Outside a cave, Naohara and the others arrived under Aura's guidance.
There was no scent of blood in the air. Instead, a faint fragrance of plants drifted around them, calming the mind.
"Snore… snore…"
A steady rumbling came from inside the cave. The so-called Wise King of the Forest was clearly enjoying an afternoon nap.
"Aura, draw it out."
Naohara glanced down at Aura in his arms, signaling her to make a move. For someone whose profession was [Beast Tamer], this was a simple task.
"Yes, Father-sama."
Aura replied immediately. She didn't leave his embrace. Instead, she opened her mouth and slowly exhaled a faint lavender mist toward the cave entrance.
Special Skill: [Aromatic Breath]
It was one of Aura's class skills, capable of attracting magical beasts. For creatures below her level, its allure was especially strong.
About three seconds later, the ground began to tremble.
A massive figure rushed out of the cave in a hurry. But the moment it saw Naohara and the others standing outside, it abruptly skidded to a stop.
However, under the influence of Aura's skill, its emotions were already stirred. After hesitating briefly, it charged straight at them.
A long, scale-covered tail lashed toward Naohara.
He casually waved his hand, and the tail was knocked aside as if it were nothing.
Only then did the enormous magical beast fully step out of the shadows, revealing itself.
Herohero and Momonga, who had been watching, both froze.
"…Isn't that a hamster?"
Momonga sounded genuinely surprised. What stood before them was not some fearsome monster, but an unexpectedly adorable hamster.
Earlier, Aura had said the Wise King of the Forest was a "little mouse." Momonga had assumed that was a metaphor. He hadn't expected it to literally be a rodent.
"Strictly speaking, it's a Djungarian hamster."
Herohero stroked his chin, studying the so-called Wise King as he explained to Momonga.
Those bright, sparkling eyes and those prominent buck teeth left little room for doubt. It was unmistakably a Djungarian hamster.
The only odd feature was the long, scale-covered tail extending from behind it.
"It's pretty cute."
Naohara looked at the fluffy creature in front of him and found it genuinely endearing. That soft fur… it would probably make an excellent pillow.
"I am the Wise King of the Forest! How can you describe me as cute?"
"However, since you were able to identify my species, you must have encountered my kind before. If you know of any, you must tell me. A creature that fails to reproduce can hardly call itself a proper living being."
The Wise King had initially taken on a combative stance, tail swishing back and forth in a rather adorable way.
But the moment it heard them name its species, the tail stopped mid-swing. Its large, glossy eyes fixed on them as it spoke with visible excitement.
"Well, we do have one," Momonga said, glancing at it thoughtfully. "But the size difference is… a little significant."
He compared the hamster in front of him to the one kept in Nazarick, then shook his head and brought his fingers slightly together, indicating a tiny gap.
Nazarick did indeed have a Djungarian hamster. It had once belonged to one of his former companions.
But the problem was… that one was far too large.
If it were to mate with the Wise King in front of them…
It would be like jamming a utility pole into an ant hole. Something was bound to explode.
"Is that so? What a pity."
The giant hamster let out a disappointed sigh. For a moment, it had thought its great mission of reproduction was finally within reach. Only to be crushed by reality.
"Then we shall resume the battle, intruders. Face the wrath of one whose slumber was disturbed!"
Its tail began swaying again as it prepared to attack.
"By the way… how about becoming our pet?"
Instead of fear, the group found the angry hamster even more adorable.
Momonga immediately gave up on the idea of killing it. Instead, he wanted to tame it and make it his pet.
He had once kept a hamster himself—a gift from Naohara during their first year as neighbors.
He had taken meticulous care of it, but in the end, it died of old age. He had been downcast for quite a while after that.
Now, seeing another hamster, he couldn't help but feel a tug at his heart. He wanted to bring it back to Nazarick.
"Who do you think you are, trying to make me your pet? I am the Wise King of the Forest! I would rather die than submit!"
The giant hamster froze for a moment, then rejected him righteously. What kind of joke was this? She was the Wise King of the Forest, the ruler of the Great Forest of Tob. How could she possibly become a mere human's pet?
"I see. That's a shame."
Momonga shook his head and said nothing more. He didn't like forcing others. Since she refused, there was no need to insist.
"Then we'll kill her."
He turned to his two friends and spoke with a hint of regret.
"Father-sama, can I have her fur? I want to make new clothes."
At that, Aura looked at Naohara eagerly, clearly interested in turning the hamster's fur into an outfit.
"Well… let me try once more. If it doesn't work out, I'll give her to you."
Naohara patted Aura's head. He wanted to try again. After all, he liked the hamster too. Momonga liked her, and Herohero seemed to like her as well. It would be a waste to kill her outright.
"Alright."
Aura didn't argue. Father-sama's will was absolute. As a good child, she knew to be obedient.
"Blackie, let's reason with this hamster lady together."
Naohara turned to Herohero with a smile.
"Since Momonga likes her, let's try talking some sense into her."
Herohero didn't object. To be honest, he also thought killing her would be a pity.
"Mare, put up a magic isolation barrier. Things might get a bit loud."
"Y-Yes!"
After giving the order, Naohara gently set the siblings down and walked forward. Herohero stepped up beside him.
[Dragon Lord Transformation]
[Ancient Ooze True Form]
Facing the Wise King of the Forest, who was bracing herself for another attack, the two exchanged a glance and activated their skills.
When reasoning with others, it was only polite to remove one's disguise.
A massive magic circle unfolded beneath them. Light flared.
Their humanoid forms dissolved, replaced by two colossal figures.
One was a nearly hundred-meter-long dragon. Jet-black scales covered its body, and four enormous horns extended from its head. A thunderous roar tore through the sky as overwhelming Dragon Might spread outward, plunging the surroundings into absolute silence.
The other was a gigantic, irregular mass of writhing slime. Its body twisted and shifted constantly. Wherever it touched, the ground hissed and corroded, the forest withering away until it stood as a massive ooze equal in size to the dragon.
"Cool!!"
Watching from a distance, Aura's eyes shone with excitement. She couldn't stop gasping in awe. It was her first time seeing Father-sama's dragon form, and she was instantly captivated by the sheer power it radiated.
Mare looked just as thrilled. That was his Father-sama—the strongest of the Supreme Beings.
Momonga, meanwhile, sighed helplessly. This was far too flashy. They were supposed to be ordinary adventurers. This didn't exactly fit the setting.
Still, he was genuinely touched. They were doing this for him.
"Now we can talk properly."
The massive dragon lowered its head, looming over the hamster. A deep, hoarse voice rolled into her ears.
"I'll ask you one more time. Do you want to become our pet?"
"If you refuse, we will be very displeased."
Herohero also lowered his enormous slime body, gazing down at the hamster—no bigger than an ant by comparison—and spoke slowly.
"I… I…"
The hamster stammered, her once-smooth fur standing on end. She could smell death.
"M-Master! From now on, I am your pet! No—please, allow me to become your pet!"
Spotting Momonga nearby, she panicked and scrambled toward him, dropping to her knees and trembling violently.
She was just a small hamster who valued her life.
"Really?"
"I don't like forcing others. If you're unwilling, it's fine."
Momonga looked at her with apparent concern.
"N-No, I'm willing! I truly am!"
"I've drifted through life with no master to serve. If you would not reject me, I am willing to devote myself as your pet!"
With two killing intents pressing down on her back, the hamster nodded frantically, sincerity practically written all over her fluffy face.
"Very well. From today onward, your name shall be Hamsuke."
Momonga was delighted and immediately gave her a name.
"See? Reasoning works."
"Indeed."
Naohara and Herohero exchanged a look and smiled.
Though, in their current forms, their smiles were nothing short of terrifying.
At least, that was how Hamsuke saw it.
A small puddle spread beneath her feet.
She had completely peed herself in fear.