CHAPTER 9
Encounter
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「We'll camp here for tonight. We can start our investigation tomorrow.」< Sub >
「Umm.... Are you sure about to camp here in the middle of forest, Lord Sub?... There's a town nearby so why not stay there for the night?」
「Yeah, you're right about that.」< Sub >
「Then--」
「But... I kinda like to camp outside sometimes. And besides it also helps me to relief my stress while admiring the nature. You should also try sometime, Rekha.」< Sub >
Well, it actually feels great to be outside sitting around the bonfire while crickets were making sound from the shadows.
「I see... As you wish, Lord Sub. And I shall do that in my free time. But.... Why choose me..? I mean, I'm just a One-Tail Fox who's not even experienced enough like my Brothers and Sisters, and there's also Kitsune-sama, Num-sama and Jyoti-Sama too....」< Rekha >
「Oh-- It doesn't matter if your experienced or not, even your Brothers and Sisters were inexperience at some point, right? They also started from somewhere too, right? And yeah, I've given some work to handle to my followers so I couldn't brought them with me, and about other Foxes, huh...」< Sub >
In truth, when I teleported myself at the Research Facility to bring someone with me from Kistune's subordinate, everyone were too busy to their work and on the top of that I was wearing mask so no one noticed my presence.
So I just pick, Rekha, cause she was free. And without telling anyone I just left the facility with her.
And another reason was, Rekha, somewhat reminds me of Sis Eva. Her hair color to her eyes everything match Sis but only difference about, Rekha, was her face and she got ears poking out from her head along with her one tail...
And I guess because of that, most of my time I always ended up bringing her with me whenever I couldn't brought my followers on my mission or quest.
And her appearance was somewhat 13 years girl.
「...」
「Anyways, Research Facility has gone through many changes within these 5 years, hasn't it?」< Sub >
「Yes, and it's all thanks to you, Lord Sub! You broke the seal which was on the entrance of the Dungeon and because of that we were able to gain our freedom. So please! Use us by any means necessary!」< Rekha >
「Y-Yeah sure...」< Sub >
Well, who even wanna use others as tool for their needs. I'm not foolish enough to use them like that.
And if truth be told then, when I was entering the Dungeon I didn't even feel like there was seal on the entrance.... was it because I had recently awakened my magic? Or I was navïe back then...?
「....So...Few days ago, I was reading a book and in it, it says that the Tail-Fox gets stronger and wiser as they live on, is it true, Rekha?」< Sub >
「Yes. As we grow up our physical appearance also change and we gain tails as a proof to that, and the max tail we gain are upto Nine-Tail and each tail will appear in every one thousand year.」< Rekha >
「I see, that's a long process, huh... So it means Kitsune is over nine thousand years old, right?」< Sub >
「Yes, and also beautiful too!!」< Rekha >
She was telling me with energetic voice.
Well, I already knew every Tail-Foxes who are under Kitsune really think highly of her, so I had this gut feeling what she was going to tell.
「Yeah... anyway, I just remembered that, Kistune, have a big brother too, right?」< Sub >
「Yes, Kitsune-sama do have a big brother, his name is, Vulpes. Vulpes-sama is also Nine-Tail and said be lived about more than fifteen thousand years.」< Rekha >
「I see. So can you tell me where he might be now?」< Sub >
「From what I've heard, Kitsune-sama and Vulpes-sama separated from each other thousand years ago for some reason, and when I first tired asking her, she just gave me absent-minded smile and didn't say anything... From that day on I never asked her about this.....」< Rekha >
「I see.」
Vulpes, huh.
I'll remember that name, might come across some day.
「I'm sorry, Lord Sub, that I couldn't be much of a help to you! And please don't tell this to Kitsune-sama that I've told you this! Please! Please! Please!」< Rekha >
You don't have to bow your head to me several times while making that depressing face, you know....*Sigh*
「Don't worry, Rekha, I'll keep this a secret.」< Sub >
「Th-Thank you very much!!!」< Rekha >
「...」
She was really overjoyed by this to the point were she was crying, now....
「...Anyways, any new news on the harvest room?」< Sub >
If I remember correctly then, Harvest Room was the last room of the Dungeon where Num was sealed in, until I got him out of there after making Contract with him.
However, when he left the Dungeon with me, the room were he was kept was filled with his rich magic for thousands of years and because of that no one but only me and my followers were able to enter that room because of our high magic resistance.
Inside the room was filled with rare or unique materials which had grown cause of Num's magic.
And the ones who lived there were having hard time getting near it so I had to seal that room. Cause it was creating disturbance in whole Dungeon, like: the weak ones were fainting or getting dizzy.
So now, everyone is waiting for magic to manifest itself inside the room so more herbs, magic stones or any other materials can grow up.
And I've given Rekha to check-in in monthly basis and give me the reports personally.
「Yes, just last week magic stones were growing from the ceiling. And as for the magic, I'm assuming it'll take more 5-6 years to fully manifest itself inside.」< Rekha >
「I see. Thanks for the report, Rekha.」< Sub >
「P-P-Please, I'm not w-worthy for your p-praise! 」< Rekha >
*Sigh*
You don't have to stumble upon words while talking to me it's not like I'm gonna eat you or anything...
「...So I'm going to sleep now. But before that.」< Sub >
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
「...」
While saying that I took out the herbs from my storage pouch which I had picked up from the harvest room a couple of weeks ago.
「I'd like to you to make healing potions from this. I don't care how much you make until I woke up. Just don't push yourself too much, ok?」< Sub >
「Y-Yes!」
Well to be specific, I just gave her herbs to make potions not for me but as pure precaution of mine.
I don't actually care about the potions though, cause I already got regeneration ability so I can just teleport whenever I want inside my house and wait for my injuries to fully recovered.
And I'm not giving, Rekha, a hard job, you know. In the first place, I don't even wanna give this work but since, Rekha, told me that she was a spirit and doesn't require sleep, so what much of choice do I even have..?
And I know she won't be sitting around doing nothing so I give her this work so she won't wander around.
And I just hope that she won't over do it.
I put up my defense barrier around us and make it strong enough to withstand heavy attacks if someone were to attack us.
And because of how often I take Rekha with me, she already knew I put up my barrier around us so she didn't reacted to it, instead she was doing preparation to make potions.
And I also remember that, Kitsune, and Jyoti always asked me if they can sleep with me or not to which I straight up sending them back to their room. I knew that they don't require sleep, even if they did, they have their own separated room to sleep. *Sigh*
「Well then, Rekha, good night.」< Sub >
「Yes, have a pleasant dream!」< Rekha >
I stood up from the bonfire and starts to walk away from it and when I got near the giant rock which was just ahead from the bonfire.
I hopped on the rock and laid down my body on it and use my hands as pillow, and stare at night sky.
(Really... can't get enough of this beautiful sight...)< Sub >
I couldn't help but to mutter to myself of how beautiful the skies looks in night, before closing my eyes.
*Yawn*
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*Yawn*
Why am I still feeling sleepy even though I had enough sleep. Is it the symptoms that I'm becoming more lazy everyday...
Well, whatever!
「Lord Sub, we can rest for a while if you want..」< Rekha >
「Nah, it's fine. No need to concern about me, either way Fortress is just pass ahead this forest so let's just finish this quick, so I can have free time.」< Sub >
「Understood.」
I just wanna finish this quick so I can read the next volume(Manga) in peace.
According to the map which Mr.President shown me, Fortress can be seen the moment when we exit this forest.
But when we came out from the forest were there was clearance and looked at the Fortress direction, we saw debris instead of Fortress...
「...」
「...」
We both stood there in silence looking at the sight, while at it I expand my barrier at maximum to search for any presence nearby without leaking my magic(Which was upto 5km radius).
In an instant, I sense bunch of presence at once coming from every direction but all of them were at least 1km away from us, so I assume they were all are magical beasts.
So it was safe for us to go there without any worry of getting ambush by the enemies.
「Let's go.」< Sub >
As soon as I start walking, Rekha, also follow me.
While we're heading there, there was scent of rotten flesh in the air and when we got closer smell was only getting worsened.
To which, I had to cover my face with mask from preventing the smell, and when I looked at Rekha, she had already covered half of her face with the piece of cloth.
And when we got there it was a dreadful sight to see..
Body parts was spread everywhere, some were cut in half and their organs was coming out of them, bloods were all dry up in the rubbles, and eagles and vultures were devouring the remaining.
Even though this is dreadful, I wasn't feeling anything at all by seeing this.
「Rekha, start the investigation. I'll be back in couple of hours, I need to check something.」< Sub >
「Understood. Please leave it to me.」< Rekha >
Now I should head to places were I've sensed presence earlier, by any chance some of them might be survivors from the attack who run away from the forest to save themself and if it is then, they might give me some insight of what happen here.
It was a good thing that I've told Rekha to make potions. Even though I have unlimited magic I cannot heal others other then myself... So I always took some potions with me whenever I go out, who knows someone might need it, you know.
I was jumping from branch to branch while thinking that.
There was 24 locations were I've sensed presence under my barrier so I guess it'll take time.
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Phew.
「Ok. Now only one place left to check.」< Sub >
I didn't expect it'll take more time than I expected...
Well, I've already told, Rekha, it will take some more time to finish.
To which she told me, she'll be waiting at the same spot.
「I'll finished this quickly.」< Sub >
I couldn't help but to mutter to myself while making my way to the last location.
「Hey! Are you sure she's inside there?」
「Yeah, I saw her went inside. And while at it why don't we explore the place, we might find something interesting to give Tia-sama, I'm sure she will be pleased!」
(Hm?)
When I was about to reach the place, I heard voices coming from there.
So I stop myself and climb the nearest tree to see who's the voice owner without exposing.
「...」
When I got there, I saw Goblins and Orcs were talking to each other, while one of the Goblins was pointing his index finger to the cave which was cover-up with grass all around the entrance.
(...A cave? Or is it a Dungeon? Which ever it is this is my first time seeing this place....)< Sub >
And above all, there's 15 Goblins and 5 Orcs there, and from their talks I could make out that they've came here in search of someone.
I should wait and see.
「What are we waiting for then? Let's go inside already!」
The one who was pointing his finger said while raising his fist to air and went inside and other who were behind him all nodded to each other and follow him.
And I'll just sit on the tree branch and wait for their return.
「...」
I don't know but because of my last dream I had, I'm itching to smoke....
Oh yeah!
Jyoti smoke in her free time. I should ask her for some after returning.
Oh wait, I just remember she don't smoke tobacco.... What was the name again?
Hmm.....
Ma...Mari....Marijuana.... Was it...?
...In the first place, why am I even thinking about this minor stuff?!
Come on brain! Can you just stop over thinking every time?!
Anyways, I really wanna focus my barrier on this cave only to see inside layout and to see what they're doing.
But I can only place one barrier at a time whether it be for search or for defense, and since I'm already using it to make sure Rekha was safe.
I couldn't just disable it and focus on this cave only or else I won't able to know if she was safe or not.
Even though she can handle herself in combat... still I don't wanna put her in danger. While I was taking her responsibility.
But because of this barrier I can at least tell there was a single presence I've sensed inside.
Oh well, until they come out, I'll just summarize the things I've got up to this point. Gotta make sure to write a report.
I took out pen and paper to write down.
Let's see.
Fortress was already destroyed when we got there, and the first thing to caught my eyes was how there was no victim from the invader side.
Now that I think about it, I somehow feel like it was a total massacred.
And Mr.Jim was also nowhere to be found among dead's but I'm sure that Mr.Jim got attack when he was at the Fortress, cause I've sensed faint presence of him...
But there were 3 more faint presence of others mix with it, however, when I tried focusing my senses on it to find where it was leading.
Which to my surprise it had been suddenly cut off midway.
One possibilities might be they've used teleportation magic, or another possibilities is they've used some kind of magic to erase their trail.
Whatever it is, I'm started to feel Mr.Jim is somehow alive.
And another thing was the location were I've sensed strong presence earlier.
When I got there in hope of some clues or survivors but all I got was Magical Beasts in groups and nothing more...
But this last location had Goblins and Orcs, and from the things I've known so far about this land is; their habitat was at the North Side on, Demon Lord, Ruiyuko's territory the 'Land Of Demons'.
It was a rare sight to see them around this side of the land.
And if truth to be told then, I'm pretty sure they got some answers for my questions.
I'll try without asking them, in other words, I'll observe them for a while and listen to their conversation, that way I might get some clues or some insight of what had happen at the Fortress.
.... I just don't wanna be part of upcoming war... I wanna live normal life...
However, I can already tell in upcoming years it won't happen, be it cause of my followers or of me.... but until then I wanna have peaceful life as much as possible....
「Tch... what a disappointment!」
「Yeah. It was just a cave after all, *Sigh*... but we've got what we came for so it's not that bad.」
「Yeah.」
They come back faster than I expected, and from their talks it seems it was just a cave.
And they are brining someo--!
(! Are you kidding me...?!) < Sub >
When they came out. One of the Goblins was dragging a kid who was girl by the hair and every part of her body was cover-up with mass of bruises and deep cuts....
Even her face was all beaten up to the point even her face was unrecognizable
She was barely alive.... I'm speechless....
「Hey guys, why does even, Tia-sama, want this failure like her?」
「I guess, she was the favorite toy of, Tia-sama.」
「This one, huh, heh.」
Goblins and Orcs chuckled while looking at the Kid.
「...Ple....ase....」
When everyone was laughing at her, she rose her hand up and tired to speak in her weak voice.
「Hm? Hey brat, what do you think you're doing?」
The Goblin who was grabbing her hair said with an exasperated face, and starts to kick her in abdomen several times.
「Hey, don't beat her up too much or else, Tia-sama, will get mad at us for breaking her toy!」
「..Oops, you're right. Ha Ha Ha Ha~!」
Tch... You know what, I don't need to hear their conversation anymore.
I'll just capture them all and hand over to, Mr.President, he can do anything to them.
I've got no interest in this matter, after all.
(Let's see... I guess, I'll take take out the Orcs first.) < Sub >
Orcs got thick body so I have to hit their pinpoints with a little bit more pressure than usual, and as for Goblins they aren't that strong compare to Orcs so it won't be much of a problem.
And since I've won a race against, Jyoti, who was the pure-embodiment of light itself. I'm pretty sure that my momentum speed is equal to speed of light, I guess....
Anyway.
*Inhale*.....*Exhale*.....
Let's go...!
I came down from the branch and went straight to hit their pinpoints without any warning.
I was running fast enough that naked eyes won't even see me.
I hit everyone's pinpoints more than 5 times under 3 seconds.
After doing that, I stood in front of the Goblins who was grabbing her hair.
「Can you let her go?」< Sub >
「?!! How did you--!!」
The moment when he was about to say something with a shock face, he along with his allies all fell down on the ground at once.
It was about time the effects show up.
After that, I kneel my one knee and slowly raise the kid head with one hand and took out healing potions from another.
「Hey you, Masked Brat!! What did you do to us?!」
「Here, drink this. It's a potion.」< Sub >
Goblins were screaming at me with rage nonstop but I just ignore them and kept giving potions to the Kid.
But I only have 5 potions right now and it' still not enough to fully recover her.... I need to head back to my house and tell Kitsune to heal her.
And since cause of the potions, her state was a little bit stable from before.
Now then, it's time to capture them and hand over to Mr.President.
After I lay the kid back on the ground, I started to stand up and while at it I took out the rope from my pouch.
It took me about a minute to place them all in one place and tied them up.
When I finished tying them up and looked at them, they all were in turmoil or perplex state unable to react what just happen to them in mere minute.
「!? W-What just happened?!」
「Y-You mask brat! I don't know what type of trick you've used just now, but know this, soon enough our lord, Lord Ruiyuko, will rule over this land and bring misery to you all puny humans!」
Yep, definitely don't care.
「Just so you know, this isn't ordinary rope. It will get tighten more if someone tries to break free.」< Sub >
「H-Hey, don't ignore my words, you brat!!」
Without even looking at them I grab the rope ends, and with another arm I hold the Kid with care, and teleported to ruins of Fortress.
「! Lord Sub, yo--?」< Rekha >
「No time to explain. For now just grab onto me, we're leaving.」< Sub >
「Y-Yes!」
When I got there, Rekha was running towards me but stop at her track after seeing me up close.
After nodding to my words, she puts her arms around my waist tightly.
(T-This is now getting more awkward...) < Sub >
...Can you just grab to my cloth or something...? Why do you have put your arms around me...?
Anyway, I'll just tell her next time.....
In a blink of an eye, scenery around us change instantly, and we were at the back of my house.
I don't wanna let these captives to know about my house...
「Rekha, take this kid with you into the house and tell, Kitsune, to tend her wounds. I'll be back to take you with me so make sure you've prepared all the reports.」< Sub >
「Understood!」
She gave me a deep bow and turns to leave with the kid in her arms.
And I wonder if this is enough to get Access Card from Mr.President or not....
Anyway.
I should now teleport to the city.
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I hope you enjoy it and sorry for my bad grammar and I hope it's understandable.
I'm trying my best to improve and if you find some mistakes or anything like that, then let me know on the comments.
Peace:)