Chapter 21: My Pet is Called Snowy

Taking advantage of the moonlight, I walked out into the courtyard. Rosalie’s small wooden cabin was nestled in a thicket, surrounded by mountains on all sides.

Although this was the Demon Realm, I hadn't seen any other monsters besides Rosalie since arriving. Following the small trail through the woods, I wandered aimlessly with my head down.

Habitually carrying a few candies in my pocket, I peeled one and popped it into my mouth.

I wonder how Gareth... is doing.

"Miserable undead, in the name of the Father, I grant you liberation."

"Miserable undead, how could you understand God's mercy? In the name of the Heavenly Father, I intend to save her."

"Aurora died long ago. Now she is just a miserable undead controlled by darkness, maintaining this sinful body with fresh blood. I wish to save her from the mire of darkness."

Those gentle yet icy tones echoed in my ears, and his compassionate face flashed before my eyes. I stared fixedly at the exceptionally bright moon above.

Gareth, do you have a secret struggle?

Gareth, I don't believe you would hurt me.

I don't believe it...

Alastor said he is the Great Deity. Who is the Great Deity? Is he still my Gareth? The Gareth who gave me my name, who accompanied me while I spoke and wrote... is it still him?

If it is... I don't believe he would hurt me.

I don't believe it!

What... exactly happened?

Gareth, what happened to you?

A breeze swept through the woods, making a faint rustling sound. The towering trees on both sides of the path blocked the moonlight, casting ghostly shadows everywhere.

"Squeak, squeak..." A whimpering cry like that of an animal suddenly rang out, cutting through the sound of the wind.

I stopped and listened intently, but the sound vanished.

"Wuaa..." Suddenly, the sound rose again, becoming increasingly sharp.

I smelled the scent of blood. Following my instinct for fresh blood, I walked deep into the thick forest. Looking up abruptly, I met a pair of cold eyes.

Instinctively taking a step back, I looked up again and saw a small white ball of fur perched precariously on a tree trunk. Its two small paws were covered in blood, and it was staring at me warily, whimpering.

"Come down, I'll catch you," I said, reaching out to it.

The little fur ball bared its teeth and let out a sharp cry, its fur standing on end.

A gust of foul wind brushed past my ear. I turned my head sharply. Under the moonlight, several massive creatures were closing in on me.

I knew things were bad and was about to bolt, but then I saw the little fur ball huddled alone on the trunk. I leaped up, scooped it into my arms, turned, and ran for my life.

Before I had gone far, I skidded to a halt. I looked at the alien-like monsters before me, wanting to cry but having no tears. I had forgotten that this was the Demon Realm—there were monsters everywhere!

"Look at what a good thing I've found!" Monster A drooled and chuckled.

"I want the one she's holding in her arms..." Monster B narrowed its puffy, slit-like eyes, staring at the little fur ball.

"Our dinner is served..." Monster C’s obese body took a step forward, making the ground shake.

At the critical moment, just as I was about to become a meal on a plate, a golden light flashed, and Rosalie was standing before me.

Those massive creatures, upon seeing the petite Rosalie, all showed looks of terror and retreated repeatedly.

"They're just low-level demonic beasts; you should have been able to handle them." Rosalie looked back at me.

"Me?" I blinked.

"You are Alastor’s progeny, after all." Rosalie smiled and pinched my cheek. She turned and her watery eyes turned cold; the monsters had already fled without a trace.

"Thank you for coming to save me." Following Rosalie back to the cabin, I thanked her sincerely.

"No need to thank me; Alastor asked me to watch over you," Rosalie laughed, her beauty beyond compare. She then looked at the little fur ball in my arms. "What is that?"

I looked down and saw a pair of pitch-black eyes staring at me guardedly.

"A... pet I just found," I said, stroking its white fur.

When I saw it being besieged alone in the tree, I actually thought of myself ten years ago, lying alone in the garbage dump on Happiness Street...

In such a desolate situation, I couldn't leave it behind.

Hearing the word "pet," it actually let out a low, dissatisfied cry. I was surprised to find that it could understand my speech.

Carrying the little fur ball back to my room, I looked at its bloody little paws with heartache. I gently placed my hand over its paw and, mimicking the way Rosalie had treated me, slowly stroked it.

It struggled for a moment, then looked up at me in surprise. My fingertips gradually gathered a golden glow, covering its wounds. When the soft golden light vanished, its snowy-white paws were perfectly healed, without a single scar left.

"You..." Rosalie stood at the door holding medicine, looking at me with disbelief. "When did you learn that?"

"Just now."

Rosalie laughed. "Little thing, you are quite clever."

"Thank you for the compliment. My name is Aurora."

Rosalie paused for a moment and smiled. "Aurora... dawn."

Stroking the little fur ball, I also smiled softly.

Life in the wooden cabin was simple and monotonous. I gradually grew accustomed to this secluded life, peacefully recovering from my injuries.

"Snowy! Bath time!" I grabbed the little white fur ball as it prepared to slip away, grinning with my white teeth. That’s right, Snowy was its name. From the day I picked it up, it had unfortunately become my exclusive pet.

Snowy was very arrogant and feared nothing, but it feared baths most of all. With a "whoosh," it slipped from my hands and climbed onto the roof.

"Come down!"

Snowy looked at me cautiously and shook its furry head.

"If you don't bathe, don't even think about coming into my bed today!" I threatened.

Snowy tossed its head coolly, looking disdainful.

"I am your life-saver!" I appealed to its emotions.

Snowy looked left and right, directly ignoring my words.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out a candy. Peeling off the wrapper, I took a small, fragrant bite, then licked my lips to tempt it. "Do you want some?"

Pitch-black eyes stared at the candy in my hand. Snowy reached out with its short little paws to take it, reaching and reaching but unable to touch it...

I grinned, popped the whole candy into my mouth, and then caught one of those short little paws in my hand.

"Hehe, when the demon rises a foot, the path rises a yard. How could you escape my grasp..." Bobbing my head joyfully, I carried Snowy to his bath with a smile.

There was a hot spring next to the cabin. Because it was Rosalie’s territory, no monsters ever dared to intrude. I stripped down in a flash, then turned and curled my little finger. "Come over here, I'll help you wash."

Snowy shook its head, refusing to move forward even if it meant death.

"Hey... you're not... shy, are you?" I said, my eyes widening suddenly.

Snowy froze instantly.

I burst out laughing and pulled on the string tied to my wrist. The other end was tied to Snowy’s paw; it stumbled and was dragged in front of me.

Snowy twisted its head away, refusing to look at me. I stroked its fur, wet from the water, delighted beyond measure.

After finally finishing the bath, I put on my clothes, held Snowy to my chest, and gave him a candy.

Its little pink tongue licked the candy. Snowy lay in my arms with rare quietness, its pitch-black pupils still staring at me.

Looking at those eyes, I felt a bit dazed. Had I seen them somewhere before?

I then shook my head and laughed at myself. I had never seen a creature that looked neither like a cat nor a dog; perhaps it was a specialty of the Demon Realm. I touched its slightly damp nose, and it shook its head, letting out a sneeze.

I laughed once again.