At the Edge of the Azure Fox Realm.

Young fox kits swarmed around a petite, green-haired girl, cooing and nuzzling her. The scene radiated pure harmony and warmth.

Mulan crouched cheerfully on the ground, gently stroking each kit one by one—like an ancient emperor bestowing favor upon devoted consorts.

The little foxes lavished her with affection, their eagerness to win her attention palpable. Each seemed desperate to monopolize the azure fox girl’s touch.

This was perfectly normal within the Azurehill Fox Clan.

Unlike humans, noble bloodlines among foxes never sparked class strife.

Within the clan, foxes of exalted lineage held an innate, magnetic allure over their kin.

Mulan, now an exceptionally rare noble azure fox, naturally drew adoration.

The cluster of kits clinging to her was a textbook example.

“Mmm~ Be good, little ones~”

This was Mulan’s first time petting foxes. The sensation felt wonderfully strange.

She wasn’t exactly unpopular in daily life—but such overwhelming affection? A first.

Mulan happily swished her tails, already fantasizing about taking every single kit home.

“This place is literal paradise for fox lovers! Forget fox girls—even the untransformed kits are absolutely adorable!”

A gleeful sparkle danced in Mulan’s golden eyes. Her slender, boneless hands fluttered nonstop.

“I’ve decided! This time, I’ll play my heart out before heading back!”

As for *why* she had to return…

Mulan would rather die than admit she feared a certain witch’s threats.

A while later.

Mulan finished playing.

Her petite frame was draped in fluffy foxes: several clinging to her three tails, two perched on her shoulders, one nestled atop her head—a walking fox rack.

She felt no annoyance—only delight.

Exploring while listening to their soft, whimpering coos? Perfectly charming.

At the very least, never boring.

“Alright! Let’s set off!”

A pirate-captain grin lit Mulan’s face. She’d lead her adorable fox crew into the mysterious forest sea!

The noble azure fox loli *was* the ultimate pirate ship.

Strong and capable! Strong and capable, indeed!

“Hmph~”

She moved nimbly through the woods.

Foxes not riding her trailed happily beside her, clearly reluctant to leave.

Mulan had zero intention of shooing them.

Who’d chase away such cute, well-mannered, intelligent companions?

These foxes differed vastly from ordinary ones—a charming quirk of this otherworld.

And so, the new fox-kit princess began exploring the Azure Fox Realm’s outskirts with her fluffy entourage.

A noble young azure fox ventured deep within.

No one witnessed what unfolded there…

…

*Scene shift.*

Azurehill Palace.

A young azure fox girl sat sullenly in her seat, her large tail flicking irritably through the air—silent, tense.

Beside her stood a graceful black-haired girl. Six elegant tails swayed behind her, signaling formidable power.

Moling Qingqiu—a six-tailed black fox of noble blood, second only to azure foxes—childhood friend and attendant to Princess Qingqiu Zili.

“Your Highness Zili… still upset?”

Qingqiu Zili seized the opening. “Hmph! This princess is *furious*! Why did those detestable elders move so fast?! I wasn’t even gone a full day! It was the *perfect* chance!”

She stomped her feet. Sweeping the floor with her tail no longer cut it.

Right now, she craved storming to those smug elders and yanking every hair from their beards and tails!

Moling Qingqiu watched the sulking princess with a helpless sigh.

“Sigh… Your Highness never changes.”

Having grown up together, she knew Zili’s heart: whimsical, pure, yearning for boundless freedom.

Breaking free from the Azure Fox Realm had long been her dream.

Alas—such liberty was denied her noble azure blood.

Zili could yank a Solarcrown Rank elder’s beard or tail fur without consequence.

They’d only smile, endlessly indulgent.

But unrestrained privilege carried a hidden price.

She enjoyed envied privileges… yet lacked the simple freedom ordinary foxes took for granted.

Her world remained confined to this small realm.

Moling Qingqiu’s duty: guard the innocent princess from danger—like running away.

And keep her happy, lest she hunt down elders to vent her grudges.

(Those elders now hid after ransoming her back—terrified of tail-yanking revenge.)

Such was the awkward plight of Azure Fox Realm’s mighty.

Moling Qingqiu smoothly changed subject.

“Your Highness… did the Plunder Witch mistreat you?”

She offered a cluster of Violet Crystal Grapes.

The princess accepted, then grumbled around a mouthful:

“That terrifying witch locked this princess in a cramped basement and vanished!”

Zili’s mood dimmed.

She’d even planned to swear fealty—hoping to stay outside.

But she never saw the witch. Woke to a pink-haired human child. Then… poof—teleported back.

Clearly the Plunder Witch’s doing.

Moling Qingqiu smiled in relief. “Thank goodness she took no interest.”

Zili narrowed her eyes, tail swishing sharply. “Hmph. So this princess is *cheap*? No charm?”

*How oddly fixated on trivialities*, Moling mused inwardly.

“Not at all! Your Highness is utterly adorable—the most charming fox in the entire Azure Fox Realm. That Plunder Witch is simply blind.”

“That’s more like it! This princess reigns supreme! No fox could ever surpass my popularity!”

Zili puffed her chest. Her tail swished joyfully—undeniable proof of her lifted spirits.

Moling Qingqiu chuckled softly.

“What if… a Golden Nine Tails were born?”

Zili froze. Her tail drooped lifelessly. Confidence shattered.

“Hmph. Cross that bridge later. Until then—*this princess* remains the most beloved!”

Even prideful Zili would willingly yield before the Golden Nine Tails’ legacy.

Such truth was etched deep in their blood.

Suddenly, Zili’s eyes lit up.

“Ah! Moling! Outside, this princess met a rude human child. If you ever venture out—capture her! Make her pay for disrespecting a fox clan princess!”

“…I’ll do my best.”

Moling Qingqiu offered no follow-up. Sometimes, a gentle deflection was all that was needed.