Quite some time passed.
The wolves repeatedly grew wary, quickly relaxed, and then became frightened again just as fast.
“It’s because they have all become cowards.”
Arca, the chieftain’s friend, apologized as she spoke.
“I’m sorry, friend. The wolves weren’t this cowardly until ten years ago, but as their bodies weakened over time, their minds also began to deteriorate. It is unfortunate.”
“How could they remain the same in an environment like this? Living things change even when everything around them remains constant, and the world as it is now is far too cruel to every living being. You must have suffered greatly.”
“I’m glad you understand.”
As Arca sighed, the chieftain, Gargal, approached.
“Don’t tell our guest only bad things.”
“You won’t listen to my chatter, so I have no choice but to catch our guest and talk instead.”
“The dignity of the wolf race is at stake….”
“Gargal, dignity does not fill our hungry bellies.”
“Nnngh….”
Gargal’s groan sounded somewhere between a whine and a growl. Among wolves, age was not a particularly valuable concept, and they did not take it into account in their relationships. Even so, it seemed difficult for a seven-year-old to overcome the experience of a thirty-five-year-old.
Argio felt his heart warm.
“The two of you are truly close.”
“You sometimes use that… that way of speaking.”
“Did it not suit me?”
“It suited you so well my fur stood on end.”
For…