Zagan joined me, glancing over the battlefield. "What do you mean? You used to make hundreds before you ran out."
"Yeah, but those weren't like these." I gestured toward the nearest weapons. "You remember that the more mana I pour in, the denser and stronger the blade becomes." These... these are different. They're made of layered ice. Like sheets stacked one over another."
Amari leaned in slightly, curious. "Like sword folding? The technique Zagan told you about?"
"Exactly. Not as good, of course. More of a makeshift version. However, each layer consumes a significant amount of mana while I was engaged in battle. I shouldn't have had the juice to make thirty of these." I stood up and extended my hand.
With a quick flick of my fingers, I conjured a new weapon-a scythe with a long, sweeping blade, nearly 12 meters long. The handle shimmered faintly, forming perfectly in my grasp.
"Let's see how much that took," I muttered, pulling up my status window.
[Status]
Name: Kitsuna Draig (Shiro Adachi)
Age: 14 (Immortal)
Race: Primordial 1-Tail Demon Fox
Bloodline: Primordial 9-Tail Fox
Level: 31
Class: Unknown (Wrath)
HP: 2800/2800
MP: 4549/4600
STR: 1200
VIT: 1400
DEF: 800
INT: 2300
END: 2250
AGI: 2600
"Only 51 mana used?" I blinked in disbelief. "That used to cost me around 150. Did I become secretly broken?"
Zagan let out a low whistle. "That's a giant improvement."
"Yup. I must've evolved again or subconsciously started using ice more efficiently. Huh..."
Before I could continue my thoughts, Kayda's sharp and commanding voice interrupted me from behind. "That's wonderful and all, but can you fix the front yard? We need to leave. You already delayed our departure by two days."
I turned to her with a sheepish smile. She was dressed for travel, her white cloak fluttering in the soft breeze, and her arms crossed in that 'I'm tolerating your bullshit' kind of way.
"Yes, ma'am," I said with a mock salute, dispelling the scythe and using flash steps to zip around the yard. In a few moments, I had gathered all the scattered weapons and returned to her side.
"You have a plan to fix all that?" she asked, cocking an eyebrow.
"Hmm... I could just melt it all, but then it'll flood..." I crouched and placed my palms on the ground. "Ah, got it."
The ground hummed with mana as I whispered an incantation, drawing the icy essence up from the destroyed terrain. Slowly, the chaotic craters, gouges, and shattered ice constructs were replaced with something new-sleek, controlled designs. Patterns of foxes-sitting, running, sleeping-formed in walls and pedestals, white bushes aligning neatly beside the walkway. At the end of the walkway, a fountain emerged, shaped like two intertwined dragons whose arched necks formed a heart.
Zagan blinked. Amari's jaw dropped.
"What the hell...?" she muttered. "You redesigned the whole thing."
"Yup!" I said, beaming. "Call it my final middle finger to Mother for chucking me through the yard like a ragdoll."
[Later-On the Road]
The early afternoon sun filtered through the forest canopy as Kayda and I walked the shaded path toward the southern gate. Our footsteps crunched over dry leaves, the forest alive with the quiet buzz of insects.
"So, what did you do this morning?" Kayda asked casually.
I whistled, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "Uhhh... had someone to interrogate. And someone to kill."
Kayda glanced at me sideways, unimpressed. "Furry? She's dead then?"
"Yup. Starving for two days broke them both. Should've told you earlier... sorry."
Kayda waved it off. "Nah, it's fine. I've seen more than enough people I dislike die."
Curious, I tilted my head. "How did you feel after?"
She paused for a moment, hands tucked behind her head. "Happy and empty, I guess. I mean, I was glad they were gone, but... It didn't change anything, really."
"Oh, thank god," I muttered, sighing with relief.
She raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"That's exactly how I felt after I killed that person. I was so ready for some catharsis. But... nothing really changed."
Before Kayda could reply, a voice called out from the path.
"Ladies," a knight in full Duke Boei uniform said stiffly, stepping aside. "Not to pry, but please don't speak of killing people so openly."
"Why not?" I asked innocently. "It might be our job, you know."
The knight's face twitched, clearly unamused.
Kayda sighed and palmed her face. "Nova, you're making it worse..."
"What's he going to do?" I said with a grin, gesturing to the sword strapped to my back. "Arrest me?"
The knight's face turned beet red. "Grrrrrrr..."
"Just shut up!" Kayda barked, dragging me by the hand. "You-Mister Knight-ignore the idiot fox. We're leaving the capital anyway."
"Bye-bye~!" I waved sweetly over my shoulder.
"Bitch!" the knight yelled, flipping me off.
I cackled.
[South Gate]
"Ooh, by the way-why are we heading south again?" I asked as we passed through the gates, sunlight now bathing the open fields beyond.
Kayda's expression turned thoughtful. "I want to inspect Anabald territory. They've been quiet lately, and their house head is conveniently 'missing.'"
"Missing? I thought she was out at sea," I replied, remembering what Mom told me.
Kayda snorted. "That's just the public excuse. I think something deeper is going on. And with your powers, you'll be a tremendous help."
"Because I'm a demon?"
"No. Because the church hates demons. If you cause some trouble in Anabald lands, the church might openly target you during the tournament. Which works in our favor."
I nodded slowly. "Huh... smart. But will we even have time to do all that and get back to our territory in six months?"
Kayda gave me a sly look and gestured to the woods nearby. "Only if we travel normally."
I narrowed my eyes. "Oh no... You want us to transform, don't you?"
"You, specifically," she said, pointing at me.
"What about you?"
Kayda crossed her arms, unbothered. "If I transform, I have to fly to avoid mass panic. But if you turn into your smallest fox form, you'll look like my contract beast."
"...You want me to act like your pet?" I stared at her, horrified.
"I even got you a collar," she said sweetly, pulling out a glittering white chain from her backpack.
"Hell no! Not happening!" I waved my arms furiously.
"It matches your fur so well," Kayda pouted.
"NO!"
"It even has little ice crystal charms..."
I hesitated. "Shit."
[Draig Mansion-Dan POV]
I arrived at the Draig estate, expecting a serious meeting with Stacy Draig. What I didn't expect was... this.
The newly rebuilt entrance was blindingly white. The gates were now pristine ivory, and the path was lined with ice fox statues every few meters-each one different. Some sitting, some crouched, some mid-run. Their detail was breathtaking. There were bushes too-artificial ones, made of ice but shaped to resemble delicate flora.
At the end stood a fountain featuring two dragons intertwined, their snouts meeting in the center to form a heart.
My mother practically squealed. "Oh my goodness! That is adorable! We need to know who made this!"
As we drove up, we saw Dean and Stacy walk out-Dean's jaw dropped. Stacy looked ready to strangle someone.
"She didn't..." Dean muttered.
"She did," Stacy confirmed, groaning. "I asked her not to fix it. I never said how. Cunning little fox..."
"Good afternoon," I greeted, stepping out. "We came as fast as we could."
"Yeah... give me a sec," Stacy muttered, massaging her temple as she stared at the army of frozen foxes lining her front yard.
Mother stepped up beside her. "Might I ask who made this? It's stunning."
"Kitsuna," Stacy deadpanned. "She made it out of ice. Probably with Kayda's help."
My mother looked lost for words. "I... I see..."
Dean growled. "I'm grounding her when she gets back."
"Too late for that," Stacy muttered. "She already won."
"Bwahahahahaha!" I couldn't help but burst out laughing.
So it wasn't just me suffering thanks to that fox.
Chapter 91
'In the end... she won.'
That thought echoed in my mind, laced with reluctant amusement, as I padded down the dirt road toward the southern town, my thick, fluffy red tail swaying behind me with each step. My claws barely made a sound against the packed earth, and the surrounding woods were peaceful-sunlight filtering through dense branches and dappling the path ahead. On my back, lounging like royalty atop a giant, mobile pillow, was Kayda. The smug dragoness had claimed my spine as her throne, arms behind her head, legs casually crossed.
Not that I was bitter.
Well, maybe a little.
I was still in my fox form-half of my true size to keep things convenient. At this size, I stood taller than most horses and was broad enough that Kayda could lie across my back without fear of slipping. Her weight wasn't a problem. Her smugness was.
"Hey, Nova, why did you stop running?" Kayda asked, twisting around to face the front, her voice lazy like someone just waking from a nap.
I snorted, a puff of frost escaping my nose. "That's because we're close to the next town. I would rather not run through the place like a deranged beast. This is supposed to be a sightseeing and self-reflection trip for me, remember?"
I slowed further, now deliberately walking near the edge of the road to avoid drawing attention when we arrived. My massive paws left deep prints in the loose earth, and my ears twitched at every bird call and rustle in the distance.
"Yeah, but it's the first day," Kayda groaned, flopping backward again and letting her arms dangle over my sides. "We can't stop already."
"We're not staying the night," I reassured her, glancing back over my shoulder. "Just walking through. Maybe a snack. Stretch the legs. Then we move on."
"Oh. Then... do you want to change back to your human form?" Kayda asked, scooting forward until she was practically lying across the back of my neck, looking down at me upside-down.
I gave a soft chuckle, amused by the sight of her head hanging over mine like an upside-down bat. "Nah. I'll stay like this for a while."
"You sure?" she asked, cocking an eyebrow. "You're easier to bully when you're fluffy."
"Gee, thanks."
Kayda giggled and hopped lightly down from my back, brushing her cloak straight as she landed. "Alright then, but remember-not a word. Contract beasts don't talk, and you're already way too suspicious-looking."
I puffed out my cheeks slightly. "I'm rare. That's the appeal."
"That's precisely the problem." She folded her arms and looked at me sternly. "We don't want nobles sniffing around, trying to 'buy' you or recruit you into some dumb contest. So, zip it. No witty remarks. No growling in sarcasm. Silence."
I sighed dramatically, making sure the air huffed out in a frosty puff. "Okay, fine. But trouble's going to find us anyway."
She tapped the top of my head twice-lightly-and the oddly comforting rhythm made my tail thump once against the road.
"Still," she replied, "we can at least pretend to be cautious. Minimize risk."
"Stop tapping my head," I grumbled, twitching my ears.
"Yeah, yeah," she said, waving her hand dismissively. "Anyway, shut up. We're almost there."
I turned my gaze ahead. True to her word, a town came into view, the outline forming beyond the thinning trees. Wooden watchtowers, stone walls, and a pair of iron-reinforced gates gave Mari Town its medieval charm. I slowed instinctively, taking in the view.
"So, this is the town called Mari," I murmured. "Not as big as I expected..."
It wasn't small, certainly. Compared to Earth standards, it resembled a medium-sized Japanese city, but by this world's scale, it was considered average. The town stretched in a linear fashion-one main road running from the northern gate to the southern, cutting straight through its center like a spine. Buildings leaned in on both sides, some old and weathered, others newer with reinforced stone bases. That single road was unpaved, dusty, and bumpy.
From my current height, I could easily see over the walls. Part of me was tempted to stand on hind legs and peek over like a curious monster, just to see the panic. But then I remembered that one time in the northern capital when someone actually peed their pants, and I startled them.
...Nope. Never again.
"Even though the capital is advanced, why is this area so far behind?" I asked, tilting my head toward Kayda. My voice was barely above a whisper, keeping my words between us. "The roads are dirt. The houses are all wooden..."
"Do you really think the world can change in only eight years?" Kayda replied flatly, side-eyeing me like I was the idiot.
"Touche..." I mumbled, ears folding in slight embarrassment.
"Now quiet," she warned, tugging gently on one of my ears. "You're talking too much again."
"Tch... Get off, then. I'm too big to fit through the gate."
"Oh, did you just call yourself fat?" She teased with a devilish grin.
Without a word, I shrunk down instantly, dropping to the size of a large dog and twisting out from under her in one swift movement. Kayda yelped as she fell straight through the air.
"Oof-Nova!" she exclaimed, tumbling into a crouch and brushing off her robes.
Before she could complain, I whipped my tail into her face.
"MMMMP-!" she mumbled, spitting out strands of fur.
'That's what you get, damn dragon,' I thought smugly, trotting ahead with exaggerated pride in my step. My paws clicked gently on the stone path as we approached the gate.
"Oi, get back here!" Kayda shouted, chasing after me as I darted ahead with my fluffy tail wagging mockingly.
(10 Minutes Later-At the Town Gate)
'Fucking dragon, let me go!' I screamed mentally, squirming in her grasp. No matter how I twisted or wriggled, Kayda had me locked in a firm, smug, teddy-bear grip. I dangled helplessly in her arms, forelegs twitching indignantly.
A guard standing at the gate coughed awkwardly, trying to keep his composure.
"Uhm, ma'am," he asked, clearing his throat. "Is that... your contract beast?"
"Yes," Kayda replied smoothly. "As you can see, she has a collar around her neck."
I growled lowly. The collar-white with blue ice-etched patterns-dug into my pride more than my fur.
"Ah, I see... Well, welcome to Mari. Entry fee is five copper per person and three for the beast," the guard said.
Beast.
My eyes narrowed, and I let out a deeper growl, flashing my teeth.
"Stop it," Kayda whispered. "Or no bones for a month."
