Chapter 96

Since ancient times, foxes have been known across East and West as cunning animals.

There’s even a saying, Ho-ga-ho-wi, about a fox borrowing the power of a tiger to show off its own influence. Then, there’s the Aesop’s fable of the old lion and the fox.

The Hoyo tribe, with all their wily traits, was no different, and that naturally included the Gumiho. She saw no reason to bother engaging with Hilde.

Moreover, as someone who took pride in being a noble fox, she utterly despised mingling with lesser beings.

So, the moment Hilde set foot in Cheonsangru, she cast an illusion spell on her.

Mirror Flower, Water Moon.

The illusion of a flower in the mirror and the moon reflected in water.

With her Moon’s Eye and even the remaining dregs of her yokai energy, setting the spell was no challenge. Hilde’s lion roar nearly shattered the illusionary space she’d created, though.

If Hilde had realized it was an illusion and roared with the intention to break it, it might have succeeded. But she failed, as she never figured it out.

Hilde paid the price for being unable to escape the illusionary space. Without putting up much of a fight, she collapsed on the ground, unconscious.

The Gumiho pressed down on the back of Hilde’s head, pondering what to do next.

“Should I just suck out her energy~”

She might be a brute, but she seemed to have quite a bit of strength. Absorbing her energy would significantly aid in recovering her own power.

Just as the Gumiho was about to drain Hilde’s energy—

“That won’t do.”

Karamir’s voice rang out, and the Gumiho froze. She looked at him with a displeased glare.

“Why? Wouldn’t it be good for you too if she disappeared?”

“No matter how reckless she is, she’s still a princess. If she vanished overnight, the kingdom would be thrown into chaos.”

“If I let her go now, she’ll just come after me again. Sorry, but I have no interest in pointless battles.”

“You’d have to follow my orders anyway, but I actually had something in mind already.”

Karamir looked down at Hilde, a sly grin spreading across his face.@@novelbin@@

“Mmm…”

Hilde slowly opened her eyes, regaining her senses. Her head spun as though she’d suffered severe motion sickness. She pressed her hand to her forehead.

‘What’s going on…?’

She remembered going to the heavens for a duel. But this wasn’t a room in Cheonsangru—this was a guest room, and she was lying on a bed. And to add to her confusion…

“You’re awake?”

Karamir, sitting in a chair beside the bed, spoke. He was in the middle of reading a book.

“The café owner…?”

“You woke up sooner than I expected. Big Lin said you wouldn’t be up for at least a day, but I suppose being a princess has its perks.”

Hilde blinked, struggling to comprehend the situation, then suddenly sat up as faint, dreamlike memories became clear.

She remembered being caught in some strange magic, swinging her fists at empty air, only to end up defeated.

“Where’s that damned Gumiho?!”

“Probably talking with the Sky Fox. They seemed to have a lot to discuss.”

“After pulling that stunt on me, she’s just sitting there chatting? You’re dead, you b****.”

Hilde threw off the covers, ready to storm out of the room.

“Ah-ah, don’t move so recklessly.”

Thunk.

Hilde froze in place, halfway through her stride towards the door. Her hand reached for the doorknob, and one foot hovered in mid-air, stuck in an awkward position. Startled, she glanced down at herself.

“What… what’s happening? Why can’t I move?”

Could it be that the Gumiho had cast some strange spell on her? It felt as if her body was bound by some kind of binding magic.

“It would be troublesome if you got too rowdy. Just sit down and stay calm for now.”

“What the hell did you just say? You dare to tell me what to—”

Despite her curses, Hilde sat obediently on the bed. It was a strangely docile posture, something she would never do of her own will.

Her body wasn’t listening to her—it was following someone else’s commands. Her confusion escalated.

“What… what’s going on with my body?”

“What do you mean? Isn’t it natural for a slave to obey their master?”

“What the hell are you talking about? Why would I be your slave? Are you out of your mind?!”

“Hm, looks like this slave has high Strength stats but pretty low Intelligence stats…”

“You damn peasant!”

Just as Hilde was about to smash Karamir’s head with her fist—

“Wait.”

Once again, Hilde froze mid-punch.

“Sit.”

She lowered herself awkwardly, crouching on the floor like a trained dog.

“Wh-what the…?!”

Hilde struggled to break free, but her body wouldn’t budge. Karamir, still sitting with his legs crossed, extended his hand toward her.

“Paw.”

“You… what do you think I am?!”

Tap.

Hilde placed her hand in his. Karamir smirked.

“Other paw.”

Tap.

Finally, Hilde began to understand just how wrong this situation was. Karamir nodded in satisfaction.

“Foul-mouthed but obedient—looks like this slave is a bit of a tsundere. Still, I don’t care much for swearing, so some extra training is in order.”

A way to subdue Hilde without draining her energy.

‘Nothing beats turning them into a slave.’

Binding her soul with shackles so that commands would be absolute.

Not that he enjoyed forcing people he disliked into slavery. Unless they were part of a storyline, he refrained from using force.

But Hilde was a rare exception.

‘Just thinking of my beloved pet café she caused to shut down brings tears to my eyes… sniff.’

There was personal resentment. And another reason.

‘I’ve never had the chance to train her as a slave.’

Despite being the Princess of Bestia, Hilde was merely an obstacle standing in the way of Lin’s freedom. A recurring extra who had previously been untouchable.

But as a devoted slave enthusiast, he couldn’t miss this opportunity.

Falling from the status of a princess to a slave in an instant, Hilde looked dazed, her pupils trembling in disbelief.

“Still can’t believe it, huh? That’s fine! I know exactly how to build a strong bond between master and slave.”

Karamir pulled a leash from his pocket. Hilde looked up at him with a mix of fear and anger.

“Shall we go for a walk?”

‘Damn it, damn it, damn it!’

In the stillness of the late night, when everyone else was asleep…

Hilde swallowed curses as she walked through the quiet streets.

There was nothing unusual about it. Hilde was the type who got restless if she stayed still, and she often roamed the city whenever she had the chance.

She’d beat up hyena beastfolk, the Scavengers, like they were punching bags, and even hung sleeping sloths from the tops of towers to watch them in the morning.

But tonight, her midnight stroll felt strangely uncomfortable.

First, her viewpoint. It was so low it reminded her of a toddler learning to walk.

Second, her posture. Instead of two legs, she was on all fours, using her arms like limbs, crawling around like a beast.

Lastly…

“The cool night breeze feels refreshing, doesn’t it?”

…she had a companion.

And that companion was, of course, Karamir. In his hand, he held a leash connected to Hilde’s collar.

The princess of Bestia was crawling on all fours through the marketplace.

For a slave, especially a beastfolk slave, walks were the best way to build rapport. They also firmly established the master-servant hierarchy, making it an ideal bonding exercise.

“You just wait until this spell wears off. I’ll tear you apart!”

Of course, some slaves were feisty, but that only made things more enjoyable. Breaking in such a spirit was the core of slave training and the highest form of entertainment.

Karamir only chuckled at Hilde’s growling.

“Are you sure you want to shout like that? Someone might hear and come over. Ah, and look—there’s someone just up ahead.”

“What…?”

In front of an inn…

A man without any beastly features was smoking a cigarette, possibly taking a breather because he couldn’t sleep.

“Kuh!”

There was no way Hilde could let anyone see her in such a humiliating state. She tried to change direction, but Karamir tugged on the leash.

“Uh-uh. Where are you going? The road’s this way.”

“W-wait a minute…!”

Ignoring her resistance, Karamir pulled her toward the man. The smoker, gazing up at the moon, turned his head when he sensed someone approaching.

“Hmm? Who’s there?”

“Oh, I’m sorry if we startled you. Just taking my slave for a little walk.”

Karamir held up the leash proudly. The man’s gaze followed the leash down to the ground, where he saw a beastfolk on all fours.

Too embarrassed, she buried her face in the dirt, hiding her expression.

“Looks like your slave is a bit shy.”

“Yes, I only recently acquired her. We’re still getting acquainted.”

“What species? She looks like a cat, but… if I look closer, maybe a lion…?”

Lions, known as the kings of beasts, were also the rulers of Bestia. A lion beastfolk would mean royal blood.

Could this slave be of royal lineage? No way.

But the beast was female, with dark fur, and looked about twenty—the same age as Princess Hilde of Bestia. She really did look like a lion…

Karamir laughed out loud, breaking the man’s intense stare.

“Haha, a lion? No way. She’s just a cat.”

“Ah, I suppose you’re right.”

The man quickly accepted the explanation.

Hilde’s notorious reputation was known even outside her own country. There was no way someone like her could be a slave to an ordinary human. It was too absurd.

“Mind if I pet her?”

“I like beastfolk, but… are you sure she won’t scratch?”

“Don’t worry. My kitty doesn’t bite.”

“Well, in that case…”

The man squatted down and petted Hilde’s head. Her hair, soft and silky, was clearly well cared for.

“Looks like her owner really treasures her.”

“A master should know how to take care of their slave.”

“You’ve found a wonderful master. Be sure to listen to him from now on.”

The man chuckled, ruffling her head absentmindedly.

It was a blessing he couldn’t see Hilde’s face as she glared daggers at the ground.