Night lay heavy over the camp.
Samael stirred the ashes, added more firewood, and rekindled the campfire. Gently patting Barghest's back, he patiently coaxed the little one to sleep.
In truth, caring for an infant at night was an exhausting and tedious task.
Even setting everything else aside, a human infant needed to be fed once every two or three hours.
Barghest, an atavistic sub-A-Ray born among the Dog Demons, would one day earn the title of "Big Eater." Her appetite alone was enough to drive anyone caring for her to the brink of collapse.
In fact, Samael had barely slept since entering the tent. He had kept part of his attention fixed on the little girl at all times and had already stopped her from erupting into tears at least four times.
Otherwise, if she had been allowed to keep fussing, his employer would not have gotten any sleep that night.
"Little thing, how about we make a deal? Can you behave yourself and spare me some trouble?"
Forced to get up in the middle of the night, the Ancient Serpent lightly brushed a bent finger across little Barghest's rosy cheek and grumbled in exasperation.
Perhaps because the fairy child had far too much energy, no matter how Samael tried to soothe her, the infant in his arms kept her large, round, mismatched eyes wide open. She studied the stand-in father before her and repeatedly tried to wriggle free of her swaddling clothes and escape his supervision.
Then a delicious aroma drifted past her nose.
The restless little girl immediately turned her head and stared fixedly at the glossy red strips of meat dangling above her.
Smells good! Tasty!
Drawn helplessly toward the fragrant food, the infant craned her neck like a loach taking the bait and snapped at the strip of meat again and again.
But how could a little loach lured by bait ever outwit an old and cunning serpent?
Every time the girl exhausted herself trying to seize the delicious treat, she fell just short of reaching it.
Eat! Come here!
Want it! Try again!
Tasty... can't let it get away...
Yet the strip of meat responsible for all her frustration remained suspended before her, always just barely out of reach.
Without her noticing, Samael had gradually raised his hand several inches higher.
Little by little, the child wore herself out from repeatedly craning her neck toward the tempting delicacy. Her vigor steadily faded, and her spirits began to flag.
After a while, the treat hanging from a thread of Mana swayed like a pendulum. Overcome by exhaustion, the mismatched eyes fixed on the prey unconsciously followed its path from side to side.
One... two... three... food... so much food... mmm... delicious...
At some point, the infant's heavy eyelids quietly closed. A contented, foolish smile spread across her delicate face as she drifted into a dream. Her newly grown canine teeth ground together as though chewing, producing faint little creaks.
Clearly, she was having a wonderful dream.
Mm. The braised beef he had made really did taste excellent!
Once the little girl was sound asleep, the unscrupulous temporary father tossed the bait into his own mouth rather than waste it. He chewed and swallowed with obvious enjoyment.
Hmph. Little thing, you're still too young to challenge me!
Mission accomplished, the Ancient Serpent felt immensely pleased with himself.
This girl did not look particularly bright. Defeating her had taken no effort at all...
In the flickering firelight, Samael lowered his gaze to little Barghest, who was drooling and smacking her lips happily. A trace of amusement appeared in his eyes.
Well, most canines were like this. Fortunately, he was the finest dog trainer around.
Cerberus, the three-headed hound of hell, and a certain wise wolf named Holo would undoubtedly agree.
With his extensive experience handling canines, the Ancient Serpent dealt with Barghest's antics effortlessly, calmly defusing every one of the girl's attempted outbursts.
When sunlight finally pierced the darkness and everyone emerged from their tents at dawn, they found the little creature happily gnawing on a strip of meat as she had wished. Like a thoroughly tamed puppy, she nestled against Samael's chest, displaying complete affection and dependence.
After packing their belongings and assembling the group, the wagons slowly left the campsite and began a new journey.
Their destination was the Nameless Forest.
Nock and his wife volunteered to drive the spacious carriage and guide the way. Samael, Morgan, and Barghest naturally occupied the VIP seats inside.
Mari wisely refrained from provoking her old rival Morgan any further. Instead, she climbed onto the wagon carrying their supplies and followed leisurely behind, privately savoring the lingering satisfaction of the previous night's prank.
The farther they traveled, the more remote the surroundings became. Vegetation gradually thickened, and the road grew increasingly rough.
However, with several layers of composite Magecraft in place, even the most uneven terrain felt nearly level beneath the carriage. It continued steadily toward their destination.
Clatter!
A violent jolt traveled from the wheels into the carriage and startled Samael awake.
He had actually... fallen asleep?
The Ancient Serpent pressed down with one hand and began to sit up. Unexpectedly, his fingers encountered something smooth and supple, like the finest silk sliding beneath his fingertips.
"You're awake?"
Morgan calmly smoothed the creases in her skirt. The sight of her fair, rounded thighs left Samael both dazzled and flustered.
Had he just been lying on Morgan's lap?
Realizing the answer, the Ancient Serpent touched the back of his head and his cheek, both of which still retained some warmth. A faint cold sweat formed on his forehead as his eyes wandered.
"You didn't seem to sleep well last night, so I cast a simple calming spell on you during the journey and let you rest a little longer."
Fortunately, just as Samael began to feel guilty, Morgan offered an explanation in a gentle voice.
Phew. Thank goodness. It had only been a false alarm.
Samael breathed a sigh of relief, then involuntarily glanced back at those pale, lustrous thighs as his thoughts raced.
A lap pillow from the Witch of Britain. Wasn't that a privilege Artoria only received on her deathbed?
What a generous employer!
Forget the Round Table and King Arthur. He was defecting! Queen Sister was the best!
A moment later, however, regret and indignation filled Samael's face.
What a waste. He had slept so deeply that he had failed to appreciate his employer's consideration before being jolted awake.
Damn that pothole!
Morgan noticed the intense gaze resting on her thighs. After a moment's hesitation, she looked up and asked,
"We haven't arrived yet. Would you like to sleep a little longer?"
Samael's eyes lit up. Just as he was about to answer, the carriage jolted again.
This time, the smell of soil and decaying vegetation accompanied it.
What was going on? Had the defensive spell failed?
His expression turning grave at the unexpected change, the Ancient Serpent immediately lifted the curtain and moved to the front of the carriage.
When Samael leaned out and looked ahead, an immense, primeval sea of trees filled his vision. Their tangled roots twisted together, while their enormous forms blotted out the sky.
Beneath the wheels lay a root shaped like a coiling dragon. It was the cause of the jolt.
Some of the trees rose straight into the sky. Others spread low across the ground. Some twisted and intertwined, while others bore canopies shaped like mushrooms.
Faint, multicolored light shimmered among the overlapping leaves and veins. The sight was breathtakingly beautiful, like the fantastical wonderland Alice encountered after falling down the rabbit hole.
"My lord, we've arrived at the Nameless Forest!"
Nock turned from the driver's seat to report, his flushed face filled with excitement and anticipation.
Having reached their destination safely, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
At that very moment, however, the hazy white mist covering the forest began to churn violently. From the distance came a continuous series of cracking sounds as trees snapped apart.
"Help! Help!"
Then came the urgent, childish cries for help.
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