The Fluffy Baby Fox Only Bites the Crazy Villain - Chapter 24
Maildra nodded in agreement.
“Ron is right. We need to reorganize the wall’s fortifications. We must prepare for monster invasions.”
Karden ran his hand through his hair, looking tired. The wyvern’s bloodstains still remained on his uniform sleeve.
“We depart at dawn tomorrow to repair the defense perimeter. Prepare troops with knights and elite soldiers.”
“Yes, I will make thorough preparations.”
I lay quietly with my tail curled, absently listening to their conversation.
Today’s unexpected outcome was realizing my abilities during the wyvern attack. To think I could create a snowstorm with my tail.
I wonder if I have other abilities. If only there were other foxes of my kind to ask.
I heard various monsters and races live in the northern border region. I felt hopeful that I might meet others of my kind there.
While I was seriously pondering this, drowsiness overcame my instinct-driven body. I yawned widely, showing my fangs and gums.
“Yaaawn~!”
Suddenly the conference table went silent. Those in serious discussion all stared at me at once.
Hello, is this your first time seeing a fox yawn?
Please don’t look at me with such fond smiles. Even being found cute gets tiring.
***
I woke up from sleeping soundly in my basket to the sound of movement. The dim dawn sky was visible through the tall windows.
I thought I had just dozed off, but it was already dawn the next day. Where was Karden?
I peeked my head out of the basket and looked around.
I saw Karden’s back as he stood by the bedroom window. He was fully armed in armor. The dawn light seeped into his dark blue cloak. He must have already finished preparing to leave.
Just then, Karden turned around. Even I have keen animal senses, but Karden seems to surpass human senses. How did he notice I was awake?
“You’re up, Shushu.”
I rubbed my eyes with my front paws to wash my face. One convenient thing about being a fox is not needing cleansing foam or makeup. As long as my fur is fluffy, there’s no smell.
I hopped down from the bed.
As I approached Karden’s feet, he knelt on one knee and stroked my head.
“I need to go to the northern wall now. I’ll order Betty to take good care of you.”
“Kyaang, you’re leaving me behind? Why?”
When Karden tried to stand up, I urgently bit his trouser leg and whined.
“It’s dangerous to come along. Wait here quietly.”
“I want to go too.”
Karden gently persuaded me and carefully detached me from his trouser leg.
“Kyaaang!”
“This is no place for a little fluffball. Don’t be stubborn.”
Karden spoke firmly with a stern expression.
He seemed to have no intention from the start of taking me to a dangerous area where monsters could appear at any time. He put me down and tried to leave the bedroom.
No. I absolutely must go to where the northern wall is.
It’s the only place where I have memories. Where the baby fox was abandoned by the beast-people. Maybe if I go there, I could meet fox beast-people.
“I might meet others of my kind there!”
Karden, who was opening the bedroom door to leave, stopped and turned around. After appearing deep in thought, he nodded.
“Right. We should find your kind. I understand your wish, Shushu.”
Karden approached me and knelt on one knee.
“But stay by my side at all times. The northern border region is dangerous, and we can’t predict what might happen.”
“Yes! I’ll stick close to you, Your Grace!”
I was so happy I jumped up and down wagging my tail.
Karden chuckled, then brought a long cloth and tied it diagonally across his shoulder. It looked similar to how one would tie a baby carrier.
I had an ominous feeling about the purpose of that cloth.
“Stay quietly in here, Shushu.”
Karden carefully placed me inside the diagonally tied cloth. Like wrapping a baby in a carrier.
What? So when he said to stay together, he meant being attached like this?
“Kyaang! Put me down! I’ll walk on my own!”
Though I struggled inside the carrier out of embarrassment, Karden patted me and cautioned:
“Carrying you is safest. Bear with the discomfort just until we reach the northern border.”
“It’s not about discomfort, it’s embarrassing and mortifying!”
Isn’t it shameful for a charismatic commander to carry a fox in a baby carrier?
As expected of a villain, Karden’s self-esteem was excessive. He showed not a hint of embarrassment.
Right. In the end, I’m the only one feeling embarrassed.
Karden and I headed to the castle’s main gate on horseback. The castle interior was quiet with a pale fog settled over it.
In front of the gate, about a hundred knights and soldiers were lined up on horseback waiting. All were armed and peculiarly carried logging axes on their backs.
Burke, Maildra, Owen, and Ron were visible at the front. They all gave military salutes when Grand Duke Karden appeared.
“Your Grace has arrived. We’ve made all preparations.”
Everyone greeted him with determined expressions, but their gazes were focused on the Grand Duke’s broad chest.
Stop staring, I know it’s embarrassing. I covered my eyes with my tail and burrowed deeper into the carrier.
“I see you brought Shushu in a carrier. It looks safe and comfortable.”
Maildra’s bright and positive voice was heard.
I understand his position. As an aide, it must be hard to speak frankly to the Grand Duke.
“Commander, if it’s tiring, I can carry the carrier. My chest is broad so Shushu would be comfortable.”
Burke’s strong and energetic voice hit my ears.
“What a shame, I was a step too late. I prepared a basket to carry Shushu.”
Ron showed the basket with genuine regret. It was an elaborate basket decorated with lace and ribbons.
Owen too gazed at me with sorrowful eyes. His expression was full of regret and loneliness.
Don’t tell me even Owen wanted to carry me on horseback?
Moreover, other soldiers were looking at Karden with envious eyes.
Everyone in this world except me must be crazy. Why isn’t there a single normal reaction? Usually, people would whisper or look strangely at this.
The border guard people each have a screw loose. Maybe they’re mentally strained from fighting monsters at the risk of their lives.
Right, I’m the only one feeling embarrassed again.
I wriggled deeper into the carrier, giving up on everything.
Though I hate to admit it, Karden’s carrier was warm and cozy like a mother’s embrace.
***
We rode horses, cutting through the cold dawn air.
The sound of a hundred horses galloping across the snow field simultaneously made the ground shake.
I poked my face out beyond the cozy carrier.
The snow scene before my eyes was beautiful. The contrast between the pure white snow field and blue sky was fantastic. Snowflakes dancing with the wind filled the air.
“Shushu, you’re looking at the snow scene.”
Karden stated calmly while holding the reins and driving the horse.
“It’s so pretty. Like a mystical snow kingdom.”
Karden’s hand gently stroked my head.
Though I hate to admit it, his hand was so warm and cozy that I wanted to rub against it instinctively.
When I suddenly looked up at him, his eyes gazing at the snow field seemed lonely.
“Yes. The snowfield is your homeland, so you must miss it.”
I wonder what he meant by that.
Karden and the border guard began galloping along the wooden wall.
The wall seen up close was even more massive and solid. The logs were connected, and red magic circles were engraved on them. It crackled as if you’d be hit by electricity just by getting close.
When I unconsciously tried to stretch my body outside the carrier, Karden stopped me with his hand.
“Don’t get close to the wall. It’s made to block monsters. You could get hurt from the powerful blocking magic.”
My small body tensed and all my fur stood on end. My heart beat rapidly and blood rushed through my body.
My whole body was instinctively screaming that the wall was dangerous, that I shouldn’t get close.
Though the wall was clearly built to block monsters, why was my body afraid and rejecting it?
Burke dismounted and approached Karden with a bow.
“Commander, may we begin logging with the soldiers?”
“Go ahead and start work. I’ll join you after checking the location of the broken barrier.”
“Understood. Please be careful as remnant monsters may appear nearby.”
After Burke left with the soldiers into the forest, Karden examined the damaged parts along the wall with Maildra and Ron.
Ron pointed at the stockade with sparkling eyes.
“Your Grace, look there! Part of the magic circle is broken!”
