Fairy tale: Little Red Riding Hood's wolf mentor

The sun was setting, the twilight deepening.

The old hunter led a girl and a wolf to the edge of the forest, near a slightly dilapidated wooden cabin.

"Wife, we have a guest!"

The old hunter knocked on the wooden door and called out loudly.

After a moment, some shuffling footsteps sounded from inside, and the door opened to reveal a wrinkled woman who looked a little younger than Little Red Riding Hood's grandmother.

"Is it Fran... has she returned?"

Seeing Leake, the old woman's face showed a hint of anticipation, her somewhat cloudy eyes widening as she tried to make out the face under the bright red hood—

But Leake's face seemed to be hidden in a strange mist.

The more she tried to see, the less she could!

"You are..."

The old woman reached out a trembling hand, wanting to take off Leake's hood—

But just then, the old hunter grasped the old woman's outstretched hand and said softly:

"She's not Fran, she's a little girl I met while hunting, wife, don't frighten our guest."

As he spoke, the hunter lifted the elk he was dragging and smiled, "Thanks to this little girl's dog, we caught this deer."

Hearing this, the old woman revealed a trace of disappointment.

But soon, she smiled again, stepping aside from the door and saying:

"Please come in, little girl, it's been a long time since we've had a guest."

Then, she turned her gaze to Poro behind the girl, "Oh, and... this dog, look, it's so majestic!

It can even catch elk—what a good dog!"

Poro proudly raised his head, looking at the pages only he could see, which read:

[Circular Regression: Little Red Riding Hood · Wolf's Disguise]

[Unsealing Ritual Completion Progress 2/5]

[Well done, indeed, a senile old woman can't recognize you.]

That's right! I, Poro—am a dog!

I am Little Red Riding Hood's dog!

Poro walked in with his head held high, found a chair by the dining table, sat down, and barked twice.

The old hunter and his wife were indeed skilled cooks.

Soon, the steaming venison was brought to the table, sprinkled with some wild vegetables and berries, emitting a fragrant aroma.

Poro was not polite either; they picked up their plates and began to feast.

As for whether they would be recognized as a wolf...

Hey, it would be strange for a wolf to eat at the table, right?

Didn't you see the old hunter staring in astonishment at Poro sitting at the table, eating with a knife and fork, his body trembling slightly again.

He muttered in a sighing tone:

"This dog is so well-trained..."

On the other side, Leake noticed that the elderly woman was staring at her intently, but her gaze was not frightening; instead, it seemed somewhat... loving?

Very much like Grandma.

Leake thought, she also quietly glanced at the old woman, only to see that the old woman's eyes were filled with... tears?

As if noticing the girl's gaze, the old woman wiped the corner of her eye and suddenly said:

"You must think... I'm a strange old woman, right?"

"I don't think so."

Leake quickly explained, "I just think you might be hiding something in your heart?"

"It's nothing, actually, we also have a... granddaughter about your age, her name is Fran."

The old woman paused, taking a wooden frame from a shelf behind her, which contained a painting.

It depicted a brown-haired girl.

"Is she dead?"

Leake blinked and asked.

"What? Of course not!"

The old woman widened her eyes, her voice suddenly rising, but then it dropped again, "She was chosen by the church in town to be a nun, she should be... doing well now, right?"

After a moment of silence, she said,

"It's just... she hasn't come back for a long time, and she hasn't written to us either, I miss her a little..."

Leake looked at the woman, and then carefully observed the photo she was holding, thought for a moment, and suddenly smiled:

"Auntie, my home seems to be near the town, Poro and I are going there tomorrow!"

As she spoke, Leake stroked Poro's head, Poro was buried in his food, not responding, "How about when we go there, we help you send a letter to Miss Fran?"

"Really?"

The old woman's eyes lit up instantly, she raised her head happily and said, "Thank you, lovely little girl!"

The old hunter was also stunned for a moment, and then smiled:

"Hey, so you know where your home is, I was wondering how a child your age would get lost?"

The old hunter glanced at Poro again, then stroked his beard and said his conclusion,

"And you have such a powerful dog... you must have sneaked out without telling your family, right?

Little girl, get some sleep, and go home quickly tomorrow! Don't stay in the forest, especially recently—it's not very safe!"

"Not very safe?"

Leake was stunned for a moment, "What's not safe?"

"Hey, I don't really understand either, the town always says there are harmful witches in the forest—I've been here for so long, and I've never seen one."

The old hunter tugged at his beard, thought for a moment, and continued,

"And, it seems that a few days ago, the town just found some... guy called a witch hunter, who went into the forest, I don't know what he's up to."

As he spoke, he shrugged, "I think the people in town know more."

"I see..."

Poro and Leake looked at each other, revealing a thoughtful expression.

...

The next day, outside the forest, the old hunter pointed in the direction of the town, and then waved goodbye to Leake and Poro.

Little Red Riding Hood was holding a basket.

It contained a lot of wild fruits and dried meat that the old woman had insisted on giving her.

"The people outside are still very kind!"

Leake said triumphantly, "Uncle and Auntie both praised me as a good girl!"

As she spoke, Leake showed Poro the golden pages in her hand.

[Circular Regression: Little Red Riding Hood · Lovely Girl]

[Unsealing Ritual Completion Progress 2/3]

[Helping lonely old people, sending their longing to the child they care about... you are indeed a lovely child!]

"Yeah."

Poro casually grabbed a piece of dried meat from the basket and stuffed it into his mouth, "They also praised me as a good dog!"

In the distance, the pointed roofs of houses rose from the horizon.

The town had arrived, and three guards walked from the town gate, looking at Leake and Poro, their expressions tightening—

"Stop!"

The captain of the guard, holding his hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist, nervously looked at Poro beside the girl.

"Who are you? Why haven't I..."

As he spoke, a trace of confusion flashed in the captain's eyes, "Seen you in town?"

His alert gaze was then completely transferred to Poro beside the girl.

"And, is that a wolf!?"

This time, Leake's expression was calm:

"He's called Poro, he's my dog!"

As she spoke, she raised her snow-white neck, proudly showing off,

"Poro, give them a show—roll over!"

Hearing this, Poro immediately and smoothly rolled over on the ground.

"Poro, bow!"

Poro easily stood upright, clasped his hands and waved, and even barked twice with intonation.

The captain of the guard and the other two guards instantly widened their eyes, each exclaiming:

"Cool—"

"Awesome—"

"What a good dog—"