The border city at the edge of Candlewax Kingdom was not large. From the outside it looked more like a fort than a city. There were fewer guardsmen, and the walls weren’t built as high as Tinderwick. There was a steady downpour of snow, and Sine could see her misty breath.

Count Ahole’s carriage stopped in front of the gate. He flashed a badge to the guards, and they didn’t even perform an inspection.

The guts of the border fort seemed wealthy enough. However, the faces of people walking around were poor. If Sine had to describe it, they all looked sluggish, and their faces were as though they were dead inside.

Sine pointed at someone outside the carriage who looked ready to fall over. “What’s wrong with them?”

The witch yawned. “Maybe the snow is making them tired?”

Taliyah’s voice came out as a tired whisper. “I think the carriage ride made me sleepy.”

Sine looked at the man she pointed towards before. She watched him collapse face first into the snow. Something’s not right!

Riri and Sumire fell asleep against each other. The carriage had stopped, and Mary already started whispering sweet nothings.

Sine’s heartbeat grew slower and slower. She felt unbelievably comfortable in Eerie’s lap. It was as if she was being held in the caressing arms of a mother. She leaned back into the witch’s chest. There wasn’t much of a cushion behind her head, but she was so tired.

After all, why shouldn’t I sleep?

---

High in the mountains a rugged wolf man in rough leather garments chopped away at a tree. His great axe struck true, and the wood groaned. Jeri stepped to the side and let the tree fall on its own. The thick snow on the ground served to dampen some of the noise.

Jeri’s eyes roamed around the forest. The wolf’s routine was complete. He huffed and put his arms around the thick wooden trunk. His muscles strained as he dragged the entire tree.

Besides the whistling of the wind, most noise was cut off this high up. The only other sounds were the man’s grunts as he hauled the tree back to his cabin.

He noticed that the tree seemed heavier than usual. Though, it wasn’t like there hadn’t been dense trees before. Jeri dragged the tree next to his cabin in a small wood chopping area.

As he was about to start chopping, a snowflake touched his nose. Jeri looked towards the sky, and more began falling. It was a cascade of flimsy flakes falling slowly.

Another one landed on his ear. The cold vibration rang in his eardrum. His senses picked up something indiscernible mixed with that flake.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Jeri began feeling sleepy. His gaze towards the sky became lost. Drool started pooling in the corner of his mouth. The beating of his heart became slower and slower.

His canine bit hard into his lip, piercing through the thin flesh. His head shook rapidly.

Jeri cast his gaze towards the human kingdom. No! It’s too far!

He growled and lowered to all fours, bolting into the forest. His cabin rapidly disappeared beneath a blanket of blizzard. Even though his fur was thick, a shiver racked his body.

The snow seemed to pursue him relentlessly. He sprinted, gaining more distance from it.

As his heart rate finally sped up, his speed increased. The wolf ran frantically down the mountain like a startled fox. His burning lungs wouldn’t stop him. It only fueled his adrenaline. His beast magic activated, further propelling him towards civilization.

He wouldn’t stop to rest. Jeri felt that if he stopped, it would mean his end.

Snuffle Empire’s border fort eventually came into view. Jeri flung himself towards the gate.

The border guards sensed his approach, and they flung the gate open before the wolf could smash it himself.

Jeri skidded against the ground, his stomach and arms scraping painfully against rocks. However, the pain was overshadowed by his deep sigh of relief.

An angry rat man in gaudy robes sneered. “I thought you said you’d not show your face again here.” The rat lowered a yellow staff towards the wolf’s snout. “I never took you for the type to go back on your word, but it seems even your word can’t be trusted. Not to mention, you come back like a whiny pup. What about your ancestors?”

Jeri clenched his teeth. He bit back his anger, looking longingly towards the ratkin lord. “Lord Cheasewhiskers, there’s a monster in the mountains!”

“Of course, of course, there are always monsters in the mountains. That’s why we have a guild. And you’re a monster yourself, isn’t it so?” Lord Cheasewhiskers sighed. “What’ll it be? The jails or public service?”

The wolf slammed his fist into the ground, creating a small crater. Blood pooled from his paw. His teeth bared and he growled, spitting words like venom. “This isn’t any monster! You think I would be scared of monsters? Have you grown so arrogant?”

Cheasewhisker’s nose twitched. The startled rat flinched. “W-well, what type of monster was it?”

The wolf shook his head. He glanced around at the crowd that had started to gather. “This isn’t the place.”

Lord rat nodded and retracted his staff. “We shall discuss this matter in the manor. However, don’t forget our deal. You’re in service to me now, dog.”

All Jeri could do was grit his teeth and bear it. He followed the rat lord who was less than half his size. They entered a large manor with golden trimmings. The large wolf had to lower his head significantly.

The chair provided for him groaned from his weight, so he chose to stand awkwardly in the foyer.

Lord rat sat in a small couch across from the fireplace. The rat grabbed a piece of cheese from a porcelain plate. “So, tell me about this ‘monster’ you spotted.”

Jeri sighed once more. “Yes, though the term monster is a bit off.”

The rat finished chewing on a block of cheese. “Well, out with it.”

“I believe a demon general has arrived.”

Lord Cheasewhiskers nodded slowly. However, in the next second he was choking on a piece of cheese. In a disgusting display, he spit it all over the table. “A d-demon general!?”