Chapter 40: Chapter 40: Come With Me
"Don’t worry, I mean no harm."
"Viscount Eagle Wing has already been killed by me, you are free now."
David stopped in his tracks, gently reassuring.
Upon hearing his words, the Fox Girl trembled, slowly moving the tail that covered her body.
Soon, a young-looking face appeared, tears hanging from the corners of her eyes, filled with fear and unease.
Seeing that the newcomer was indeed not Viscount Eagle Wing, the Little Fox Girl seemed a bit relieved, hugging her knees, silently crying.
David didn’t know what to say for a moment.
He first used his sword to cut the shackles off the Little Fox Girl, took off his cloak to cover her, and then handed her some food, letting her eat first.
Time passed little by little.
The Little Fox Girl finally calmed down, looking at David with vigilance still in her eyes but with less hostility, sensing the kindness of the person in front of her.
"Thank you." The Little Fox Girl spoke, her voice very soft.
Hearing the Little Fox Girl speak, David was a bit surprised.
He had been guessing whether the Little Fox Girl was human or a demon, and now that she could speak human language, he leaned more toward her being human.
David thought for a moment and asked, "Are you human?"
The Little Fox Girl, upon hearing, showed a moment of confusion, shook her head and said, "I don’t know if I still am."
Still?
David caught the key point, his eyes flickering, "You were human before?"
The Little Fox Girl nodded, "Yes, I used to be an ordinary person, but not long ago, I suddenly grew fox characteristics."
Her eyes showed memories, a trace of pain appeared on her face.
After transforming into a beastman, she was discovered and then captured as a witch.
However, Viscount Eagle Wing did not hand her over to the Church, but imprisoned her in this secret chamber until David’s arrival.
Her voice was low, filled with fear.
Wizards are people cursed by Devils, marked as ominous.
But she did not notice that the Frost Wolf Lord’s eyes suddenly lit up.
David had been searching for traces of wizards, and he didn’t expect to encounter a witch here in Frost Wolf Ridge.
Though only a witch who had awakened Wizard Power, not one who truly mastered the wizard’s legacy, she still allowed him to glimpse a corner of the wizard’s mystery.
"What are your plans from here on?" David asked.
Upon hearing this, the Little Fox Girl showed confusion, she didn’t know what to do next.
In this vast world, there was truly no place for wizards, and if discovered by the Church, all that awaited her was death.
However.
Sometimes, death indeed feels like a release.
"If you have nowhere to go, then come with me." David offered.
The Little Fox Girl suddenly lifted her head, her eyes fixed on the young lord before her.
Lighthearted, confused, doubtful...
Various complex emotions flashed through her eyes.
Doesn’t this young lord fear the Church’s retribution?
Or perhaps, like Viscount Eagle Wing, does he intend to imprison her?
Just as she wondered, she suddenly noticed the room temperature drop rapidly, and in the young lord’s hand appeared an Ice Cone.
"Are you also a wizard?" The Little Fox Girl suddenly widened her eyes.
This kind of mastery over the Power of Ice, in her understanding, could only be wielded by a wizard.
"Ah, I suppose you could say that."
David smiled slightly, offering no further explanation.
The Little Fox Girl’s eyes finally showed a glimmer of hope, perhaps garnering a bit more motivation for survival. She nodded firmly, "I’ll go with you."
She had previously thought that if she couldn’t survive, she’d use death to end her nightmare life, feeling as though she had nothing left to fear.
But looking at the lord before her, she felt that even a wizard could live like a normal person, and even like a lord, live freely.
David nodded, and after leaving the chamber, found a hat and some loose new clothes to help the Little Fox Girl cover her fox ears and tail.
It had been a long time since the Little Fox Girl had seen the sunlight.
She had clearly intended to die, having decided to give up even life itself, what else could she possibly miss in this world?
But at the moment she saw the sunlight, tears uncontrollably welled up in her eyes, as there were indeed small beautiful things in this world worth cherishing.
She glanced at the person before her who had allowed her to see the sunlight once again, steadfastly stepping forward and quietly followed his pace.
The two walked one after the other, the sunlight shining down, causing their shadows to overlap.
Then, she found herself arriving at that familiar plaza.
Surrounded by many people, some familiar faces among them, she involuntarily tensed, afraid of being recognized, just like before when she was dragged to the lord’s castle as a monster.
Thankfully, the hat was covering her face thoroughly, giving her a small sense of security.
Of course, most of her sense of security still came from the tall figure before her, as long as she followed his footsteps, she comforted herself inwardly.
"Once the trial is over, we’ll head back to Frost Wolf Ridge."
David suddenly said.
Trial?
The Little Fox Girl was somewhat puzzled.
But shortly after, she saw the person tied to the stake in the plaza.
Viscount Eagle Wing!
She actually saw Viscount Eagle Wing here, the one who was already dead!
And besides Viscount Eagle Wing, all members of the Eagle Wing Clan were bound to the stake without exception!
At this moment, she was completely stunned.
"Let’s move."
Seeing the Little Fox Girl stunned, David reminded her.
Then, he directly walked toward the giant stone seat in the plaza, sitting down upon it.
The Little Fox Girl quietly followed, standing beside the stone seat, her eyes staring fixedly at the already deceased Viscount Eagle Wing.
"Lord Duke, all the main members of the Eagle Wing Clan are here."
"Some collateral branches with the Eagle Wing Clan’s blood are fleeing; someone has already taken the Gray Wolf to pursue them, they definitely won’t escape Eagle Wing Castle."
"Moreover, those officials loyal to the Eagle Wing Clan have also been detained in prison."
The official named Mohan dutifully reported the situation.
"Thank you for your hard work, let the trial begin." David nodded.
As the trial commenced, one by one, the crimes of the Eagle Wing Clan were disclosed.
The heaviest charge was, of course, the betrayal of the Lord, which alone was enough to doom the Eagle Wing Clan.
But the Eagle Wing Clan’s other crimes were indeed numerous, many of which involved the common people.
This could further weaken the Eagle Wing Clan’s reputation in Eagle Wing Castle and assist Frost Wolf Ridge in better taking over Eagle Wing Castle.
Ultimately, amidst the roars and pleas of the Eagle Wing Clan members, the purifying flames roared high, consuming all of the Eagle Wing Clan.
The Little Fox Girl watched silently, a tear rolling down from the corner of her eye.
It’s over.
Let this flame turn all of her nightmares to ashes...