The Demigod’s Docile Rabbit

Domu, in high spirits, carried the Balyaas Rabbit by its ears. She made her way with steady steps towards the Adventurers’ Guild in Morgan City. Along the path, every mercenary stopped in their tracks, utterly dumbfounded. They stared at the Balyaas Rabbit, clutched by its ears in Domu’s hand. Its three blood-red eyes, filled with a desperate plea, darted around as if searching for an angel.

“Am I seeing this correctly? Is that truly the Balyaas Rabbit, the ruler of Velsen Forest? Why is it so docile?” A mercenary’s voice was filled with disbelief.

“Didn’t they say it would go berserk if its ears were touched? How can it be so obedient now, dangling in someone’s hand?” another mercenary questioned.

“You two bumpkins! Don’t you even recognize who this esteemed individual is? That’s Lord Domu, the one who single-handedly defeated an ancient demon! He’s a demigod-level powerhouse whose mere aura can make a novice Shadow Dancer soil themselves!” a voice interjected.

“A novice Shadow Dancer? Are you talking about Gobar of the Venomous Scythe? I saw Gobar being carried out of the Adventurers’ Guild with my own eyes yesterday!” remarked someone who had witnessed Gobar being taken for treatment.

“Does that mean the aura that made us tremble to our very core yesterday was emitted by Lord Domu?”

“I originally thought someone wearing such magnificent full plate armor was just a noble young master who’d snuck out. To think he’s actually a demigod-level powerhouse! Even now, recalling that aura from yesterday makes me shiver all over!” a masochistic individual confessed.

“Yes, yes, Lord Domu is truly incredibly amazing… By the way, how else did you react to that aura yesterday? I’m telling you, I nearly ascended to heaven with pleasure…” The speaker seemed to be the same loli-con masochist from the Adventurers’ Guild the day before.

“Brother, I can’t believe you’re one of us too! For me…” The two masochists embraced, whispering conspiratorially.

Domu entered the Adventurers’ Guild. She placed the Balyaas Rabbit on the counter and then gently tapped the surface.

“Hello~ How may I help… ah!” Mira’s voice trailed off. Her eyes widened as she recognized the person before her and the three-eyed rabbit on the counter, a soft gasp of surprise escaping her lips.

“I am here to turn in a quest: the capture of a Balyaas Rabbit.” Domu’s resonant voice, muffled by the helmet, roused Mira from her astonishment.

“Understood, Lord Domu… I will contact Mr. Tule, who posted the quest, right away. I’m sure he’ll be delighted to hear the task has been completed!” Mira said to Domu, her fingers already moving over the arcane console.

While waiting, a slightly bored Domu found herself gazing at the Balyaas Rabbit, which was huddled on the counter, trembling. She was lost in thought.

‘I’ve already suppressed my aura with [Divine Suppression],’ she mused, ‘so why is this little rabbit still so terrified of me? Could it have developed a psychological trauma?’

This was far from ideal, as Domu, who cherished soft, fluffy small animals, found such a reaction quite distressing.

“Big brother, can I pet it…?” A small girl’s voice suddenly drifted from beside Domu.

Domu lowered her head. Before her stood a small girl with black hair and black eyes, wearing an oversized mage’s hat.

She clutched a staff taller than herself, her gaze fixed on Domu with eager anticipation.

The girl’s expectant eyes reminded Domu of Dove. Soronna had been right; children truly were the most innocent.

“You may, but it’s best not to touch its ears.” Domu carefully lifted the Balyaas Rabbit from the counter.

She then crouched down, placing the creature gently on the floor.

Although she wasn’t certain if the Balyaas Rabbit would remain docile only when near her, Domu offered the warning as a precaution.

After all, she had no desire to see the adorable little rabbit go berserk, which might force her to subdue it by force.

“Thank… thank you, big brother.” The little girl, still clutching her staff, saw the Balyaas Rabbit before her, her eyes lighting up with joy.

She quickly crouched, tucking the staff under one arm, and with her other hand, she cautiously stroked the soft fur on the rabbit’s back.

“Big brother, it’s trembling. Is it scared?” The little girl looked up at the pure white knight before her, asking with a puzzled expression.

“No, it’s probably trembling with excitement, having been petted by such a lovely lady.” Domu, her mood brightened by the little girl, offered a rare jest.

“Hehe, how cute.” The little girl giggled upon hearing Domu’s words.

“Philly! Philly! My heavens, what are you doing? Be careful!”

A young man’s frantic shout echoed as he burst into the Adventurers’ Guild. He saw the little girl, Philly, crouched on the floor with Domu, petting the rabbit.

The man rushed over in alarm, scooping Philly up and hiding her behind him. He then adopted a wary stance, glaring at the trembling rabbit on the floor.

“Sir, do you have any idea how dangerous it is to bring such a terrifying creature into a place like this?” The young man, maintaining his defensive posture, addressed Domu with a stern expression.

“My apologies… but could you tell me your relationship with this young lady?” Domu asked, unfazed by the impetuous young man’s words.

She herself didn’t perceive the small rabbit as a terrifying creature. While the young man’s actions suggested he knew the little girl, Domu still felt it necessary to confirm their connection.

“I am her… Ow!” Just as the young man began to speak, the back of his head received a sharp rap from a staff.

“Phil! You hurt me! And I was having so much fun playing with the little rabbit, why did you suddenly rush over?” The little girl, wielding her staff, angrily chastised the young man standing before her.

“No, no, Philly, I was worried about you! I heard from Mr. Tule that someone had completed the quest to capture the Balyaas Rabbit. I know you love animals, but the Balyaas Rabbit is a very dangerous creature. Plus, I was worried you might accidentally offend that great…” Phil rubbed the back of his head.

He pointed at the rabbit lying on the floor, then at Domu in her pure white full plate armor, and suddenly his mouth fell open.

“You idiot, Phil! If anyone’s been offensive, it’s you, just now, to that esteemed person!” Philly declared, hands on her hips, pointing at Phil with exasperation.

“I-I’m so sorry, Lord! I… I didn’t realize…” Phil stammered, flustered, as he explained himself to Domu.

Mr. Tule had expressly warned him never to offend a powerhouse strong enough to capture a Balyaas Rabbit alone. Phil knew that with his own strength, capturing one was out of the question; merely surviving an enraged Balyaas Rabbit would be a miracle.

“It’s fine, you don’t need to call me ‘Lord.’ You can simply call me Domu.” Domu waved off Phil’s apology.

“I heard you mention Mr. Tule just now; do you two know him?” She wasn’t particularly bothered by Phil’s perceived offense, or rather, she hadn’t even registered it as such.

At the moment, Domu’s primary concern was when she could complete the quest and receive her first payment in this world.

“You! You are Lord Domu, the demigod-level powerhouse who defeated an ancient demon?!” Phil exclaimed, his voice filled with sudden adoration upon hearing Domu’s name.

“Lord Domu, Mr. Tule was incredibly excited to hear you completed the quest and is rushing here now. Philly and I are both guards hired by Mr. Tule…” Phil’s entire being seemed to ignite with fervor.

‘No wonder he’s strong enough to capture a Balyaas Rabbit,’ he thought. ‘A demigod-level powerhouse! How long will it take me to reach such a level?’

“Big brother, can I still play with the little rabbit?” Philly suddenly asked Domu in a pitiful tone.

“Philly, the Balyaas Rabbit is very dangerous. Besides, don’t trouble Lord Domu any further,” Phil said, worried.

“Hmm… it’s actually fine. It’s quite docile when it’s near me and shouldn’t actively harm anyone, right?” Domu gently stroked the Balyaas Rabbit lying on the floor, then asked.

Under the astonished gazes of Phil and Philly, the Balyaas Rabbit—the fearsome ruler of Velsen Forest—actually nodded obediently.

It looked as if it were a model of absolute compliance, ready to follow any command.

“By the way, do you know what Mr. Tule intends to do with the Balyaas Rabbit? I promised a friend I would ensure its safety, so if he plans to harm it, I won’t hand it over to you.” Domu inquired.

“We absolutely will not harm the Balyaas Rabbit! Mr. Tule has also instructed us explicitly not to harm it. While we aren’t entirely sure of his exact intentions, we can assure you, Lord Domu, that nothing will be done to hurt it.” Phil pledged with utmost seriousness.

“My dearest! My dearest! Where are you! Where are you!” A frantic, somewhat unhinged voice boomed. A portly man, dressed in opulent clothing, sporting a massive gold chain around his neck, and with ten fingers adorned with diamond rings, dashed into the Adventurers’ Guild from outside.

“Lord Domu, Mr. Tule has arrived,” the counter clerk, Mira, announced.

“Oh~ my dearest, there you are! Let me see, let me see! Good heavens, Phil, do you see? She’s so beautiful and charming! But how can my darling be lying on the floor? Philly, quick, pick up my dearest! If my darling catches a chill, I’ll never forgive you!” Mr. Tule pushed through the crowd, gazing at the Balyaas Rabbit on the floor with a look of utter rapture.

“Mr. Tule! This is Lord Domu, the one who captured the Balyaas Rabbit, the demigod-level powerhouse who caused such a stir in Morgan City yesterday!” Phil seized the opportunity to whisper in Mr. Tule’s ear.

Upon hearing Phil’s news, Mr. Tule’s tiny eyes blazed with intense light. He rubbed his hands together, a wide smile spreading across his face as he looked at Domu.

At Domu’s nod, Philly tossed her staff to Phil. Then, beaming with joy, she picked up the Balyaas Rabbit, repeatedly nuzzling its soft fur with her cheek and giggling.

“Hello, Mr. Tule. May I ask what your purpose is in capturing the Balyaas Rabbit, and what the commission will be?” Domu asked the wealthy, stout man before her, a hint of anticipation in her voice.

“Ah, please wait a moment, mighty Lord Domu!” Tule didn’t directly answer Domu but walked over to the counter.

“Lovely and adorable Miss Mira~ Please confirm the quest completion for Lord Domu. I will pay the specific commission directly to Lord Domu, and of course, the Adventurers’ Guild’s share will certainly not be less!” Tule said cheerily to Mira.

“No problem, Mr. Tule. Your reputation within the entire guild is second to none! It’s done, Lord Domu, please keep this safe!” Mira said with a cheerful smile, handing Domu her mercenary badge.

“Alright, mighty Lord Domu! May I invite you to my humble abode to discuss the matter of the commission? I guarantee, in the name of the Goddess of Fortune, that I will offer Lord Domu a sum befitting your mighty strength and status!” Tule thumped his chest, looking at Domu with eager expectation.

“…Very well.” Looking at Mr. Tule, Domu felt that she might genuinely earn a considerable commission this time. It seemed today’s cake was assured.

“This is just~~ wonderful! Mighty Lord Domu, you will absolutely not be disappointed! Please allow me to lead the way! …Philly, be sure to take good care of my dearest!” A highly excited Mr. Tule exited the Adventurers’ Guild, not forgetting to loudly remind Philly.

“Yes, Mr. Tule! I will definitely take good care of the little bunny!” Philly hugged the bunny Balyaas and shouted happily.