Chapter 492 – 492. The Past of the Fox (3)
At Ortas’ recommendation, the nine-tailed fox, which lifted the barrier and came out, stared blankly at the sky.
“…”
Perhaps it was because he had gone into hibernation and was only concentrating on recovering his strength, but he did not feel that a long time had passed since he had been out for the first time in a very long time.
“… A lot has changed.”
However, the scenery outside that came into my eyes was so unfamiliar.
His own shrine was in the center of a forest full of green nature.
The refreshing sound of water coming from a huge waterfall and the rich scenery of nature disappeared, and the dark swampy area was formed here, which was very quiet.
There is a saying that even the mountains and rivers change after 10 years of time. When the nine-tailed fox saw this scenery in front of his eyes, he could not fathom how much time had passed since he fell asleep.
“I will guide you to where I live.”
Ortas, who was able to obtain the cooperation of the gumiho, explained his future plan to the gumiho.
First, he will acquire her identity, enlist her in the army and use her hand so that she can act as his partner, and like himself, he will belong to the scouting party and carry out the mission of subduing the demons on the front line. After hearing the explanation, the gumiho tilted her head.
“Is it easy for outsiders who have no connection with the army to join?”
It was created to protect the people of the kingdom, but could it be so easy to accept an outsider from a foreign land who could be a spy?
“Are you familiar with human society?”
“You know, you know.”
In the first place, a nine-tailed fox is a being with the characteristic of absorbing not only mana from nature, but also stamina from people and accumulating demon power.
There is no way that he is ignorant of the habits and society of the people he is targeting.
“As for that part, as I said earlier, I’m going to use my hand.”
“Do you have a high position in the military?”
“Not low. At least it’s enough to guarantee the identity of an acquaintance who will accompany you.”
Ortas was known as a skilled ace even within the Kingdom Scouting Corps to which he belonged, and had a position of his own.
It was not that difficult to somehow gloss over the nine-tailed fox’s identity.
At least, if the conditions are met when she is in the form of an ordinary human woman.
“More than that… Could she possibly change that look?”
“Hmm? Oh, that’s right.”
The gumiho made an understanding expression after seeing his behavior.
Aside from the fox ears that clearly show the characteristics of a beast-man, the silvery-white, plentiful nine tails swaying behind her are too conspicuous.
Seeing the hair turning black as if water were receding and the tail disappearing without a shape, Ortas showed a surprised expression.
The appearance of a nine-tailed fox now is that of a human woman.
“…”
But when he took a peek at the off-the-shoulder top that exposed the skin of her shoulders, he took off her own outerwear and placed it over her shoulder.
“Hmm?”
“Kh, hmm…”
Seeing Ortas coughing awkwardly and avoiding his gaze, the gumiho read his inner feelings and smiled.
The spirit energy flowing from her body is a special power that has the quality of fascination to touch the emotions of the other person.
It is really not easy to endure the emotion that exists in the heart, especially for a young man of a strong age.
The reason why he is evasive and forcibly tries to hide his true feelings even though he is strongly aware of his bare skin is because he values cooperation more than the object of his desire.
The nine-tailed fox helps her subjugate the beast, and Ortas pays her back for it, giving her high-quality magical powers. His efforts to keep her private feelings aside as much as possible seem pretty cute. .
The nine-tailed fox was interested in the reaction and treatment different from other human men who had been fascinated by this spirit and looked at him with vulgar eyes.
‘It wouldn’t be bad to hang out with them for a bit of entertainment.’
The reason why the nine-tailed fox accepted Ortas’ proposal was not only because he coveted the high-quality magical power he possessed, but also because he was interested in the individual person named Ortas.
Afterwards, the nine-tailed fox was able to hide his identity and enlist in the Kingdom Army thanks to Ortas’ consideration and preparation, and with Ortas’ recommendation, working together as his partner, he was able to overcome the threat of many beasts.
It is a very natural result that after about 5 years, he has accumulated many achievements and is running the path of success in the military.
However, even though Ortas was treated as a hero and his status and reputation increased as time passed, he did not stop working on the frontlines.
“Why are you doing this?”
The gumiho suddenly became curious and asked.
Come to think of it, Ortas was like that from the beginning.
More than his personal feelings and desires, he places more importance on the mission of subjugating the Witchbeast as a soldier, and is still faithfully carrying out that mission even after five years have passed.
No matter how much he possesses magical power superior to that of an ordinary human, and even if he has a young body, the more he overuses his body and the more wounds he receives on the frontlines, the more easily his body will break.
Ortas, who was treated as a hero for his overwhelming achievements even within the military, was also following the same path.
Fighting on the front lines, Ortas’ body was getting more and more senile and was eating away at his life.
That is why the gumiho asked.
Why did he continue to insist on fighting at the cost of his own life?
Ortas answered the nine-tailed fox’s question with a wry smile.
“Because I want to protect people.”
That’s it.
If this wire is breached, it is certain that the civilians behind it will helplessly have their limbs ripped apart by the beasts’ teeth and lose their lives.
The war with the Witchbeasts was still going on even after 5 years had passed.
Many soldiers died and the number of replenished troops decreased day by day.
At this rate, it is only a matter of time before the wires break through.
Even the army and the leaders of the kingdom decided that this war was hopeless, and the situation was even more gloomy, abandoning the capital and even fleeing.
Supply was cut off, and more reinforcements could not be expected.
In the battle between the Kingdom Army and the Witchbeasts, the victory of the Witchbeasts was almost certain.
However, the reason why Ortas couldn’t get out of the front line and is still leading the subjugation of the Demonic Beasts is to save even one more person.
Not only that, but all the remaining soldiers on the frontlines remained in sympathy with Ortas’ will, feeling their own deaths.
It was because he couldn’t bear to endure the situation in which many lives would be trampled on, crushed, and bitten mercilessly by the demons, which might happen afterwards.
So I wanted to keep it.
“Miho. The promise between you and me is now over.”
“…”
Ortas said goodbye to the nine-tailed fox with a wry smile.
His overworked body no longer had the quality magic to provide to the nine-tailed fox.
As time passed, it meant that the body, which was gradually drying up, continued to deteriorate, and the high-quality magic power that circulated within the body was gradually decreasing.
He was gradually feeling his end little by little.
“It was fun.”
Hearing Ortas’ sincere goodbye, the nine-tailed fox frowned as if he didn’t like it.
He was angry that he had decided to say goodbye to himself and to lead his senile body to fight and die in this place.
He had been fighting together for more than five years, and he suddenly tried to say goodbye to himself.
“… Whoever wants to.”
The nine-tailed fox, who must have grown fond of him now, harbored some indescribable feelings, at least had no intention of letting him go this way.
I went closer to Ortas and put my hand on his chest, and the nine-tailed fox released the spirit force and blew it into his body.
As a concept opposite to the nine-tailed fox’s unique ability, ‘energy drain’, good quality magic was injected into his body.
“Mi-Miho!?”
Confused for a while, Ortas checked his own body, surprised by the changes taking place inside his body.
The mighty magic power that had been lost was circulating through the body, returning the body, which had gradually deteriorated, to its original healthy state.
“This…”
Receiving Ortas’ gaze with a fish-eyed expression, the gumiho opened his mouth with a puzzled expression.
“I have no intention of breaking my promise yet. Live. Continue… Live on and keep your promise to me.”
“…”
Even if he revived himself by consuming his mana in this way, would it really have any meaning?
Ortas quickly realized that the nine-tailed fox’s words were merely an excuse and an excuse to restore his physical condition.
“Miho… You can’t be honest.”
“Joy.”
“Thank you.”
Even though he was not honest, he expressed his pure gratitude for the warm consideration of the gumiho who saved him.
Ortas, who had recovered his senile body, returned to the front line with the nine-tailed fox and desperately defended the front line while subjugating the monsters.
The war against the Witchbeast, which they thought would never survive, was miraculously decided by the Kingdom Army’s victory.
However, just because the war is over does not mean that peace will come immediately.
The devastated land, the reduced population, and the deserted leaders who fled lost their function as a nation.
“Miho. I intend to build a country.”
Ortas was determined to establish a new country on this land that the royal family and leaders had abandoned and fled to.
“A country where many people can live happily and smile.”
Fortunately, there were many people who remembered him as a hero during this war, and they came together to appoint him as the king.
The country Ortas wants is very simple.
“I will create a country where my people are safe from the dangers of demons and beasts, and my people meet the right life and end it.”
It is the long-awaited desire that Ortas harbored in his heart after seeing the people who had suffered from the threat of demon beasts and were in anxiety.
A country that is no longer plagued by monsters, and ends with a natural life in peace.
“It will probably be a very difficult road. Still…”
Ortas stared at the nine-tailed fox and smiled awkwardly.
“I think I can do it with you.”
“… Joy.”
At his direct words, the gumiho averted his gaze and snorted.
However, his way of speaking didn’t make me feel so bad.
The hand he carefully reached out to himself even looked like it overlapped with the situation five years ago when he first came to his shrine and asked for help.
“In the future… Can you stay with me for the rest of your life?”
The nine-tailed fox met the eyes of Ortas, who was staring straight at him.
It wasn’t too difficult for him to notice that Ortas was nervous without having to read his emotions.
This was the gambler of Ortas, who threw himself with a curious mind to the favor of the nine-tailed fox, who had resurrected his body.
Just as he was swallowing his saliva, imagining what he would do if the gumiho refused and left his side, the gumiho finally opened his mouth.
“… Okay.”
The choice to be with humans, which he himself had never imagined for an unfathomable amount of time, is an option he would never have chosen if he had been a nine-tailed fox before.
Despite making a foolish choice driven by this still undefinable emotion, the nine-tailed fox felt not so bad.
Hearing the nine-tailed fox’s consent, Ortas laughed and spoke again.
“We ask well.”
This is the starting point of the founding of a new country, Pernias.
