Chapter 5: Black Hound Barghests
The Black Hound Barghest.
A creature (or perhaps monster?) of the same name existed on Earth. A type of fairy from British folklore, if I recalled correctly. Usually depicted as a large black dog.
While the word “fairy” evoked images of cuteness, fairies encompassed a wide range, and, much like Japanese yokai, many were quite terrifying. The Barghest, I was fairly certain, fell into that category.
“Right, then. Let me explain some common knowledge, even for someone as clueless as Master.”
The Barghests had been returned to the yard, and now it was just the two of us. Liz, holding a thick book, was giving me a lecture in the basement.
“Perhaps you should read this first.”
“Is this an encyclopedia?” The thick, leather-bound volume was so large it overhung the side table where my snacks sat.
“Yes. It includes extinct species as well.”
“Let’s see… A, B, Ba… Bar… Barghest…”
“You’re fast, Master.”
“I was a physical dictionary kind of person.”
“There are dictionaries that aren’t physical?”
“The world is a vast place.”
I located the relevant entry in the index and flipped to the page. An eerie illustration of a black dog with glowing eyes stared back at me, rendered in an antiquated style.
“Barghest. A spiritual lifeform composed of magical energy. Takes the form of a black dog. Often forms packs. Absorbs magical energy through contact. Typically hunts like a dog or wolf. Highly dangerous due to its combat abilities. Does not bond with humans, but can be kept as a guard dog through magical subjugation. However, even then, it can only follow simple, aggressive commands, such as attacking and killing intruders with unregistered magical signatures who enter the premises. Frequently involved in fatal incidents. Should not be considered either ally or enemy by anyone other than a skilled mage.”
I looked up from the book.
“…That’s not the Barghest I know.”
“The description in this encyclopedia perfectly matches the Barghest I know.” Liz narrowed her eyes.
“The Barghest is a mid-level magical beast. It can be subjugated with magic. —However, communication is… difficult.”
“I’m doing pretty well, though?”
“In what way?”
“Like, knowing when they want to play, or where they want to be petted.”
“…The classification of magical beasts is broad. The Barghest is classified as mid-level based on the assessment of a single individual. Generally, the threat level increases exponentially with the number in a pack, and since Barghests are pack creatures, the classification is unreliable.”
“Right.”
“A pack of fifty or more is equivalent to a dragon. No, in some cases, they can be even more dangerous. Among the magical beast species that can be subjugated, many consider them the strongest.”
“Wait, those guys? They’re only a little stronger than regular large dogs, aren’t they?”
“Regular large dogs are quite strong, to begin with. Add to that their tireless nature, their aggression, and their pack coordination, which is likely magical in nature. As a type of magical lifeform, they are resistant to physical attacks, and they absorb magic through contact, so your magical energy will quickly deplete if you don’t resist. Since you’re usually facing multiple Barghests, you also need to be wary of attacks from behind.”
“…Right.”
“They’re intelligent, cunning, and agile. Their intelligence means they rarely attack human or demon settlements unless they’re starving, which is fortunate… but conversely, it means they only attack when they believe they can win. So, if you make them your enemy, you’re as good as dead. That’s why there are legends about ‘harbingers of death’ and ‘seeing a Black Hound Barghest means certain death.’”
“I see.” I understood. They were formidable.
“Once, a long time ago… only once, I faced a pack of Barghests. —I never want to do that again.”
“…I see.” I understood. They were terrifyingly dangerous.
“As mentioned in your encyclopedia, even when magically bound, giving them complex instructions is extremely difficult. I assumed they were just licking you when they climbed into your bed… Sit? Shake? I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
Liz slowly shook her head, as if in disbelief.
“So? How did you tame the Barghests like that?”
“Aren’t they supposed to be docile once they bond with someone?”
“After subjugation, they become docile enough to recognize magical signatures and obey the command not to attack residents. But they’re more the type to attack when they see an opening. That’s why we don’t station replacement guards inside the mansion.”
“Oh…”
“So, what kind of magic did you use?”
“I keep telling you, I’ve only just started to grasp everyday magic.”
I was far from being a “skilled mage.”
“Then what method did you use?”
“…I petted them… on their heads and bellies… and they just… naturally… bonded with me…”
“I’m surprised you even tried that, but there’s no way a Barghest would bond with someone so easily. This is a safety concern, so please tell me the truth.”
“No, really.”
“Truly?”
I smiled and nodded.
“I wouldn’t lie to you, Liz.”
“That’s what makes it sound like a lie,” Liz said dryly.
“Well, to put it simply, I guess it was… affection.”
While I understood that the Barghests were guard dogs, I also treated them, for all intents and purposes, like pets.
“Don’t you understand someone you care about?”
“I suppose… I see them as… equipment…”
I’d heard that military dogs on modern Earth were also considered equipment. It seemed rather heartless.
“Then, please behave as you normally do.”
“Wait, in front of you?”
“Yes.”
“That’s a little embarrassing.”
“…What exactly do you do with the Barghests while I’m gone?”
“Uh… well…”
“I’m sorry, but for safety reasons, I absolutely need to know.”
“…Absolutely?”
“Absolutely,” Liz insisted, her voice firm, leaving no room for argument.
“Come on, please, Master.”
“…Fine.” I relented.
I went out into the yard. The Barghests bounded towards me.
“Alright, you guys! Playtime!” I’d crossed some kind of line.
“Oh my! You’re all so fluffy and cute!” I hugged the nearest Barghest and buried my face in its fur.
“Woof woof~” I scratched under its chin.
“Ahh, that was fun! Come here!!” I spread my arms, and the Barghests piled on top of me, burying me in a sea of black fluff. I drifted off to sleep.
“…Master, you were doing that this whole time?”
Liz’s voice was filled with exasperated disbelief.
“It’s fun,” I said defensively.
The grass and the Barghests made an excellent bed. Well, mostly Barghests. I barely touched the grass.
“Come on, Liz, join us.”
“I don’t want to do anything so embarrassing.”
“Aw, that’s mean. You’re making me do it, and now you won’t…”
I switched gears.
“—Lizlit Finis. This is an order. Come here and lie down with me. This is a necessary measure to foster amicable relations with the Barghests, who are part of this mansion’s security detail.”
“Why are you so eloquent only when making up excuses?”
“Maybe because I believe what I’m saying is true.”
I spread my arms and beckoned her.
“Come on, Liz.”
“…Fine,” she sighed.
Liz joined me in the sea of black fluff.
“…Oh, this is… surprisingly pleasant.”
Liz’s movements were hesitant. She hadn’t abandoned her composure as completely as I had. But she lay beside me, buried in fur like me, tentatively petting the heads and chins of the Barghests that nudged against her.
“See?” I said smugly.
“…But will this really make them bond with you?”
“Who knows?”
“So noncommittal.”
“I didn’t do this to make them bond with me.” I stroked the nearest Barghest’s neck with the back of my hand, slowly combing through its soft fur with my fingers.
“When I came here, I was anxious and lonely… they really comforted me.”
“Master, I didn’t know you had such a sensitive side.”
Liz spoke in her usual tone, but she was smiling.
“I’m incredibly sensitive.”
So I replied, as I always did.
Smiling, as I always did.
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