Instruction: Given first part of the popular LightNovel spice and wolf as input, continue the story the best you can.

Input:
Once she returned, our taxing work would surely begin anew.
Even the manor, which had seen a flurry of people coming and going for the past two days, was incredibly quiet for our well-earned rest.
We told the servants remaining in the manor that we were heading out and promptly set off. Just in case, I asked that no one go into our room since there were some important documents that I was in the middle of writing left in there. It was not a lie that there were such documents, so God might overlook my deceptions.
Once we left the manor, the late-morning Rausbourne streets were the same as always. It was not long ago that things were chaotic, like a great fire had swept through the city in the middle of a storm, yet normalcy had fully returned to the town.
We made our way through the nobles' quarter, passing elegant horse-drawn covered carriages, and came to the bustling downtown area. Just as a cage stuffed full of chickens and ducks passed us, a cart filled to the brim with pigs and a herd of cattle fastened together by a yoke trundled by. I felt dizzy thinking about how many people's plates that could possibly fill, but in order to fill the stomachs of those who had endured salt-cured meat and herring and old, flavorless bread throughout the winter, I figured that might not be enough.
Once I was finished praying for God to watch over the people and their livelihoods, Myuri, who had been crouching beside me, stood up.
"Okay, thanks. My brother will buy you a treat, okay?"
Responding to what Myuri said was a rather miserable-looking old dog with fur the color of burnt umber.
"Ruff," he barked weakly, then sluggishly walked on the edge of the road. There were three other stray dogs of different colors sitting at Myuri's feet; as one who had inherited the blood of wolves, the creatures recognized by all as the kings of the forests, the moment Myuri stepped onto the streets, stray dogs began to follow her.
Additionally, the reason all their fur looked so wild was because just like Myuri, they were likely in the middle of their shedding season, too. I had a feeling that if we managed to find a dog with the same color coat as her, then we would have little trouble fooling everyone else.
"Will we be able to find one?"
"Hmm, there aren't any that have the same nice fur as me, but there's a place where some that have a similar color gather, so he's going to check it out."
I did not quite understand the norms of stray dogs; perhaps it was a habit of theirs to band together with those who looked alike.
"See, there's a lot of boats that come here, right? The people who come to live here from all different places on those boats tend to live with others who hail from the same homeland."
She was referring to the cantons and ethnic enclaves that could always be found in large cities, and that was when it clicked.
"Then the dogs who have been brought from their homelands must congregate in the same places."
"Yeah. Like all these little ones here came from the eastern part of the mainland."
Though they were of different colors, their body shape did look somewhat similar.
They each wagged their tail happily whenever Myuri patted them on the head.
"And so that dog earlier is on his way to an area where silver dogs gather?"
"Probably. But their fur isn't gonna be as good as mine."
Myuri devoted herself to caring for her hair, but that dedication didn't quite extend to her fur.
She did seem to still have quite a bit of pride in it, however, as she placed her hands on her hips and puffed out her chest.
"Okay, Brother, while that old dog is collecting the puppies we need, let's go buy him a treat!"
"Yes, yes. And we'll naturally be buying one for the wolf who commands all the stray dogs as well, right?"
"Eh-heh-heh."
Myuri grinned mischievously and I smiled wryly in turn as we joined the flow of the crowded streets.

Output:
The region's northwesterly cold and damp winter wind hampered sea voyages, so ships were swarming the place since spring was finally about to arrive in full.
"Myuri, stay close to me!"
"I was about to say that to you!"
The short and light Myuri hopped out of the way of a stout dockworker, who carried a massive load and would certainly not let it go lightly if she were to run into him; then she dodged a group of portly men who talked trade in loud voices, and she looked on in amusement at a herdsman who carried a sheep on his shoulders, all while she kept forging ahead, picking out the stalls that crowded each side of the road.
The thought that if she fell in this crowd, she would immediately be trampled and would suffer grave injuries made me feel uneasy, but I was the one being yelled at for being in the way by the dockworker, arrogantly pushed out of the way by the merchants, and thwacked in the face by the tail of the sheep resting on the herdsman's back.
I dizzily followed after Myuri, only to find her in the middle of shopping at a stall.
"Brother, your hair's a mess."
***
With a cool face, she pulled a wooden spoon out from her waist sash and chewed on it as she waited for her food from the stall.
"That biting habit of yours is terrible manners."
I did my best to admonish her, but as she bit on the spoon like a puppy with irritated teeth, she stuck out her tongue, then went to retrieve her food when the stall owner called out to her.
"...What is that?"
I had been a wandering student when I was little and spent a long time in many lands helping Myuri's father, the traveling merchant Lawrence. Later on, I toured even more places through Elsa's connections in order to advance my theology studies.
I was proud that I had seen a considerable share of the world. And yet, the food that Myuri had received with a gleeful look was an odd item I had never seen before.
"Eh-heh-heh. The stonemason who came to the mansion told me about this! It's really popular in Rausbourne right now—it's called a pirate bowl!"
Myuri held a mess of a stir-fry in a bowl made out of hard, cheap bread.
"This is pig's and sheep's intestines. And these are soft joint bones. It's amazing! You fry them all together; then you add fish bones that've been deep-fried in oil, shake a bunch of salt over it, then put a ton of garlic and mustard and spices on top; then you put it in oil again to fry it—"
As Myuri explained, the intense smell of garlic wafted from her hands, and it actually made my eyes sting. It was certainly a gem that someone who did a lot of hard labor, like a stonemason, would enjoy; Myuri stuck in her spoon and took a bite, then squeezed her eyes shut so hard I thought her ears and tail might pop out at any moment to whip back and forth. She began to concentrate on mixing it all together.
There was no trace of good etiquette in her behavior, but I had to admit I enjoyed watching her stick her face into the bread bowl, enraptured by her meal. My scolding transformed into a sigh, and I dragged her by the sleeve to an empty alleyway and made her sit on a crate so that she would at least sit while eating.
Myuri mixed this well-seasoned pirate bowl with her constant traveling companion, the wooden spoon, and sometimes bit into the crunchy bread bowl.
"Haum, num...Gulp. Phew. You want some, Brother?"
After she had devoured almost half of it, Myuri finally offered some, as though the thought had only just occurred to her. I smiled at that part of her and took a piece of the bread bowl and had her put a spoonful of the mix on top. I was cautious of eating meat, but I felt a bit of hesitation for an entirely different reason as well.
Still, it was filled with tantalizing flavors and dangerous appeal. I took it all in with a single bite, and the inside of my mouth exploded, an intense shock that almost numbed the area from my temples to the top of my head.
"Gives you energy, doesn't it?"


Instruction: Given first part of the popular LightNovel spice and wolf as input, continue the story the best you can.

Input:
The region's northwesterly cold and damp winter wind hampered sea voyages, so ships were swarming the place since spring was finally about to arrive in full.
"Myuri, stay close to me!"
"I was about to say that to you!"
The short and light Myuri hopped out of the way of a stout dockworker, who carried a massive load and would certainly not let it go lightly if she were to run into him; then she dodged a group of portly men who talked trade in loud voices, and she looked on in amusement at a herdsman who carried a sheep on his shoulders, all while she kept forging ahead, picking out the stalls that crowded each side of the road.
The thought that if she fell in this crowd, she would immediately be trampled and would suffer grave injuries made me feel uneasy, but I was the one being yelled at for being in the way by the dockworker, arrogantly pushed out of the way by the merchants, and thwacked in the face by the tail of the sheep resting on the herdsman's back.
I dizzily followed after Myuri, only to find her in the middle of shopping at a stall.
"Brother, your hair's a mess."
***
With a cool face, she pulled a wooden spoon out from her waist sash and chewed on it as she waited for her food from the stall.
"That biting habit of yours is terrible manners."
I did my best to admonish her, but as she bit on the spoon like a puppy with irritated teeth, she stuck out her tongue, then went to retrieve her food when the stall owner called out to her.
"...What is that?"
I had been a wandering student when I was little and spent a long time in many lands helping Myuri's father, the traveling merchant Lawrence. Later on, I toured even more places through Elsa's connections in order to advance my theology studies.
I was proud that I had seen a considerable share of the world. And yet, the food that Myuri had received with a gleeful look was an odd item I had never seen before.
"Eh-heh-heh. The stonemason who came to the mansion told me about this! It's really popular in Rausbourne right now—it's called a pirate bowl!"
Myuri held a mess of a stir-fry in a bowl made out of hard, cheap bread.
"This is pig's and sheep's intestines. And these are soft joint bones. It's amazing! You fry them all together; then you add fish bones that've been deep-fried in oil, shake a bunch of salt over it, then put a ton of garlic and mustard and spices on top; then you put it in oil again to fry it—"
As Myuri explained, the intense smell of garlic wafted from her hands, and it actually made my eyes sting. It was certainly a gem that someone who did a lot of hard labor, like a stonemason, would enjoy; Myuri stuck in her spoon and took a bite, then squeezed her eyes shut so hard I thought her ears and tail might pop out at any moment to whip back and forth. She began to concentrate on mixing it all together.
There was no trace of good etiquette in her behavior, but I had to admit I enjoyed watching her stick her face into the bread bowl, enraptured by her meal. My scolding transformed into a sigh, and I dragged her by the sleeve to an empty alleyway and made her sit on a crate so that she would at least sit while eating.
Myuri mixed this well-seasoned pirate bowl with her constant traveling companion, the wooden spoon, and sometimes bit into the crunchy bread bowl.
"Haum, num...Gulp. Phew. You want some, Brother?"
After she had devoured almost half of it, Myuri finally offered some, as though the thought had only just occurred to her. I smiled at that part of her and took a piece of the bread bowl and had her put a spoonful of the mix on top. I was cautious of eating meat, but I felt a bit of hesitation for an entirely different reason as well.
Still, it was filled with tantalizing flavors and dangerous appeal. I took it all in with a single bite, and the inside of my mouth exploded, an intense shock that almost numbed the area from my temples to the top of my head.
"Gives you energy, doesn't it?"

Output:
"I almost want ale with it..."
"Me too!"
Myuri had interjected in response to my absentminded murmurings.
I glared at her in annoyance, and she stuck her tongue out at me.
She then started moving her hands about busily, so I could not keep myself from scolding her, "Eat a little more slowly."
Myuri, munching on the intestines, said, "It's 'cause the spoon is so small."
Out of spite, she opened up her mouth and held the wooden spoon beside it.
It was a utensil that anyone brought with them when they went on the road, and the most ostentatious merchants would stick their silver spoons in their hats.
"This one's all scruffy and worn out now. I want a new one."
"That is because you cannot wean yourself off that biting habit. Or do you want a metal spoon?"
"Hiss!"
Since she was a wolf, she had a strong distaste for metal. As we conversed, a nearby stray dog spotted her and brought over a number of its companions from seemingly out of nowhere. It appeared to be that they both admired the wolf she was and that they had been lured in by the good smell of the food that she had in her hands.
"None for you," Myuri said, cradling the pirate bowl in her arms, so I poked her in the head.
The scripture asked us to share freely, and the stray dogs in the city had helped us through the commotion we had gotten wrapped up in just a few days ago, so we should have been giving them our thanks.
But that made Myuri even more discontent.
"Boo...I mean, they can snatch up their own food by themselves. Hunters don't need handouts...," Myuri muttered as she scooped up another spoonful, stared at it regretfully, then placed it by her feet. The stray dogs' tails wagged so hard I was almost worried they might come off as they bit into the morsel and started fighting over it.
"Well, a long time ago, when I was traveling, I had my food stolen plenty of times by stray dogs."
When I brought it up, Myuri, who was gnawing at her spoon again, stared in surprise at me before smiling impishly.
"That's 'cause you're always staring into thin air, looking at nothing and lost in thought."
"I cannot deny that."
Myuri grinned with glee, and just as she was about to start on the offal again, her eyes went round. I followed her gaze, wondering what it might be, and in the middle of a meandering throng of people who were clearly wearing travelers' garb, I spotted some strange articles on their back.
"Brother, what is that?! It's some big utensil!"
The hand that gripped the wooden spoon tugged on my sleeve. I panicked that my borrowed outfit might get dirty, but Myuri paid no mind.
"That's..."
There were all sorts of travelers' garb, and the group going past was wearing a kind that was not commonly seen in this area.
The way they seemed indescribably stylish and the confidence in their stride made me think that they hailed from a city in the south. One of their number carried a bundle of massive eating utensils.
"I wonder...if they might use it in a dining hall somewhere in town."
There was a spoon the length of an adult's arm and a forked wooden spear perhaps meant to skewer chunks of beef. There were also several others in shapes I was not familiar with.
"Whoa, but why do travelers have them? I guess they're gonna open a store here," Myuri said, chewing on her wooden spoon.
"They must have come from the south to visit a manor around here. Look—they are also carrying furniture."
"Oh yeah, you're right."
Myuri watched the group with interest, and the moment she stuffed what remained of the pirate bowl in her mouth, she suddenly said, "I want that spoon! I could eat tons of food with it, and I could use it as a weapon if push came to shove. Wouldn't that be cool?"
It was certainly large enough that if Myuri was to hold it, the oversize utensil would make her look vaguely like a young man carrying a longsword. It would most certainly suit her, but I was not sure what would happen to our food budget if she ate with that.


Instruction: Given first part of the popular LightNovel spice and wolf as input, continue the story the best you can.

Input:
"I almost want ale with it..."
"Me too!"
Myuri had interjected in response to my absentminded murmurings.
I glared at her in annoyance, and she stuck her tongue out at me.
She then started moving her hands about busily, so I could not keep myself from scolding her, "Eat a little more slowly."
Myuri, munching on the intestines, said, "It's 'cause the spoon is so small."
Out of spite, she opened up her mouth and held the wooden spoon beside it.
It was a utensil that anyone brought with them when they went on the road, and the most ostentatious merchants would stick their silver spoons in their hats.
"This one's all scruffy and worn out now. I want a new one."
"That is because you cannot wean yourself off that biting habit. Or do you want a metal spoon?"
"Hiss!"
Since she was a wolf, she had a strong distaste for metal. As we conversed, a nearby stray dog spotted her and brought over a number of its companions from seemingly out of nowhere. It appeared to be that they both admired the wolf she was and that they had been lured in by the good smell of the food that she had in her hands.
"None for you," Myuri said, cradling the pirate bowl in her arms, so I poked her in the head.
The scripture asked us to share freely, and the stray dogs in the city had helped us through the commotion we had gotten wrapped up in just a few days ago, so we should have been giving them our thanks.
But that made Myuri even more discontent.
"Boo...I mean, they can snatch up their own food by themselves. Hunters don't need handouts...," Myuri muttered as she scooped up another spoonful, stared at it regretfully, then placed it by her feet. The stray dogs' tails wagged so hard I was almost worried they might come off as they bit into the morsel and started fighting over it.
"Well, a long time ago, when I was traveling, I had my food stolen plenty of times by stray dogs."
When I brought it up, Myuri, who was gnawing at her spoon again, stared in surprise at me before smiling impishly.
"That's 'cause you're always staring into thin air, looking at nothing and lost in thought."
"I cannot deny that."
Myuri grinned with glee, and just as she was about to start on the offal again, her eyes went round. I followed her gaze, wondering what it might be, and in the middle of a meandering throng of people who were clearly wearing travelers' garb, I spotted some strange articles on their back.
"Brother, what is that?! It's some big utensil!"
The hand that gripped the wooden spoon tugged on my sleeve. I panicked that my borrowed outfit might get dirty, but Myuri paid no mind.
"That's..."
There were all sorts of travelers' garb, and the group going past was wearing a kind that was not commonly seen in this area.
The way they seemed indescribably stylish and the confidence in their stride made me think that they hailed from a city in the south. One of their number carried a bundle of massive eating utensils.
"I wonder...if they might use it in a dining hall somewhere in town."
There was a spoon the length of an adult's arm and a forked wooden spear perhaps meant to skewer chunks of beef. There were also several others in shapes I was not familiar with.
"Whoa, but why do travelers have them? I guess they're gonna open a store here," Myuri said, chewing on her wooden spoon.
"They must have come from the south to visit a manor around here. Look—they are also carrying furniture."
"Oh yeah, you're right."
Myuri watched the group with interest, and the moment she stuffed what remained of the pirate bowl in her mouth, she suddenly said, "I want that spoon! I could eat tons of food with it, and I could use it as a weapon if push came to shove. Wouldn't that be cool?"
It was certainly large enough that if Myuri was to hold it, the oversize utensil would make her look vaguely like a young man carrying a longsword. It would most certainly suit her, but I was not sure what would happen to our food budget if she ate with that.

Output:
"Yeah. A skewer the size of a clothespole would be a grilled meat free-for-all!"
It seemed she still held a grudge about the limit of one skewer.
"That is all you ever think about, isn't it...?"
"Oh, c'mon—Wouldn't it be great to have one? I'd be able to eat so much delicious food with it."
When I thought about how she could sometimes be just as calm and composed as an adult, there were also times when she showed a childishness that I had trouble understanding. I sighed in defeat, thinking about how such a big utensil would be so inconvenient during mealtimes.
That was when three pairs of eyes looked up at Myuri, who was still gazing greedily at the passing group. They were several stray dogs that made their base in the Rausbourne port, loyal servants to the wolf. The intelligent, submissive creatures followed her gaze, and they all started to lower themselves.
The hunters were about to lend a hand to their master!
"Myuri, Myuri."
"Wha—?"
I tapped Myuri on the shoulder and pointed at the dogs, and she also seemed to understand the situation.
She thought for a moment before saying with delight, "Okay, you three, I guess you'll be working for that portion of pirate bowl I gave you, huh?"
The dogs turned back toward Myuri, their tails wagging.
"Hey, Myuri!"
Myuri gave a dramatic "Eep!" and shrunk, then smiled with glee.
"Honestly, I swear..."
"But isn't it cool? A female bandit leader who commands stray dogs? A vigilante who only steals from evildoers? I think it'd be popular if we performed that as a play at the bathhouse."
It suited her so much that I could easily imagine her doing exactly that.
Other girls her age would be at the time in their lives when they would begin learning needlework and cooking in preparation for marriage, studying how to act ladylike and becoming able to read at least one poem, but Myuri was as tomboyish as she had ever been.
"Listen up, all of you, don't go stealing around town. The only things you can take are things from bad people."
She smacked the hard bread with her wooden spoon, talking like she was some vigilante leader.
The dogs obediently sat down and lay on their stomachs in disappointment.
"Sigh..."
I wondered when it was that she would grow up.
As I heaved another tired sigh, the old dog from earlier came plodding happily toward us.
"Oh, you're back already. How'd it go?"
"Wuff."
The old dog gave a bark that sounded like a sigh, and Myuri's eyes darted around, her mouth twisting.
"What does that mean?"
"Borf...Rrr..."
After something that sounded like a timid growl, its tail swayed. Myuri bit into her wooden spoon again before taking one, then another bite of the pirate bowl, tearing off another piece of the bread bowl, then placing the rest before the dog's nose.
"Let's go, Brother."
"Huh? To where?"
Myuri stepped over the old dog, happily eating the rest of the pirate bowl, and the other dogs, who were only left with the scraps, and headed deeper into the alley.
She turned around and said, "Somebody's hunting dogs."
What?
I stared at her blankly, but what she said next startled me.
"And they're only after dogs with silver or white coats. There might be someone else in this city with the same goals as me."
"Impossible," I unconsciously let slip, but I quickly realized that was not necessarily true.
There were so many people milling about, and ships from all over were packed inside the harbor. Few nonhumans lived in towns and villages among humans, but they certainly existed. Myuri was a perfect example of that, so it was not entirely impossible.
"But then why the rush? If they have the same goal as you, then why not share and cooperate?"
Myuri then widened her eyes and flashed her canines.
"This is my territory! Mother taught me! She said, 'If you cannot maintain your territory, then what good are you as a wolf?!'"
***
"And it's possible that they could be the opposite of what you think, and they could be bad people! Come on! Or I'm leaving you behind!"


Instruction: Given first part of the popular LightNovel spice and wolf as input, continue the story the best you can.

Input:
"Yeah. A skewer the size of a clothespole would be a grilled meat free-for-all!"
It seemed she still held a grudge about the limit of one skewer.
"That is all you ever think about, isn't it...?"
"Oh, c'mon—Wouldn't it be great to have one? I'd be able to eat so much delicious food with it."
When I thought about how she could sometimes be just as calm and composed as an adult, there were also times when she showed a childishness that I had trouble understanding. I sighed in defeat, thinking about how such a big utensil would be so inconvenient during mealtimes.
That was when three pairs of eyes looked up at Myuri, who was still gazing greedily at the passing group. They were several stray dogs that made their base in the Rausbourne port, loyal servants to the wolf. The intelligent, submissive creatures followed her gaze, and they all started to lower themselves.
The hunters were about to lend a hand to their master!
"Myuri, Myuri."
"Wha—?"
I tapped Myuri on the shoulder and pointed at the dogs, and she also seemed to understand the situation.
She thought for a moment before saying with delight, "Okay, you three, I guess you'll be working for that portion of pirate bowl I gave you, huh?"
The dogs turned back toward Myuri, their tails wagging.
"Hey, Myuri!"
Myuri gave a dramatic "Eep!" and shrunk, then smiled with glee.
"Honestly, I swear..."
"But isn't it cool? A female bandit leader who commands stray dogs? A vigilante who only steals from evildoers? I think it'd be popular if we performed that as a play at the bathhouse."
It suited her so much that I could easily imagine her doing exactly that.
Other girls her age would be at the time in their lives when they would begin learning needlework and cooking in preparation for marriage, studying how to act ladylike and becoming able to read at least one poem, but Myuri was as tomboyish as she had ever been.
"Listen up, all of you, don't go stealing around town. The only things you can take are things from bad people."
She smacked the hard bread with her wooden spoon, talking like she was some vigilante leader.
The dogs obediently sat down and lay on their stomachs in disappointment.
"Sigh..."
I wondered when it was that she would grow up.
As I heaved another tired sigh, the old dog from earlier came plodding happily toward us.
"Oh, you're back already. How'd it go?"
"Wuff."
The old dog gave a bark that sounded like a sigh, and Myuri's eyes darted around, her mouth twisting.
"What does that mean?"
"Borf...Rrr..."
After something that sounded like a timid growl, its tail swayed. Myuri bit into her wooden spoon again before taking one, then another bite of the pirate bowl, tearing off another piece of the bread bowl, then placing the rest before the dog's nose.
"Let's go, Brother."
"Huh? To where?"
Myuri stepped over the old dog, happily eating the rest of the pirate bowl, and the other dogs, who were only left with the scraps, and headed deeper into the alley.
She turned around and said, "Somebody's hunting dogs."
What?
I stared at her blankly, but what she said next startled me.
"And they're only after dogs with silver or white coats. There might be someone else in this city with the same goals as me."
"Impossible," I unconsciously let slip, but I quickly realized that was not necessarily true.
There were so many people milling about, and ships from all over were packed inside the harbor. Few nonhumans lived in towns and villages among humans, but they certainly existed. Myuri was a perfect example of that, so it was not entirely impossible.
"But then why the rush? If they have the same goal as you, then why not share and cooperate?"
Myuri then widened her eyes and flashed her canines.
"This is my territory! Mother taught me! She said, 'If you cannot maintain your territory, then what good are you as a wolf?!'"
***
"And it's possible that they could be the opposite of what you think, and they could be bad people! Come on! Or I'm leaving you behind!"

Output:
"Brother!" Myuri yelled as she practically vanished down the alleyway, so without much other choice, I began to walk when I noticed the old dog, lapping up the pirate's bowl, looking at me.
Its apologetic eyes seemed to impart, "It is not my fault." I let my shoulders fall and sighed.
"That girl has been unruly since birth."
"Wuff."
Perhaps a flame had ben lit in her wolf's blood since she had conquered the stray dogs of a big city. As this was rather different from her usual tomboyishness, I decided it would be a poor idea to admonish her without at least hearing her out first.
"Honestly," I murmured and chased after Myuri.
Floating in her wake as she ran were glittering silver wolf hairs.
Rausbourne was an old city and had many twisting alleyways. I would have gotten lost a long time ago, but they posed little challenge for Myuri, who was a wolf who would not get lost even in the thickest of forests.
She proceeded to the right, then to the left with confident strides, and I eventually realized we had come to a part of town with a familiar atmosphere.
"Huff, puff...Hey, Myuri, could we be near the manor?" I asked, my shoulders heaving with every breath, and Myuri shrugged, her ears flicking about.
"We're in a totally different place. It does feel the same, though."
There were apparently several districts where nobles had their manors.
"And...the air smells different here. I think people from some faraway country gather in this area, and the rich ones built their houses on this corner."
I, of course, could not taste the air so keenly, so I trusted Myuri's nose.
"There are no strays here. Dog hunting, was it?"
"The old dog said that starting a few days ago, some of the other dogs have been captured."
"That's..."
Dog hunting in a large metropolis narrowed the possibilities. They could have been pulled off the streets in an attempt to clean up in preparation for an impending visit by a king or some other important person. They also could have been captured for their furs. In wartime, they could have been hunted either to reduce the mouths that needed feeding or for food.
"I had a bad feeling about it, too, but...now that we're here, something feels off."
"What do you mean?"
Myuri poked her head from out of the alley and observed the street, then closed her eyes and sniffed.
"There's no hint of violence at all. No poisoned treats or bloodstains like they'd been beaten with sticks."
It certainly was a peaceful street.
"Then what could it be?"
"Hrmmm...Hmm?" Myuri's nose twitched, and she strained to listen. "...Brother, this way."
As she was about to step out from the alley and into the main street, I grabbed her arm.
"Ears and tail."
With a surprised look on her face, she shivered, and her ears and tail vanished.
"Be careful that you don't end up hunted, too."
"But you'd come and save me if that happened, right?" she shot back with an unabashed smile, and I could not bring myself to be angry with her for it.
I gave her nothing but a pat on the head in response, and after she contentedly drew up her shoulders, she started walking.
"Well, what is it? It seems like you've learned something."
"Mm...I guess I have learned something, but I just have more questions now." Leading the way, Myuri turned to look back at me over her shoulder. "Everyone's been gathered in one place. But it wasn't by force. If it was, then it'd smell like, you know...sweat or anger, but it doesn't."
"They're all in one place...? And in a place like this?"
It was a quiet district with rows of elegant houses. If someone did something so eccentric as collecting stray dogs, then it would not be long before they got a bad reputation, and that would make it difficult to live there. That was to say nothing of collecting dogs to take their fur—there were plenty of places more suited for that.
"I thought about going back to a wolf if they were all in trouble, but I'm glad there's no need to worry about that for now, at least."


Instruction: Given first part of the popular LightNovel spice and wolf as input, continue the story the best you can.

Input:
"Brother!" Myuri yelled as she practically vanished down the alleyway, so without much other choice, I began to walk when I noticed the old dog, lapping up the pirate's bowl, looking at me.
Its apologetic eyes seemed to impart, "It is not my fault." I let my shoulders fall and sighed.
"That girl has been unruly since birth."
"Wuff."
Perhaps a flame had ben lit in her wolf's blood since she had conquered the stray dogs of a big city. As this was rather different from her usual tomboyishness, I decided it would be a poor idea to admonish her without at least hearing her out first.
"Honestly," I murmured and chased after Myuri.
Floating in her wake as she ran were glittering silver wolf hairs.
Rausbourne was an old city and had many twisting alleyways. I would have gotten lost a long time ago, but they posed little challenge for Myuri, who was a wolf who would not get lost even in the thickest of forests.
She proceeded to the right, then to the left with confident strides, and I eventually realized we had come to a part of town with a familiar atmosphere.
"Huff, puff...Hey, Myuri, could we be near the manor?" I asked, my shoulders heaving with every breath, and Myuri shrugged, her ears flicking about.
"We're in a totally different place. It does feel the same, though."
There were apparently several districts where nobles had their manors.
"And...the air smells different here. I think people from some faraway country gather in this area, and the rich ones built their houses on this corner."
I, of course, could not taste the air so keenly, so I trusted Myuri's nose.
"There are no strays here. Dog hunting, was it?"
"The old dog said that starting a few days ago, some of the other dogs have been captured."
"That's..."
Dog hunting in a large metropolis narrowed the possibilities. They could have been pulled off the streets in an attempt to clean up in preparation for an impending visit by a king or some other important person. They also could have been captured for their furs. In wartime, they could have been hunted either to reduce the mouths that needed feeding or for food.
"I had a bad feeling about it, too, but...now that we're here, something feels off."
"What do you mean?"
Myuri poked her head from out of the alley and observed the street, then closed her eyes and sniffed.
"There's no hint of violence at all. No poisoned treats or bloodstains like they'd been beaten with sticks."
It certainly was a peaceful street.
"Then what could it be?"
"Hrmmm...Hmm?" Myuri's nose twitched, and she strained to listen. "...Brother, this way."
As she was about to step out from the alley and into the main street, I grabbed her arm.
"Ears and tail."
With a surprised look on her face, she shivered, and her ears and tail vanished.
"Be careful that you don't end up hunted, too."
"But you'd come and save me if that happened, right?" she shot back with an unabashed smile, and I could not bring myself to be angry with her for it.
I gave her nothing but a pat on the head in response, and after she contentedly drew up her shoulders, she started walking.
"Well, what is it? It seems like you've learned something."
"Mm...I guess I have learned something, but I just have more questions now." Leading the way, Myuri turned to look back at me over her shoulder. "Everyone's been gathered in one place. But it wasn't by force. If it was, then it'd smell like, you know...sweat or anger, but it doesn't."
"They're all in one place...? And in a place like this?"
It was a quiet district with rows of elegant houses. If someone did something so eccentric as collecting stray dogs, then it would not be long before they got a bad reputation, and that would make it difficult to live there. That was to say nothing of collecting dogs to take their fur—there were plenty of places more suited for that.
"I thought about going back to a wolf if they were all in trouble, but I'm glad there's no need to worry about that for now, at least."

Output:
She was selfish and rambunctious, but she had generally grown into a kind girl.
I inadvertently patted her head from behind her, and with a start, she asked, "Huh? Wh-what's that for?"
After that, I followed Myuri as she led the way, and what we came to was a building with a magnificent iron gate in front of it. It was four stories high and made of red brick, and judging by the metallic fittings on the walls meant for banners and torches, I could tell that someone of considerable standing lived there.
There were no doors facing the street, but instead there was a metal gate beneath a suspended walkway. It was made in a way that passing through it would lead one to the inner courtyard.
And once we had come this far, even I could tell where the dogs were. They were on the other side of the building, inside the courtyard.
"They sound like they're having fun."
When I strained my ears, I could make out the faint sounds of dogs barking and, for some reason, someone playing an instrument. Though nobles often had odd hobbies, collecting dogs to play music for them was certainly not a common one.
It was then that Myuri tried to get a closer look through the gaps in the metal gate.
A voice suddenly cried out above us.
"Ohhh! I'm so sick of waiting!"
I panicked—we had no excuse if we were thought to be beggars at best or burglars at worst as we clung to the gates of the house of someone with high standing, but...there was something that caught my attention.
Did they say they were sick of waiting?
Either way, I looked up to see a young man leaning out an open window, peering down at us. I could even call him a boy—he was younger than me and perhaps only a few years older than Myuri. His dirty-blond hair rustled in the air, the very image of upper-class refinement.
Not only that, but his clothes were rather gaudy and seemed somewhat ceremonial, like the sort of thing Hyland might wear on official business.
"I'm so glad you made it! I'll get someone to come right away, so just wait there! We are saved. Thanks be to God!"
The way he smiled in relief made him seem like just another innocent boy. The slight flush to his pale skin was a little too picture-perfect.
But it was clear that the boy was having some misconceptions, so I opened my mouth to correct him, but by then he had already pulled back behind the window.
"...I feel like he has the wrong idea about us..."
Luckily, it did not seem as though he had mistaken us for burglars, but I wondered what he did think we were.
Myuri wore her usual outfit that she had brought from Nyohhira, and I wore clothes borrowed from Hyland that made me seem like a young master of a big commercial company. My usual clothes were much too clergy-like, which stood out terribly in this city. Against my own inclination, I had, at some point, become famous here.
That is why, while I figured I could obscure myself if we ran right now, I was held back by the fear that I might see this person again somewhere because of their high standing. Carefully explaining our situation now might help us avoid trouble in the future.
However, how should we explain that we were chasing after white-haired dogs?
As I groaned, I realized Myuri was looking at me.
"What is it?"
Myuri, her mother's red eyes staring straight at me, blinked so hard they almost made sound, then beamed.
"I was just thinking how much more handsome you are, Brother."
"U-uhhh...?"
She then gleefully clung to my arm. There were times I simply did not understand her, and I thought about how there was nothing more unknowable in this world than a girl's heart.
As this happened, I sensed someone on the other side of the gate.
I had barely even started thinking of an excuse before the gate opened.
The noble from earlier appeared before us, his cheeks flushed, but someone of such high standing breathlessly opening the door for a guest was too great a breach of protocol, so his servants, flustered, rushed in behind him.


Instruction: Given first part of the popular LightNovel spice and wolf as input, continue the story the best you can.

Input:
She was selfish and rambunctious, but she had generally grown into a kind girl.
I inadvertently patted her head from behind her, and with a start, she asked, "Huh? Wh-what's that for?"
After that, I followed Myuri as she led the way, and what we came to was a building with a magnificent iron gate in front of it. It was four stories high and made of red brick, and judging by the metallic fittings on the walls meant for banners and torches, I could tell that someone of considerable standing lived there.
There were no doors facing the street, but instead there was a metal gate beneath a suspended walkway. It was made in a way that passing through it would lead one to the inner courtyard.
And once we had come this far, even I could tell where the dogs were. They were on the other side of the building, inside the courtyard.
"They sound like they're having fun."
When I strained my ears, I could make out the faint sounds of dogs barking and, for some reason, someone playing an instrument. Though nobles often had odd hobbies, collecting dogs to play music for them was certainly not a common one.
It was then that Myuri tried to get a closer look through the gaps in the metal gate.
A voice suddenly cried out above us.
"Ohhh! I'm so sick of waiting!"
I panicked—we had no excuse if we were thought to be beggars at best or burglars at worst as we clung to the gates of the house of someone with high standing, but...there was something that caught my attention.
Did they say they were sick of waiting?
Either way, I looked up to see a young man leaning out an open window, peering down at us. I could even call him a boy—he was younger than me and perhaps only a few years older than Myuri. His dirty-blond hair rustled in the air, the very image of upper-class refinement.
Not only that, but his clothes were rather gaudy and seemed somewhat ceremonial, like the sort of thing Hyland might wear on official business.
"I'm so glad you made it! I'll get someone to come right away, so just wait there! We are saved. Thanks be to God!"
The way he smiled in relief made him seem like just another innocent boy. The slight flush to his pale skin was a little too picture-perfect.
But it was clear that the boy was having some misconceptions, so I opened my mouth to correct him, but by then he had already pulled back behind the window.
"...I feel like he has the wrong idea about us..."
Luckily, it did not seem as though he had mistaken us for burglars, but I wondered what he did think we were.
Myuri wore her usual outfit that she had brought from Nyohhira, and I wore clothes borrowed from Hyland that made me seem like a young master of a big commercial company. My usual clothes were much too clergy-like, which stood out terribly in this city. Against my own inclination, I had, at some point, become famous here.
That is why, while I figured I could obscure myself if we ran right now, I was held back by the fear that I might see this person again somewhere because of their high standing. Carefully explaining our situation now might help us avoid trouble in the future.
However, how should we explain that we were chasing after white-haired dogs?
As I groaned, I realized Myuri was looking at me.
"What is it?"
Myuri, her mother's red eyes staring straight at me, blinked so hard they almost made sound, then beamed.
"I was just thinking how much more handsome you are, Brother."
"U-uhhh...?"
She then gleefully clung to my arm. There were times I simply did not understand her, and I thought about how there was nothing more unknowable in this world than a girl's heart.
As this happened, I sensed someone on the other side of the gate.
I had barely even started thinking of an excuse before the gate opened.
The noble from earlier appeared before us, his cheeks flushed, but someone of such high standing breathlessly opening the door for a guest was too great a breach of protocol, so his servants, flustered, rushed in behind him.

Output:
"Oh, I'm so relieved. Truly relieved! You have my thanks!"
"Ah, um—"
"How marvelous this is! You are both perfect, exactly what I asked for! I can't believe I scored such wonderful people like you!"
Exactly what he asked for? I wondered what he might be talking about when he then took Myuri's hand, kneeling reverently in greeting.
"I cannot think of this as anything but a divine miracle, having someone with such beautiful hair like this coming here. I am very much looking forward to this."
In the noble style, he raised the back of her hand and mimed giving it a kiss. Myuri absolutely loved that sort of thing, and she was innocently overjoyed to have her vaunted hair complimented so.
"Come inside, come inside. We must get ready quickly. Everyone was just about ready to give up. I am so, so relieved!"
I felt somewhat guilty for this—he was practically on the verge of tears, but I had no idea what he was mistaking us for. I had to say something before we went inside.
"I am sorry...May I ask who you might be mistaking us for?"
"Huh?"
His features were refined even as surprise marred his face. As that thought crossed my mind, I explained our situation.
"We were actually looking for a dog here in the city...We heard that they had been gathered in the courtyard here..."
Even I thought that explaining we came searching for stray dogs was much too wild, and that feeling only strengthened when taking in consideration who we were talking to. On top of that, though, he seemed to think we were the people he was waiting for, and I felt guilt at the sight of his shocked expression.
As I wondered how I might turn the conversation toward the topic of how the dogs were being treated and their general welfare, the noble, snapping back to reality, spoke up.
And this time, it was my turn to be bewildered.
"Oh, uh, are you also holding a wedding?"
"What?"
"I had intended to look it up ahead of time, but I had no idea our days would overlap...Wait, if you're collecting them now, then you still have a few days, right?"
In my confusion, the noble before me stepped right into my personal space as though he were going to hug me.
"Please wait if you can. If possible, it might end today...no, in a few days, at the latest. But I really can't have you taking away the dogs we collected right now!"
The young noble before me was on the verge of tears, and when I turned my gaze toward the courtyard at the sound of a woof, I spotted many dogs with sparkling-clean white and silver fur peering over at us.
Their carefully groomed coats were all glimmering in the light, and the red ribbons tied around their necks made them seem entirely appropriate for a celebration. When I saw that, I realized he had mentioned the word wedding.
The noble before me wore an expression that coaxed out pity from me and said, "Gasp! O-oh, I see...If you're here to collect the dogs, then you're not...the stand-in priest and the chaperone...are you...?"
The stand-in priest. The bride's chaperone.
I glanced at Myuri beside me, and it seemed that she had already fully grasped the situation.
Dogs with white and silver fur and a girl with silver hair. This district was where people who hailed from far-off lands lived, and there were many regional customs when it came to weddings. The tradition here must have been that white or silver hair was a sign of good luck.
Not only that, the city of Rausbourne was part of the Kingdom of Winfiel, and since the kingdom was currently at odds with the Church, all the ecclesiastical offices had been abandoned. No priest to conduct the vows ceremony in a wedding was like not seasoning grilled mutton with any salt. I could understand why they were trying their best to hire a similar stand-in.
We had appeared right in the middle of their frantic search, so we must have seemed like exactly the kind of people they were hoping for.
Unfortunately, however, we were not the highly anticipated priest and chaperone.


Instruction: Given first part of the popular LightNovel spice and wolf as input, continue the story the best you can.

Input:
"Oh, I'm so relieved. Truly relieved! You have my thanks!"
"Ah, um—"
"How marvelous this is! You are both perfect, exactly what I asked for! I can't believe I scored such wonderful people like you!"
Exactly what he asked for? I wondered what he might be talking about when he then took Myuri's hand, kneeling reverently in greeting.
"I cannot think of this as anything but a divine miracle, having someone with such beautiful hair like this coming here. I am very much looking forward to this."
In the noble style, he raised the back of her hand and mimed giving it a kiss. Myuri absolutely loved that sort of thing, and she was innocently overjoyed to have her vaunted hair complimented so.
"Come inside, come inside. We must get ready quickly. Everyone was just about ready to give up. I am so, so relieved!"
I felt somewhat guilty for this—he was practically on the verge of tears, but I had no idea what he was mistaking us for. I had to say something before we went inside.
"I am sorry...May I ask who you might be mistaking us for?"
"Huh?"
His features were refined even as surprise marred his face. As that thought crossed my mind, I explained our situation.
"We were actually looking for a dog here in the city...We heard that they had been gathered in the courtyard here..."
Even I thought that explaining we came searching for stray dogs was much too wild, and that feeling only strengthened when taking in consideration who we were talking to. On top of that, though, he seemed to think we were the people he was waiting for, and I felt guilt at the sight of his shocked expression.
As I wondered how I might turn the conversation toward the topic of how the dogs were being treated and their general welfare, the noble, snapping back to reality, spoke up.
And this time, it was my turn to be bewildered.
"Oh, uh, are you also holding a wedding?"
"What?"
"I had intended to look it up ahead of time, but I had no idea our days would overlap...Wait, if you're collecting them now, then you still have a few days, right?"
In my confusion, the noble before me stepped right into my personal space as though he were going to hug me.
"Please wait if you can. If possible, it might end today...no, in a few days, at the latest. But I really can't have you taking away the dogs we collected right now!"
The young noble before me was on the verge of tears, and when I turned my gaze toward the courtyard at the sound of a woof, I spotted many dogs with sparkling-clean white and silver fur peering over at us.
Their carefully groomed coats were all glimmering in the light, and the red ribbons tied around their necks made them seem entirely appropriate for a celebration. When I saw that, I realized he had mentioned the word wedding.
The noble before me wore an expression that coaxed out pity from me and said, "Gasp! O-oh, I see...If you're here to collect the dogs, then you're not...the stand-in priest and the chaperone...are you...?"
The stand-in priest. The bride's chaperone.
I glanced at Myuri beside me, and it seemed that she had already fully grasped the situation.
Dogs with white and silver fur and a girl with silver hair. This district was where people who hailed from far-off lands lived, and there were many regional customs when it came to weddings. The tradition here must have been that white or silver hair was a sign of good luck.
Not only that, the city of Rausbourne was part of the Kingdom of Winfiel, and since the kingdom was currently at odds with the Church, all the ecclesiastical offices had been abandoned. No priest to conduct the vows ceremony in a wedding was like not seasoning grilled mutton with any salt. I could understand why they were trying their best to hire a similar stand-in.
We had appeared right in the middle of their frantic search, so we must have seemed like exactly the kind of people they were hoping for.
Unfortunately, however, we were not the highly anticipated priest and chaperone.

Output:
As I was about to say as much, Myuri took a light step forward.
"It's a total coincidence that we came here, but if there's something we can help with, we'll help."
Myuri's eyes were glittering not at the prospect of helping others but for an entirely different reason.
Of course her curiosity had piqued at the sight and sound of preparations for a foreign wedding.
"R-really?!"
"Myuri!"
I tried to scold her for making the decision without so much as consulting with me, but she pushed me back by the chest.
"Yeah. My brother always looks awkward no matter what he wears, but he does look pretty good in Church clothes."
She clapped me on the chest for added effect.
"Yes, yes, I would think so, too!"
"And the wedding chaperone? That's the one who gets to wear the pretty clothes and a flower crown in her hair, and who walks with the bride, right?"
"Yes, yes it is!"
The young noble was leaning forward, and Myuri was in buoyant spirits—it was almost like they were going to clasp hands.
Both of them turned to look at me.
"Brother, God would definitely want us to help!"
Though she brought up God, faith of course was of secondary importance to her. When I looked into her glittering eyes, I could tell she just wanted to wear the fairylike white wedding outfit with a flower crown and seize the chance to join in a celebration.
I was about to bring up canon law and other logical reasons why we shouldn't, but it was also reality that there was a troubled noble before me.
Not only that, but this was a wedding—a critical juncture. It was a once-in-a-lifetime event that was a turning point as much as it was a social occasion.
What would God want?
To observe and uphold ecclesiastical law, as established by the Church, or aid someone else's quest for happiness...?
Though I was in distress, it seemed that the answer had practically been settled already.
"I...am not a priest, though..."
"I don't care! That hardly matters! You just need to stand there and play the part!"
Under normal circumstances, wedding sacraments were the job of the clergy, and one could be charged as a criminal if they pretended to be a priest to swindle someone.
Strictly according to the rules, I should have refused.
However, if I just went through the priest's motions at a wedding, I was certain that God would overlook it.
So long as I took no money, even if the event came to public light, I had a feeling I could insist that I was simply a part of the wedding party.
And above all, if I used logic as a shield here, I could not imagine how much Myuri would rebuke me.
"...Very well, we'll help."
"Oh! Thank you so much!"
Myuri beamed, standing beside the overjoyed noble who looked as though he had just been rescued. While I thought about how things had taken a rather strange turn, on second thought, it would not be so bad being involved in a celebration.
"Oh, right, right—you two don't know who I am." The young noble, so relieved that he looked about to cry, did actually wipe the corners of his eyes before standing up straight and continuing, "My name is Mercurio Cedano."
"I—," I began, then faltered. The name of Tote Col no longer was that of a humble errand boy who worked in a rural bathhouse. As we traveled and overcame the troubles that confronted us, I became known as the Twilight Cardinal and word of my deeds started spreading. Now people even associated special meaning with the name.
As Mercurio looked at me curiously, Myuri spoke up.
"We're actually in the middle of traveling. My brother isn't really my brother; he's actually my chaperone who's worked for my family for ages."
It was not unusual for a noble to take a tour of several different countries, and it was also common for noble families to have surrogate family members.
Mercurio seemed to understand the relationship right away.


Instruction: Given first part of the popular LightNovel spice and wolf as input, continue the story the best you can.

Input:
As I was about to say as much, Myuri took a light step forward.
"It's a total coincidence that we came here, but if there's something we can help with, we'll help."
Myuri's eyes were glittering not at the prospect of helping others but for an entirely different reason.
Of course her curiosity had piqued at the sight and sound of preparations for a foreign wedding.
"R-really?!"
"Myuri!"
I tried to scold her for making the decision without so much as consulting with me, but she pushed me back by the chest.
"Yeah. My brother always looks awkward no matter what he wears, but he does look pretty good in Church clothes."
She clapped me on the chest for added effect.
"Yes, yes, I would think so, too!"
"And the wedding chaperone? That's the one who gets to wear the pretty clothes and a flower crown in her hair, and who walks with the bride, right?"
"Yes, yes it is!"
The young noble was leaning forward, and Myuri was in buoyant spirits—it was almost like they were going to clasp hands.
Both of them turned to look at me.
"Brother, God would definitely want us to help!"
Though she brought up God, faith of course was of secondary importance to her. When I looked into her glittering eyes, I could tell she just wanted to wear the fairylike white wedding outfit with a flower crown and seize the chance to join in a celebration.
I was about to bring up canon law and other logical reasons why we shouldn't, but it was also reality that there was a troubled noble before me.
Not only that, but this was a wedding—a critical juncture. It was a once-in-a-lifetime event that was a turning point as much as it was a social occasion.
What would God want?
To observe and uphold ecclesiastical law, as established by the Church, or aid someone else's quest for happiness...?
Though I was in distress, it seemed that the answer had practically been settled already.
"I...am not a priest, though..."
"I don't care! That hardly matters! You just need to stand there and play the part!"
Under normal circumstances, wedding sacraments were the job of the clergy, and one could be charged as a criminal if they pretended to be a priest to swindle someone.
Strictly according to the rules, I should have refused.
However, if I just went through the priest's motions at a wedding, I was certain that God would overlook it.
So long as I took no money, even if the event came to public light, I had a feeling I could insist that I was simply a part of the wedding party.
And above all, if I used logic as a shield here, I could not imagine how much Myuri would rebuke me.
"...Very well, we'll help."
"Oh! Thank you so much!"
Myuri beamed, standing beside the overjoyed noble who looked as though he had just been rescued. While I thought about how things had taken a rather strange turn, on second thought, it would not be so bad being involved in a celebration.
"Oh, right, right—you two don't know who I am." The young noble, so relieved that he looked about to cry, did actually wipe the corners of his eyes before standing up straight and continuing, "My name is Mercurio Cedano."
"I—," I began, then faltered. The name of Tote Col no longer was that of a humble errand boy who worked in a rural bathhouse. As we traveled and overcame the troubles that confronted us, I became known as the Twilight Cardinal and word of my deeds started spreading. Now people even associated special meaning with the name.
As Mercurio looked at me curiously, Myuri spoke up.
"We're actually in the middle of traveling. My brother isn't really my brother; he's actually my chaperone who's worked for my family for ages."
It was not unusual for a noble to take a tour of several different countries, and it was also common for noble families to have surrogate family members.
Mercurio seemed to understand the relationship right away.

Output:
Nothing Myuri said was a lie, but I also sensed an indescribably deeper meaning behind it. Though she referred to me as her older brother, she still did not hesitate to say that she liked me as a member of the opposite sex.
What she said essentially amounted to If my brother and I played pretend at a wedding, my dumb dad might pass out on the spot, which had something more than a wolf's play-biting worked into it.
"All right, I see. Oh, I understand. When I told my father I wanted to travel to learn poetry, he gave me a good scolding. That didn't discourage me, though, so I made a promise that I would work under my old servant's supervision and act with superb conduct, and he did eventually let me take a short journey."
"Ah-ha-ha, we're a lot alike."
Mercurio and Myuri had found kindred spirits in each other.
"You never know who will catch wind of your name and where it'll start spreading from. I will refrain from asking who you are."
"Yes, thank you."
Myuri and Mercurio then exchanged handshakes again, and then Mercurio extended his hand to me.
Now that we had come this far, I had no choice but to do my very best.
"Though it is not much, I will assist you in making this ceremony a most wonderful one, Sir Mercurio."
"Oh, no, I am truly thankful for you. Now please come inside."
When Myuri stepped onto the manor grounds on Mercurio's invitation, the dogs all rushed toward her. Mercurio and his wide-eyed expression aside, Myuri went around patting all of them on the head. Preparations for the ceremony in the courtyard were at their height, with maids and servants busily running back and forth while the musical ensemble was tuning their instruments. The halcyon atmosphere, the liveliness, and the weather together started to excite me as well, but from one of the doors we passed by, I felt someone looking at me, like I was about to be smacked in the face.
With a start, I turned, and I thought I had gotten a glimpse of a burning red silhouette, but no one was there.
"Brother?"
Myuri, ahead with the dogs, had realized what I was doing and turned to look back at me.
"Oh, I'm sorry."
I followed after her, wondering what was beyond the door.
What was that?
If it was not merely my imagination playing tricks on me, then I could have sworn a terribly stern gaze had been focused on me.
"Oh, I'm sure the ceremony will be wonderful today!"
Mercurio's emotional statement echoed throughout the courtyard as sunlight poured into it.
Myuri now had her hair plaited and was wearing a white outfit with an eye-catching crown of yellow and red flowers on her head. A white puppy that had particularly taken to her was sleeping at her feet.
Bathing in the spring sun, she petted the puppy with a smile, and she looked like a literal angel.
"Oh, Brother." Myuri looked up, noticed me, and put on a bashful look. "Eh-heh-heh, what do you think? Does it look good?"
Back in Nyohhira, she would run around the wild mountains with a piece of cured meat in her mouth and always rounded up the village children to pull pranks that would make anyone faint.
Though those barbaric ways of hers had gradually receded as she matured, it was when I saw her like this that I really felt she was growing up to be a young lady. The jewels jingling by her shapely ears, now revealed since her hair was tied back, were like a magic spell that transformed a little girl into a young lady.
As the one who had taken care of her as her older brother, she was so beautiful that it almost brought me to tears.
"Yes, it looks very good on you. I almost want Mr. Lawrence to see, too."
"Aw, what? Forget about Father. He says I look cute no matter what I wear." As per usual, Myuri took an icy attitude toward Lawrence, who always adored his daughter. "What about you, though? How does it look to you?"
While I sympathized with Lawrence, I had no choice but to give my honest opinion.
"Of course, you look very pretty to me."


Instruction: Given first part of the popular LightNovel spice and wolf as input, continue the story the best you can.

Input:
Nothing Myuri said was a lie, but I also sensed an indescribably deeper meaning behind it. Though she referred to me as her older brother, she still did not hesitate to say that she liked me as a member of the opposite sex.
What she said essentially amounted to If my brother and I played pretend at a wedding, my dumb dad might pass out on the spot, which had something more than a wolf's play-biting worked into it.
"All right, I see. Oh, I understand. When I told my father I wanted to travel to learn poetry, he gave me a good scolding. That didn't discourage me, though, so I made a promise that I would work under my old servant's supervision and act with superb conduct, and he did eventually let me take a short journey."
"Ah-ha-ha, we're a lot alike."
Mercurio and Myuri had found kindred spirits in each other.
"You never know who will catch wind of your name and where it'll start spreading from. I will refrain from asking who you are."
"Yes, thank you."
Myuri and Mercurio then exchanged handshakes again, and then Mercurio extended his hand to me.
Now that we had come this far, I had no choice but to do my very best.
"Though it is not much, I will assist you in making this ceremony a most wonderful one, Sir Mercurio."
"Oh, no, I am truly thankful for you. Now please come inside."
When Myuri stepped onto the manor grounds on Mercurio's invitation, the dogs all rushed toward her. Mercurio and his wide-eyed expression aside, Myuri went around patting all of them on the head. Preparations for the ceremony in the courtyard were at their height, with maids and servants busily running back and forth while the musical ensemble was tuning their instruments. The halcyon atmosphere, the liveliness, and the weather together started to excite me as well, but from one of the doors we passed by, I felt someone looking at me, like I was about to be smacked in the face.
With a start, I turned, and I thought I had gotten a glimpse of a burning red silhouette, but no one was there.
"Brother?"
Myuri, ahead with the dogs, had realized what I was doing and turned to look back at me.
"Oh, I'm sorry."
I followed after her, wondering what was beyond the door.
What was that?
If it was not merely my imagination playing tricks on me, then I could have sworn a terribly stern gaze had been focused on me.
"Oh, I'm sure the ceremony will be wonderful today!"
Mercurio's emotional statement echoed throughout the courtyard as sunlight poured into it.
Myuri now had her hair plaited and was wearing a white outfit with an eye-catching crown of yellow and red flowers on her head. A white puppy that had particularly taken to her was sleeping at her feet.
Bathing in the spring sun, she petted the puppy with a smile, and she looked like a literal angel.
"Oh, Brother." Myuri looked up, noticed me, and put on a bashful look. "Eh-heh-heh, what do you think? Does it look good?"
Back in Nyohhira, she would run around the wild mountains with a piece of cured meat in her mouth and always rounded up the village children to pull pranks that would make anyone faint.
Though those barbaric ways of hers had gradually receded as she matured, it was when I saw her like this that I really felt she was growing up to be a young lady. The jewels jingling by her shapely ears, now revealed since her hair was tied back, were like a magic spell that transformed a little girl into a young lady.
As the one who had taken care of her as her older brother, she was so beautiful that it almost brought me to tears.
"Yes, it looks very good on you. I almost want Mr. Lawrence to see, too."
"Aw, what? Forget about Father. He says I look cute no matter what I wear." As per usual, Myuri took an icy attitude toward Lawrence, who always adored his daughter. "What about you, though? How does it look to you?"
While I sympathized with Lawrence, I had no choice but to give my honest opinion.
"Of course, you look very pretty to me."

Output:
"By the way, did you understand the ceremony proceedings?"
While Myuri was being dressed by all the women in Mercurio's mansion, she should have received an account of this and that. The one exchanging wedding vows with the Cedano family was a girl from the Pristol family. Both houses were originally from the distant south, and the Cedano family notably acted as the mediator for all the immigrants who lived in this district. Along with being informed of the general history of each family's lineage, I had also been told that they would be carrying out their vow prayers in a separate room, but that was the procedure of the Church, which was the same in many countries, so there was nothing particularly troubling for me.
It was the passage that went, In sickness and in health..., but I was confident with excerpts from the scripture.
"Yeah. There's nothing really difficult for me. First, I go fetch the bride from her room; then we go to the church in the manor. Then I sit quietly and listen to your sermon."
"After that?"
"As the angel, I prepare the cake that will ward off demons. I think it's funny that it's a cake that's warding them off."
This was unfamiliar to Myuri, and so she cackled.
That wicked demons hated sweet things was a popular folk belief. Though the Church tended to find fault with some traditions and customs, they, surprisingly, had tacitly approved this practice. I certainly had the impression that demons that happily devoured sweet cake were not demons at all, so perhaps even the hardheaded clergy thought it impossible as well.
And so that was why weddings were topped with cream made of sweet sugar and freshly squeezed milk.
"And those people we saw at the port were actually supposed to be here at this manor for the wedding, huh?"
She was talking about the men she had spotted as she ate her pirate bowl who were carrying large eating utensils. They had come from the bride's hometown bringing furniture for the wedding and tools that would be used during the ceremony. Their ship caravan had scattered along the way due to bad weather, and the boat in which the priests were, of whom they had asked the unreasonable favor of coming along for the trip, was still very far away.
"They are going to cut slices with the big wooden knife and then take out large scoops with the spoon, but it is not for you to eat. Do you understand?"
"I do! I, the angel, cuts the cake for the blessing, and then I give it to the bride. Then the bride feeds it to that noble guy, right?"
It was a holdover from a bygone era when famine and starvation were common—a ritual to ensure they always had enough to eat.
The massive utensils we had spotted earlier in town were both for cooking food for the large number of wedding attendees and for that ritual.
"The order is correct, but they eat the cake after they leave the church and the banquet in the courtyard starts. There is something else before that—do you remember?"
The gluttonous wolf pup could only ever think of food once the topic went in that direction.
"What? Aw, what was it? Your blah-blah sermon blah-blah, then, um...oh!"
Myuri's expression transformed from that of a graceful angel to a rambunctious girl.
What was waiting for her was a social event, something she loved second only to delicious food.
"The Cedano house that Sir Mercurio belongs to has a long and storied history. I had heard that there were rather strange customs in their weddings, and when I traveled to the south, I was surprised to see that some of those practices were still around."
"A noble's valor is honor. That means that you can't be a nobleman if you can't keep your bride safe, right?"
That was one of the highlights of the ceremony.


Instruction: Given first part of the popular LightNovel spice and wolf as input, continue the story the best you can.

Input:
"By the way, did you understand the ceremony proceedings?"
While Myuri was being dressed by all the women in Mercurio's mansion, she should have received an account of this and that. The one exchanging wedding vows with the Cedano family was a girl from the Pristol family. Both houses were originally from the distant south, and the Cedano family notably acted as the mediator for all the immigrants who lived in this district. Along with being informed of the general history of each family's lineage, I had also been told that they would be carrying out their vow prayers in a separate room, but that was the procedure of the Church, which was the same in many countries, so there was nothing particularly troubling for me.
It was the passage that went, In sickness and in health..., but I was confident with excerpts from the scripture.
"Yeah. There's nothing really difficult for me. First, I go fetch the bride from her room; then we go to the church in the manor. Then I sit quietly and listen to your sermon."
"After that?"
"As the angel, I prepare the cake that will ward off demons. I think it's funny that it's a cake that's warding them off."
This was unfamiliar to Myuri, and so she cackled.
That wicked demons hated sweet things was a popular folk belief. Though the Church tended to find fault with some traditions and customs, they, surprisingly, had tacitly approved this practice. I certainly had the impression that demons that happily devoured sweet cake were not demons at all, so perhaps even the hardheaded clergy thought it impossible as well.
And so that was why weddings were topped with cream made of sweet sugar and freshly squeezed milk.
"And those people we saw at the port were actually supposed to be here at this manor for the wedding, huh?"
She was talking about the men she had spotted as she ate her pirate bowl who were carrying large eating utensils. They had come from the bride's hometown bringing furniture for the wedding and tools that would be used during the ceremony. Their ship caravan had scattered along the way due to bad weather, and the boat in which the priests were, of whom they had asked the unreasonable favor of coming along for the trip, was still very far away.
"They are going to cut slices with the big wooden knife and then take out large scoops with the spoon, but it is not for you to eat. Do you understand?"
"I do! I, the angel, cuts the cake for the blessing, and then I give it to the bride. Then the bride feeds it to that noble guy, right?"
It was a holdover from a bygone era when famine and starvation were common—a ritual to ensure they always had enough to eat.
The massive utensils we had spotted earlier in town were both for cooking food for the large number of wedding attendees and for that ritual.
"The order is correct, but they eat the cake after they leave the church and the banquet in the courtyard starts. There is something else before that—do you remember?"
The gluttonous wolf pup could only ever think of food once the topic went in that direction.
"What? Aw, what was it? Your blah-blah sermon blah-blah, then, um...oh!"
Myuri's expression transformed from that of a graceful angel to a rambunctious girl.
What was waiting for her was a social event, something she loved second only to delicious food.
"The Cedano house that Sir Mercurio belongs to has a long and storied history. I had heard that there were rather strange customs in their weddings, and when I traveled to the south, I was surprised to see that some of those practices were still around."
"A noble's valor is honor. That means that you can't be a nobleman if you can't keep your bride safe, right?"
That was one of the highlights of the ceremony.

Output:
Only after that was their union considered permissible.
"But can someone like him pull it off...? I don't think that guy's ever held a sword in his life."
"It is a ritual. A performance. I doubt they would use real swords."
"Really?"
"In times long past when the winds of war ravaged the land, something like that might have actually happened, however."
That being said, when Mercurio had talked about this, he was clearly nervous.
The Cedano family had old roots in the kingdom. After crossing the sea long ago, they conducted trade on a large scale and prospered. However, the Pristol family was even older and had a tradition of valuing honor over money.
As I watched the servants roaming about the manor, I could tell there was a big difference between the groom's family and the bride's family—the rich Cedano family that administered trade within the kingdom and the old and frugal Pristol family that clung to tradition.
It would not surprise me if more than a few held a grudge against the Cedano house for buying their princess with gold and silver. I could not say I was not apprehensive that there might be some who would openly voice their displeasure if the ceremony turned out to be slipshod.
Yet, the manor was filled with the celebratory air of a wedding, and on second thought, I figured that Mercurio must have been nervous because this was a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Then Myuri, flapping the hem on her loose dress, said, "Aw, but it's so cool. Re-creating a battle to protect the bride at a wedding..." She loved adventure tales and romance stories, and she looked sideways at me. "I wished the person I loved would protect meee."
She deliberately said this to herself loud enough for me to hear it, but the moment we had decided to help with the wedding, I had been ready for her to say something like that to me. She had said she liked me not as her brother but as a man, and she often tempestuously expressed how she felt very directly. Though I did not doubt the depth of her feelings, I was striving to be a member of the clergy, and most importantly, though we were not connected by blood, I could not see her as anything more than my little sister.
And so I tried to act as though I had not heard it again, but I felt like that was the wrong move.
I could not reciprocate her feelings, true, but treating them with disdain was something entirely different.
As if I were I gently removing her claws that she had dug into me, I moved to stand beside her and said, "I want to protect you, and you have been and always will be precious to me."
Had her wolf ears popped out, no doubt they would have moved with great vigor, like they were flicking water everywhere.
It wasn't what she truly wanted to hear, but I made sure to give her a heartfelt response nonetheless.
However, Myuri slowly and deliberately inhaled, as though showing any delight would mean she had lost, then heaved an exaggerated sigh.
"Hmph. I basically only ever protect you, though."
"Indeed you do. It is thanks to you that our travels have come this far. I am thankful for that."
Myuri inherited the blood of the wisewolf, and without her wisdom, courage, and quick wit, this little lamb would have found a watery grave underneath the great crashing waves of the wider world a long time ago.
Though she still frowned, it seemed that she was somewhat pleased.
"Okay, then hug me."
She smiled impishly as she stuck out both her arms.
"No. You are all dressed up right now. I will when we return to the manor."
"Awww! Fine, but you have to! It's a promise!"
Her typical rambunctiousness peeked out.
That said, I could not say I was not relieved to see that she was her usual self.
Myuri, with her hair plaited and beautiful jewels dangling from her ears, looked like a fairy who might vanish if I looked away, which made me a little sad.


Instruction: Given first part of the popular LightNovel spice and wolf as input, continue the story the best you can.

Input:
Only after that was their union considered permissible.
"But can someone like him pull it off...? I don't think that guy's ever held a sword in his life."
"It is a ritual. A performance. I doubt they would use real swords."
"Really?"
"In times long past when the winds of war ravaged the land, something like that might have actually happened, however."
That being said, when Mercurio had talked about this, he was clearly nervous.
The Cedano family had old roots in the kingdom. After crossing the sea long ago, they conducted trade on a large scale and prospered. However, the Pristol family was even older and had a tradition of valuing honor over money.
As I watched the servants roaming about the manor, I could tell there was a big difference between the groom's family and the bride's family—the rich Cedano family that administered trade within the kingdom and the old and frugal Pristol family that clung to tradition.
It would not surprise me if more than a few held a grudge against the Cedano house for buying their princess with gold and silver. I could not say I was not apprehensive that there might be some who would openly voice their displeasure if the ceremony turned out to be slipshod.
Yet, the manor was filled with the celebratory air of a wedding, and on second thought, I figured that Mercurio must have been nervous because this was a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Then Myuri, flapping the hem on her loose dress, said, "Aw, but it's so cool. Re-creating a battle to protect the bride at a wedding..." She loved adventure tales and romance stories, and she looked sideways at me. "I wished the person I loved would protect meee."
She deliberately said this to herself loud enough for me to hear it, but the moment we had decided to help with the wedding, I had been ready for her to say something like that to me. She had said she liked me not as her brother but as a man, and she often tempestuously expressed how she felt very directly. Though I did not doubt the depth of her feelings, I was striving to be a member of the clergy, and most importantly, though we were not connected by blood, I could not see her as anything more than my little sister.
And so I tried to act as though I had not heard it again, but I felt like that was the wrong move.
I could not reciprocate her feelings, true, but treating them with disdain was something entirely different.
As if I were I gently removing her claws that she had dug into me, I moved to stand beside her and said, "I want to protect you, and you have been and always will be precious to me."
Had her wolf ears popped out, no doubt they would have moved with great vigor, like they were flicking water everywhere.
It wasn't what she truly wanted to hear, but I made sure to give her a heartfelt response nonetheless.
However, Myuri slowly and deliberately inhaled, as though showing any delight would mean she had lost, then heaved an exaggerated sigh.
"Hmph. I basically only ever protect you, though."
"Indeed you do. It is thanks to you that our travels have come this far. I am thankful for that."
Myuri inherited the blood of the wisewolf, and without her wisdom, courage, and quick wit, this little lamb would have found a watery grave underneath the great crashing waves of the wider world a long time ago.
Though she still frowned, it seemed that she was somewhat pleased.
"Okay, then hug me."
She smiled impishly as she stuck out both her arms.
"No. You are all dressed up right now. I will when we return to the manor."
"Awww! Fine, but you have to! It's a promise!"
Her typical rambunctiousness peeked out.
That said, I could not say I was not relieved to see that she was her usual self.
Myuri, with her hair plaited and beautiful jewels dangling from her ears, looked like a fairy who might vanish if I looked away, which made me a little sad.

Output:
"By the way, I wonder what time the ceremony will start. Why don't we ask?"
With incoming ships arriving late and their difficulty finding a stand-in priest and chaperone for the bride, it seemed as though they were on the verge of postponing the entire wedding, so there were some guests who had started making preparations to leave. Not only had relatives gathered from far away, but this was the busy spring season. Noble families, especially, sometimes had duties to fulfill for various events back in their homelands where they played a key part. Judging by the busy port, I could imagine how difficult it could be just to secure passage here, so postponing the ceremony was not something that could be done lightly.
On top of that, Mercurio was in such a flurried rush preparing for the ceremony because his family's honor rested on hosting a smooth ceremony, which was almost as important as him taking a wife.
Those in high society lived with all sorts of obligations.
"I can't wait to eat. I heard that in the south, they boil the dough after they knead it. I'm so excited!"
"Didn't you just have that pirate bowl earlier...?" I asked in exasperation, and Myuri cackled mischievously.
"Oooh, I wonder what the bride's like. The noble groom guy looked like you, so maybe she's a cute girl with silver hair and wolf ears and tail, hmm?"
I shot her a grouchy look, and she gave me an innocent smile in turn.
That said, there could not be any delay in the ceremony, so just as I thought we should go and confirm the order of events one more time—
"My lady, where are you going?!"
"That is a guest's—"
We heard an exchange coming from the other side of the door, and not a moment later, it was flung open.
"Hey, you're the priest and the chaperone, right?"
"My lady!"
It was a girl with magnificent red hair, like a burning flame, who waved off the bewildered maids. She was tall with long limbs, and peeking out from the luxurious, strapless dress were powerful, rippling muscles. She looked like she had been plucked out of the adventure skits of a lady knight slaying a dragon that were popular back at the bathhouse in Nyohhira.
After chasing the maids away, she took a long stride into the room and closed the door behind her.
Her deep, burnt-earth colored gaze flicked back and forth between me and Myuri.
"I heard you're outsiders who just happened to show up here. Am I right?"
She had what most would have called a piercing gaze. Though she was not much taller than I, her posture afforded her an entirely different presence. I shrank at the assertive air she exuded, one that let me know that I would doubtlessly have no chance against her if it came to violence. On the other hand, Myuri, sitting in her chair, was the same as always.
"Yeah, and?"
The girl then furrowed her brow and took a deep breath that almost made her a size bigger. Judging by Myuri's demeanor, this girl had no intentions of harming us, but it was clear she was worked up about something.
Either she was thinking that outsiders should not be taking part in this wedding or she thought a fake priest was outright scandalous. Now that that thought crossed my mind, she did look somewhat like a female knight who donned armor to protect the weak prayer girls at nunneries.
However, Myuri said, "That dress...makes you the bride, right? Aren't you supposed to be getting ready?"
It was only a brief moment that she was surprised, and the girl brushed away what Myuri said with a snort and brought her face right up to hers.
"Can I trust you?"
Though this girl could have easily weighed two or three times more than Myuri and was only a hairbreadth away her face, Myuri was not at all frightened. She had excellent intuition, so she seemed to sense that the bride bore us no ill will.
But then in that case, it made no sense as to why the bride was acting as she was. The ceremony would be starting so soon, but here she was, suddenly barging into our room, demanding to know if she could trust us.


Instruction: Given first part of the popular LightNovel spice and wolf as input, continue the story the best you can.

Input:
"By the way, I wonder what time the ceremony will start. Why don't we ask?"
With incoming ships arriving late and their difficulty finding a stand-in priest and chaperone for the bride, it seemed as though they were on the verge of postponing the entire wedding, so there were some guests who had started making preparations to leave. Not only had relatives gathered from far away, but this was the busy spring season. Noble families, especially, sometimes had duties to fulfill for various events back in their homelands where they played a key part. Judging by the busy port, I could imagine how difficult it could be just to secure passage here, so postponing the ceremony was not something that could be done lightly.
On top of that, Mercurio was in such a flurried rush preparing for the ceremony because his family's honor rested on hosting a smooth ceremony, which was almost as important as him taking a wife.
Those in high society lived with all sorts of obligations.
"I can't wait to eat. I heard that in the south, they boil the dough after they knead it. I'm so excited!"
"Didn't you just have that pirate bowl earlier...?" I asked in exasperation, and Myuri cackled mischievously.
"Oooh, I wonder what the bride's like. The noble groom guy looked like you, so maybe she's a cute girl with silver hair and wolf ears and tail, hmm?"
I shot her a grouchy look, and she gave me an innocent smile in turn.
That said, there could not be any delay in the ceremony, so just as I thought we should go and confirm the order of events one more time—
"My lady, where are you going?!"
"That is a guest's—"
We heard an exchange coming from the other side of the door, and not a moment later, it was flung open.
"Hey, you're the priest and the chaperone, right?"
"My lady!"
It was a girl with magnificent red hair, like a burning flame, who waved off the bewildered maids. She was tall with long limbs, and peeking out from the luxurious, strapless dress were powerful, rippling muscles. She looked like she had been plucked out of the adventure skits of a lady knight slaying a dragon that were popular back at the bathhouse in Nyohhira.
After chasing the maids away, she took a long stride into the room and closed the door behind her.
Her deep, burnt-earth colored gaze flicked back and forth between me and Myuri.
"I heard you're outsiders who just happened to show up here. Am I right?"
She had what most would have called a piercing gaze. Though she was not much taller than I, her posture afforded her an entirely different presence. I shrank at the assertive air she exuded, one that let me know that I would doubtlessly have no chance against her if it came to violence. On the other hand, Myuri, sitting in her chair, was the same as always.
"Yeah, and?"
The girl then furrowed her brow and took a deep breath that almost made her a size bigger. Judging by Myuri's demeanor, this girl had no intentions of harming us, but it was clear she was worked up about something.
Either she was thinking that outsiders should not be taking part in this wedding or she thought a fake priest was outright scandalous. Now that that thought crossed my mind, she did look somewhat like a female knight who donned armor to protect the weak prayer girls at nunneries.
However, Myuri said, "That dress...makes you the bride, right? Aren't you supposed to be getting ready?"
It was only a brief moment that she was surprised, and the girl brushed away what Myuri said with a snort and brought her face right up to hers.
"Can I trust you?"
Though this girl could have easily weighed two or three times more than Myuri and was only a hairbreadth away her face, Myuri was not at all frightened. She had excellent intuition, so she seemed to sense that the bride bore us no ill will.
But then in that case, it made no sense as to why the bride was acting as she was. The ceremony would be starting so soon, but here she was, suddenly barging into our room, demanding to know if she could trust us.

Output:
I almost flinched, but I held my ground.
"We are indeed the last-minute replacements, but I believe this, too, is God's will. We will do all we can to help you..."
But of course, since I was a false priest, I would have no choice but to leave if she requested it. I was a bit sad about that, but I was not a real priest, so there was not much I could do.
"And the house here has a legend of a silver wolf, right? I think I'd be perfect for that, then."
The groom, Mercurio of the Cedano family, and the bride's Pristol family both had a wolf design on their family crests. As the eras changed, eagles and lions became more popular, but old families that were once part of the ancient empire still sometimes retained the wolf motif in their heraldry. Because of that, both of these households had a tradition of collecting dogs easily mistaken for wolves with silver and white coats and hiring a silver-haired girl to act as the bride's chaperone.
Myuri, of course—there was no other girl in the world with as beautiful silver hair as hers—had worded her assertion to make it sound like that was the reason, but she was a real wolf. In reality, there was no one more suited for this role than her.
However, the red-haired bride was still acting like an alert wolf and glared back and forth between me and Myuri.
I still did not understand what the bride's true intentions were, but I recalled that she had asked if she could trust us. In that case, the thought that came to me was that this red-haired girl had come to ask a favor that was not so easily asked.
Weddings were huge turning points in people's lives and would normally be filled with smiles and blessings, but for the bride—the one who arguably held the principal role in a wedding—to wear such a brooding expression, several possibilities sprang to mind.
The first thing that occurred to me was that this wedding was not what she wanted.
Then again, I could not detect even the slightest hint of reservation coming from the girl in front of me, almost as though she would wrest whatever it is she wanted with her own hand; she did not seem the type to submissively go along with a wedding that her parents had decided on that was against her will. But there seemed to be a difference in affluence between the Cedano and Pristol families, and it was not unusual for a noble to marry their daughter off for political reasons.
It was more than possible that this red-haired bride was searching for someone she could trust, wanting to shut down this unwanted wedding. The problem was whether this was something an outsider could get a word in edgewise about.
It was my principle, however, not to abandon the troubled people who were before me.
Looking at the girl who seemed like a wounded animal, I announced, "My name is Tote Col."
"Wait, Brother?!"
I ignored Myuri, her eyes widened in surprise, and continued.
"I am the one known as the Twilight Cardinal throughout the world."
It was not that long ago when great turmoil had rocked this city. The redheaded girl seemed to have at least heard rumors and looked at me, startled.
"I hid my identity from Mercurio because I believed that there would be trouble if word got out that I acted as a priest. But if you are in distress and seek aid, then my name may be of some help. My acquaintances may lend a hand, too."
By using the connections we had cultivated thus far, we could at least help this girl, who seemed like she was being forced into an unwanted marriage, escape. All that was left was the question of whether she would trust us or not...It was then she answered my offer with spite.
"...If you're going to lie, at least make it believable."
Unsure of how to respond, I only shrugged, and the bride gave a slight groan.
"But you do look just like the rumors say. I guess you are who you say you are, huh?"
"The name of Twilight Cardinal is quite exaggerated, so it's somewhat embarrassing, I must admit," I said, and she snorted.
"Then...can I...trust you?"