【Beginning】
Since they found Grumpy, Nello with his two dogs continued their journey. They set a goal of travelling around the realm: passing by every corner; exploring to their heart’s desire; broadening their view. They travelled from the countries in the west to those in the east. One day, they arrived at a village in where the people were all living in trepidation...
Nello: Excuse me, how could I go to the next town?
Elderly Villager: You just have to walk along this river, and you will arrive there in two or three days.
Nello: It would take another two or three days?! I heard that the town is celebrating a festival though!
Elderly Villager: You can take the shortcut by crossing over this hill. But...
Elderly Villager: A man-eating fiend couple lives up there!
Elderly Villager: If I were you, I would not go there.
Bringing Merry and Grumpy along with him, Nello came to the foot of the hill in where the fiend couple supposedly lived. Nello was hesitant, as the villager’s warning surfaced in his mind. The dogs soon sensed waves of maliciousness and immense mystical power. They barked and charged uphill...
Nello: Merry! Grumpy! Wait!
【Before Battles】
Myoudouki the Shikigami: What on earth are you? You’re exuding repellent mystical power!
The Komainu of Fortune: ‘So you’re that man-eating fiend the villagers have been talking about?’
The Komainu of Retribution: ‘Your sins are unforgivable! Life is important and priceless!’
【Enemy Dialog】
Zendouki the Shikigami: Darn beast! You dare hurt my husband?
Zendouki the Shikigami: I won’t go easy on you!
【End】
The fiend couple were confined to the hill by the inherent mystical power of Merry and Grumpy. As a result, Merry suddenly realized the difference between them and other animals — they possessed mystical power which allowed them to restrict evil creatures’ movement.
If each life in the realm has its own value and purpose, then perhaps for the dogs, it would be to protect the masses from evil’s harm. That is the true value of the dogs, and their purpose in this realm.
At that moment, they heard Nello’ s voice from behind...
Nello: I finally found you! Why did you two suddenly run off? It’s so dangerous!
It was not until Nello calmed himself down did he notice the injured fiend couple, panickedly attempting to sneak away.
Nello: Did the two of you defeat them? Terrific!
Nello exclaimed with excitement; yet, Merry and Grumpy did not act as they would in the past — they used to immediately fling themselves at Nello, cuddle in his embrace and await his compliments.
Merry Puppy and Grumpy Puppy just stood there looking at each other. In the silence, only the exasperated exhaling remained. After they had exchanged eye contact, Grumpy lowered its head down and faced away. Finding it difficult to take the first step, Merry haltingly approached Nello.
With its head lowered, it slowly walked towards Nello, while avoiding eye contact. Nello took a deep breath, and said in a choked voice...
Nello: What’s it? Are you too old to want to be held?
Nello: When did you grow so big, Merry? Come on! Give me a hug, just like before...
Memories flooded back into their mind frame by frame like a recording , as if all they experienced together had just happened yesterday. Merry took a few steps back before flinging itself at Nello. It was no longer as tiny as it had been as a puppy. Nello was no longer able to put its arm around it; all he could do was hold it from the side...
Nello: You two want to stay here, right? You finally found your mission, didn’t you?
Merry rubbed its head against Nello in a display of affection. Originally, Grumpy and it had journeyed in search of both the difference between them and other animals, and also where they belonged. They never thought that their mission would compel them to part with Nello — their favorite companion, with whom they belonged.
Reluctant to leave the dogs, Nello once again patted on Merry’s back; holding back his tears, he said in a hoarse voice...
Nello: It’s okay. I understand! It’s just...
Nello: Promise me. Live your life to the fullest, no matter what happens in the future.
Nello: Someday we’ll see one another again. It’s our perpetual promise.
Merry, Grumpy and Nello crossed the hill together. Before leaving, Nello gently stroked their heads again and gave a little smile before walking away. They did not say goodbye, for they believed their separation would only be temporary. Some day, they would meet again...