Chapter 71 FoxZone, It's The BEST!

Jack awoke to the smell of burnt cereals.

"You're finally awake!"

The Flame Lord stood by his bed, dozens of worried fox faces next to him. For an instant, he felt lost. He had been at the Masquerade and then… AH?!

Even now, he still remembered the Water Lord's intimidating aura, the way he had looked at him as if about to tear him to pieces, and then… he had lost consciousness?

"It seems you tired yourself at the Masquerade, but the foxes brought you back home. Isn't it nice of them!"

The Flame Lord kept talking about random things, but he kept sensing her Mana scan him gently, looking for irregularities. This meant his state had been STRANGE!

Jack played the happy baby, reassuring her until she left. But as soon as she was gone, he instantly jumped on his bed… Holy Shit! The "Dream" had been 100% REAL!

Even now, he could see the marks the Water Lord's Magic left as the foxes had torn it apart. Somehow, he had managed to take over the body of one of his foxes?!

This was awesome, but so freaking SCARY! Sure, he had avoided the worst, but he had lost his sense of self for an instant. Also, the Water Lord definitely had suspicions too.

"You all, did the Water Lord's Nephew say anything?"

"Woo!" (We haven't heard anything!)

"What about the Masquerade?"

Jack slowly asked about the events. It seemed like the attack had remained hidden, only the Dawn Lords knowing about it. Also, the Flame Lord had stuck to the "Henderson's" plan.

She had successfully found allies for "her" new business venture and even took measures to lower how "menacing" she could look to the rest of Dawn City.

"Good. With this, we'll be able to develop." Jack remarked.

As for why he had done all this? He had to strengthen the Flame Mansion if he wanted it to support his ideal easygoing life, the first start being propping it financially.

Still, the future sure was worrying.

"Terrorist Fox!"

"Woo!" (Here!)

"Investigate the Underground! Also, send the Flame Lord an anonymous tip about the true culprits of yesterday's events. Then we'll start rumors about everyone that attended…."

The foxes listened intently to their Master's wise words, not understanding any of it! But seeing their perplexed expressions, Jack smiled as he explained in simpler terms.

"Whoever spoke well of us during the Masquerade will be fine."

"But all those backstabbing bitches talking in our back?"

He made a thumbs down, his meaning obvious. He'd show them how it felt to mess with them! This counted double for the hypocritical ones showing smiles only to their faces!

"Now, bring me my Minister of Development!" Jack ordered with a grin.

.

.

.

Back at the Henderson's Estate.

"Humph! Pointing fingers at my sweet Aisha?! Is that Divination Master mad?! First, he bullshits the Thunder Lord with a fake prophecy, and now he's trying to mess with us?!"

The Henderson Patriarch was livid with rage. This much was to be expected, given the news he had just received. Somehow, the man had accused his daughter of baiting him! As if!

"Scoff, he sure screwed up! Trying to bring us into his mess? We have eyewitnesses placing her at a martial showcase by the Roc Family! Now, the Thunder Lord's hunting the liar!"

Amidst her father's laughter, Aisha couldn't help but inwardly sweat. She HAD, in fact, baited that poor Divination Master, all because he had somehow angered her Mentor.

But just as she was getting increasingly uncomfortable, a messenger suddenly crashed through an open window, going "WOO!" as it landed smack on their kitchen table!

On the cylinder on its back was written: EXPRESS DELIVERY! Seeing this invasion, the Patriarch started trembling… with joy! "If it isn't Mister Fox!" He exclaimed, smiling.

To him, those foxes had become akin to good luck charms. Every time they crashed through a window, a chimney, or got lost in his garden… they'd bring WISDOM!

"Hehe, I wonder what amazing plan the Flame Lord has for us today!" He chuckled, rubbing his hands together. Then he picked opened the message carefully as if a treasure.

Once again, Aisha didn't know how to feel. Her dad showing such respect to the words written by a baby… was it hilarious or sad?! But before she could decide…

"Aisha! Good news, you'll be Teaching Jack today! Make sure you do a good job. After all, he'll be one of our trading partners once he grows up!" He was already waving her goodbye.

"S-sure, I'll t-teach him well…." She left with a forced smile, one that she kept all the way to her destination, even as a playful one eagerly guided her inside.

He stood there, awaiting her.

"Disciple, you made it!" His assured figure was such a clash with his frail body. Even now, she couldn't get used to it. But, as usual, her shock didn't prevent him from continuing.

"Good, time to unveil my newest project! I told you about the business I wanted to launch, right? Well, I've finally decided: we'll create a delivery service!"

"W-what?! T-that… wouldn't be profitable…." Aisha couldn't help but shake her head, doubtful. Was he jesting or perhaps testing her?

"Hehe, you see, everything is in the quality and the range of services! We'll deliver everything from goods to humans and even merchant caravans!" He beamed.

"W-wouldn't that be a mercenary company with extra steps?" She raised a brow, confused. What was even the point of that? This wasn't much of a business!

"No, no, no! Of course not! We'll deliver inside the City, outside the City, and even in the Wild! We'll do it may it be food or artifacts; heck, we'll even deliver potion refills to Adventurers!"

"T-that'd be insane! There's no way we'd ever make a profit!"

"You think so? At first, we won't, or barely, but just envision it. A world where you can order anything in existence with a simple C̶l̶i̶c̶k̶ — request!"

"Wouldn't there be lots of fighting?! What about encountering robbers and monsters?! What then!" She grimaced.

"We FIGHT!— Not to death obviously, but still." Jack chuckled.

"Who would even sign up for such a thing?!" She protested.

It didn't have the excitement of the Mercenary Life, yet there was WAY too much excitement for the regular folks. But that's when the entire room came alive:

"Woo!" (Me!)

"Woo!" (Me! I'm faster!)

"Woo!" (Me! I'll leave now!)

The foxes were already fighting for the opportunity. Missions? HEADPATS! Fighting?! MORE HEADPATS! Their legs were already itching to go!

Aisha gasped with a realization:

"Y-You, you're planning a Fiery-Fox Based business?!"

"Bingo, we'll even save on the uniforms! Now, let me tell you about FoxZone, the BEST delivery service!"