I’m a nine-tailed fox.
It’s been hundreds of years since I was born into this world.
I live freely.
There’s nothing that can bind me.
Or so I thought.
-0-
About a century ago, on a whim, I decided to bear a child.
Though this child was supposed to be a part of me, I didn’t feel any deep attachment.
However, I wasn’t cold-hearted enough to abandon the child outright.
Instead, I entrusted their care to a nearby human village, offering my divine protection as compensation.
It might be too generous of a reward.
From then on, visiting my child about once a year became a habit.
It was a bit troublesome, but it doesn’t feel bad.
Perhaps it helped that the village began worshiping both me and my child as deities.
-0-
But this year, things changed.
The village that had cared for my child… was gone.
In just one year?
Impossible.
What has become of my divine protection?
Was it shattered?
And what happened to my child!
When that dark, seething emotion began to well up from the depths of my heart.
Before I noticed it, I’m already fighting with the Immortal King.
-0-
The immortal king and I had a truce.
We were… familiar with each other, after all.
Though it seems he didn’t remember me.
Ah, but perhaps I was the one who had forgotten him.
Hahaha.
Not amusing.
-0-
We soon discovered that someone had abducted my child.
The Immortal King promised to get my child back so I returned to where the village once stood to wait.
…….
That once-thriving village had fallen so swiftly…
According to the Immortal King, it was the work of a so-called hero.
Ridiculous.
Unforgivable.
If they only sought to stir up the world, I could overlook it. But to shatter my divine protection, to harm those I’m protecting…
Even tearing them to eight pieces wouldn’t be enough.
I’ll make them suffer in eternal torment.
Ah, stop stop.
I must not let this darkness consume me.
Hurry, Immortal King.
I don’t know how much longer I can maintain my composure.
-0-
The Immortal King kept his promise.
Good.
Splendid.
My child, Hitoe.
Are you unharmed?
Were you frightened?
I see, I see.
It seems there are those who helped you.
Very well. I shall express my gratitude as well.
Immediately?
I would like to, but… the Immortal King is on the brink of dying.
He will not die because he’s immortal but if we push him more, it will take him a long time to recover.
Immortal King.
Take a rest until tomorrow.
Until then, I’ll protect you.
-0-
「You’ve protected my daughter, I wish to express my gratitude.」
Guided by the Immortal King, I arrived at a certain village.
This place… it is the Forest of Death.
Quite bold for someone to set their home in such a fearsome place.
The inhabitants… immortal, winged ones, horned beings, long-eared folk, and lizardmen—all formidable warriors.
They even keep horned wolves and giant spiders as pets.
How amusing.
But the most fearsome are the dragons.
The gatekeeper dragon….those times were only accidents.
I’ve accidentally beaten him several times already.
Hmm?
Nostalgic faces.
Those two devils.
Do they remember the chaos we wrought together?
Hahaha.
Back then, we destroyed a kingdom, didn’t we?
Or perhaps it was a continent we sank?
We did that much?
Ah yes, it was only half the continent.
Stop stop.
That was a long time ago and we’re at a banquet.
I want more of this delicious alcohol.
Another cup.
The food is good, but the alcohol is even better.
Ah, my child…
What? Playing with kittens, are you?
You like them?
Very well, do as you wish.
Excuse me, but I’ll have another drink.
Bring out your biggest bowl.
-0-
The feast continued, but like all things, it had to come to an end.
The Immortal King woke, and the time to part had come.
However, I cannot leave just yet.
If I leave now, it would seem I was merely entertained and did nothing in return.
I must repay the favor for the care given to my child.
I had thought I’d figure out something to do once I arrived, but the village is rather well-established.
Now that it has come to this, should I offer my divine protection?
But no, my protection was shattered by the hero.
Hero…..
What if I were to live here and protect them myself?
Yes, that’s not a bad idea.
When I shared this, the Immortal King suddenly pulled me aside.
What is this about?
Eh?
I’m misunderstanding something?
What do you mean?
That village chief?
Ehto….ah, you mean the guy who always plays with my child and the kittens?
I sense a little divine energy, but…
Isn’t he just an ordinary human?
「That’s your mistake. He’s stronger than you.」
「Ridiculous.」
「Oh really? Then let’s make a bet.」
「A bet?」
I would face off against the village chief. If I win, I am victorious.
If the chief wins, the Immortal King wins.
The winner gets to issue one command to the loser, no matter what.
Such foolishness.
The outcome is obvious.
……..
Why does the Immortal King look at me with such pity?
Could it be… is the village chief truly that strong?
……. I shouldn’t let my guard down.
I won’t underestimate him, but my instincts tell me I will be fine.
Fuh.
Let’s start this child’s play.
-0-
I stood about fifty meters from the village chief, facing him.
As expected, my instincts sense nothing.
If that is the case, then there will be no change no matter how much the distance is.
A weakling like him is someone I could kill in an instant.
And yet… the village chief seems reluctant to attack me.
It’s no surprise.
He is the type of person who can’t kill someone of the same race.
I appreciate that sentiment, but it makes him seem unreliable.
Still… this won’t work as a proper wager.
I return to my beast form.
That should make it easier for him to attack.
…
What the!
What in?
Suddenly, I’m filled with regret for even being here.
Fear.
My instinct is telling me to escape with everything I got.
Wh-what am I facing?
Isn’t he just a normal human?
This pressure…
And that spear…
Where did he pull it from?
N-No, don’t just stare!
Reinforce your defenses!
It’s a spear, so it’s a physical attack.
Eighteen layers of physical barriers.
I’ll take no chances.
For magical countermeasures, twenty-two layers of top-tier elemental shields.
Forty layers of multi-barrier defenses in total.
My strongest shield.
It can even withstand a dragon’s breath.
On top of that, I’m always surrounded by seven layers of universal barriers.
What do I have to fear?
Calm yourself.
Then go on the offensive.
I’ll unleash my most powerful—
The last thing I saw was the chief’s gaze lowering from my face to my feet.
I didn’t even have time to wonder why.
The spear thrown by village chief shattered my strongest shield and blew off my right foreleg.
W-What…
However, because I have magic accumulated in my tail, I was able to regenerate my blown off foot super fast.
Though the attack surprised me, it was foolish to throw your only weapon.
And you’ll regret not aiming for my head!
What I saw next was the village chief, already holding another spear.
…
By the way, how many spears can you spawn?
-0-
I lowered my head.
It’s probably the first time in my life I’ve ever done such a thing.
To beg for forgiveness.
No, no, I had no ill intentions towards the village.
I proposed that thinking about the village.
After all, I couldn’t possibly think of doing anything cruel to those who saved my child.
I swear it.
I also apologize if my words were poorly chosen.
I simply never imagined there would be someone so strong that they wouldn’t even need my protection.
Please, forgive my rudeness.
Immortal King, you too…
Come on, vouch for me.
The wager’s debt?
I know.
I haven’t forgotten.
That’s why I’m asking you…
-0-
In the end, the village chief is a reasonable man.
Fuh.
I returned to my human form and followed the Immortal King back to the village.
Really, I’m so sorry for… Areh?
What’s this?
What is this thread binding me?
I can’t cut it?
Eh?
No way….
I nearly screamed.
Wai, eh, wha, can’t?
The Spider Queen…
Moreover, she’s really angry.
***TN: As you all know, Zabuton is the only one with “queen” title, aside from a certain bee. Even Ursa and Potte were called king in some previous chapters.***
-0-
What happened after I was dragged into the dungeon beneath the village, I won’t speak of.
Just know I used up most of the magic stored in my tails and won’t be able to move for a while.
Oh, and pack of horned wolves.
Ah, don’t.
That’s cheating.
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