Dog and Dog

Niku and her displeased tail glared at Toy.

"Goshujin-sama, who is this dog?"

"Ah, she one of Leona's former subordinates."

"How do you do? I am your sister, Toy."

"… My sister?"

Toy greeted Niku with an elegant curtsey and smile. Niku bowed her head slightly in return, still maintaining her usual expressionless face.

"My sister? Your face does seem familiar."

"Oh? Haven't you ever looked in a mirror? Look closely. My face is identical to yours. Even Rokuko-sama was mistaken."

"? Do we really look alike, Rokuko-sama?"

"Eh? You look incredibly similar. Like doppelgangers."

Niku tilted her head as Rokuko nodded. Indeed, Niku and Toy's faces were identical. It wouldn't feel off to call them twins… Since there seemed to be two or three more Toys, would that make them quadruplets or quintuplets?

That said, their expressions were completely different. On one hand, there's the expressionless and cute Niku, my body pillow. On the other, there was the smiling and lewd Toy, one of Leona's pawns.

"… So, why is Toy in Goshujin-sama's room? Did you come to wake Goshujin-sama and the others?"

Ah, right. She still thought we were asleep this whole time. I had to explain properly.

… Just as I was thinking about where to begin, Toy smiled as if to say leave it to her.

"Please allow me to explain.——To this incompetent one."

"Incompetent? … That's quite a claim."

Niku's ears twitched slightly.

"To a foolish dog who couldn't even notice that her own master was replaced with a fake, isn't the word [Incompetent] too lenient?"

"… A fake…?"

"Yes. Kehma-sama and Rokuko-sama were abducted by the Daido Kingdom and flesh dolls were placed here in their stead. Oh, what a situation! Your owner was struggling in an unfamiliar land his useless dog was unaware, content with taking care of flesh dolls! How ridiculous! It's absurd! Should you not cut off your ears and tail in recompense? Ahahaha!"

And with that, Toy thoroughly provoked Niku while explaining the situation.

"Is… is that what happened, Goshujin-sama?!"

"Ah, well, more or less. We were summoned to the Daido Kingdom and just got back."

"Wh-what… I… I mistook Goshujin-sama…?"

Niku looked astonished.

"Well, Toy was the one to abduct us was though."

"Ahh, Rokuko-sama. I wanted you to reveal that part a little later. You spoiled it too soon, didn't you?"

"… I can't keep up. So… um… what does that mean?"

The tip of Niku's tail was drawing circles in the air. She was clearly confused and understandably so.

"In short, Toy was the one who abducted us, Niku was deceived by the flesh dolls that Leona made, and after various events, Haku-san told us to take care of Toy here."

"… Umm. So in other words… in other words…?"

"Don't worry about the details too much. What's important right now is that we have to take care of Toy. I'll explain the whole story later when everyone is gathered."

"I see, understood."

Niku's tail seemed to settle down as if convinced. Well, maybe she decided not to worry about the details like I said.

"So, this girl is a guest, right?"

"No, you mongrel. I came here as Kehma-sama's tool. Unlike a good-for-nothing, freeloading dog like you, I am useful. I won't accept any objections. It's already been proven that I'm superior, as I was able to abduct them without you noticing and you diligently took care of the flesh dolls."

"Guh… B-but those flesh dolls? They weren't made by you."

"Well, that's true."

Toy puffed out her chest and looked down on Niku, her expression smug.

Niku just glareed back as if to defy Toy's gaze.

"If you're not a guest, then you must be my junior."

"Junior? Well, that's fine. It'll be fun to put an incompetent senior in her place."

"I am the superior one."

"Oh? Despite being a useless dog, you think you can beat your older sister?"

"I am the older sister."

Sparks flew between the two of them.

"Goshujin-sama, Rokuko-sama, please excuse me. I must make this newcomer understand her position."

"Kehma-sama, Rokuko-sama, I will teach this ignorant one the vastness of the world."

"Ah, sure."

"Follow me."

"Yes, please guide me. By the way, could I also get one of those cute maid outfits? Should I steal one?"

"As if you could."

"Of course I could? Ufufu."

Niku and Toy left the room while keeping each other in check. I didn't quite get all of it, but I guess the hierarchy between them was essential to establish quickly, especially since they're dog beastkin.

But how should I handle Toy? I don't want to show her anything related to [Create Golem], so should I treat her the same as Dolche-san? Like a guest from Haku-san?

However, letting her stay at the church would also be a problem. After all, the Succubi from Leona are there. I don't want to put Toy and the Succubi from Leona together.

"Maybe I should extend the dormitory where Rei and the others live and make a room for Toy. Then treat her as a part-timer."

"That sounds reasonable."

With Rokuko's agreement, I'll quickly extend the dormitory.

"By the way, how strong is Toy, actually?"

"Leona called her a [Finished Product], so I guess her magical abilities must be quite impressive, at least?"

"She was the director of the Magic Research Institute, after all."

If Niku was going to firmly establish her relationship with Toy, it might be a good opportunity to measure their abilities.

"It might be a good idea to have them go all out in a mock battle in the dungeon's arena."

"Hmm… Why don't we make a bet on who will win? The loser has to grant the winner one wish."

"That's a tough call. But alright. No unreasonable demands, though."

"Okay. Then, I'll bet on Toy winning!"

"Then I'll bet on Niku."

Heh, foolish Rokuko. It seems her impression of Toy being troublesome in Daido is getting the better of her. Does she not know the rule that enemy characters become weaker when they join your side? I've already won this one. I'll take a bath.

Well, that rule was just a joke, but in reality, Niku had the Orichalcum Support and Toy didn't. There's no way our strongest fighter would lose so easily.

Suddenly, there was the sound of footsteps running down the hallway. Looking over, I saw Ichika coming our way.

"Goshujin-sama! You're awake? It looked like Niku-senpai split in two or somethin'!?"

Ah, gotta explain the situation to her too.