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Chapter 25

"(My grandfather once told me about the hellish bestiary. The Winsel family is an aristocrat with a long line of tradition. We collect trophies from those we had hunted, and leave those not worthy of one. Demon dogs are sentient, much like you are, and intelligent, but they never developed a feeling like you)."

"(Is that a problem for my master?)"

"(No, it's alright. Ifrit would be thrilled to know that you truly loved him just the way it is, despite on how I saw him treated you)."

"(That's the problem)," said Sammael while trying to tie up the arrowhead to the stick. "(A demon dog that had been defeated by a hellhound had two fates; either they are killed or...becoming the slave of the hellhound for generations to come. Ifrit and his father are the only ones who got a gut to command me around without fearing me rebelling them. For master Hynorsi, he completely trusted me with a hint of fear in his treatment against me. His son is more direct, and I can say the Schelkz blood runs strong in him)."

"(And why is that?)"

"(Schelkz is...the only royal line with a vicious natural ability akin to a warrior. They are the only line on par with the viciousness of my race, and thus, being vicious is dangerous. They are the closest to the wilderness)."

Now Eshdar realized that despite of trying to talk calmly, Sammael was trembling. Not because of his inexperience in making the arrow, but because he was scared. He was scared by the black hellhound. Eshdar never saw a demon dog looked more like a dog than a demon, and somehow Ifrit's aura caused him to be scared, and of course it also rubbed on Eshdar a bit. When in fights, Ifrit was very skilled and dangerous. He could use anything as if he had mastered them. The first time they both met, Eshdar was astonished that with only a chair, Ifrit not only break some skulls, but also kill the hellhounds, though he didn't look like a psychopath, and he had a nice mortal girlfriend. Ifrit could be dangerous if he ever lost everything he had gained after losing everything on the hands of the rebels.

"(You can talk to me about Ifrit. Why are you scared?)"

"(I...never felt like this before. Before I got this thing, this...feeling, I only follow orders. Ifrit wasn't abusing me that much, but I'm sure as hell be dead if he ever got dissatisfied. He's my master, and I need to...)"

"(Sam, you don't have to follow everything on Ifrit. You're a sentient being. I know he will understand. If not, you have my back)."

Sammael didn't immediately reply, but Eshdar could see beneath the mask, his six eyes were giving sad expression, and the red hellhound knew the dog understood.

"(C'mon, gimme a hug.)"

"(But I thought that's human tradition.)"

"(Your size is enough for me to hug ya. C'mon, you can stand with your back legs, right?)"

Just then Ifrit came back when they were in a middle of hugging each other, which was oblivious for them until they saw a shadow on the doorstep. Ifrit just returned from the market with Lilac, buying the foods for the night's meal when they saw that. Ifrit gave Lilac the groceries and said, "(Eshdar, are you romancing my dog?)"

"(N...no! Wait, don't give me shit! I'm just giving Sammael a little comfort that's all!)"

"(Y-yes! He's right, master Ifrit! It's just a friendly hug, nothing more!)"

"(I'm not mad...I'm just worried on...)"

"(Master Ifrit, I'm a goddamn demon dog! I'm not in love with a hellhound or something!)"

Sammael said that out of reflex, and he quickly got scared and cowered, which Eshdar stood up with the confused Ifrit and said, "(You know, there's a long story while you're out.)"

"(We just separated an hour ago, Eshdar, how's that a long story? And Sam, are you okay?)"

"(He's just scared of you, Ifrit. Here, let me give you the details)."

While Eshdar talked with Ifrit, Lilac walked to the clearly scared Sammael. Somehow the outworldly growl and bark took the demon dog's dignity, and somehow he was barking at Ifrit. Lilac then gave a comfort and said, "Are you okay?"

"Missy...I can't..."

"You're talking with me, so you can express everything to me."

Knowing that it wasn't all that helping with Sammael, Lilac went closer to his ear and said, "Ifrit scared you, eh?"

Hearing the name made him jumped a little, before Lilac continued by saying, "I know he treated you more like a companion than a friend, but know this. If you fancy, talk to him normally, like how hellhounds do. You're not like a surface dog, and you talk two languages. I can help him understand your perils. But for now, tell me what's in your mind."

After saying that, Ifrit came back to both of them. His serious gaze made Sammael felt he was like being roasted, but the next moment of surprise came to him when Ifrit suddenly patted his head and said, "Well, maybe my dog here is better than the rest, huh? Hey, Sam, just call me Ifrit next time. We're not master and pet, we're friends."

Sammael wasn't sure what to say, but with his flexible front legs, he put off his skull covering, revealing the group, for the first time, his six black eyes. This made Lilac a little uncomfortable, but she knew he wanted to say something.

"(I just want you to know that I'm happy to be on your side, Ifrit)."

"(Yeah. You're one hell of a dog)."