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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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On the outskirts of the Imperial City, a small carriage sped through the night.
“Whew, it’s finally easier to breathe now that it’s dark.”
“Shh, quiet.”
The man, with his unusual black hair and handsome face, hushed the boy. The boy spoke like Caelan Hess, and the man resembled him, but neither was Caelan himself. The man was the Vice Guild Master of Crow Fey, known as Raykan.
The boy had dark blue hair, ordinary features, and round glasses. He was the eldest son of the Highsmith family, the older brother of Nicolseta, who died entangled with Cerberus, and the former Assistant Head of the Auxiliary Magic Department at Clarice Academy, McClone Highsmith.
The two had three things in common. First, they both belonged to Crow Fey. Second, they were relatively unknown, having rarely been on the front lines. Third, they were now fugitives, wanted for their involvement with Crow Fey and the Highsmith family’s collusion with demons.
“Where are we going, mister?”
“Didn’t I tell you to be quiet?”
“We have nothing to lose anyway. If we’re going to have our last dance, I need to know what’s going on.”
“…”
Raykan, his face still impassive, replied, “…We’re going to a sanctuary.”
“If it’s the Imperial Sanctuary, it’s inside the palace. And that’s not the direction we’re heading…”
“To be precise, it was a sanctuary.”
“…What?”
“What do you think the Saint’s first priority is after returning?”
“I don’t know. A party? A welcoming ceremony?”
“…Don’t you know the Saint is frugal?”
“I was joking.”
After Saint Psyche’s disappearance, the Divine Sanctuary’s heart in the Grand Divine Park on the outskirts of the Imperial City began to lose its light.
“It will be completely shut down soon.”
If this continued, the Imperial City would lose its infinite source of magical power. As a result, Ebenfur, known for its magic and industry, was growing in its place.
“Then she’ll want to restore the sanctuary as soon as possible, for the stability of the empire?”
“……”
Raykan remained silent as McClone finally understood. There were no more human allies. To survive, they had to join hands with the demons once again.
“Tomorrow, the Saint will come here for an inspection. Our objective is…”
Just as he was about to reveal their objective, McClone interjected, as if anticipating his words,
“To kill the Saint, right?”
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In the steamy warmth of the bathroom…
Splash! Splash!
The small fox, which had been quietly submerged in the tub, suddenly began to struggle, thrashing its legs.
“Sorry…! Sorry…”
Yeriel quickly lifted the fox, held it against her chest, and soothed it, stroking its head and neck.
“Were you uncomfortable…? I’m sorry. Were you upset…?”
-Krr…
The tiny paws of the fox brushed against Yeriel’s curves. Perhaps because her skin was so smooth, the wet paws kept slipping and tickling the valley between her breasts.
-Rrrr?
-Slide, slide.
It tried to reposition its paws, but its short legs only rubbed against her chest…
“Good boy… It’s okay. I won’t do anything scary anymore.”
Of course, Yeriel wasn’t aware of it. It was just a fox, after all. But oblivious to her thoughts, the fox…
-Whine!
…struggled as if embarrassed by the embrace.
“Okay, I’ll put you down. Stay still for a moment. You might get hurt.”
She gently placed the fox down, covered it with a towel, and continued washing herself.
‘The fox will be cold… I have to finish quickly…’
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“There, there, little one… Is this alright?”
Having quickly finished her bath, Yeriel gently dried the fox with a warm towel.
-Rrrr.
As she held it on her lap and dried its fur, it let out a contented purr.
“You’re all grey, aren’t you?”
-Krrrr…
As she smiled and stroked its soft fur, the image of a man she had almost forgotten came to mind.
‘Yes, good boy, Lev.’
‘You did well, so well.’
Whenever she stroked his hair, his sharp eyes would soften, and he’d whisper playfully in her ear,
Why aren’t you doing more?
“Yes… you’re alike.”
-Sniff?
Tears fell from Yeriel’s half-closed eyes as she looked at the fox on her lap.
“I miss you.”
-Krr!
The fox cried, as if urging her to finish. Yeriel snapped back to reality.
“Ah…!”
She’d become lost in her sadness again. She had to dry the little one. She carefully dried the fox with a dry towel, even its delicately featured face. The fox, seemingly pleased, even lifted its chin to help her.
“You’re such a smart little thing. Thank you…!”
As she finished the bath, a wave of fatigue washed over her. She changed into her nightgown.
-Tap. Tap.
“No. It’s dangerous outside for a little one like you.”
She picked up the fox, which was tapping on the window wanting to go out, placed it on the bed beside her, and got under the covers. As she pretended to close her eyes, the fox cautiously tried to sneak towards the window.
“You’re such a mischievous little thing.”
-Whine!
Yeriel chuckled, looking at its wide eyes.
“Little one. Stay with me. There was something I wanted to tell the Saint, but I couldn’t.”
-Krrr…
“Will you tell her for me…?”
Why had she awakened as a demon, or rather, a fallen angel? This time, she had been lucky. She’d defeated the Great Demon because of her feelings for Lev, and Aria had helped her return, but if this happened again… she might hurt the people she cared about.
“What’s… happening to me?”
She was afraid. She had to tell the Saint and find a solution, even if that solution was death.
“I’m… a little scared…”
-Keo…
The little fox, as if sensing her emotions, turned away from the window and nuzzled her cheek.
“Hmm…?”
Even now, she found it so cute that she murmured, “Little one… come here,” and hugged the hesitant fox tightly again.
-Thump.
The warmth of its small body comforted her.
“I feel safe with you…”
-Krr…
“Are you not afraid of me anymore?”
-Rrrr!
Did it really understand her? Or was it just comforting her because she looked pathetic? It didn’t matter. Closing her eyes, hugging the little fox, she poured out her heart.
“Thank you… I pretended to be strong, but I don’t think I am. Do you think I’m pathetic…?”
-Arrng?
It whimpered, as if disagreeing.
“Edwin and Selena are trying so hard to overcome it… Lev even asked me to look after Aria…”
“But I’m the one being helped by Aria… Can I really do well…?”
Worry, a negative emotion, spiraled once it took root. Thinking about Lev made her sad, and thinking about Aria, who had to kill him, made her feel guilty. Thinking about Aria, who had saved her, made her confused, and thinking about the demons that might come for her made her afraid.
“Lev, what would Lev do…?”
-Keo.
Only the fox’s cry answered her question.
“I’m sorry…”
She didn’t want to burden him anymore.
“If I could just… say goodbye… just once…”
If she could just say a few words to him, even if it meant shortening her lifespan, paying any price…
“That would be… wonderful…”
She felt like she could finally move on.
‘I promised myself I wouldn’t cry anymore…’
But it seemed she would spend another night in tears.
“I really become a fool without Lev…”
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-……
In a modest but tidy room, on a pleasant autumn night, a cool breeze blew.
-……
Even the small fox’s cries had ceased.
“I-I’m sorry, Lev… but… I miss you so much…”
Yeriel sobbed, her head bowed.
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-Thump.
How much time had passed? Yeriel, who had been suffering from insomnia and was in a half-asleep state… felt a change in the form she was holding.
“Little one…?”
The soft fur was gone, replaced by smooth skin, firm muscles, and a solid spine.
-Slide… slide.
She was holding a man’s back. Normally, one would scream in such a situation, but…
“…”
Yeriel didn’t.
-Thump.
First, she recognized the familiar scent of a man, mixed with the lingering lavender from her bath.
-Thump.
A steady beat, like a heartbeat, resonated, calming the space.
“Ah…”
Most of all, she had a feeling. A woman’s intuition about a certain man. Yeriel carefully opened her eyes and slowly raised her head. And there he was…
“Hello, Yeriel.”
It was a dream. No, the man who hadn’t even appeared in her dreams… was looking at her.
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Bruh, cliffhanger