Mulan swished the three large tails behind her, irritation plain on her face. She practically looked like a recolored rye bread fox—maybe even a scallion-flavored one.
Mirophiel stood behind her, cheerfully kneading Mulan’s ears with zero respect for her own Starplucking Princess.
Fed up, Mulan darted away in a flash.
“That’s enough! Stop treating me like a toy!”
Mirophiel’s smile dimmed slightly. Her slender fingers twirled a strand of hair.
“Letting me pet you once won’t kill you.”
“This is deeply disrespectful.”
Huffily, Mulan slapped the ground with her tail. Her displeasure showed plainly—just like Qingqiu Zili’s had back then.
She focused, shifting back to her original form.
A flash of azure light.
Fox features vanished. Her hair returned to vibrant cherry-blossom pink; ears and tails disappeared in an instant.
“Phew…”
Mulan exhaled in relief. Staying in that form any longer? That ever-watchful, rebellious Plunder Witch would’ve toyed her to pieces.
“Eh.”
A flicker of disappointment crossed Mirophiel’s eyes.
“Wouldn’t it have been nice to keep it? So cute.”
“Cute or not—if you keep pawing me, my mood won’t stay cute!” Mulan shot back.
“And that fox you caught? Go pet *her*. Leave me alone.”
Mirophiel chuckled, settling onto the bed. She crossed her white-stockinged legs and folded her arms.
“Mm-hmm. How could some stray fox compare to *our* Starplucking Princess turned fox? Besides, I already sent her back. The Azure Fox Realm prepared the exchange swiftly—I gained plenty worth studying.”
Desperate to reclaim their princess, the Azurehill Fox Clan had agreed instantly. Qingqiu Zili hadn’t even tasted half a day of freedom before slipping back into her gilded cage of doting confinement.
Mulan blinked. “Eh? Already sent back?”
“Mm~ While you were asleep.” Mirophiel watched her with amusement. “Missing her?”
“Don’t be silly! She ate half my Violet Crystal Grapes—I’m heartbroken!”
Regret flooded her. *Why did I, a total foodie, give them away on a whim?!* That fox girl would feast daily back home… while Mulan might never taste them again.
*My heart aches!*
*So jealous!*
“No way! I’m going to the Azure Fox Realm!”
Mirophiel narrowed her eyes. “Reason? I won’t recklessly send our fragile Starplucking Princess into danger. If it’s about the grapes, I’ll fetch them.”
*Reason?*
One: Those grapes were divine.
Two: Qingqiu Zili gave her strength—repaying the debt felt right.
Three: The mysterious girl’s mission demanded it.
Three tails would suffice for now. The rest could wait.
Mulan met Mirophiel’s gaze, hiding the truth.
“I am leader of the Starplucking Court. This journey is my duty. If you deem me too weak… crush me in the cradle.”
Mirophiel fell silent.
“Mm~ Very well. You *are* the Starplucking Princess.”
The rebellious Plunder Witch had yielded! A huge step toward reclaiming leadership! Mulan’s heart swelled with quiet triumph.
“But,” Mirophiel added, “your safety worries me. I’ll place a life-saving magic on you—activates only in true peril.”
A true Starplucking Princess needed no shelter… *if* she could protect herself. Now Mulan wielded Azurehill nine-tailed fox form—three tails, matching the Azure Fox Realm’s princess. Enough to thrive in that sacred land. And as a rare azure fox? The elder foxes would worship her.
“Life-saving magic? Sounds solid.” Mulan shrugged. Who refused a survival trump card? Even a teasing witch was a genuine Sunshatter Rank powerhouse.
“Aren’t you coming?”
Mirophiel looked puzzled. “Why? The foxes just sent research materials. No leisure to tag along.”
Joy flickered in Mulan’s chest. *Free?*
*Yes!*
No more being toyed with. Her dignity had been leaking steadily around this woman. *Maybe… escape?*
Mirophiel’s eyes glinted. “Mm-hmm. Try running away—I’ll let you *see* the consequences.”
The threat left Mulan speechless. *Who’s the boss here?!*
“I’m not afraid of you!” She glared fiercely—the only soul bold enough to defy the Plunder Witch.
“Is that so? I admire that spirit. Truly worthy of our Starplucking Princess.” Mirophiel stroked her hair, smiling.
*She knows exactly how to annoy me.*
*Do I look like a kid?!*
*Patting my head—deliberate!*
Mulan slapped the hand away, salvaging her crumbling leader dignity.
Mirophiel chuckled, unperturbed. “Well~ My dear Starplucking Princess… need a ride? You *do* know how to enter the Azure Fox Realm, right?”
“…I don’t.” Mulan’s face burned. *Ugh, bury me.*
“Mm-hmm~ See? Leaning on me isn’t weakness.”
*Snap.*
Magic surged. The spell settled.
“There. Danger triggers it—I’ll come. Try not to cling tearfully.”
“Dream on. It won’t activate.”
“Eh. Hope you stay that stubborn.”
Later, after breakfast:
“Gate of Teleportation.”
Silver light swirled around Mulan, ready to carry her near the Azure Fox Realm.
“Whoa…”
Anticipation shimmered in her eyes.
Azure Fox Realm—here I come!
