The Fluffy Baby Fox Only Bites the Crazy Villain - Chapter 50
Hidden behind the box, I desperately held back my tears. The transformed Franz stared blankly into space with empty, unfocused eyes.
Is Franz alright? He looks like a soulless doll.
The old wizard examined Franz’s jaw from different angles before breaking into a satisfied smile.
“The transformation was a complete success.”
The wizard called out toward the warehouse entrance.
“Hey, get this fox shapeshifter dressed up!”
Two middle-aged maids appeared with expressionless faces, carrying bags. They began dressing Franz and applying makeup.
Franz just sat there quietly like a doll with a vacant expression.
Could there be strange ingredients in the potion the old wizard forcibly administered? Franz’s condition is too serious.
No matter how much I worried about how to rescue Franz and escape, I couldn’t think of any good solutions. I could only feel my insides burning with anxiety.
Would Grand Duke Karden and the border patrol soldiers be able to find me?
While I was lost in thought, Franz’s grooming was completed.
Franz looked beautiful like a young porcelain doll.
He was dressed in a pure white frock coat with lace trim that a noble young master would wear, along with a purple cape and leather pants.
Pink blush was applied to hide his pale face, and pink lipstick colored his lips. His disheveled hair had been neatly styled.
While the maids went outside to report, I quickly hid in Franz’s cape.
I clung to Franz’s shoulder, concealing myself. Fortunately, the cape hid me well.
The slave trader’s subordinates came in and pulled on the iron chain attached to Franz’s shackles.
“Hey, come along quietly.”
Franz followed them obediently with unfocused eyes, stumbling as he walked.
How can I help Franz escape? I felt desperate and anxious.
Clinging desperately to Franz’s shoulder, I observed the surroundings.
The subordinates led Franz down a narrow corridor for quite some time before opening a door.
They positioned us in front of a red curtain. The auction hall seemed to be beyond the curtain where light was seeping through.
This appeared to be the waiting room before going on the auction stage.
Empty iron cages sat in dark corners, and shackles and chains were scattered on the floor.
Seeing the bloodstains on the cages and clumps of animal fur stuck to the shackles filled me with rage.
Shapeshifters are precious lives too, how dare they do this…
Just then, a bell rang three times. It was the signal for the auction to begin.
Through the gap in the curtains, I could see the slave trader’s profile as he stepped onto the stage.
The slave trader removed his hat and bowed toward the audience below.
“I thank the distinguished guests for gracing today’s auction with your presence.”
The slave trader was shouting toward the VIP seats with an excited voice.
Seeing him jumping around with joy made my anger rise again.
“The reason I contacted you urgently is because we have captured a top-quality fox shapeshifter that you would surely covet.”
When the slave trader finished speaking, murmurs of amazement and surprise erupted from the audience. From the waiting room, it was impossible to see who was in the audience.
“Is it true? Weren’t fox shapeshifters extinct?”
“I heard rumors they existed in the northern borderlands, but that area is infested with magical beasts making capture difficult.”
The slave trader shouted with a voice full of ecstasy.
“This is a fox shapeshifter we captured while risking our lives. Moreover, it’s one with mysterious and beautiful silver fur. It’s a top-quality shapeshifter worth investing in – you definitely won’t regret it.”
The slave trader clapped his hands toward the back of the stage. As if this was the signal, a subordinate pulled on Franz’s iron chain.
“Move quickly, you beast.”
The subordinate urged Franz while yanking on his collar. I wanted to twist that man’s wrist.
Franz can’t go on the auction stage like this!
‘Franz! Please snap out of it!’
I desperately whispered while clinging to Franz’s shoulder, but Franz seemed to hear nothing.
The red curtain slowly lifted to reveal an elegant and splendid small theater like an opera house.
People sat in the seats below the stage. They wore masks as if trying to hide their identities. Most were nobles in extravagant attire.
There were dozens of attendees in the audience. The shapeshifter auction seemed to be conducted in absolute secrecy.
Franz stumbled to the center stage like a marionette. Under the brilliant chandelier lights, Franz stood vacantly like an empty shell robbed of its soul.
Just then, exclamations burst forth from the audience.
“I’ve never seen such a beautiful fox shapeshifter.”
“Could this be the legendary silver fox?”
“How mysterious indeed. Look at that silver hair. I must have it no matter the cost.”
They exchanged whispered conversations, marveling at Franz’s appearance.
Behind their masks, their eyes gleamed with vile greed.
Seeing this made curses rise to my throat. This inhuman trash!
Just then, a cold and arrogant voice rang out from the audience.
“I’ll examine it myself.”
A man sitting in the center of the audience stood up. He was wearing a sinister black mask and black uniform.
He gave off an unpleasant feeling.
That guy, it’s not just his face that’s masked.
People and beasts each have their own scent. But no smell came from that black mask.
How is that possible?
As the black mask walked onto the stage, two knight guards followed him. They too wore masks, thoroughly concealing their identities.
The slave trader bowed deeply as he guided the black mask onto the stage.
“Of course. You may examine and choose directly.”
The black-masked man stood before Franz, lifting the corner of his red lips as he scrutinized him with interest.
I crouched on Franz’s shoulder, holding my breath.
Though the cape concealed me, I barely dared to breathe for fear of being discovered.
Just then, the black mask’s hand reached inside the cape.
Before I could escape, the black mask grabbed me tightly. It hurt so much I inadvertently let out a cry.
“Kaang!”
My eyes met the black mask’s. Golden eyes flashed behind the mask.
Meeting that fierce predatory gaze sent chills down my spine.
The black mask grabbed my scruff and held me up before the slave trader. I struggled desperately to break free.
“Kaang! Kang! (Let me go, you bastard!)”
“Is this a fox cub?”
“How did that fox cub get here? Oh my, I’m so sorry for startling you. I’ll remove the fox cub right away.”
The slave trader kept bowing his head apologetically. The black mask gave an unpleasant smile.
“This works out well. Give the transformation potion to the fox cub.”
“What?”
“I’d like to observe firsthand how a shapeshifter transforms into human form.”
W-what did he say? You madman, what are you trying to do!
I struggled to escape from his grip. I tried to bite his hand but couldn’t penetrate the thick leather gloves.
The black mask’s red lips twisted upward.
“Such a tiny thing fighting so fiercely. I like it.”
“Kaaang!”
I made fox sounds trying not to reveal I was a shapeshifter, but it was useless.
I kept kicking with my hind legs trying to break free from his hand, but I just dangled in the air.
“Ah, no! Let go, you madman!”
Oh no, I got angry and words slipped out.
“So you are a shapeshifter after all. You can even speak.”
A satisfied smile spread across the black mask’s face.
Seeing his wicked smile made my rage explode. I screamed at him furiously.
“You evil bastards! You won’t get away with this!”
I swung my tail with all my might. A blizzard whirled from my fluffy tail tip and rushed at the black mask.
I did it!
But then, the guard knight behind the black mask moved like lightning to block the front, raising his sword to deflect the blizzard.
Swoosh! The blizzard disappeared like melting snow against the blue aura-glowing blade.
I bared my fangs and tried to swing my tail again.
“That’s enough of your little tricks, cotton ball.”
The black mask’s leather glove gripped my tail forcefully. He grabbed it so hard it felt like my tail would be torn off.
“Kaaang! Let go! It hurts!”
Tears welled up from the pain. Once he had my tail, I couldn’t use any power no matter how hard I tried.
The old wizard stood before me and took out a vial. It was the same one they had given Franz.
Ah, no!
