When they arrived at Mr. Farma's shop, Ake and Plum jumped into their mother's chest in a flash.

'Oh my goodness ... what's wrong, you two?'
'Well, umm ... a bad person tried to bully Theon, but that big brother saved him.

　Eike says excitedly. Mr. Falma's bent over apron is being pulled and biting into a bulge that's too big for him - it's normal for children to spoil their parents, but it's a very hard sight to see directly.

'Thank you so much, Lady Atobe. I have to protect these children, but for all the trouble I've had to go through...'
'No, I'm glad I happened to pass by. And I can't afford to have my children's pocket money taken away.
Thank you, brother Atobe!　I'll give you this!

　Plum gives me a candy that he was holding in his little hand. I'm not sure if I should take it - Igarashi-san makes me hold it in my hand, and then takes the candy out of the pouch and hands it to Plum instead.

''What? Are you sure?　Thank you, sis!
'Your sister has a sweet tooth, too. I hope it's good for your palate, Plum.

　Igarashi-san also bends down and pats the plums. The street where the 'box store' is located has suddenly become more relaxed - everyone is looking at it with a smile.

''It shouldn't be too bad in town because of the karma thing... but I guess there are still people who take advantage of the loophole.
'Theon was trying to protect Ake and the others, and he bumped into a rattler. He really is a brave dog.
Bow.

　Theon barked like a phase, as if he knew he was being praised. Seeing this, Falma-san's eyes widened.

'Well I can't believe Theon is nipping at the others. Silverhounds are supposed to only allow their masters to have a heart, but they seem to adore Atobe-sama.''
'Theon knows his brother was protecting him.
'My brother Atobe is amazing!　Just being together is magical....
Please keep that to yourself.
"?　Why?
'My brother Alihit is shy, so he gets shy and hides when praised!
'Really?　Well then, Plum, I'll leave you alone!

　My secrets are protected by Igarashi-san and Misaki. Well, I can see why Plum would want to say it, and I don't think the secrets of the 'rear guard' will leak out a little or a lot.

　As for Theon nudging me, it's probably because I 'supported' him. Oddly enough, I've been able to verify that my trustworthiness increases when I support him outside of the labyrinth - but when I look at the license, it only shows about the battle between us and Jack.

'I'm sorry, these kids are just as interested in everything as I am...'
'No, don't worry about it. Mr. Falma, is there a place where you can introduce me to an escort dog like Zion?
'Have you taken a liking to Theon?　 You seem to be very fond of dogs.
Yes, I used to have one, Rearward, do you want a dog like Zion?
What, doesn't that mean it's for Kyoka's sister?
'Huh ... oh, congratulations. You wanted to have a dog with us, which means you were intimate with us before you met us.
''No, no, it's not that. It's just that Igarashi-san is my former boss and I'm his subordinate.

　I thought I explained things as they were, but Igarashi-san's mood was somewhat disconcerting - she said it was like she was my subordinate, so I should have respected her feelings? I still don't understand this thing called maidenhood.

'I thought we'd built up a little bit of trust as a party... but then it's not like anything has changed since before I reincarnated.
''Ha, yes. As a party, of course, we're united, or maybe we're relying on her...
''Hmm........Atube-sama is very serious after all, isn't she? However, like Igarashi-sama, everyone seems to be tightly united around Atobe-sama. I wish I could have an adventure with such a group of friends... although my life now is full of life every day.

　Farma says, patting the heads of Aik and Plum. While doing so - Theon reacts to the entrance of the store. The one that came out of there was a silver hound that was one size larger than Sion.

''Farma-san, did you have two dogs?''
'Yes, Theon is his child. He's such a big kid, but he's only been born for about two years.

　The mother dog had a scarred eye, giving her the look of a giant dog of the past. However, when she found Sion, she approached and licked Sion's fur with a peroration and began grooming him.

''I was asked to do a little guild work and was away for a while, but I came back today.
'I see. If you have two strong dogs, that's a lot of relief.
''Yes, I don't think the security is bad, but there are people who will inevitably think bad things.......oh dear. Zion, I knew it........

　Theon pulls away from his mother's dog and looks at me. It looks like it's waiting to be ordered to do something - though it's not my dog, so I can't do that.

'If you don't mind, Atobe-sama, would you like to take Theon with you the next time you go out to explore?
Are you sure you're sure?　That would certainly help, though.
'She has a father and he's still an active guard dog. If it's Atobe-sama, I wish I could ask for your help, since Theon also adores you.......

　If Sion comes, having him use 'Covering' will make my party's defense even more ironclad. It's a bit awkward to ask Falma-san's house dog to act as a shield - but if it's the labyrinth of the eighth district, we won't have to suffer so much anymore.

''How do you like it?　If you don't feel up to it...
'No, rather the opposite. Since Theon has helped me so much will you come with me and explore once?

　I hold out my hand to Zion and he gives me a big hand. He keeps me from clawing, and the paw pads feel surprisingly pudgy and nice.

(I know I'm doing this with Theresa, but even in a relationship where trust doesn't seem to be inherently high, I can use my skills to increase the trust level. (Let's remember that even someone who can't talk to me can become my friend depending on how you do it.)

'Pet Theon, please, because this boy loves to be petted.
'Oh, yes ... I hope that's all right.

　As I was stroking Sion's head, I thought he started to move something - and then he rolled over and laid down on the ground, showing his belly.


''It's true ... she's cute. She's big, but she's surprisingly spoiled.
You shouldn't have been so scared, Mr. Rear, you shouldn't have been so scared.
'It's been a long time since I've touched a dog but I'm getting a little used to it. Elitia, what's up?

　When I called out to Elitia, who was glancing at me, she hesitated a bit before saying, as if she had made up her mind.

''........let me touch you too?''
'Yeah, sure. Do you want to touch Theresa too?

　If you're going to join the party, Theresia should also get used to Zion - she knows that, too, and gently reaches for her stomach with Elitia.

''.........''
''Theon seems to feel good too. She won't be alarmed by the sub-humans, so don't worry about it.

　Theresia nodded her head in a perturbed way when Falma-san approached her. Elitia is silently and enthusiastically touching it - it seems there were many animal lovers in my party.