Chapter 13: Chapter 12 – The Fox and the Four Grimoires
Several dungeons had begun appearing across the continent ever since the Rank-S dungeon break. Fortunately, none had escalated to full breakouts—until one finally manifested within the borders of the Lavela Kingdom, right in Piltre City.
That morning, I was awakened by a soft squeeze.
"Lu...na..." I gasped, my face squished between her warm, soft chest. Her long silver tail was coiled around me tightly, making it hard to breathe.
"Master?" she blinked sleepily, then gasped. "Ah! Master, I'm so sorry—!" Tears welled in her eyes as she quickly unwrapped herself.
"I'm... fine," I exhaled, still catching my breath. I gently patted her head. "Just... don't do that again, okay?"
I glanced around. Aisha and Reshia weren't in the room.
"Where are the others?" I asked.
"They went out early this morning," Luna said. "Told me to keep you company."
I nodded, got up, washed my face, and grabbed a grimoire to read. Just as I stepped out of the palace guest quarters, I saw something scurry across the path.
A fox?
Luna followed me outside. To our surprise, the entire palace courtyard had been invaded—by dozens of adorable, fluffy foxes.
Aisha sprinted after them, trying to catch one but getting distracted by their sheer cuteness. Meanwhile, Reshia was laughing as she played with them, chasing and being chased—until she tripped.
I caught her just in time. Our eyes met, her cheeks flushed crimson, and she turned away, flustered.
"M-Master..."
"Are you okay?"
She quickly stood and faced the other way. "I'm fine."
I noticed Ion seated under a tree nearby with Kira and Kana, the royal twin sisters.
I approached. "What's going on?"
"A dungeon appeared just outside the city," Ion replied casually. "Rank-B. Not a full break, but strange nonetheless."
I looked back toward the playful scene. "And the foxes?"
"Dungeon monsters. But harmless. The real core's still unidentified."
Aisha soon returned, holding a small fox with shimmering white and blue fur.
"What's that?" I asked.
"Your fourth tame!" she declared proudly.
"You're okay with that?" I asked, hesitating. "Another girl... it feels unfair to you."
"At first I was jealous," she admitted. "But I chose this one. Just promise you won't forget me."
I couldn't speak for a moment. Aisha pulled me into a hug.
"It's fine, Master. We're here for you. Forever."
I knelt before the fox and hesitated... but I cast the taming spell.
It succeeded.
Then suddenly, every other fox in the palace courtyard glowed with light—and fused into the one I had just tamed.
She transformed with grace into a majestic, nine-tailed fox, her fur glowing in the morning sun. Yuki flicked her tail toward Aisha with a smirk, then looked up at me, expecting a head-pat.
I chuckled and obeyed. "Your name... is Yuki."
Yuki smirked toward Aisha, clearly staking her claim as the new rival.
With the fusion complete, the dungeon core dissipated into mist. Shortly after, we were summoned to the palace library by both kings.
Dressed in our adventurer attire, we entered the grand library. King Kendrick of Astarte, King Licht of Lavela, Queen Diana, their mistresses, and the newlyweds Desmond and Aurora were all waiting.
We kneeled respectfully and took our seats. Yuki curled up on the polished floor beside me.
On the table before us were four grimoires.
King Kendrick nodded to his maids, who presented one to each of us.
Mine was titled "The Seven Heavenly Gods."
Aisha received the Forbidden Magic Grimoire.
Reshia, the Ancient Magic Grimoire.
Luna, the Celestial Magic Grimoire.
Aisha sniffed hers with curiosity. Reshia trembled slightly as hers glowed. Luna's eyes sparkled with excitement.
King Licht leaned forward. "Tell me about your new tame."
I opened Yuki's status interface:
> Name: Yuki
Race: Frostvolt Ninetails
Class: Unknown
Magic: Cryo, Plasma
Level: 349
I shared the details. The kings and queens exchanged shocked glances.
"Cryo and Plasma?" Kendrick said. "Modern elements..."
Queen Diana's eyes locked on Luna. "Are you a Witch?"
"Yes, Your Highness," Luna replied calmly.
"You have two Celestial Magic elements, don't you?"
Luna nodded again.
Kendrick and Licht interjected before more questions could fly.
"What are your intentions with all this power?" Licht asked.
"I just want to be a normal adventurer," I said honestly.
"You're anything but normal," Kendrick remarked. "Eight elements, Ares. That's unheard of. Even among elites."
"If the gods are watching you, Ares... then soon, others will too. Not all of them will be kind," said Licht.
I bowed my head respectfully.
They shifted the topic to the grimoire I received—The Seven Heavenly Gods.
"Have you met any of the gods? Been contacted by one?" Kendrick asked.
"No, Your Majesty," I said.
"And your family... your name is Meledric, correct?" Licht added.
"Yes, sir."
"Do you know your father's full name?" Kendrick asked. "Your mother? Your aunt?"
"My mother only ever called him 'Husband,'" I explained. "My aunt never met him."
The room fell into thoughtful silence.
Suddenly, Kendrick's mistresses approached Yuki, mesmerized by her fur. They petted her gently, complimenting her softness. She basked in their attention smugly.
Queen Salija, Aurora's mother, sighed. "If only we could keep her."
Queen Claire, Kira and Kana's mother, chuckled. "She belongs to Ares."
Kendrick cleared his throat, signaling them to return.
Then he reminded us: yesterday, Kira and Kana had gifted Luna an artifact—Seiryu's Tail, a scepter relic linked to elemental balance.
"Aisha has the Axe of Suzaku," I said, revealing a crimson-bladed axe strapped on Aisha's back. Later called Suzaku's Wings.
Then Desmond handed Genbu's Armor to Reshia—a sturdy shield imbued with ancient defense magic.
"One artifact remains," Kendrick said. "Byakko's Fangs. Daggers of lightning."
Finally, they bestowed titles upon each of us.
With that, the meeting concluded.
As we left the library, I felt relief—but also the weight of everything that had changed. In just ten days, we'd saved a royal wedding, learned of meddling gods, and uncovered my father's mysterious legacy. Not to mention... a growing harem.
Surprisingly, Ion had changed. He was no longer filled with envy. Instead, he asked questions about my team... and my girls. We even joked a little.
That night, we stayed at the palace one last time before returning to Astarte with the royal entourage. Before sleeping, I gave Yuki an experience potion—courtesy of Queen Salija.
Bathed in moonlight, Yuki drank the potion—her body shimmering with radiant mist. Her silhouette stretched, glowing fur cascading into long sky-blue hair, while her nine tails unfurled and danced like auroras.
She emerged as a tall, elegant woman, her fox ears twitching softly atop her head. Her starlit eyes glowed with quiet, otherworldly grace.
And then... bedtime.
As usual, the girls took their places beside me—Aisha on my right, Reshia on my left, Luna curled against my chest, and now Yuki lying atop my legs like a smug pet.
I smiled, eyes heavy.
Maybe... this isn't so bad.
Tomorrow, our journey continues.
---
Elsewhere...
"Dengka! Return home—immediately. We have something to discuss."
The voice echoed telepathically through his mind.
Dengka scowled, then sighed. "Understood, Amarath."
In an instant, his form dissolved into shadow—vanishing without a trace.