Chapter 54
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: The Fox Girl's True Colors
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"Hey? You were pretty amusing, weren't you? Took a bit to run into you again, huh? Not taking walks much lately?"
The fox-eared woman leaned in so close her lips nearly brushed mine as she whispered. I gave her shoulders a light push to create some distance.
Looking down at the woman smiling up at me from in front—she was a touch shorter than Eirin—I racked my brain to place her.
Fox ears, silver-blue hair, a deeply plunging neckline, and a thick belt cinched around her waist in that exotic outfit...
That's traditional Doika attire, right? Ah! The woman I met on a walk shortly after arriving here...
But was her speech like this back then?
Rikako, seeing me just staring down at her without reacting, switched up her tone.
"Hello there. I'm Rikako~ Surely you haven't forgotten me, have you~?"
Polite speech with that slight drawl at the end of her sentences—yep, she's the fox-eared otherrace I met in the forest.
But why the sudden switch in how she talks? Is this her real way of speaking?
I flashed a small smile in response.
"Ah! Sorry about that. Your change in tone threw me off for a second. But... what makes you say I'm amusing?"
Rikako replied in the same playful lilt she'd used when she first spoke to me coming out of the restroom.
"You... barely been here any time, and you're already that close with Ella Tolly? Hmm...
Though your word choice was a bit pervy? Like some kind of lovers' play?"
Is she talking about what I did with Ella in the restroom? How does she know?
I didn't sense anyone around... and it was a fully enclosed space. If she caught specific words, she must've heard everything.
Her words left my mind blank for a moment, and I couldn't respond.
"Something about... 'Master this' and 'slave bitch that'... right? Hmm?"
As Rikako started naming specifics, I hurriedly cut her off.
If this otherrace bitch spells out exact words and I deny it here, it'll just give her ammo against me.
"Ah. Well, we have... a bit of an unconventional taste compared to most... haha.
Truth is, that rare kink actually helped push our relationship forward. But how did you...?
We picked that secluded spot on purpose so no one would find out—we were just playing out a little slave roleplay."
What now? Should I take down Emma and Ella the second they come out?
But does this one have some backup? She's confronting me alone so boldly...
No, first—how much does she know? Just the sounds? Or did she see what we were doing?
Better play it low-key and fish out her intel.
Rikako brought her right index finger to her lips, giving me a meaningful smile as she stared right at me.
"So... how exactly did you know? We did everything to keep it hidden..."
"Now that I know your little secret, should I tell you mine? Wanna know~?"
I bent at the waist, pleading with Rikako as she leaned in teasingly close.
"I'd be grateful if you did. Actually, even if you don't, could you please keep our relationship secret?"
Damn... was I too careless? But how could she know what we were doing in a sealed-off restroom?
Some kind of x-ray magic? She's a mage specializing in that?
Nah... I don't sense any mana flow at all.
Rikako kept grinning at me with that mischievous look.
Suddenly, a fierce gust of wind swirled around her—oddly out of place to anyone watching.
Magic...? Still no mana I can sense.
Is the gap in skill so wide I can't detect it?
"Why the serious face? See this?"
Rikako tapped at her left cheek, like she was touching someone beside her face.
What the hell is she...? Wait... Doika, Doika... beastkin... huh?
Suddenly, a chapter from a book I'd read back in the capital came to mind. I'd picked it up hoping it'd explain my unusual abilities.
The otherrace of the Doika Archipelago generally can't use mana, just like the empire's commoners.
But their upper class wields abilities akin to magic—different from imperial noble magic, so further study is needed.
Something short like that.
Seeing me fixated on her finger, Rikako smirked and stroked the empty air beside her with a gesture.
"Can't see it after all, huh? She's shy like that.
'Humi,' show yourself a bit since he's someone I know."
A burst of wind scattered from where her gaze landed, and soon a blue fox shape hovered above her palm.
What... the hell is that? Never seen anything like it even in the capital.
Is this the special ability the book mentioned?
Rikako slid her right index finger up her lips and grinned at me.
"Judging by your reaction, first time seeing one? Her name's 'Humi'—my friend. Hmm... in your terms, a 'spirit'?
She told me you and Ella were acting all weird!
Looks like Humi didn't get the details of what you did, but just hearing 'master' and 'slave bitch' was entertaining enough for me."
This... this idiot's spilling her powers like it's nothing. Fine by me, though.
Good that the spirit only passed on vague vibes and key words. Whew...
Still not safe to relax yet.
"Um... Rikako? Could you keep it secret from everyone else?"
Just then, Emma and Ella emerged from the restroom. Ella looked remarkably back to normal, just like before she'd gone in.
Rikako glanced over me and the freshly emerged Ella.
"Hmm? We'll see~ What'll you give me if I do?"
Ella, having apparently overheard our chat from inside, turned to Rikako with a calm expression.
"On the honor of Ella Tolly, I'll provide every courtesy during your stay in the Deid region.
I'll also spare no support for your artistic endeavors in the western empire."
Rikako pondered for a moment, then conversed with the spirit perched on her hand in some unknown tongue.
Was this her goal from the start? Way different from that friendly first impression in the forest.
Like Emma said, was the sociable act all performance?
"Hmm? I'll think it over. Come to the cabin in the woods tomorrow afternoon.
We can talk specifics there~ If you don't show, I'll spill everything to Adelin right away~?"
Without waiting for a reply, Rikako turned and sauntered off—like that first forest encounter, walking as if on air.
Take her down using Ella now? But I don't know Rikako's level,
or how well Ella can handle her with magic...
First, I need a precise read on my slaves' abilities. Never know when this'll happen again.
Lost in thought, staring blankly after Rikako's retreating figure, Ella suddenly stepped forward, grasping my hand with both of hers.
Her eyes sparkled as she smiled up at me.
"Master, don't worry too much. Even if that bitch tells Mom, I can handle it.
Worst case, Eirin and I will crush the family sow by force and make sure it doesn't touch you."
I stroked Ella's head as I replied.
"Good girl. Did you sense any mana or strange energy from Rikako?"
Ella shook her head.
"No. Nothing but that weird thing on her hand. But it's fine. Next time we meet, I can take her down easy.
Thanks to you, Master, I can finally use all the magic I learned before adulthood.
Handling a girl like that's no big deal. Ah... should I have just taken her out right away?"
Her confident words eased my frustration a bit.
Tomorrow, bring Sophia and Ella to the cabin and subdue the arrogant otherrace bitch immediately.
Subdue first, train her a bit, then talk.
I stroked Ella's soft rose-pink hair, pointing to the nearest bench with my other hand.
"Whew... Let's rest there a bit, then head to the opening ceremony so we're not late for rehearsal. Feeling a little dizzy."
"Yes, Master♡"
We headed to the venue for the opening ceremony.
Sonya and Sophia caught my eye, chatting with people at nearby booths.
"Ella, go to Adelin now. Emma, escort Ella to Adelin.
I'll talk with Sonya."
Ella and Emma smiled brightly.
"Yes, Teacher. See you later!"
"Yes, Jin."
I approached Sonya and Sophia, who were speaking with what looked like staff, and greeted them.
"Hello. Fancy meeting you here."
Sonya spotted me, waved off the people nearby, blushed faintly, and put on her introduction act for Sophia.
"Oh! Jin. Here for the opening ceremony? Still some time left... Ah! This is my daughter, Sophia."
Sophia, dressed in her masculine suit just like our first meeting, gave a stiff greeting and offered a handshake.
"I'm Sophia. But... who might you be? How do you know my mom? Don't think we've met."
"Ah, sorry for the late intro. I'm Jin, in charge of the young ladies' education for the Tolly Family."
Once the crowd backed off a bit, Sonya sidled up and whispered in my ear.
"Master, we have some time. How about a cozy spot for a break?"
This bitch is in heat already, can't hold back. Horny milk cow.
I glanced around, confirmed no one nearby, and grabbed Sonya's plump ass as I replied.
Ahhn♡
"Horny milk cow. Can't wait, got you all worked up? Lead the way if you've got a good spot."
Sonya stepped back a bit, beckoning as she spoke.
"Jin, this way. Let's have tea and chat. Sophia, wanna join?"
"Sure, Mom. Kinda worried leaving you two alone!"
"Oh, you..."
As I moved to follow Sonya and Sophia, someone tapped my shoulder from behind.
Turning, I saw Rikako grinning mischievously at me.
"You're even more impressive than I thought~?"
This bitch...?
While I hesitated in surprise, Rikako approached Sonya and they talked.
Sonya halted, glanced at me, then said something to Sophia beside her.
Sophia nodded to Sonya and came over to ask me.
"Rikako wants to join tea time... What do you think?"
She must've heard every word through her invisible spirit or whatever.
"Sure, it'd be an honor.
Not every day you get tea with someone from the Doika region."
Sonya, watching Sophia and me, nodded. She and Rikako started walking again.
Sonya led us deeper into the gardens to a simple building.
Sophia explained beside me.
"Only Pierre and Mom use this during the festival, so relax.
Dad... I mean Pierre's busy checking other booths and managing festival goods—won't be here for a while."
Makes sense—that's why Sonya suggested tea time as cover for a fuck.
No more getting dragged around by this otherrace bitch. With Sophia here, time to end it.
If it goes south, Ella and Eirin can make her out to be the liar.
Just before Sonya and Rikako entered the building, I whispered to Sophia.
"Subdue her the moment she steps through the door. Don't ask why."
Hearing me, Rikako froze mid-step into the building.
Sophia vanished from my sight in an instant.
Thud. Wham.
Just two impact sounds, then Sophia swiftly scooped up the fallen Rikako and carried her inside.
What was that? Seemed like Rikako heard me... spirit's doing, probably?
Sophia's physical prowess is way beyond expectations. Didn't even catch what happened.
Inside, Sonya was laying the collapsed Rikako in the middle of the room.
Sophia clenched something tightly in her right hand.
A small whirlwind raged in Sophia's grip, infused with mana, but it couldn't escape her hold.
Sophia made this easier than expected. Time to educate this arrogant bitch.
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