“Munch, munch… Delicious~” Feitao chirped, oil glistening on her lips. Her exquisitely cute, snow-white cheeks glowed with pure bliss.

These golden-brown grilled tofu snacks seemed enchanted, filling her little belly to the brim.

She patted her round tummy—she’d devoured every last piece the snack shop owner made.

Her three fluffy white tails twitched slightly. Her petite frame shuddered, and an involuntary *burp* slipped out. Cheeks flushing, she quickly covered her mouth with her wide sleeve.

She’d simply eaten too much.

“My adorable little angel, satisfied?” the balding, oily shopkeeper beamed. “If still hungry, your most loyal servant will rush to the kitchen for more!”

“No need, desu.” Feitao avoided his overly affectionate gaze and waved a hand. “Full already, desu. Thank you for the meal.” She pulled a few copper coins from her sleeve and tossed them to him. “Here. Payment.”

“What?! How could I accept your money?!” He hurried to return them.

“Just take it, desu,” Feitao said sweetly. Though her voice was still childish, a hint of captivating charm lingered. “It’s an order, desu. Understand~?”

“An order… Your servant obeys.”

“Good. I’m leaving now, desu. Ten minutes after I go, you’ll return to normal.”

“Yes. Your most loyal follower awaits your return.”

“I won’t come back, you know? Don’t wait, Uncle. Wash up and sleep, desu,” Feitao yawned. Belly full, the little fox felt sleepy.

She closed the snack shop door behind her and slipped into the night, heading back to the church for a nap.

Ten minutes later, the shopkeeper’s dazed eyes slowly cleared. He blinked, recognizing his familiar shop.

But…

Why was he holding a tray?

He’d just…

Memories surged back. His face paled.

“Fox demon! A fox demon!” He dropped the tray, clutched his head, and patted his scalp frantically. “My head! Is it still there?!”

“Oh no—my brain! Did she suck out my brain marrow?!”

“My brilliant, genius brain!!!”

He flung the door open and sprinted to the Inquisition Tribunal in Bati City’s center, paying the fee to enter.

“Hey, isn’t this Lei Nifu from the snack shop?” Two Dawnbreaker Knights on night duty grinned. “Skipping sleep to chat with us?”

“Huff… huff… I’m here to report a case!”

“Oh? A report?” Their expressions sobered. “Thief break in?”

“Yes!”

“Lucky he didn’t chase you.” One stood. “We’ll mobilize.”

“No need. The thief’s long gone.”

“Escaped fast? All bark, no bite. Remember what they looked like?” The knight frowned.

“Of course! That appearance—I’d remember on my deathbed!” He gestured wildly. “A little girl! White hair, fox ears, three huge fluffy tails like a comforter!”

“…” The knights exchanged a glance.

“Hey! I described her! Say something!”

“Understood. Continue.”

“Oh! I mistook her for a dog at first—maybe that angered her! She even threatened to suck my brain marrow!”

“…This fox demon looked like a little girl?”

“Yes! A real fox demon! Her ears and tails moved—like *this*!” He waved his arms like seaweed.

“…” The knights leaned back in unison.

“Say something! I’m terrified! What if my brain’s gone?! Oh, Dawnbreak Knight-Captain! The world would lose a genius!”

*Pfft…* One knight choked back a laugh.

“What’s funny?!”

“Uh… remembered something happy.”

“What?”

“Found a girlfriend recently.”

*Pfft…*

“You too?!”

“Also remembered something happy.”

“What?”

“Found a girlfriend too.”

“Same person?!”

“No! Same *day*!”

“Hey!” Lei Nifu scowled. “I’m serious!”

“Then… was she… pretty?”

“Not *if*—she *was*! Wait… actually… yeah, kinda pretty. Too scared to notice then, but now…”

“Alright, Mr. Lei Nifu,” one knight sighed. “No more teasing. But responsibly: Bati City has only humans. Fox demons? Ancient myths. Doubtful they exist.”

“But I *saw* her! She ate all my tofu snacks! That’s real!”

“Fine. We’ll investigate.” The knight sighed again.

*(Fox demons belonged to Jiuzhou. None had surfaced in ages. To ordinary folk, they were fairy tales—let alone a Nine-Tailed Fox. To the knights, clearly a prank. Probably Lei Nifu’s stinginess angered some local kid. And “sucking brain marrow”? If true, he wouldn’t be standing here perfectly fine.)*

“Wait…” Lei Nifu paused, patting his pocket. “Actually…” He pulled out the copper coins, thoughtful. “Never mind. Dropping the case.”

“Huh? But the brain-sucking fox?!”

“Nope.” He waved the coins. “She paid. All good.”

“Thought she was a thief… but paid? Then she’s a *good* fox!”

“…” The two Dawnbreaker Knights were utterly speechless.