Mulan followed Mirophiel with burning curiosity.
She was genuinely intrigued by the little fox the witch had mentioned.
“Um… is that little fox you mentioned brought back from the Azure Fox Realm?”
Mulan knew Mirophiel had been up to no good there these past few days.
She’d read about the Azure Fox Realm in books—
the sacred homeland of the Azurehill Fox Clan, a place of ancient purity.
Every creature within was foxkind; most were nine-tailed foxes.
Unlike the Elvenkind, these foxes often ventured beyond their realm to train.
Ordinary travelers might even spot one on the road.
After all, the Azurehill Fox Clan was fiercely protective—
if someone harmed their young, elder foxes would hunt the offender down.
(Though this only applied to high-bloodline foxes.)
Few dared target the realm… except the lawless Starplucking Court.
“Mm-hmm~”
Mirophiel chuckled lightly, delighted by Mulan’s engagement.
The young Starplucking Princess was utterly adorable—
even simple chatter brought her joy.
“Where else? Only the Azure Fox Realm teems with foxes. Of course I’d bring one back.”
Confusion flickered in Mulan’s golden eyes.
“Wait… why? Are you keeping her as a pet?”
If so, Mulan could only pray for the fox.
Who knew when the witch would turn her into a test subject?
Mirophiel glanced back with a teasing smirk.
“No interest. Keeping just you is enough.”
“Huh?! You’re calling *me* a pet? Unforgivable!”
Mulan gritted her teeth. *I’d fire this disobedient subordinate if I could…*
Too bad she held no real power.
“I never said that.”
Mirophiel halted her graceful steps.
A hint of confusion crossed Mulan’s face. “Why stop?”
Before she could react, Mirophiel slid hands under her arms—
and lifted her into a cradle hold.
“Your little short legs are too slow. Carrying you is faster.”
A mischievous smile played on Mirophiel’s lips. *Clearly intentional.*
“Hey! Are you mocking me? Use magic to make me taller if you hate my height!” Mulan sputtered.
“But small is cute~ So much comfier to hold.”
Mulan: ?
*Is that even polite?*
Mirophiel nuzzled Mulan’s soft hair. *Delightful.*
So much better than that unreasonable brute from before.
“I can’t take it! Just kill me!” Mulan wailed after the long torment.
(She never saw this centuries-old witch as just a pretty girl.)
Set back on her feet, Mulan found herself in Mirophiel’s magic workshop—
a place she’d never visited, having spent days buried in study.
“Come on,” Mirophiel said, leading the way.
Dim light glowed from wall-mounted crystals.
Clutter piled in corners; an eerie magic circle marked the floor—
*Looks like an altar for summoning something evil…*
No surprise a witch’s workshop wasn’t simple.
Down in the basement—a surprisingly vast space—
Mulan’s mind raced with unsettling basement tropes.
*Being imprisoned and “disciplined” here? Terrifying.*
Then she saw it.
Inside the confinement room: a cyan-furred fluffball huddled in the corner.
Mirophiel gestured lightly. “Look~ My little fox. Don’t be fooled—she’s the Azurehill Fox Clan’s princess. Her bloodline is so noble, the clan would sacrifice half their people to protect her. Harm her? Those old foxes would go berserk.”
“…How did you even kidnap her?” Mulan whispered.
She recalled the legends:
Long ago, the Azurehill Fox Clan’s ancestor—the Golden Nine Tails, jade-faced and radiant—
was also hailed as the Auspicious Fox.
In her prime, she battled the world-shattering King of the Dragonkin.
No one knew the victor… only that the golden fox survived.
For the Dragonkin meant annihilation to any who opposed them.
Her survival proved her might.
She founded the clan, led them to glory—
yet even legends fade.
Her fall drained the clan’s fortune.
Sunshatter Rank experts vanished; they dwindled into weakness.
Only when the Golden Nine Tails’ bloodline reawakened did hope return—
thanks to her auspicious power.
But such bloodlines rarely manifest: one per era, if luck allows.
This generation still awaits theirs.
Centuries of decline left them fallen…
or Mirophiel’s Starplucking Court wouldn’t stroll through their realm so freely.
Mulan snapped back. “Why kidnap her?”
“Magic research. Each new tail grants a nine-tailed fox a powerful spell. Fascinating, no? So I took the highest-status specimen. I won’t hurt her—but her clan will pay dearly. Their ancient treasures interest me.”
The Starplucking Court, led by the Plunder Witch, had plundered countless factions.
Hated? Absolutely.
But this world obeys one rule: the strong devour the weak.
And Mirophiel stood at the pinnacle.
Mulan’s heart ached for the fox. *She’ll carry scars forever…*
Mirophiel turned to leave. “Stay and observe. Don’t get too close—the barrier holds her.”
“You’re a devil,” Mulan muttered, face twisted in disdain.
“I’m a *witch*,” Mirophiel corrected with a lingering smile.
Anticipation gleamed in her crimson eyes.
*What will happen next?*
After all—the Golden Nine Tails ranked among history’s most legendary beasts.
