Canis Initiis

~~ Author Note ~~

https://discord.gg/6PBf4ccNCT

Hello, readers.

Here's the chapter as promised. I don't know that it is the most outstanding chapter, but it gives some helpful information about the main character. I'm also having quite a bit of fun writing Eruza's character.

Anyways, that's all from me.

As always, I hope you enjoy the chapter.

~~ End Author Note ~~

***

Dianthus was sitting on a chair with Eruza occupying his lap. Across from the two of them were the three girls sitting on a couch. Not only Roxanne, but the other two were also similarly older. They were no longer children clad in rags and bandages. Now they were charming ladies.

Roxanne wore an elegant red dress that exposed enough cleavage to tempt men into staring. Two gold and ruby earrings accentuated her silky golden hair and striking ruby red eyes. Hanging from her neck was a beautiful jeweled rosary. She wore red lipstick and black gloves that highlighted her sophisticated beauty to top off her look.

Shinoa was wearing what appeared to be some standardized female combat uniform. The clothes were black with green highlights. Her legs sported thigh-high stockings, and like Roxanne, she covered her hands with white gloves. A red ribbon tied up her braided hair, allowing only two locks to frame her cute face. Similarly, A red ribbon was placed on her chest, completing the look.

Fremy's outfit was the most risqué out of the three girls. A single black strap of fabric covered her breasts. Another cloth hung from her shoulders down to her waist, covering her shorts. Her shorts were connected to her thigh-high black boots that ran above her stockings. A black torn-up cloak hung around her shoulders. Finally, the bandages that previously covered her forehead and right eye were replaced. In their stead was a black eyepatch with a large artificial blue and pink flower on top.

"This reminds me of our first meeting," Dianthus said as he went to take a sip of the herbal tea Roxanne had prepared.

Roxanne sipped at her tea as well, "Indeed."

Shinoa and Fremy just listened as they snacked on the Idrelas petals that Dianthus had provided upon their request. Meanwhile, Eruza attempted to wrap her head around their sudden change in age.

Eruza poked his cheek to catch his attention. "Boss, how'd they age so fast? It's only been two months since we last saw them."

Dianthus shook his head. "I have no idea. There are many methods that I know of to age quickly." He turned towards the three girls. "I'm wondering if you could enlighten me on what method was used. Also, why exactly you three required aging."

"The goddess told us that she couldn't solve the issue with our souls without our bodies being older," Roxanne said. "So she did what she referred to as patchwork. She said it would allow us to survive long enough for her to be able to help us at the appropriate age."

"Also, she took us to another world where the flow of time was faster," Shinoa chimed in. "However, it felt the same to me."

"You wouldn't be able to feel the difference in the flow of time between worlds," Dianthus said. "It requires knowledge regarding the concept of time."

Dianthus sighed inwardly. As far as he was aware, the solution to fixing their souls did not require them to be older. If his guess was correct, the so-called patchwork was the actual fix for their souls. As he looked at them, he didn't sense anything wrong with them.

Although he was unsure, Dianthus believed that the goddess most likely took a liking to the three girls and decided she wanted them to join his list of wives. After all, she seemed the most gung-ho out of the two of them for the harem plan. Not that Dianthus isn't happy to be surrounded by women, but Semiramis seems particularly keen on increasing the number. She has even mentioned looking for the women he had previously charmed throughout his travels.

Dianthus decided he would ask the goddess about the girls' situation. Meanwhile, Eruza had gotten an answer to her question and no longer bothered to pay attention to the conversation. Instead, she decided to snuggle against Dianthus and take a nap.

Dianthus looked at Eruza, who had fallen asleep almost instantly, and smiled warmly. 'She really is capricious,' he thought.

The three girls were unknowingly entranced by his smile. Their mindsets had finally returned to how they had been in their previous lives. Of course, there were some differences in how they thought after experiencing a new life. However, now they were fully mature and conscious of the handsome man that had given them another chance at living.

"Since you have answered my questions, do you three have any you would like to ask me?" Dianthus said, looking towards the three girls.

Roxanne was the first to leave her trance. "Why did you decide to help us? The goddess said that you had a reason, but we had to ask you."

Dianthus sighed. "I have a soft spot for children. When I saw the three of you in such an awful situation, I was reminded of my daughter. At the time, I said there was no reason because I didn't wish to talk about my daughter. Now, there is no problem as I have been reunited with her."

The girls were shocked. Not because of the simple reason for which he helped them, though that was part of it. No, they were shocked because the man in front of them had a daughter. Going solely by appearances, he looks too young to have a child. Of course, they hadn't thought about the fact he was a god and probably far older than he looked.

"Any more questions for me?" he asked.

"Since you're a god, how old are you?" Shinoa questioned.

Dianthus pondered for a moment. "I'm honestly not sure how old I am. I never really kept track. Traveling between universes will destroy your sense of time. Though I can say I'm far older than the three of you. Also, my age has nothing to do with being a god. After all, I only became a true god about a month after you girls left with Semi."

Not surprised by his age, Roxanne asked another question. "What are you? If you're that old, there's no way you are a human then."

He nodded. "Well, you're correct that I am not a human, though there are some worlds where humans can live far longer than you can imagine. The form you saw when we first met is considered my true form."

"You're a wolf?" Fremy finally spoke as curiosity got the best of her.

"In a way, you're correct," Dianthus said. "I'm from a clan of unique wolf beasts known as canis initiis. Though I will say, I'm a mutated variant. Others from my clan were midnight black and did not possess wings as I do."

The girls began to ask other questions, though most were simple and relating to his likes and dislikes. Sprinkled in were a few questions regarding his past that he sometimes refused to answer. After some time, Dianthus decided it was time for him to part ways as he planned to let the girl in his arms rest in a proper bed. Just as well, Dianthus also decided to rest comfortably beside his beautiful goddess until she woke up.

Dianthus and a sleeping Eruza disappeared from the room in a swirl of violet petals. The three girls left behind began to sort through their thoughts. They hadn't entirely realized their growing interest in the man that had just left.