The Fluffy Baby Fox Only Bites the Crazy Villain - Chapter 18
Karden’s hand that stroked my head was trembling slightly.
Why would this cold and powerful commander be so afraid? What could be in the West Pavilion?
I firmly grabbed his hand with my small front paw and met his gaze.
“Shushu. You’re not asleep.”
Karden looked down at me with momentary surprise.
“Your Grace, where are you going?”
“It’s nothing. Go back to sleep.”
He patted my back again, trying to put me to sleep. I dodged his touch and stood up on all fours.
“Something serious is happening, right? At the West Pavilion? I’ll go with you.”
“This is not your place. Stay here, it’s dangerous.”
I felt anger rising at his treatment of me like a household pet. I’m not a doll that just does what it’s told.
Though I didn’t know what was in the West Pavilion, seeing Karden so afraid made it clear the situation was serious.
Towards Karden who was turning to leave me behind, I shouted with all my might:
“Who will stop you if your magic goes berserk?”
“Shushu…”
“Don’t treat me like a pet. I’m also your healer. When you go crazy, I need to bite you to bring you back to your senses…!”
Oops, words just burst out without a filter. I directly called him crazy to his face – what should I do?
When I carefully checked Karden’s mood, his expression had indeed frozen cold.
What should I do, should I try to change his mind with some aegyo now?
While I was thinking about how to convince him to take me along, Karden let out a deep sigh with a half-resigned face.
“You’re right. We should prepare for the worst.”
“Kyaang! Right? You must take your most important talent with you!”
When Karden gave permission so easily, I unconsciously spun my tail like a helicopter in joy.
“Shushu, this isn’t a picnic. It’s not something to be happy about.”
When Karden held out his hand, I quickly jumped into his arms.
Karden slightly raised the corner of his mouth as if thinking I was hopeless. Then he lightly flicked my tiny forehead. It didn’t hurt at all though.
“And, did you just call me a madman earlier?”
“Ky-kyaang…”
When there’s nothing to say, you have to whimper like a puppy and subtly move past the situation.
“Really. How am I supposed to stop you.”
Karden carried me out of the Grand Duke’s residence. Outside, a thick misty fog had settled and there was a heavy tension in the air.
Through the fog, dozens of armed knights and horses were waiting, with Captain Burke, Aide Maildra, Owen, and Ron at the front.
Everyone’s expressions were heavy and serious. What could be happening at the West Pavilion to make everyone look so grave, as though they were preparing for battle against magical beasts?
Ron was scratching his messy hair and yawning, still not fully awake. Then he spotted me and his eyes widened.
“Oh? It’s Shushu!”
Everyone else also looked surprised when Karden appeared with me.
Ron scurried over to me.
“Your Grace, is it alright to bring Shushu? I heard it was a dangerous situation.”
“Shushu volunteered. Said she’d be needed when I go berserk.”
“What?”
Karden handed me over to Ron. I found myself suddenly nestled in Ron’s arms.
“Ron, keep Shushu safe.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll definitely protect Shushu.”
Ron answered maturely like an adult. My heart swelled seeing Ron, who usually seemed just like a curious clever boy, acting so grown up.
Is this how an older sister feels about her well-raised little brother?
Burke, who had been standing at attention, turned his head slightly and gave me a thumbs up.
Owen, armored up, also gave me a friendly smile and eye greeting.
When Maildra brought the horse, Karden nimbly mounted the saddle. He pulled the reins and looked around at the knights.
“Everyone, march to the West Pavilion.”
His order was brief. But pain and anguish passed across his face as if cut by a sharp blade.
What could be happening? An ominous feeling kept growing.
***
The knights moved quietly but swiftly through the misty fog toward the West Pavilion.
The pavilion in the northwest of the Northern Fort was located in the deepest, most secluded area.
A dense forest surrounded the back of the pavilion, while a 3-meter high wall blocked the front. Not only that, but watchtowers stood on both sides. It looked less like a pavilion and more like an impregnable fortress.
Dozens of soldiers stood guard at the huge iron gate, armed with spears and shields.
Still in Ron’s arms, I gaped up at the West Pavilion.
“This isn’t a villa, it’s a prison.”
“You’re right, Shushu. This place is like a prison.”
Ron whispered sadly in a low voice.
“It’s said to be a prison that holds the cursed spirit of House Helleide.”
Come to think of it, the maids at the residence were afraid, saying there was a monster in the pavilion.
I was about to ask what exactly was in there when Ron carefully set me down.
“Shushu, sorry but please wait here a moment. I need to cast protection magic on the knights.”
Ron stepped forward toward the knights with a tense expression.
Ron waved his slender hands chanting magic spells, and silver light sparkled as it showered over the knights’ heads.
The knights’ expressions were rigid as they received the protection magic. An explosive tension permeated among them.
Karden looked around at the knights and gave orders.
“We’re entering now. Stay alert. Our opponent is a veteran warrior. Don’t allow even the slightest opening in defense.”
“Yes, sir!”
The huge iron gate opened slowly with an unpleasant sound.
Karden led the way, his black cape fluttering.
Dozens of knights followed in perfect formation behind him. Ron and I followed last.
As soon as we entered, the iron gate began to close.
Did this mean there was something so dangerous inside that they needed to seal the only exit?
Burke stepped forward and kicked open the entrance door. The interior of the pavilion was pitch black, impossible to see even a foot ahead.
“Where did everyone go? This is strange. The head butler and soldiers should be here.”
Burke looked around in confusion. Maildra ordered knights to bring torches and lamps.
I jumped lightly from Ron’s arms.
“Shushu, where are you going? It’s dangerous.”
“I can see well in the dark. I’ll check what’s happening and come back.”
“Wait!”
I darted into the entrance hall before Ron could stop me. Karden spotted me and furrowed his brow.
Don’t get angry over every little thing. This is an emergency after all.
I was looking around the central staircase connected to the entrance hall when I almost screamed.
At the bottom of the stairs lay the old butler and several soldiers collapsed here and there. Some were bleeding or groaning in pain as if seriously injured.
Just then, the knights lit torches illuminating the interior.
The knights hurried to support the fallen people. Fortunately, they all seemed to be conscious.
Karden approached and supported the collapsed old butler.
“Melvin, wake up! Are you alright?”
The butler barely opened his eyes and spoke with difficulty.
“Y-Your Grace. You’re here. B-be careful. The former Grand Duke… cough”
The butler coughed up blood and fainted.
Ron quickly used healing magic to stabilize the butler, and soldiers brought stretchers to move the injured outside.
Karden stood silently.
I could only see his back and couldn’t read his expression.
Not knowing what to say to Karden, I stood there blankly.
Someone picked me up. A familiar scent and warmth. It was Owen.
“Shushu, are you scared? Are you okay?”
“Owen. The butler said something strange earlier. The former Grand Duke – that’s Karden’s uncle, right? But he passed away?”
In the original story, Karden’s parents died in an accident when he was 17. Afterwards, his third uncle Bert temporarily led the Northern Fort.
Karden received the Grand Duke title officially from the king after coming of age and achieving great merit.
I saw in the portrait records that Uncle Bert died from illness.
I looked up at Owen in confusion. He let out a deep sigh and spoke in a heavy tone:
“That’s…”
Just then, Karden stepped forward.
“Everyone, establish defensive formations here. I’ll enter the main building alone.”
“You can’t! Your Grace, it’s too dangerous!”
“I’ll go instead!”
Maildra and Burke simultaneously blocked Karden’s path, crying out desperately.
Karden briefly looked at his loyal subordinates, then spoke in an icy voice.
“To be frank, if you go, you’ll die for nothing.”
“B-but!”
“I’m the only one who can survive in there. If you interfere, you’ll just add to the innocent casualties. Everyone maintain vigilance and standby.”
Karden snatched a lamp from a soldier and headed inside.
Feeling uneasy, I called out to him.
“W-wait, Your Grace!”
He turned back briefly and gazed at me. His eyes softened momentarily as he looked at me.
A reassuring eye-smile.
“It’ll be fine, Shushu. Wait here.”
“But…!”
Karden turned back around. Only Karden and the dim lamplight swayed as they advanced down the pitch-black corridor.
No one dared to follow.
