"Uh… We already have camping gear, and we bought water and food. We’ve got spare weapons, too. Bug repellent and a barrier to ward off monsters are fine. Then… ah, that’s right. I still need to buy snacks and dog food."
I checked my shopping list as I walked through the town.
The snow-covered town of Snowlake.
Having been away for more than ten years, it felt so nostalgic.
Just walking through it like this somehow filled me with a strange, gentle feeling.
"Ah."
"Oh?"
Suddenly, I ran into Claudia-san.
She was also shopping, it seemed, holding a shopping bag in one hand.
"Shopping?"
"Yes. I’m buying things here that aren’t available in the village."
"I see. It must be inconvenient being so far away."
"Indeed. But building a village too close to others is… well, there are various reasons."
Claudia-san trailed off.
Sensing what she left unsaid, I felt a pang of discomfort.
The reason beastkin live far away from human settlements is because of us humans.
Like what happened to Aisha—made into a slave…
Humans keep repeating such terrible things.
"…I’m sorry."
"Eh? Why are you apologizing?"
"Because we humans have caused trouble for you and your people…"
When I said that, Claudia-san smiled gently.
"You’re very kind, Fate-san."
"I’m not…"
"No, you are. To genuinely care for us and worry about us—that’s not something many can do."
"But maybe it’s just pity…"
"I don’t think pity is bad. It means you’re able to see things from our perspective."
"Hearing you say that helps."
We continued walking side by side, talking.
It was nothing more than small talk, but… still, it was enjoyable.
She’s a mysterious person.
Being with her somehow makes me feel at ease, calm.
Maybe it’s because of her gentle aura?
"By the way… it’s a little late to ask, but may I join you on your shopping?"
"Ah, of course."
"Thank you. There are still some things I want to buy… but I didn’t know where the store was, so I was having a little trouble."
"What are you looking for?"
"Pet supplies."
"…Sorry?"
Did I mishear that?
I wondered, but Claudia-san continued, her expression serious.
"Is there no shop in this town that sells pet supplies?"
"Uh… there’s one shop like that."
"I’m glad to hear it. Sorry to trouble you, but I’d appreciate it if you could show me the way."
"Why do you need to…? Wait, is it for Snow?"
"Yes, of course!"
She confirmed it almost before I finished asking.
"I can’t allow Lord Snow to be inconvenienced in any way. For a comfortable journey, and so that he can live in the village without any problems, I must buy everything he needs!"
With a fiery sense of mission blazing in her eyes, Claudia-san declared this with conviction.
It was a little overwhelming…
But to the beastkin, Snow must be that important of a being.
I couldn’t help but wonder… is it really okay for someone like Snow to be with us?
That thought briefly crossed my mind…
"Well, it’s fine, isn’t it?"
Most importantly, Snow himself wanted to be with Aisha.
He’d even grown attached to us.
So there shouldn’t be a problem.
The one to decide is Snow himself.
"But are pet supplies really okay? Maybe you should get him something more… high-end."
Claudia-san looked a little awkward.
"…After all, the Divine Beast is, when all is said and done… still basically a dog."
She ended up saying something that was a little too blunt.
――――――――――
"Phew, that’s about everything."
The shopping was finally done.
However, it had taken longer than expected, and the sky had already begun to glow red with sunset.
"Thank you for helping me."
"No, thank you. I’m glad I got to talk about so many things with you, Claudia-san."
I learned something new about the beastkin.
Just a little, but I felt like I could understand them better.
With Aisha too… I want to understand them more and more.
Because if I keep doing that…
Then maybe, someday, we really will understand each other in the truest sense.
"Well then, shall we head back?"
"Yes."
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