The Fluffy Baby Fox Only Bites the Crazy Villain - Chapter 41
Ron quietly peeked through the gap in the office door.
At the wide mahogany desk, Grand Duke Karden was reviewing documents with a serious expression. Papers were piled like mountains on the desk, and the Grand Duke’s brow was deeply furrowed as he examined them.
Shushu gracefully walked to the desk and hopped up. There was a small cushion on the desk specifically for Shushu.
Shushu sat quietly on the cushion with her tail curled. Karden’s gaze briefly rested on Shushu as he looked up from his documents.
Karden’s jaw tensed in surprise. But soon his lips curved into a gentle smile. The baby fox and the Grand Duke gazed at each other, both breaking into warm smiles simultaneously.
Then Shushu curled up her tail and drifted off to nap, while the Grand Duke picked up his quill to sign documents.
The scratching sound of the pen and the purring breaths of the sleeping fox.
Sunlight streamed through the large window, and sparkling particles of light danced between the fox and the Grand Duke. It was so peaceful and tender that it almost brought tears to one’s eyes just watching.
Ron quietly closed the office door, understanding a bit better why Shushu wouldn’t leave.
As Ron turned around carefully to avoid making any noise, he discovered an unexpected presence at the end of the corridor.
It was Franz, a fox with a dignified and elegant air. The fox was staring intently at the office with silver eyes.
“Mr. Franz? Why are you here…”
Ron approached Franz, happy to see him.
It was Ron’s first time directly addressing Franz. He swallowed nervously.
“What?”
“If you don’t mind, would you like to have some tea? I’m researching fox shapeshifters and would like to ask you a few questions.”
Ron expected to be rejected. After all, fox shapeshifter weren’t friendly toward humans and held hostility toward them.
Although Franz was staying at the northern castle to train Shushu, Ron had never seen him interact with people.
“Lead the way.”
“What? Oh, thank you.”
Ron was the one surprised when Franz easily agreed.
Even while heading to the research lab, Ron kept looking back to check if Franz was still following.
He wanted to keep looking because the elegant and dignified fox following him was so impressive.
But since staring would be rude, Ron quickly turned his head away.
He was also a bit scared because Franz seemed displeased, frowning deeply.
Finally reaching the tower’s research lab, Ron opened the old door.
“This way. It’s a bit messy, but please make yourself comfortable. I’ll prepare tea right away.”
Ron went into the small kitchen in the research lab.
He smiled broadly while taking out teacups and rose leaves, thinking how surreal it was to have a silver fox visitor in his usually solitary research lab.
It’s like a scene from a childhood fairy tale.
Ron brought out homemade cookies and rose herb tea.
Franz was sitting in an armchair, using his front paws to turn pages of a magic book as he read.
“Mr. Franz, you can read Rune language too?”
When Ron asked in amazement, the silver fox snorted.
“I know basic Rune language. We Ulpes clan can make contracts with water spirits and use their power. You need to know Rune language to use spirit magic.”
“Wow! That’s amazing!”
Ron clapped his hands in admiration, his eyes sparkling like a curious child.
Franz glared at Ron, seemingly uncomfortable with the intense reaction.
“Please have some tea.”
Franz lapped at the tea with his tongue. Ron watched nervously.
He had made the tea lukewarm since foxes dislike hot tea, but he wondered if it would be to Franz’s taste.
Franz drank the rose tea in one go and perked up his ears.
“Not bad. The rose scent.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
Franz leaned back leisurely in the armchair and spoke as if doing Ron a great favor.
“Since you’ve served me tea, ask what you want to know.”
“Really? Actually, I wanted to ask about the types of ice and water magic of the Ulpes clan.”
Ron’s eyes sparkled as he showered Franz with questions.
Though Franz seemed annoyed, he answered the questions while Ron took notes like an enthusiastic student.
“After Shushu’s training is complete, will you return to traveling with the Ulpes clan, Mr. Franz?”
“Yes.”
Franz answered casually while crunching on cookies.
Ron bit his lower lip. A question he had been suppressing deep in his heart suddenly burst out.
“Will Shushu go with you then?”
It was a question he had wanted to ask ever since Shushu started training with Franz.
What if Shushu leaves with her kind?
If Shushu wants to live freely as a fox, shouldn’t we respect that choice?
Franz swished his luxuriant tail gently and spoke matter-of-factly.
“Not just anyone can travel with our clan. We only take those who can freely transform into human form.”
“What?”
Ron was surprised. This was the first he’d heard of this. He thought the entire fox clan moved together in search of food and shelter.
“Only adults who can transform into humans move. Young foxes still growing stay in the den. It’s too risky to move with them.”
Ron nodded thoughtfully.
“So you go to cities rather than nature?”
At Ron’s question, Franz stared at him with interest.
“Young mage, why do you think that?”
Ron pushed up his glasses. Behind them, his gentle eyes shone clearly.
“Because you said only foxes who can transform into humans go. So I assumed you live in human society. Franz, you’ve lived in the borderlands as a fox, but you seem familiar with human culture and lifestyle. You’re not afraid of soldiers’ weapons either. A fox raised in the wild would react differently.”
The corner of Franz’s mouth curved up mockingly.
“You’re not stupid. We are a clan that lives in human society. It has a higher survival rate, and food and living conditions are better. I also have experience living in human society for two years.”
“Does Shushu meet the conditions?”
“That one’s human transformation duration is too short. Plus, she can’t transform freely at will. She need at least a year of training.”
“I see.”
Ron finally felt relieved. He had been worried about Shushu leaving, but this was truly fortunate.
Ron held his teacup with both hands, blowing on it before drinking. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he asked Franz.
“Oh right, has Shushu made a contract with water spirits too?”
“She doesn’t need to make contracts. She can command spirits from birth. That’s why she can use power at will.”
“Wow, Shushu really is amazing.”
“Ah yes, amazing indeed.”
Franz’s eyes darkened as he sank into the armchair.
“Shushu’s awakening is happening faster than expected.”
“Awakening?”
Ron tilted his head in confusion.
“It’s because of that Grand Duke. Because of that human, Shushu’s awakening is accelerating. At this rate, soon…”
Franz’s voice was anxious as if being chased by something. The fox’s gaze wandered through empty space.
Ron was perplexed by Franz’s sudden change in demeanor from his previous relaxed state. He wondered if foxes were always this emotionally volatile.
“Will Shushu really be alright consuming the Grand Duke’s magical power? I can’t help but worry.”
At Ron’s question, Franz’s mouth curved into a satisfied smile.
“Shushu absolutely needs the Grand Duke’s magical power.”
When their eyes met, Ron felt a chill run down his spine.
What stood before him now was a wild predator.
Those sharp eyes were like those of an experienced hunter waiting patiently to grasp their prey’s weakness.
“What does Grand Duke Karden think of Shushu?”
Ron recalled how the Grand Duke treated Shushu.
He had always been a cold Grand Duke who was rational and rarely opened his heart. Even after serving the Grand Duke for so long, Ron still found him intimidating and difficult to approach.
It was amusing to see such a Grand Duke crumble before the cotton ball that was Shushu. Above all, he was glad to often see the Grand Duke smile tenderly.
Despite having loyal knights, the Grand Duke’s back had always seemed lonely.
When the Grand Duke lost control during magical outbursts, no one dared to stop him.
Even Ron, as a mage, felt sad and guilty on many days when no magic he tried could contain the Grand Duke’s power.
That’s why, without anyone asking, he had researched ways to prevent magical outbursts late into every night.
Because that was the only way to repay the Grand Duke who had saved him when he was begging on the streets.
