The Apothecary Noble Lady Treated Like Trash Was Executed — After Being Pushed Off a Cliff, She Regained Memories of Her Past Life, So She Abandoned the Kingdom and Decided to Enjoy a Carefree Life in Another World" - Episode 8

Ark cut through the wind as he ran.

“So fast!!”

“Humans are so easily amused, getting excited over something like this.”

I’d never experienced speed like this in either my past life or this one. Mountains, valleys, forests, and rivers all flashed by in an instant.

The forest that had been near the abyss was already far behind us, no longer visible.

Since my past-life memories returned, this was the first time I’d passed by someone from this world but they couldn’t even perceive Ark, he was moving so fast.

Their voice faded like the Doppler effect, and the sight of them nearly toppling over from the gust Ark left in his wake was kind of funny.

“There don’t seem to be any towns west of the one up ahead for a while.”

“How do you know?”

“I don’t smell any humans.”

“Wow~, you can tell from that far away? Then let’s head to that town.”

“I can even detect lies and malice just by scent.”

“Whoa, that’s amazing!”

In my past life, I’d heard dogs had a sense of smell anywhere from a thousand to a hundred million times stronger than humans.

Maybe Ark was especially sharp.

“I can see the town now.”

“Oh, you’re right!”

After a while, a town came into view in the distance.

“Hey, we should stop soon.”

“Why?”

I didn’t get it. Weren’t we just going straight to town?

“If you don’t mind causing a commotion, we can keep going.”

“Ah~, wait, wait! Stop, stop, stop!”

Teased like that, I finally realized what Ark meant.

I’d totally forgotten.

To me, he was just my cute partner, but to anyone else, Ark looked like nothing but a terrifying monster.

If we barged in like this, there’d definitely be a scene. Worse, the guards might even try to fight Ark.

That wouldn’t do.

After Ark stopped and crouched down, I hopped off onto the ground.

Luckily, there was no one around. Ark must’ve known from the scent, which was why he’d been running so boldly in such an open area.

“But what do we do now? Should I go in alone?”

I figured I had at least the bare minimum knowledge of this world. I could probably handle shopping in town or registering at the adventurer’s guild.

“No need for that. I shall make myself smaller.”

“Wait, you can do that?!”

“Indeed. For a being of my stature, altering one’s size is trivial. Unlike humans.”

“Wow~, as expected of you!!”

If he could shrink down, it probably wouldn’t cause a fuss. Some people had the Tamer skill, so if we passed him off as a familiar, it should be fine.

“Naturally, naturally.”

“Then go ahead and try it!”

“Hmph. If you insist, very well. Behold.”

—Poof!

Suddenly, Ark was enveloped in smoke.

“Whoa, what’s this?! So cuuuute!!”

“Nyaa?! What are you doing?!”

When the smoke cleared, Ark had transformed into an absurdly tiny puppy-sized version of himself.

His big, round eyes and innocent face were unbearably adorable. I couldn’t help but scoop him up.

He was so cute I wanted to nuzzle my face against his. Maybe I could just carry him into town like this.

“Uryu-uryu-uryu~!”

“Enough! Release me this instant, you—!”

“Ah!”

I’d been rubbing my face against little Ark’s belly when he suddenly wriggled free and leaped out of my arms.

Another puff of smoke enveloped him.

This time, when it cleared, Ark had taken on the size of an ordinary wolf monster—about a meter tall at the shoulder. Still imposing, but nothing compared to his usual form. This size might just work.

“You should be grateful I’m cooperating at all.”

“Fiiine…”

The tiny Ark had been adorable, but if he didn’t like it, I couldn’t force him.

I started walking toward town with wolf-sized Ark by my side.

“So that’s the otherworld’s town.”

After a while, a town surrounded by sturdy walls came into view.

Since this was practically my first time seeing a proper town, I couldn’t help but be awed by its grandeur.

“There’s a bit of a line.”

“Woof!”

A small queue had formed at the entrance.

When I casually spoke to Ark, he responded with a normal wolf’s bark.

Oh, right. Wolves don’t talk.

“Though we can communicate like this.”

“Huh? What’s this?”

Suddenly, Ark’s voice echoed in my head, making me glance at him.

“Telepathy. A perk of our master-familiar contract. We can converse through thoughts.”

“Wait, can you hear everything I’m thinking?”

“Relax. Only what I intend to convey reaches you.”

“Oh, good.”

“Just what kind of thoughts are you hiding?”

“Secret~”

We continued our telepathic conversation while waiting in line.

No one seemed alarmed by Ark’s presence, so maybe this would work after all.

“Next!”

“Here!”

The gatekeeper called, and I stepped forward.

“May I see your identification?”

“Sorry, I just came from a rural village and don’t have any ID.”

I’d completely forgotten about identification.

Drawing from the web novels I’d read in my hospital bed, I tried to improvise.

“You’re awfully quick with the lies.”

“Shush.”

Ark sounded amused as he butted in.

“I see. In that case, the entry tax is one silver coin. Can you pay now?”

“Well, I don’t have coins on me. But I gathered some medicinal herbs to sell. If I can exchange them for money, I should be able to pay.”

I showed the basket filled with herbs.

“Understood. I’ll cover it for now.”

“Really?”

If they were this lenient, couldn’t anyone just walk in?

“Yes, I’ve got a good eye for people. Just be sure to repay it while you’re in town. By the way, if you register at the adventurer’s guild and get an ID, you won’t have to pay the entry tax next time. I’d recommend it. Also, make sure to register your black wolf as a familiar.”

“Got it. Thank you for being so helpful.”

“Not at all, it’s part of the job. Then once again welcome to Bandor.”

With a friendly wave from the gatekeeper, we passed through the gates.