CHAPTER 1
1128 Words
“T-thank you very much for sparing time for this lowly being, my lady…”
A lavishly dressed man with sparkling golden eyes clutched on the golden brooch on his right chest while bowing generously to the lady in front of him.
“Please do not address your self as that, your highness. It is I who should thank you for stepping out of your way just to reach me.”
The lady in front of him, like wise, bowed generously and showed her respect.
Xanthos Xeres, the crown prince of the holy empire of Xeres, and the only son of the current emperor. For the sake of the safety and peace of the empire, he traveled for weeks in order to reach the sanctuary of divinity—a secluded place that was said to be where the nine tailed fox resided.
“Now then…How can I help his highness?”
The nine tailed fox, who hid her genuine appearance by casting magic, smiled gracefully and led the crown prince to a small tea table.
After settling themselves, Xanthos once again felt suffocated and nervous.
“...My lady, I'm sure you have heard of the situation with the northern kingdoms…”
Xanthos mumbled in a worn out tone.
The northern kingdoms.
The three kingdoms located up north of the holy empire of Xeres had been rumored to have joined forces for unknown reasons. For centuries, the four continents had been draped in peace and harmony. There is no reason for the kingdoms to strengthen their military forces, yet, the emperor himself had a premonition of the peace that lasted for centuries be broken.
“Yes. I have.”
‘I haven't! How would I know in the first place?!’
Meanwhile, the young student who suddenly woke up in the nine tailed fox’s body panicked at the situation that was developing. Despite her calm exterior, her mind was already in a state of panic. Things can only end badly if the prince noticed something odd from the nine tailed fox.
“Although…It's only the rumors that have reached my ears…I do not know if what I heard was the truth…”
Clara tried to sound as convincing as she could.
“My father also…”
The prince showed hesitation for a second, but after gazing on the deep crimson eyes of the being in front of him, Xanthos presumed that there was no need to hide anything.
“My father has the ability of seeing a glimpse of the future.”
Xanthos declared in a stern and truthful tone.
‘Wow. That’s crazy…’
Clara genuinely thought.
“Only a few people know of this. He said it wasn't clear…but he saw the uniform of the military forces of the three northern kingdoms march through the holy empire that was burning in blue flames…”
“Hmm…”
Clara hummed and narrowed her eyes, her sight leading to the open window. As expected, it wasn't the usual scenery she'd come across every time she wakes up for school. It was now a lush garden with oddly shaped flowers and a green mountain seen from afar.
‘Maybe I'm dreaming…haha…’
Clara still couldn't somewhat get a grasp on how she ended up in such a state, on how she ended up in a nine tailed fox’s body.
On the other hand, Xanthos took Clara's actions as an intelligent one. The stillness of Clara's eyes made it seem like she was in deep thought about the problem, when in fact, her mind was on a completely different page.
“...L-lady Asterlayna?”
After a couple of minutes, Xanthos couldn't help but make a sound.
“Asterlayna…I guess that's me, huh?”
The lady in front of Xanthos then hung her head low after hearing her unfamiliar name being called out.
‘Eh?...’
Xanthos made a concerned expression. The being known to be wisest in the continent as spewing nonsense—not that Xanthos can say anything about it.
“Finally…”
Clara muttered under her breath.
She finally remembered where she was.
‘Asterlayna…I definitely seen that name before. It's…’
“The Velelya Kingdom…”
Clara, now known as Asterlayna, the nine tailed fox of the eastern continent, spoke in a stern tone.
“There's no need to worry about that kingdom. I don't think they'll ever think about betraying the empire that helped them countless of times…”
Clara who was inside Asterlayna’s body added.
“My lady, I truly hope that is the case too…but-”
‘But my father's vision has never been wrong…’
The current emperor had once received a vision of a traveler, draped from head to toe with a black robe, trying to seek entrance in the northern border that separated the Holy Empire of Xeres and the Velelya Kingdom. The traveler undoubtedly came from the Velelya Kingdom. However, in the emperor's vision, the traveler became the cause of an epidemic that enveloped both the holy empire and the kingdom of Velelya.
A few days after the emperor received the vision, a traveler clad in black with oddly shaped fungal-like infection growing on his face was spotted near the border between the holy empire and kingdom of Velelya.
“Young prince.”
Asterlayna sternly called out, making the head emptied prince flinch in surprise.
“It is alright to trust the Velelya Kingdom. Go back to the empire and ask the cooperation of the other nobles. We must strengthen the military forces of the empire.”
It was inevitable.
Xanthos already figured this would be the case, nevertheless, he still lingered on the hope that the conflict will be resolved without the use of force. But even the wisest being is telling him to strengthen the military forces. War was inevitable.
“I'll take care of the border connecting the Raveren Kingdom and the holy empire for now.”
It was a relief that the nine tailed fox was extending a helping hand towards the empire.
“...Alright. I understand, my lady.”
Xanthos agreed with determination flaring in his eyes.
“...Oh, and one more thing…”
Asterlayna's voice trailed off.
“That child…Hesperia. Give her the opportunity to lead a knight brigade.”
“...Hesperia? My lady, h-how do you know her-”
“I have eyes and ears everywhere, young prince.”
Asterlayna scoffed proudly at her statement.
Xanthos felt a little embarrassed after hearing the nine tailed fox’s response. The person in front of him was a mythical being that was even rumored to have the chance to become a god. Of course she'd know the name of a capable mortal!
“But, may I know the reason for letting the duke's daughter lead a knight brigade?”
Xanthos asked with anticipation.
- Writer
