Ch.8Fox (4)

“Would you like to be tamed by me?”

The voice echoed against the dark background.

At my proposal, Irene furrowed her brow.

“…What?”

Perhaps it was because she had been pushed to the extreme just moments before.

The girl was glaring at me with somewhat fierce eyes, but I smiled as if I understood.

First, I should help her lower her guard.

After all, they’re going to be my people from now on.

“I’ll take you all in. I’ll help you escape from this hellish place.”

“Take us in… I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“Take it literally.”

“You’ll help us get out of here…?”

“That’s right.”

I nodded to reassure her.

The fox’s face was clouded with confusion.

Tension gleamed in her black pupils.

Well, it would be bewildering if someone who was emanating killing intent just moments ago suddenly turned benevolent.

Perhaps I was too intimidating.

“Please forgive my previous rudeness.”

I offered a casual apology.

Hearing this, Irene’s shoulders twitched, and then she asked a few questions.

“…I don’t understand. Why are you helping us?”

“Let’s call it personal interest.”

“Interest, huh.”

Irene let out a hollow laugh.

She showed strong hostility as she hid the fallen children behind her back.

“You want to make us slaves. You’re in league with those disgusting auction house people.”

“Well, slaves aren’t really my preference.”

“Then… taxidermy?”

“My goodness. What dangerous imagination you have.”

I lightly denied it.

“I simply need friends.”

A sinister smile crept across my lips.

I was trying my best to restrain myself, but the effect of my trait was more powerful than I thought.

I had already taken on the perfect appearance of a villain.

I wonder if this is how others see this scene.

A boy extending his hand to a future hero.

The primordial darkness corrupting a noble soul.

Irene must have felt something unsettling too, as she was hesitating to answer.

“It’s good to be cautious, but unfortunately, we don’t have much time left.”

“…What does that mean?”

“The soldiers guarding the auction house will be barging in soon.”

I had cleaned up the surroundings somewhat, but it was only a temporary measure.

It wouldn’t be long before the auction house noticed.

We needed to leave before things got troublesome.

“It’s time to choose.”

“……”

“Whether you’ll remain in this purgatory overflowing with sorrow… or take my hand and escape.”

Though I spoke as if giving her a choice, in reality, no such choice existed.

Fate was cruel to the girl.

This place was the Apple Tree, the worst auction house in the empire.

No matter if she was the future sword saint, she was still just a bud that hadn’t bloomed.

For Irene to attempt an escape with the children against numerous guards would be nothing short of suicide.

“…Ha.”

The fox laughed dejectedly.

Perhaps she was facing reality.

If she didn’t choose me, only death awaited her.

“It’s not like I have a choice to begin with.”

After a moment of bitter self-mockery, the girl cautiously extended her hand. It was a sign of acceptance.

“I don’t trust humans. I know how vile and cruel your kind can be.”

“Oh? Speaking from experience?”

“…It’s a past I’ve forgotten now.”

Irene bit her lip alone.

Whether she was recalling painful memories, her eyes were filled with venomous energy.

It was hatred that remained intensely.

Given that her life was at stake, she seemed to be controlling herself so as not to offend me, but such strong emotions were not easily hidden.

Actually, this reaction didn’t feel strange to me.

Even in the early parts of the original work, Irene suffered from a severe distrust of humans.

So I had no reason to hold a grudge against her for not fully trusting the goodwill I was offering now.

“You’re welcome to be wary of me.”

After all, taming takes time.

I was willing to wait patiently.

The fox, who had stiffened at my glib attitude, took my hand and murmured softly.

“…I hope I won’t regret this choice.”

“I’m sure you won’t.”

I live for your dawn.

As the day passes and your star shines brighter, we will form a relationship in broader fields.

I leave a brief covenant.

I embraced the girl generously.

Though her hand was trembling pitifully, it would someday become a fragment that could cut the sky.

“Really… you won’t hurt the children?”

“I’m a person who keeps his word.”

“If you’re lying…”

“If I’m lying?”

“I’ll definitely take revenge. Even if I have to dedicate my entire life.”

“Haha! That sounds exciting!”

I smile playfully.

As we engaged in small talk, bustling noises could be heard from outside the corridor.

The clattering of armor. It seemed the soldiers were coming.

“It’s time to leave.”

“But how are you planning to escape? I know you’re strong, but breaking through all of them…”

“Shh.”

I cut off Irene’s question.

Exuding a mysterious atmosphere, I winked lightly.

“It’s a secret.”

If I show too much at our first meeting, you might get bored quickly.

With a bland remark, I snapped my fingers.

Snap-!

Immediately, the darkness covering the entire corridor began to writhe.

The shadows, twisting like living creatures, swirled according to my gesture.

Thick blackness enveloped us.

In the next moment.

The snake and foxes were no longer there.

Behind where they had vanished, only a shadow remained.

The escape was successful.

***

Even such a fierce dawn passes.

At the end of the night, a new day always comes.

After the morning had passed and the sun was high in the sky, I sat quietly in a chair.

“Hmm.”

What I saw was a familiar scene.

It was the lodging where I had stayed for the past few days after coming down to take the academy exam.

It’s as spacious as a decent mansion. And comfortable.

The setting was no different from yesterday.

“Uuugh…”

Except for one thing.

“Sis… I’m scared.”

“Are we, are we being sold to bad people? Are we going to d-die…?”

“Sniff, hueeee…”

Foxes huddled together in the corner.

The children, terrified, were each hiding their bodies.

They had been like this for a while.

“What could be the problem… they were like angels when they were sleeping.”

After the escape, when we returned to the lodging, they were all asleep.

Was it due to the fatigue accumulated during their harsh life at the auction house? The children fell asleep as if they had fainted.

Even Irene, who seemed to resist a bit, passed out not long after.

They must have been exhausted.

‘Still, it’s a bit disappointing.’

I had moved them all to beds and even covered them with blankets myself.

But as soon as they woke up, they were on guard.

The children who made eye contact with me even teared up.

Do I look that sinister?

I felt a bit sad.

Judging people by their appearance. What a dirty world.

“…Sorry. The kids are being noisy. I’ll quiet them down soon.”

Irene said, comforting the children.

Judging by her trembling voice, she seemed to be watching my reaction.

It seems I’m still being viewed with suspicion.

It might not be easy to approach them right away.

“Why are you trying to calm them down?”

“If the crying bothers you… you might kill the children out of annoyance.”

“Excuse me? What exactly do you think I am?”

“…A psychopath.”

The response was more direct than I expected.

That stings a bit.

Well, considering the behavior I showed yesterday, I can’t argue in good conscience.

I smiled bitterly.

“Just let them cry as much as they want. So they can calm down on their own.”

Oppression only intensifies the heart.

Since emotions can’t be controlled at will, I stopped Irene from pushing them.

Poor children.

They were stars that should have sparkled innocently, but couldn’t because of adults’ greed.

They’ve walked a thorny path without shining for a long time.

I hoped that now that they were free, they could cry to their heart’s content.

“If you wait a little… they’ll all get tired and quiet down.”

“Alright.”

Irene retreated quietly.

Her eyes were somewhat confused.

Perhaps because I was being friendly, she was furrowing her brow.

As if she couldn’t understand my intentions.

“Huhu.”

I smile quietly.

After waiting for a moment, the crying subsides and a new sound reaches my ears.

Growl-.

It was the sound coming from the children’s stomachs.

Were they suffering from hunger?

Well, they probably weren’t given proper food in the underground prison.

The foxes likely hadn’t had decent food for at least the past three months.

“Sniff… Sis, I’m hungry.”

“Me too…”

“What should we do? I’ll go out and find something.”

“Isn’t that dangerous…?”

“I don’t want big sis to be in danger…”

The content of the conversation faintly heard.

Even in their starved state, they were worried about Irene. They were deep-hearted children.

I intervened with a light smile.

“You need a meal, I presume?”

“…That’s right. We’ve been starving for too long.”

Irene nodded, though she seemed to flinch at first.

Behind the girl, I could see the children, limp and weak.

“Hmm…”

I hum, resting my chin on my hand.

After pausing for a moment, I flicked my finger with an indifferent reaction.

“Maybe I shouldn’t have brought you all.”

“What…?”

“I find children like that… somewhat annoying.”

Following my casually spoken words, the surrounding air sank coldly.

“I think I need to take care of this.”

“…What are you trying to do?”

Irene was staring at me, extremely tense.

Even the sniffling children, sensing that something was amiss, were trembling while holding their breath.

I smiled meaningfully.

“I didn’t want to go this far… but it’s your fault for bothering me.”

I was just getting bored anyway. This works out.

I muttered inwardly as I opened a nearby drawer.

Then, with a leisurely hand, I carefully took something out.

“…!”

“…?!”

The foxes confirmed the object that came out of the drawer.

Eyes filled with shock and fear.

But amidst such reactions, I could only smile cruelly.

“Don’t be afraid, everyone. I’m sure it will be enjoyable.”

The snake whispered quietly.