93 - The Freed S*aves Became Obsessed

Karami stretched his neck stiff and looked up at the sky. The arrival of a god had brought about a catastrophe as a staging effect. For such a mystical creature to appear in broad daylight, unafraid of prying eyes, showcased immense confidence. This entity was known as the Twelve Noon Beast. Like the fallen monk, it was one of the great monsters sent to subdue Rin, summoned by her misfortunes as decreed by heavenly mandate. After the monk failed his mission, the Twelve Noon Beast had taken over and arrived here. As its name suggests, it emanates from the zodiac we know, specifically representing the horse (午) out of the twelve animals. It perfectly complements the beastly theme of the land of Bastia. The emergence of a specific animal is random. The most formidable adversary is the Dragon (辰), while others are roughly comparable, making the Twelve Noon Beast a tolerable opponent. ‘I didn't expect it to appear now of all times.’ In the midst of a standoff with Hilde, the Twelve Noon Beast emerged suddenly. This disaster-equivalent creature had the ordinary citizens cowering and trembling in fright. The danger was so palpable that the leisure vanished from Hilde's expression. “Cluck. That has surpassed mere misfortune.” Karami wholeheartedly agreed. If that colossal entity were termed misfortune, then getting hit by bird droppings from the sky wouldn't even qualify. “Indeed, even if Rin is a Red Fox, it's not like she'd summon such a monster. It’s not our Rin's fault.” “If she were a Nine-tale Fox, the story would change.” “That’s true.” With the consensus seemingly certain that Rin was a Nine-tale Fox, Karami stopped refuting it. Even if he did, he doubted anyone would believe otherwise. Fortunately, Hilde was too preoccupied with other matters to solely focus on Rin. Hilde felt the heat raging in her head. With recent events, she was convinced that what they assumed was a Red Fox was, in fact, not. She recognized her as a Nine-tale Fox. Yuhwa, that cunning old fox, had cloaked the truth by pretending allyship. She had come to hunt the Nine-tale Fox before things became irreversible, and now the Twelve Noon Beast also appeared. Handling just one was overwhelming, but facing two colossal creatures was staggering. Could the kingdom's full might even stop this? Bastia seemed on the brink of fading into history, reverting to an era dominated by beasts. While Hilde glared at the Twelve Noon Beast, it paid her no heed, directing its focus solely at Rin. "Nine-tale Fox, I harbor no personal grudge, yet cannot defy the heavens' mandate." “What’re you babbling about?” Rin retorted with a sneer, igniting flames around her as she prepared for battle. A three-way clash. The tension gripped the air, poised on the brink of an explosive confrontation. Whuuush! Suddenly, a whirlwind blew from somewhere, causing items to tumble wildly as people shielded their faces with their arms. The ominous clouds seemed to be sucked away into the sky, vanishing. “It seems this place has become a hub for mystical creatures.” Lightly landing on the rooftop like a feather, there stood a fox wearing a hat with a veil obscuring recognition. Ordinary citizens struggled even to perceive her, but those knowledgeable of her identity recognized her instantly. It was Yuhwa, the Sky Fox. “Yuhwa…!” Hilde glared at Yuhwa with fiery eyes. Yuhwa responded with a gentle nod, displaying minimal courtesy. “Sky Fox, why do you defy the heavenly mandate?” It was the Twelve Noon Beast. The limitation of the Nine-tale Fox traditionally falls under the responsibilities of the Sky Fox. Yet, all it offered was a glance, even with the Nine-tale Fox nearby. Defying the will of the heavens. “Step aside. If you won't act, I shall do so in your stead.” “That won't be possible. If you spirits rampage here, innocent citizens will suffer. Protecting the innocent’s destiny is, in fact, the role of the Sky Fox.” “Had you subdued the Nine-tale Fox earlier, none of this would have transpired.” “This, too, is the flow of fate.” “…….” The Twelve Noon Beast scanned the ground. With two mythical foxes and Bastia’s soldiers, particularly considering the threatening aura Hilde exuded, a retreat seemed prudent. However. “I'll withdraw for now, but you should remember this well. Though I came alone this time, next time, other creatures will accompany me. It won’t just end in talk next time.” “Hm.” Engulfed in soaring flames, the Twelve Noon Beast vanished without a trace. Wary of a possible ambush, those confronting it remained vigilant, eyes fixed on the sky. Once Hilde sensed that the presence of the Twelve Noon Beast was entirely gone, she alternately glared at the two mystical foxes. Her face flushed in anger, she ground her teeth furiously. “These damn fox creatures dare mock me…!” “It's a misunderstanding, Princess.” “A misunderstanding? When a Nine-tale Fox is brazenly roaming the kingdom?!” “Please calm down, Princess. I'll escort you to the Celestial Pavilion.” Despite trying, Hilde couldn't quell her anger, her shoulders heaving with each breath as she eyed Rin and Karami as though she'd shoot laser beams from her eyes. Labeling them as if marking them. As if there was nowhere they could run. Finally, slamming her feet fiercely into the street, she marched off in the direction of the Celestial Pavilion. After a deep sigh, Yuhwa also cast a glance at Karami’s group before disappearing. The citizens, unable to grasp the situation, were in utter disarray. In the chaotic atmosphere, Karami quietly slipped away. After walking a significant distance to where the noise was no longer audible, he slowed his pace, lost in thought. First, about Hilde. ‘Now that she knows Rin is a Nine-tale Fox, she’ll come after her in earnest.’ Karami was uncertain about the conversation Yuhwa would have with Hilde, but he felt assured they wouldn’t team up to capture Rin. If that was the case, there was a fighting chance, in Karami’s opinion. The second issue was the Twelve Noon Beast. Fortunately, it wasn't a dragon, yet it wasn't an opponent to be taken lightly simply because it was a horse. The Twelve Zodiac Spirits, though a downgraded version of divine spirits, were quite formidable. Fortunately enough, when facing the Twelve Zodiac Spirits, there were elements that could be utilized for assistance against each specific entity. Karami even had data about this. The place Karami visited was the Grand Cathedral of Bastia. In this diverse cathedral of mixed races, one stood out peculiarly — a beastman priest named Iris. Iris, who displayed her sacred light to the fullest, had long, white hair that reflected light to emit a rainbow hue. But the most distinguishing feature was the long horn protruding from her forehead. She was a unicorn beastman. If the Twelve Noon Beast was an Eastern mythical horse, Iris was a Western mythical creature—a unicorn. Iris could bestow blessings, known as buffs, which provided extra damage against monster horses. However, such powerful effects couldn't be obtained through ordinary means or even with considerable donations. Only those chosen by Iris could receive her glorious blessing, and the minimum qualification was to maintain purity. Unicorns were notorious for their peculiar temperaments, yet they became unusually benevolent towards pure maidens. If both master and slave maintained purity, Iris would be so moved that she would grant her blessing. Setting aside the additional damage against horse monsters, even the basic enhancement effect was significant and frequently used when tackling tough dungeons or bosses. Yet, not many users could employ this. Most couldn't resist their desires and frequently engaged in intimate relations with their slaves. ‘But I'm different.’ Karami had never engaged in any sexual activity with a slave. Not even once. Even a succubus slave had never been completely liberated under his care. Karami cherished his slaves too much to ever lay a hand on them. How could he even think of doing such a thing? He was confident in this belief. “Ugh. Non-virgin stench. Get away from me.” Until Iris frowned at him as if looking at filth. The devastating insult from Iris, which was entirely unbecoming of a priest, left Karami utterly flabbergasted. “W-wait a minute. What are you saying? Where else would you find someone as kind and pure as me?” “You reek of dried bodily fluids, what nonsense. Guards, get rid of this filth immediately.” “Wait, hold on!” He wasn’t given a chance to explain or assess the situation. Karami was dragged out and expelled by the guards, left rolling on the ground outside the cathedral. Even sprawling flat on the ground, he couldn’t muster the energy to stand. Lying there, spread eagle, he ruminated over the words that had just been said. ‘Non-virgin... stench?’ Me? Someone who hasn’t even experienced the concept of sex? Karami swore to the gods that he had never done anything like that. But hearing Iris, who could discern purity, declare him filthy left no room for argument. There was only one conclusion he could reach from this. ‘Oh, Karami, you damn bastard!’ It wasn’t self-reproach. He was cursing the original owner of this body. The body Karami had possessed was tarnished from the start. He never stood a chance of being chosen by Iris. What an injustice this was. It wouldn’t feel so unfair if he’d at least enjoyed himself. As the despondent Karami lay in sorrow, Rin timidly approached him. “I'm sorry, Master. It's because of me...” Rin, blaming herself with a crestfallen expression, thought it was all due to her misfortune. Oh, such a sweet-hearted soul. Karami forced a smile and reassured her. “It’s fine. This has nothing to do with you, Rin.” What fault could she possibly have? It’s all because of this detestable rogue who led a dissolute and unrestrained life. Thanks to him, I'm stuck bearing the burden without any of the pleasures.