Chapter 118 118: True Intention

"A few months ago, the wolves seized the opportunity of the cold winter and ravaged our dwellings."

After she calmed down, the fox woman began to narrate their situation with the wolves. Azrael, Griffith, and I are currently listening to her story.

I also found out that she has a persuasive voice, that a man would believe whatever she says. As expected of a vixen.

"Due to the suddenness of the invasion, many of us were surprised and panicked. We were unprepared for battling on the snow, which caused us major damage. That includes my precious daughter."

"Kyuu…"

As soon as she stated that, she moved closer to the big little fox, who is her daughter, and gave her a warm embrace.

"That time, I was so occupied defending our settlement that I didn't notice that our home had fallen into ruin and my daughter went missing."

Her embrace to her daughter tightened, remembering the tragic things that happened that day. She almost lost her daughter, so it is plausible that she is being a tiger mother towards her daughter.

"I tried to follow her tracks to find out that she was being chased by wolves. I mercilessly killed them, but I cannot find a trace of my daughter anymore."

"Kyuu..."

"I desperately tried to find her, but I couldn't find her. I saw blood scattered at her last location, so I was worried for her safety. I want to find my daughter no matter what, but our settlement has been attacked by our enemies, so I prioritized my people first..."

It must be hard for a mother to lose her own child, but she chose her tribe first. I have great appreciation for people like her who choose their people over their own. She really is a true queen.

"The forces of the invading wolves were mighty and powerful. It seemed that they had exerted most of their numbers at that time. We were having a hard time defending ourselves since the wolves had the upper hand with their numbers..."

"..."

"We suffered a lot of injuries, and there were casualties as well. The conflict between the foxes and the wolves has been in stalemate for centuries, but they turned the tide that day."

"Excuse me, but was there a factor that turned the tables?"

I got curious and asked her about it. A long stalemate that had suddenly broken was too suspicious. There must be an element that has been added that turns the tables.

"Combined with their sheer number, they had a few Fenrirs included in their ranks, who are as powerful as Celestial Foxes. I am the only Celestial Fox in our territory after the death of my partner, the king..." she said the latter in a sad tone.

Wait, so there are beings that are as powerful as this fox lady? She's over level two thousand, you know? How can those disastrous creatures haven't heard of?

Aside from that, she apparently had a partner. One cannot conceive a child without a partner, so it does make sense. Unfortunately, he had passed away and left this MILF and their daughter widowed and fatherless, respectively.

I don't want to ask her about her partner any further because it might hurt her feelings. But from the gist of it, the wolves must have something to do with it.

As I am overthinking some thoughts, the MILF vixen continues...

"We lack in numbers and power, and we suffered multiple casualties. The wolves occupied our territory; we were driven out of our home and wandered in the cold forest..."

That was harsh. Not only did she lose her daughter, but her place to live as well.

"One day, while we were wandering around, I sensed my daughter's presence from afar. I immediately went straight towards her and found her safe and sound; not a taint of blood painted her fur."

Wait a minute...

"When I asked her what happened, she told me that she miraculously teleported herself at random while she was being played with by her pursuers. Someone found her and fully healed her injuries."

She probably could interact with her daughter if she conversed with her telepathically, like she did with me earlier. But that wasn't the matter I have been wondering about.

I have an idea of it, but I asked her for confirmation.

"Are you perhaps from the Southern Continent?"

"Oh my. How did you know?"

"Well, you told me that you had been attacked in the winter, but I found her under the blazing summer sun. That occurred when it happened in two different hemispheres."

The two hemispheres of this planet have their own seasons, which change occasionally. Since this planet is apparently tilted at the same angle as Earth (as verified by myself), the two hemispheres have the opposite seasons.

From that, I can conclude where the foxes are.

"I don't know what you are talking about, but you are right. We are indeed from the Southern Continent."

Actually, no one has yet to prove that the world is spherical since no one has ever set out on a long voyage to cross the ocean and discover continents or done the Columbus thingy.

But even without the discovery of the International Date Line, the clocks all over the world have been set depending on their latitude. It is because the dungeons in this world have clocks within them.

It is said to be found in the dungeon master's room, and they built a clock tower with hands like those in their room.

I myself had conducted an exploration of the world, but only with my Clairvoyances. My intangible visions had set out on their own journey around the world and discovered some sorts of stuff, but that was another story.

"So you have traveled from far away just to see me, huh? You really crossed intercontinentally."

"Verily, this is how I appreciate your aid in saving my daughter's life."

She bent her body and gave me a bow. From there, I can partially see the depths of her unlifted soft flesh, which are jiggling against her neckline.

Not only she, but the fox lowered her head as well. She is basically a child who is following her mother.

I did not waste that opportunity and filled my eyes with satisfaction. I honestly admitted that she was kind of hot, in human form. She's widowed, but...

"Thank you for your effort, but there's no need for a queen like you to lower yourself before me." I raised my hands and pleaded with her to stand up.

I wanted to look at them longer, but I remembered that she is absurdly more powerful than me. She could hit me once and send me to the other side in one shot. Better not to provoke her.

"If that's what our benefactor desired," both of them complied with my request and composed themselves.

"Okay." Once the atmosphere settled, I tried to continue our discussion. "So, you said that you have other intentions for coming here, right?"

"Well, actually, there was something that I heard from my daughter," she said, then glanced at the horizon—no, the plain. "She said you brought her into a vast, open area that was completely isolated from outside. Is this perhaps a dungeon?"

(So that's what she wants, huh?)

They have been wandering around, do not have a safe place to stay, and there is a possibility that they might get attacked by their enemies. They are currently seeking one thing...

"What if I say yes?" I seriously replied to her question with a question. "Are you perhaps going to settle here?"

They only need one thing: a safe place to stay. This area would be a perfect fit for their needs. They don't have a problem with the wolves since they are on a different continent.

(Now then, how would you react?)

The fox woman went silent for a short while. Then she gracefully closed her eyes and opened them in the same manner with a simple smile.

"I am truly surprised that you read my motives. You really are an amazing person."

Well, I just compiled your given situations with the functionality of a dungeon and was able to pick up an idea derived from it. And it was that amazing for you?

"Flattery won't work on me," I declared, then went back to our topic: "Let's get this straight, madam. Can you please tell me what is on your business here."

"Very well. To tell you the truth, we are currently seeking a safe place to live. When I heard from my daughter that she had been in a safe and secure place, somewhere far from our nemesis, a new kind of hope swirled inside me."

After she explained that, she respectfully offered me a bow. I folded my arms, then she continued.

"That is why I want you to do a favor for me. Will you allow us to stay in this place?"

She finally said it, revealing that she really wanted her people to stay somewhere safe, like this dungeon that my sister and I are planning to conquer.

I spent time thinking about her request; I cannot just adapt some stray cats—or foxes—on a whim. If I were to agree, how do I explain this to Sister once she comes back? And to mothers once we revealed the existence of this dungeon?

Like hell I would listen to her. My two mothers just usurped her position as my queen. Not only was Sister demoted in my heart, but I am planning on making her mine.

I glanced back at the vixen and saw that she maintained her posture; she probably is waiting for my answer. Sigh.  I let out a sigh before I provided my response.

"If I help your people, what do I get in return?" I strongly asked. "Do you even have anything to offer?"

I acted almighty in front of her to brandish my authority over this place; since I discovered it first, this dungeon is mine. I cannot casually accept any tenants without their paying their rents, you know?

(Now then, let's see how you would respond.)