful face," I said, pouting. "I feel cheated."

It wasn’t meant to be anything more than a comic-relief statement, delivered with a bit of levity.

Still, it was enough to distract the Mad Trio. They immediately redirected their vigilance toward her, sparing Cetus.

I named her Lotus. It was the only elegant flower name that came to mind.

After receiving her name, Levi led her away, likely for education.

The fifth sea demon approached with a hint of reservation.

Younger—almost looking as young as Flora. And soft-featured—a cutie pie. There was something quiet about him. Gentle.

Maybe I’ll keep him, alongside her, for emotional support material.

Because of his size and softness, I named him Smut.

A mix of "small" and "cute." Genius, don’t you think?

He didn’t seem to mind.

"I shall do my very best to prove the worth of this great name, my Lord," he said.

It was a bit hilarious that while appearing as a kid, his tone was formal—almost ancient. Like a tiny, well-mannered grandfather stuffed into a child’s body.

Makes it cuter. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

The last one to step forward was a delinquent-looking girl.

She was the only one not wearing the sailor uniform the others seemed to adore.

Instead, she wore a fitted black outfit etched with ancient inscriptions that glimmered faintly when she moved.

Dark hair, dark eyes, pale skin.

There was something familiar about her—almost like she could pass as kin to Shizuka, Tamayō, or Swanir. The resemblance was subtle, but present.

"Everything I am is for the Queen’s whim and usage," she said coldly, voice cool and even.

Queen—as in Levi?

"But if my Queen has chosen you, I will not question her judgment. I have no choice but to tip my head in acceptance also."

Is it me, or does she probably not like the fact that I’m with Levi?

No, maybe she doesn’t even like me.

Which... I find to be...cute.

{Master is running mad.}

There was a hardness to her, an edge. That—combined with her poise—made a name come to mind without much thought.

"Venom."

It wasn’t deep, or symbolic. Just a name that carried the taste of danger and elegance. And it suited her.

Actually, I didn’t want to hurt my head thinking of a poetic name with dozens of hidden meaning, but still; venom had a sweet ring to it, right?

And though she was glaring at me, her cheeks were red.

A silent contradiction.

Which probably means, "Don’t get the wrong idea! I haven’t acknowledged you just yet. B-But I love the name. I completely understand that you’re a genius, Lord Ruben."

Something like that.

Apparently, the Sea demons under Levi—she literally made all of them in her free time—were more than a million of them!

Most of them weren’t strong.

They relied on their numbers in battle. Quantity over quality.

For folks like Tamayō, that didn’t mean much. She’d trample on them all in one fell swoop.

Their weaknesses weren’t just physical.

Most of them lacked will. No solid sense of self. No ego.

But there were few of their kind who were different, of course.

Cetus, these five sea demons, and a handful of others made up the exception. Fewer than a hundred in total.

Their strength came from three things: evolution, age, and the method of their transformation.

Some sea demons were forged in survival—born from near-death, molded through war, sharpened against foes far beyond them.

If they lived through that long enough, they evolved.

Others simply endured—age refining what time didn’t corrode.

With time came awareness. And awareness bred personality.

As for the third kind... Levicraft— I mean, Levi’s craft.

She could transform any humanoid creature that died in her presence into a sea demon—one eternally bound to her command.

Which reminds me of the battle that took place on her sea about two hundred years ago.

A great many lives were lost to those waters—more corpses for Levi to convert.

But since they were already dead, they don’t get any ego.

However, if Levi transforms them before death—while they’re still alive, and with their agreement—they retain their personality.

And in return, receive a tremendous boost in power.

Cetus here is the strongest sea demon currently in existence, with a Prime Value of roughly 660,000.

A true monster by any standard. And one that was turned willingly.

By the way, Cetus is the very first sea demon Levi ever created.

Thousands of years ago.

Yes. Despite my lording over her, she is technically my senior.

Well, that wraps up the new faces we’ll be dealing with for now.

Time to get moving again.

I called Levi over and asked her to point us toward the human settlement she mentioned earlier.

But instead, she revealed to me—