The Knight from the Chapter 9: Long, long ago

Once upon a ti, there was a very foolish and simple human,

To avoid being looked down upon by her, Robert decided to practice walking upright. This ti, his walking was different from before—he wouldn't deliberately hunch his back, nor would he intentionally bare his teeth and drool. Instead, he walked like a human,

Straightening his hunched back, facing the gazes of the crowd, and with the knight's protection, walking proudly under the sun,

What he gained wasn't just people stopping to watch, but the hunter putting away his bow and arrows, and Little Red Riding Hood clapping at her doorstep,

These people's recognition, their heartfelt praise, though just words spoken from their mouths, wouldn't shake my resolve.

"So amazing, so amazing."

Robert worked hard with imnse anticipation, wondering what expression that foolish Little Red Riding Hood would show when she learned that Robert was actually a wolf?

So to tell this idiot that I'm actually a ferocious wolf, cunning, a wolf that only eats humans, I learned human language,

To ensure nothing went wrong, I studied many human writings and many different human languages. I learned all these things just to tell Little Red Riding Hood my true identity as Robert,

Everything was like this—I should tell her, make her afraid, then show fear, and I would rcilessly devour this little atball,

I studied human writing, I even put on human clothes,

But when I carried Little Red Riding Hood on my back to her grandmother's house, this little fool actually fell asleep on my back without any caution, how stupid!

Helping to greet the grandmother together, assisting the grandmother with cleaning her ho,

The grandmother was very kind and particularly fond of Little Red Riding Hood, though she was a bit talkative. I, Robert, am a wolf,

She actually held my hand and talked so much, mostly about taking care of Little Red Riding Hood, and stories from when this old thing was young, so strange tales and anecdotes,

Unfortunately, I'm now a wolf with a ho. Long ago, when people saw , Robert, they would call

a wild wolf,

But now when soone sees , I can tell them where I live—this is a very special feeling,

The grandmother's cakes were delicious, and for the sake of the cakes, I decided to spare Little Red Riding Hood this ti,

When taking Little Red Riding Hood back, we took the small path. Although the journey was sowhat longer, Little Red Riding Hood loved this place. Every ti she picked a wildflower, she felt the next one would be even more beautiful,

There weren't just flowers here, but also butterflies, and the songs of little birds,

Robert walked with his hands in his pockets, following Little Red Riding Hood, and when he ca to his senses, he already had a flower crown on his head.

"What is this?"

"So cute! This is a flower crown!"

Robert reached up to touch the flower crown on his head.

"Sothing like this would look better on you..."

"No, this was made for Robert. It suits you perfectly."

"What a strange person."

When they arrived ho, after the little atball went inside, Robert stood at the doorway just watching from afar. Delivering her here was enough, though he still hadn't eaten today,

Robert was about to turn and leave, but just then, a call ca from behind asking Robert to wait,

Though it was just a call, Robert imdiately turned his head, looking at Little Red Riding Hood and her mother waving at the doorway,

The smiles on the faces of the mother and daughter made Robert sowhat dazed,

Gradually, I seed to beco afraid to tell her. Actually, if I could stay by her side as a friend forever, that would be quite nice,

————

That seed to be a rainy day. I didn't know how much ti had passed, but I could understand that I felt relaxed. I didn't have to worry about food and shelter,

Little Red Riding Hood held up a large lotus leaf, using it as an umbrella against the rain, though it wasn't very effective,

Walking on that small path, even after walking it many tis, it never felt boring,

Perhaps it was because the flowers here blood vibrantly even in winter,

"Robert, I'm going to get married."

"This."

Before Robert could express any other opinion, Little Red Riding Hood imdiately hugged him, comforting Robert,

"Aw—don't cry, don't cry, don't worry."

"No, I don't feel like crying at all. Isn't this wonderful? There actually exists a human willing to marry you and make you his wife."

Robert also hugged Little Red Riding Hood, patting her shoulder as comfort,

"Little Red Riding Hood, we'll always be good friends."

Once upon a ti, in a certain place, there was a very, very foolish wolf,

He wore human clothes, learned human ways, and even made a few human friends,

Look, this wolf cast aside its wild nature, deluding itself to beco human,

On that day, Robert couldn't help but think, of course, after all, I'm just a wolf,

If I had known it would co to this, I should have just eaten her in one bite back then. But then again, that would have brought the knight's retaliation,

Actually, after all this ti, the knight had probably left long ago,

Really, even though after learning human language, even if I didn't pay attention, the animals would still praise his deeds,

How wonderful, that kind knight is still alive, how wonderful, his deeds are still being spread, how wonderful, I haven't broken my vow yet,

But I'm a wolf, I should have eaten that little atball. Really, if she's not taken care of properly, I'll definitely eat her,

————

When Robert wove a flower crown, and after taking off the little red hat from the little girl before him, Robert personally placed the flower crown on the cute little girl's head. How beautiful she looked!

The little girl was clearly surprised, her curiosity was great,

"So, so amazing!!

Why is Mr. Wolf, even though he's a wolf, so skillful with his hands?"

This little girl seed sowhat different, at least not as foolish, though still pure and innocent,

"Ah? Because wolves are all very clever and dexterous."

"Really? Then teach

how to make one?"

The other's request almost made Robert agree, but he still refused,

"No."

"Why?"

"No particular reason. If you really want to learn, you can have your mother teach you."

A breeze blew, flowers swayed, the little girl wasn't disappointed at all, but showed a smile,

"Why can Mr. Wolf speak human language?"

"Yes! Why exactly is that?"