Chapter 540: Snow Fox Clan's Hidden VIllage (3)
Chapter 540: Snow Fox Clan’s Hidden VIllage (3)
Yuuki was extremely surprised by that, but she kept it in her heart. She didn’t know about it at all because she had never been out of the northern snow mountain region.
‘Is that true, Master Elysia? Is it possible that the Snow Fox Clan went into seclusion because they were hunted by others because they were seen as a resource?’ Yuuki tried to confirm her doubts to the one she believed the most.
‘I just found out about it too, Yuuki. Please wait a moment. I’ll ask this to be sure.’ Elysia also just found out about it. Thus she immediately asked for clarification from Luna and anyone who might know about this matter.
“The Snow Fox Clan is being hunted because they are used as resources? Hmm… This is my first time hearing of it too. Eh? Please wait a moment.” Luna put her hand to her chin. She tried to remember something that might be related.
“Oh, I remember something. I’m not so sure about this, but there was an incident that happened about four hundred and twenty years ago. It was related to some snow fox that fell into the hands of an overlord in the north. Yeah, they were enslaved before finally a coup broke out and killed that overlord.” Luna raised her finger and explained a bit.
“Could it be… Hum, that was probably the root that cause the Snow Fox Clan went into seclusion? But, please tell Yuuki that all is well because I, the Soul Fox Empress, am on the throne. No one dares to insult me by treating my kin arbitrarily.” Luna assured with a confident and dignified expression.
“Okay.” Elysia nodded in understanding. She never expected there to be such a past story.
“…” Yuuki was silent and wholly ignored the chatter of the man next to her. She was focusing on listening to Elysia’s explanation in her mind.
‘I see…’ Yuuki heaved a subtle sigh. The incident happened before she was born into the world. But, it was clearly a tragedy that might be one of the factors causing her clan to hide in the hidden village.
“Nee, Miss Cold Beauty, can you hear me?” Arex waved his hand in front of the cold beauty’s face, but he didn’t immediately get a response.
“What?” Yuuki responded curtly.
“Ah, you finally didn’t ignore me all the time. You know, I actually just came from the Yhester Region to complete a big mission. You’d be surprised at what I just accomplished. If I may ask, where did you come from before coming back here?” Arex puffed out his chest slightly to brag. He tried to make this cold beauty feel attracted or impressed.
“Ho? Isn’t the Snow Fox Clan currently in seclusion for some reason? Why did you venture that far and with your strength only at Advanced-level?” Yuuki felt something was off and out of sync.
“Haha, were you worried about me? Thanks for that, but you don’t have to worry. I actually have four tails, I just hid one in my pants. Plus, no one knew I was a snow fox. I left with the identity of a polar wolf. I only showed one of my tails while on missions out there.” Arex laughed dryly and replied with a beaming smile.
“Is it like that? I just came from Evroria City. I’ve also been to several other areas such as the Human Continent. All that, I didn’t use any disguises at all, and no one dared to offend me. Did your previous claim really exist there? Was the Snow Fox Clan truly being hunted by another clan?” Yuuki folded her arms and looked at the man in front of her with a suspicious look.
“Ah, that’s probably because your strength level is too high… In our clan no one has reached the seven tails yet. The highest is only the six tails.” Arex loosened his shoulders and scratched the back of his head awkwardly. Yet, his expression then changed to one of shock at that realization.
“Wow, miss, you really stepped out of the safe zone without being afraid of anything? You really are overpowered! No one dares to offend you out there even though they know you’re a snow fox? Yes, your arrival will definitely bring great news and fresh air to our clan.” Arex pumped his hands with great zeal.
“…” Yuuki fell silent once again. She recalled her past experience in the northern mountains, in the remote snowy region where she was dumped by her mother.
During her life, she was never hunted by another clan. However, she always struggled to survive between life and death every day at that difficult time.
She ate what she could find out of hunger. It was not uncommon for the young her to eat some poisonous food which made her nearly die on the spot.
Unfortunately, fate said otherwise, and she survived every time she ate poisoned food.
She grew up in a dangerous zone with many powerful yet terrifying wild beasts. The place where the laws of nature were applied, eat or be eaten.
At that time, her extreme ice cold ability could be called one of the most significant factors that saved her life from wild beasts that were much stronger than her.
However, all those feelings of loneliness and coldness were a thing of the past now.
She already had a warm place she could call home now. A place where her presence was needed, and she didn’t have to worry if her extreme ice cold ability went out of control again.
All she had to reveal now was to find out why her mother dumped her in the northern mountains.
“Erm, miss?” Arex said hello once again as the cold beauty went pensive again.
“What? We’re almost there?” Yuuki came out of her contemplative thought and asked.
Unfortunately, the question was said in a flat yet rather cold tone. That sounded like a statement to Arex’s ears. He then nodded and looked at the steep cliff in front. “Yeah, we’re almost there. Time flies so fast because you’re here, miss.”
Arex then entered a secret entrance near the cliff, and Yuuki followed closely behind. Elysia and the others immediately followed by flying because their carriage couldn’t go through the narrow path.
After passing through the hidden entrance via unprecedented entry access, everyone entered a secluded cave and went to the underground passage beneath the mountain. Although the many paths branched off like a maze, they had finally arrived at their destination.
Within a large cave area with ice-like crystals everywhere, a peaceful settlement came to their view. There were nearly two hundred residential houses, and a few young snow foxes could be seen playing or running around.
At first glance, that small village almost looked like it was illuminated by the morning sun. However, that was because of the glow of the crystals that resembled ice.
‘It’s so hidden… No wonder I couldn’t find any clue about the Snow Fox Clan all this time.’ Yuuki muttered in her mind.
“Welcome back to Lunaris Village. Let me take you to my house to meet my mother.” Arex spread his arms with a welcoming smile.
“Your mother is the current village chief?” Yuuki took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She had no memory of this village, but she had mixed feelings.
“That’s exactly right. Let me guide the way for you, Miss Cold Beauty.” Arex gave a thumbs up.
“Well then.” Yuuki replied by pointing her palm forward.
“With pleasure!” Arex replied with a broad smile as if he was showing off his white teeth. He then walked ahead with a bit of pride in his heart because he came back with a beauty following him.
One of the children who were playing around realized someone was approaching. He turned his head and exclaimed happily while pointing at Arex. “Hey, it’s Big Brother Arex! He’s back.”
“Wha! He looks so happy. Big Brother Arex must have accomplished his mission perfectly again.” Another boy waved his hand at Arex.
“Yeah! But, who’s following behind him? She’s so pretty…” A little girl was stunned when she saw a pretty big sister behind Arex.
“Mm, that big sister is so pretty. Is she Big Brother Arex’s girlfriend? And, e-eh? Am I not seeing the wrong thing? That pretty big sister has seven tails!” A tomboyish little girl rubbed her eyes to make sure what she saw was real. She then exclaimed in surprise.
That exclamation made some of the nearby snow foxes startled as well. They immediately observed the young lady’s tails. Sure enough, it was seven in number.
“Hahaha! I’m back, you young snow foxes. I’ll play with you guys later. Now I need to get back home soon.” Arex rubbed the heads of the young snow foxes with a big laugh.
“Yup, yup, the village chief will be angry if you don’t come home right away when you come back. We’ll be here if you want to play with us.” A boy walked forward and nodded in understanding.
“Okay, see you later.” Arex waved his hand, and the young snow foxes waved their hands in response.
Meanwhile, Yuuki just followed Arex in silence. She completely ignored the whispers and murmurs of the surrounding snow foxes even though she was aware they talked about her.
Her lofty demeanor and cold aura that accidentally escaped from her body made the others think twice before approaching her. Not to mention, she was an unknown snow fox with seven tails.
Even so, Yuuki was still able to maintain her composure. She was just talking to Elysia on a private telepathic channel in her mind.
‘Yuuki, I presume you have mentally prepared. But, let me confirm that one more time. Are you really ready to meet the truth and reveal it for yourself?’ Elysia suddenly asked for confirmation with a concerned tone.
Yuuki didn’t understand why this question was being asked here and now. Even so, she answered without thinking because she was fully prepared for today. ‘Yes, I am fully prepared, Goddess Elysia. Today, I will reveal facts about my past.’
‘Alright… Then you can follow Arex to enter the village head’s house. You can ask us for help at any time. But, please don’t go out of control. Please pay attention to your changing emotions, okay?’ Elysia reminded Yuuki with a tender voice.
‘Mm, thank you, Goddess Elysia.’ Yuuki felt grateful and happy because she knew that Elysia was worried about her a lot, a form of caring.
Because of that, she felt her steps lighten up, and she finally followed Arex into the village chief’s house.
“Mother, I’m back!” Arex exclaimed with pride and delight.
“You screamed so loud. Do you think I’m deaf?” An old woman came down the stairs with a frown.
At that moment, Yuuki widened her eyes slightly. She seemed to have met that old woman, but she didn’t know when and where.