Is this an illusion?
No, youre wrong. This is a transformation technique, a secret art known among the demon fox race.
Having transford into a human-like form, Woodsorrel was now speaking with her own voice, not through telepathy. It seed like she wasnt just disguising her appearance with an illusion spiritual art; she had physically changed her bodys structure.
Seeing frozen in shock, Woodsorrel chuckled mischievously like a child who had successfully pulled off a prank. Though she now appeared to be in her late teens, similar in age to Chris on the inside, she might be closer to Leo or Magna.
Wa-Wait a minute!
Ueeh?!
Woodsorrel, who had been laughing, was suddenly hit in the face by sothing. It wasnt a piece of cloth. but clothing that was thrown by Chris whose face was now beet red. The reason for this was probably because Woodsorrel was completely naked.
According to the values of the human species, it was embarrassing to be seen naked, and it seed that it wasnt sothing that should be shown lightly to the opposite sex, even to ones own comrades. While I knew this as a fact and had adopted the custom of wearing clothes myself, Woodsorrel hadnt considered it which wasnt surprising.
However, Woodsorrel seed to be aware of clothing. And she slipped her arms into the sleeves of the clothes handed to her by Chris with a slightly annoyed expression on her face.
Chris had thrown a coat intended for the larger mbers of the forr republics demon soldiers. When Woodsorrel wore it, it looked like a connected top and bottom outfit on her, except the sleeves were far too long and hung loose, greatly exceeding her arms length. Woodsorrel began playfully twirling the excessively long sleeves with her hands.
So shes the one in question?
Yes. I never knew she could transform into a Furu race mber, but shes definitely an acquaintance of mine.
Chris watched Woodsorrel, who was innocently playing, with a complicated expression. She didnt seem to know whether to trust her or not. This uncertainty seed to extend to Woodsorrels comrades as well. They exchanged glances while occasionally sneaking peeks in our direction.
As I pondered how to bridge the gap between us, Lappy, yawning and apparently having fallen asleep during her studies, walked toward us. Her steps were unsteady as she approached , but then she seed to notice Woodsorrel. With a sleepy tilt of her head and rubbing of her eyes, Lappy made her way to Woodsorrel.
Hmm who are you?
Im Woodsorrel, from the demon fox race! And who might you be?
Lappy is Lappy. Eiiy!
After she introduced herself, Lappy made an attempt to grasp the wildly swinging sleeves that Woodsorrel was wearing. Despite Woodsorrels quick efforts to flick the sleeves away, Lappy, with her superior dynamic vision, effortlessly caught the tip of one.
Hmm, not bad! But I wont lose!
Hmm. Play together.
Perhaps irked by being caught, Woodsorrel beca determined, moving the sleeves in all directions, trying to outmaneuver Lappy. Yet, Lappy easily managed to catch them again, leading to a playful battle between Woodsorrels attempts to keep her sleeves free and Lappys determination to catch them.
Though Woodsorrel appeared older, the two began playing as if they had been friends for a long ti. Watching them made any sense of mutual caution seem utterly ridiculous. Handing my twin swords to Chris for safekeeping, I approached Woodsorrels companions.
Im Antares. I t Woodsorrel about eight years ago. Do any of you know about her from that ti?
Yeah, I know about that, mister.
When I inquired amongst Woodsorrels companions, one of the monkeys raised its hand and spoke up. Surprised that it used its voice rather than telepathy, I kneeled down to et its gaze.
Have you heard what happened?
I know that she was taken out of the forest. I dont know the details, but it seems it wasnt a pleasant experience.
Thats when I t her before I beca like this. Now, discussing this at the edge of the camp might not be comfortable. Please, co this way.
Alright, well follow. Lets go.
Following the monkeys lead, Woodsorrels companions cautiously entered the camp, where it beca apparent that the monkey was the groups deputy leader. While Woodsorrel was occupied playing with Lappy, I decided to gather more information from them.
Please, have a seat.
Thank you.
While Woodsorrel and Lappy continued their playful tussle, I led the monkey and the others to a different table. Chris, having stowed my twin swords sowhere, brought over a wooden goblet filled with water and placed it before the monkeys. For the bears and wildcats, she offered bowls of water, perhaps typically used for soup.
A goblet was also presented to , and after thanking Chris, I drank from it. The water likely conjured through Chriss spiritual arts, was refreshingly cool with a hint of sweetness. It must have been infused with the juice of citrus fruits found in the forest.
In its original state, the fruit was too sour to be consud directly, but when its juice was diluted with water, it transford into a refreshing fruit water. This fruit water has just the right concentration for because Chris was used to brewing it. Perhaps I had grown too accustod to relying on Chris.
Ah, thats delicious. Whats in it?
Its made from these red fruits.
What? Those incredibly sour ones? No one eats those I had no idea they could be used like this.
The monkey, seemingly impressed, closely examined the contents of the goblet before gulping it down. The delicious taste was certainly a factor, but more than that, the monkey was probably thirsty from running all the way here. Indeed, Woodsorrels other companions were also eagerly drinking the fruit water as if competing with one another.
Seeing the monkey look sadly into the empty goblet, Chris smiled gently, crushed a red fruit in her hand to release the juice, and then filled the goblet using water spiritual arts. She then skillfully stirred the water to mix in the juice. It seed to be an application of the technique she learned while serving Liselotte.
Much appreciated. Aaaah, that hits the spot. You know, there are always a few kids who sneak out of their territory and just dont co back. It seems that those with the talent to evade watchful eyes just cant help their curiosity.
So, Woodsorrel was one of those with a strong, curious spirit. She ntioned going out to play
Going out with such a light-hearted attitude, most kids dont make it back. Thats why shes one of the few who did return.
Among the demon fox race, Woodsorrel was still just a child no matter how exceptional she was. She would stand no chance against the fierce creatures outside, not to ntion the nurous and cunning humans. Indeed, Woodsorrel herself had ntioned being drugged and waking up to find a collar around her neck, a fate many demon fox children likely faced when captured by humans.
In Woodsorrels case, she was fortunate to have the collar destroyed and be freed as a result of a secret pact with , allowing her to safely return ho. But thats probably an exception among exceptions. She wasnt conceited to say otherwise; she seed really lucky to have t .
Ive co to understand a bit about Woodsorrels situation. So youre not here to deliver a decision, are you?
Thats right. We rushed out as soon as we heard misters ssage. We tried to stop her, but she was already here by the ti we caught up.
. That must be tough, huh?
. Its nice to know you understand.
The monkey agreed with a tiered expression on his face. The monkey was probably used to being led on wild chases by the free-spirited Woodsorrel. Not just , but even Chris, who was sitting beside , seed to sympathize as well and silently refilled our goblets with more fruit water without a word.
So, what will you do now? Arent you in trouble for leaving your post without permission?
Thats the problem. We need to bring big sister back, but
The monkey hesitated to continue as its gaze fell on Woodsorrel, who was playing around with Lappy. Perhaps it was reluctant to dampen the spirits of soone who played so innocently. It seed that Woodsorrel was well-loved by her subordinates.
It appeared that I was destined to play the role of the villain. Rising from my chair, I approached and caught hold of the back collar of Woodsorrel as she attempted to escape from Lappy and successfully captured her.
Ugh?! What are you doing!
Maybe its ti to go ho? You ca here on your own, didnt you?
Id like to say its fine but youre right. If we stay too long, therell be trouble. Lappy! Lets call it a draw for now!
Hmm. Well settle this the next ti we et.
In the brief ti they had spent together, the two had seemingly co to respect each other as worthy rivals and exchanged a firm handshake. Its probably a good thing that they beca friends.
As I released Woodsorrel from my grasp and let her stand on the ground, she did not dispel her transformation art and instead lightly leaped onto the bears back. It seed she was tired from having run all the way here and then playing with Lappy. She lay face down on the bears back, completely exhausted.
Well then, Ill be heading back for now. Ill report that you were an acquaintance of mine after all. I suppose that might even get you a pass?
That would be helpful.
Oh, and I havent forgotten the promise to bear you a child. Lets go!
With those parting words, Woodsorrel tapped the bears back to signal their departure. Ah, thats right, she said sothing like that the last ti we parted. I had forgotten about it, thinking it was impossible.
As I was recalling this, I felt a prosthetic hand placed on my shoulder. Since it was a prosthetic hand, it had to be Chris but the hand was gripping my shoulder so tightly that it creaked as if it was about to tear off my flesh.
What are you doing, Chris? Thats quite painful
What did she an by bearing a child? Youll explain it to , wont you?
I turned around to protest the pain in my shoulder, but my voice of complaint faded away. The reason being I felt intimidated by Chris, who was standing there when I turned around.
Chris seed to be smiling broadly. However, her eyes were not smiling at all. At that mont, Chris felt more terrifying than even the descendant of god. I found myself explaining the aning behind Woodsorrels words, almost as if I was making an excuse.
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