Chapter 40: Come With Me

"Don't worry, I mean you no harm," David said softly, stopping a few steps away. "Viscount Eagle Wing is dead. You're free now."

The fox girl's body trembled at his words, and her tail slowly unfurled, revealing her tear-streaked, youthful face. Her wide, fearful eyes scanned David's expression, and seeing no hostility, she curled into herself and sobbed silently.

David hesitated, unsure of how to comfort her.

He unsheathed his sword and carefully broke the shackles binding her. Then, removing his cloak, he draped it over her shoulders before handing her some rations.

Time passed in silence.

The fox girl eventually calmed down. Though her gaze toward David was still cautious, the hostility in her eyes had faded. She seemed to sense his kindness.

"Thank you," she whispered timidly.

David was taken aback to hear her speak.

He had wondered whether she was human or some kind of magical creature. Hearing her speak a human language made him lean toward the former.

"Are you… human?" he asked after a moment's thought.

The fox girl looked confused for a moment, then shook her head. "I'm not sure if I am anymore."

"Anymore?" David caught the subtle implication. "You used to be human?"

She nodded. "Yes, I was just an ordinary person, but not long ago… I suddenly developed these fox traits."

Pain clouded her expression as she recalled her transformation.

Once her new features manifested, she had been discovered and labeled a witch.

The church didn't intervene immediately. Instead, she was captured by Viscount Eagle Wing and imprisoned in this dungeon. Her voice trembled with fear as she spoke.

To most, witches were cursed beings, harbingers of misfortune.

David, however, saw an opportunity. His eyes lit up.

He had been searching for any trace of witches, and now, unexpectedly, one had appeared right before him.

Though she wasn't a fully realized witch, her awakened abilities could offer a glimpse into the mystical world he sought.

"What are your plans now?" David asked gently.

The fox girl's expression turned blank. She had no idea where to go.

In this vast world, there was no safe haven for witches. If the church discovered her, execution was inevitable.

In some ways, she thought, death might be a relief.

"If you have nowhere to go, come with me," David offered.

The fox girl's head snapped up, her gaze locking onto his.

Doubt, confusion, and suspicion flickered in her eyes.

This young lord—was he not afraid of the church's wrath? Or was he planning to imprison her like the viscount had?

As these thoughts swirled in her mind, she noticed the room's temperature drop sharply. Frost began to form as David raised his hand, conjuring an icicle.

"You… You're a witch too?" she asked, her eyes wide with shock.

In her understanding, only witches could wield elemental powers like this.

"I suppose you could say that," David replied with a small smile, offering no further explanation.

For the first time, the fox girl's expression softened with hope. She nodded firmly. "I'll go with you."

Her resolve solidified. She had been ready to end her life, but now, seeing this man who wielded such power and lived freely, she realized that maybe—just maybe—she too could find a way to live.

David nodded and left the dungeon, fetching a wide-brimmed hat and loose-fitting clothes to hide her ears and tail.

When the fox girl emerged from the dark chamber into the sunlight, tears streamed down her face.

She had convinced herself there was nothing left in the world worth holding on to. But in that moment, she realized there was still beauty to be found.

Her gaze shifted to the man who had given her this chance at life. Steeling herself, she followed closely behind him.

As they walked through the fortress, sunlight cast their shadows together.

Soon, they reached the central plaza.

The square was crowded with people, many of whom the fox girl recognized. Her body tensed, fearing she would be identified and treated like a monster again.

She lowered her head, thankful for the hat that obscured her features. But most of all, she drew comfort from the figure walking confidently ahead of her.

"Once the trials are over, we'll return to Frost Wolf Ridge," David said, breaking the silence.

"Trials?" the fox girl asked, puzzled.

She soon got her answer.

In the center of the plaza stood several people bound to stakes, including the lifeless body of Viscount Eagle Wing.

The fox girl froze in shock.

Not only was the viscount there, but every member of the Eagle Wing family, down to the most distant relatives, was tied to the stakes.

"Come on," David said, snapping her out of her daze.

He ascended a stone platform overlooking the plaza and took a seat on a grand chair, motioning for the fox girl to stand beside him.

"Lord David," a steward named Mohan began, "all primary members of the Eagle Wing family are here. The remaining distant relatives are being pursued by the Gray Wolves—they won't escape the fortress.

"Additionally, all officials loyal to the Eagle Wing family have been imprisoned in the dungeon."

David nodded. "Good work. Let the trials begin."

The trials commenced, with the Eagle Wing family's numerous crimes read aloud for all to hear.

The most damning charge was, of course, their betrayal of their liege lord—a crime punishable by the complete eradication of their lineage.

However, their other offenses—many involving heinous acts against commoners—were also laid bare, further tarnishing their reputation.

This public shaming would help ease the transition of Eagle Wing Fortress into Frost Wolf hands.

Finally, amidst the screams and pleas of the condemned, purging flames roared to life, consuming every member of the Eagle Wing family.

The fox girl watched silently, a single

tear rolling down her cheek.

It was over.

She whispered to herself, "Let these flames burn away my nightmares too."

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