The hounds that approached us were rubbing up against Alexei. They seemed to acknowledge Alexei as their leader, sitting at his feet, wagging their tails, and rubbing their heads against his hands to be petted. Despite their size and fearless appearance, they seem to behave just like normal dogs.

They were also very interested in Ekaterina, whom they had never met before, and came to sniff her.

Even if they didnt stand up on their hind legs, their faces would be around my shoulders. It would tickle me when it would huff and puff around my neck. The face up close is so much larger than the size of a dogs face. I want to touch its mane and its fluffy hair!

I wonder if they would be offended if I touched them.

These dogs respect those with strong magical powers. Show them your magical power.

Showing magic power?

After a brief moment of thought, Ekaterina poured magic power into the soil at her feet. Its a small amount. Imagine, control, and activate.

With a faint sound, a pattern of assorted circles was etched on the ground. The pattern covered a fairly large area.

Thats a fine and precise control of magic power. You have strengthened your skills.

Wow, Big Brother praised me!

The hounds attitude shifted dramatically after that. The dogs that had been nuzzling Ekaterinas neck opened their eyes and sank flat on the ground. The dogs that had been hanging around, trying to get Alexei to play with them, all shifted their attention to Ekaterina and sat down. They seemed to show their reverence.

Then another dog, who had been lying down some distance away from Ekaterina, suddenly stood up and approached her.

It was slightly larger than the other dogs and had a beautiful coat. The hounds were generally grayish, but this one was almost white, with golden tints on the tips of its fur.

Have you come, Regina?

Alexei held out his hand, and the dog called Regina rubbed her face into it. Then it looked at Ekaterina with its golden eyes.

Ekaterina, this dog is called Regina, the leader and queen of the hounds of Yurinova.

Oh my!

The packs alpha dog was a female. But come to think of it, I remembered reading on the internet news that when wolves were studied in my previous life, it was discovered that there were a few packs where the female was the leader. I suppose intellect is more necessary than fighting skills, or rather, communication skills.

Regina, I am Ekaterina, and it is a pleasure to meet you.

I smiled at Regina, and I thought she smiled back too, showing a row of fangs.

Then, she stood up on her hind legs and leaned her upper body on me.

Oh, Oh my!

I couldnt resist! I hugged Regina, and buried my face in her fluffy mane.

Mofumofu! Warm! Mofumofu! Im so happy!

Its just girls hugging each other!

Fuwah, I look up from the mane to see Regina looking down at me with clear eyes.

Are you welcoming me?

I asked, and Regina rubbed her long snout against my cheek.

Kyah!

Ekaterina looks up at Alexei with a delighted smile.

Big Brother, I have my first female friend in the dukedom!

Yes, Regina deserves your attention. Until I met you, Regina was the smartest and kindest woman in the world to me.

He said it frankly, but I believe he had some issues with human ladies. The bitchy old hag must have been a big part of it.

Big Brother, you are a bit of a woman hater, I guess.

Alexei patted Reginas head.

Regina, protect her well, Ekaterina is my sister and my life. Protect her so that no one can harm her, so that not even a single strand of her hair will be lost. You know what I mean, right?

Regina looked at Alexei with golden eyes and growled, as if she understood what he was saying.