“Kawaii! How can this little puppy be so adorable!”

A tidal wave of girlish affection overwhelmed Jikuhir. Without a second thought, she scooped up Fenrir—now shrunk to a tiny, almost newborn-puppy size—and cradled him close.

She stroked his silky fur and gently massaged the soft pads of his paws. Before the little cub even stirred awake, he had already, unfortunately, become the little loli’s plaything.

“Hey, Xi’er, can we keep him? Look how cute he is—he’ll be even livelier once he moves!”

“Keep him if you want. Why ask me?” Cang Xiaoxi replied irritably.

“Mmm, why *wouldn’t* I ask? Don’t forget—you’re the head of this…”

“Ah. The effect isn’t over yet.”

Cutting off Jikuhir’s whimsical rambling, Cang Xiaoxi pointed toward the altar.

“Huh?! There’s more?!”

Jikuhir tilted her head and followed his gaze. Sure enough, the vanished image reappeared.

And… well, its expression seemed tinged with a hint of apology.

Wait—can a dog even look apologetic?

“Ah! Almost forgot—if this child was accidentally unsealed, his memories may be fragmented. Don’t pick him up before he wakes naturally. Incomplete memories might make him bite Dragonkin tails.”

“Damn! Why didn’t you say that sooner?!”

Startled, the little loli leaped back, her tail snapping straight upright. Glancing from the puppy in her arms to her own petite, fluffy tail, Jikuhir stumbled hastily to place Fenrir back on the altar.

“Guess we’re stuck here till Fenrir wakes… meow~” Muttering under her breath, she cast a sidelong glance with glistening eyes and sent Cang Xiaoxi a pleading look.

She even blinked her clear, bright eyes cutely—batting her lashes with deliberate charm.

“Stay if you want. I still need to practice Dragon’s Eye with materials here.”

Calmly speaking, Cang Xiaoxi turned away, walked to an open space, retrieved supplies from his Spatial Ring, and began training.

“Mmm, thank you, Xi’er. You really are the best.” Jikuhir’s lips curved upward, joy and gratitude shining plainly in her eyes.

Nestled beside the youth, she occasionally offered tips on Dragon’s Eye usage. The two shared a warm, easy harmony.

The scene felt less like lovers or spouses—and more like affectionate siblings.

Living this way—helping, learning, growing—even within the sunless ruins felt rich and sweet.

Aside from Jikuhir occasionally overstepping and trying to flirt (prompting the youth to repeatedly plot escapes from the little loli), nothing major ever happened.

Except… the quiet, unnoticed shift in Cang Xiaoxi’s own heart.

And so, using the ruins as their base, the two lived there for nearly three years.

…

“Three golems left. Stay sharp.”

“I *know*! Stop saying it—I see them!”

From a forest corner came a youth’s relaxed tone and a girl’s flustered reply.

The girl was Jikuhir—former Dragon Sovereign, 236 years young, forever appearing the same age as the boy beside her.

The youth was Cang Xiaoxi—once seventeen, summoned three years prior as a six- or seven-year-old. Now around ten, his features slowly reclaiming their former handsomeness, his height already surpassing Jikuhir’s.

While waiting for puppy-sized Fenrir to awaken, Cang Xiaoxi had asked Jikuhir to teach him this world’s language, culture, and non-magical combat arts.

Today was meant to test his three years of progress.

*Supposedly.*

“Ugh! Why’s it testing *my* growth now? Did we lose the point?!”

Dust smudged her tiny nose as Jikuhir kicked the ground, pouting at Cang Xiaoxi—who was checking the golems instead of her.

“Lose the point? *You* requested this two years ago—to break through from Divine Tier to Boundless Realm. How is that off-track?” Cang Xiaoxi shot her an exasperated glance.

“Well… I did say that…” Jikuhir mumbled, looking away. “But couldn’t you be gentler? It’s been three years… don’t you see my feelings are real?”

“Oh! Golems’ mobility looks solid. Adding lightning and fire magic should work. Back to work, Jikuhir!”

Same as three years ago—he smoothly ignored her heartfelt words.

“Sigh… fine, fine. Mr. Study-Addict~”

She puffed her chest defiantly and let out a classic little-loli sigh of resignation.

Jikuhir had once boldly vowed to win his heart no matter how many years it took.

But living day by day with the one she loved? Far harder than she’d imagined.

Without purpose, two centuries had flown like play.

With purpose—and unrequited love—each day stretched endlessly.

“…Only three years passed. If I win Xi’er over before he turns seventeen again, the oath ritual… should still hold.”

Softly murmuring, she recalled the Dragonkin’s sacred bonding ceremony. Her gaze lingered on the youth’s broadening back as he walked toward base with the golems.

Clenching her small fists, Jikuhir quickened her steps.

Resuming their three-year habit, she nestled close beside Cang Xiaoxi.

Meanwhile, though he gave no answer, Cang Xiaoxi had, in quiet ways, already accepted her care.

Yet tangled reasons kept him silent.

Two souls needing just one gentle push—returning to their unchanged base.

“Woof!”

“Ah! It’s Xiao Fen!”

Letting out a cry as adorably cute as Jikuhir’s, Fenrir—now Xiao Fen, a being of Cang Xiaoxi’s caliber and their cherished pet—bounded out to greet them.

(For the record: Cang Xiaoxi first suggested “Erha,” but Jikuhir vetoed it—*far* too undignified for a former Wolf King. He conceded.)

“Xiao Fen, Mama brought your favorite Spirit Peaches! Let’s eat together!”

“Woof!”

Jikuhir lifted the tiny-puppy Fenrir. Dragonkin and wolf sat side by side, tails wagging in sync as they munched Spirit Peaches.

Watching them, Cang Xiaoxi couldn’t suppress a smile.

“Hmm… who was it that once threatened to *slaughter* Erha on sight?”

Everything bows to the “delicious” irony. Without it, life loses its flavor.

This ordinary, warm scene—youth, girl, and pet—was the heartbeat of three years.

To live it was to carve Cang Xiaoxi’s most precious memory in his new life.

“Everything packed? Nothing left behind?” Cang Xiaoxi glanced once more at their three-year home before turning to Jikuhir.

“Mm. All set.” She nodded, eyes flicking to his Spatial Ring—holding all their belongings.

“Then let’s go—to the nation founded by the First Saint… the Mosiri Kingdom!”

“Mm.”

“Woof!”

Leaving their home behind, a true adventure began for both.

“Xiao Fen, pull the cart well! Mama will reward you with Spirit Peaches after!”

“Woof!”

On the road out of the forest toward Mosiri Kingdom, the former Wolf King let out a puppy-like “woof.” His form swelled steadily, settling slightly larger than an Earth horse.

They fastened the harness to Fenrir’s back, the other end secured to a vehicle crafted by both—a cart-like marvel far beyond ordinary carriages.

Their journey’s heart. A treasure no national relic could rival.

“Xiao Fen, go!”

At Jikuhir’s command, Fenrir surged forward.

With intelligence matching his masters, no driver was needed. The ride flowed smoothly; they simply relaxed inside the cozy cabin.

“Might be late to ask… but are you *sure* Fenrir staying this size is safe?” Cang Xiaoxi glanced uneasily at the cart pulled by the former Wolf King.

“Trust me! Totally fine!” Jikuhir thumped her chest. “Earth wolves—monsters this size—are commonly tamed as mounts across nations. We’ll just say Xiao Fen’s one.”

“I see… You know this world better.” Cang Xiaoxi nodded. “But besides Xiao Fen… you know the other rule, right?”

“Not revealing our true strength… or my past as Dragon Sovereign. Right?”