This is actually a remnant of the role bug.

The ancient role bug, one of the trophies I hold highest in the Umishuli Code Fix treasure trove.

The role bug originally happened when you went to log in and got your password wrong while you had a mercenary/pet.

The ongoing issue was that a wrong password entry would wipe your merc/pet from you still.

I think I fixed that.

Just don't get your password wrong and I wouldn't have to do all this stuff, harrumph!