When he heard the keyword "Red Riding Hood" from the white-haired wolf-eared girl, Faust suddenly understood.
How could he not know the famous tale of 《Little Red Riding Hood》?
However, in this fairy tale world, every story had been warped. Without concrete information, even Faust didn't dare to make a hasty judgment.
The reason he hadn't considered this earlier was primarily because he hadn't felt the urge of "love at first sight" when he met Alkin. Given the material reuse rate of the wheel of destiny, the prince would have certainly sensed it if providence's erosion was at play.
Then again, it was quite normal. The script of 《Little Red Riding Hood》 didn't originally include a "Prince" character, so there were naturally no "love at first sight" scenes arranged.
This made Faust hesitate slightly. If there was no role for a "Prince," would his divine protection of immortality be broken?
After all, compared to other instances of the 【witches' feast】 where a prince clearly existed, he had truly intruded into the story of 《Little Red Riding Hood》. Fate likely wouldn't view his safety as a necessity.
But since the 【witches' feast】 of 【Cinderella】 and 【Snow White】 had not yet ended, Faust theoretically still possessed some immunity... he just didn't know how much was left.
"Foreigner..."
While Faust was deep in thought, Alkin had already stowed away her tactical box. She approached him, her handsome and delicate face tilted up slightly with a faint smile.
"What is your name?"
Faust quickly returned the gesture.
"Faust Qingxi, Prince of the Qingxi Kingdom... You can just call me Faust. I have come here seeking growth through tempering."
Alkin nodded in understanding.
"Oh, a traveler on a journey. I have indeed heard that people from the outside world enter our kingdom to receive grace from the gods and seek miracles. I simply hadn't seen one with my own eyes until now."
She wasn't surprised by his status as a "Prince." It was only natural; while the attribute of being a "Prince" was important to Faust, it wasn't particularly rare.
They were as common as stray dogs on the street!
Compared to the ethereal status of a "Prince," the white-haired wolf girl was more interested in Faust himself.
She clasped her hands behind her back and circled him, her tail wagging much more frequently.
Her lake-blue eyes reflected the Qingxi prince's handsome face, overflowing with unhidden joy.
"You are truly good-looking. I have never seen anyone as handsome as you."
Alkin's nose twitched as she sniffed the air.
"There is a scent... like mellow wine. Truly... delicious. Ah, sorry, I didn't mean you were literally delicious. I mean... well, you are very beautiful."
The wolf girl started to reach out to touch him, but she caught her own hand and forced it back down.
Her canine teeth bit her lower lip firmly, and it took a long moment for the daze in her eyes to subside.
Talk about following the heart but staying within the bounds of propriety.
It seemed that even if the script of fate didn't have a role for a "Prince," Faust's constitution as the 【one loved by witches】 was still effective.
In that case, there was no harm in venturing deeper into the Fog Moon Kingdom.
Faust's prerequisite for meddling in a 【witches' feast】 was being able to cling to a witch's leg. Without that, he would definitely turn and run. To be honest, he couldn't stay in a 【witches' feast】 for a second otherwise.
He simply wasn't afraid of death; he wasn't brainless.
So, Faust also smiled at Alkin.
"Your beauty fascinates me as well. I heard that the Fog Moon Kingdom is plagued by the curse of beast-shifters, but I didn't expect the terrifying beast-shifters of legend to be so beautiful and dashing."
When he first heard about the "beast-shifter curse" of the Fog Moon Kingdom, Faust thought he would see legendary "beastmen."
But looking at Alkin... she was essentially the purest form of a beast-eared girl!
Aside from her fluffy ears and large tail, there were no beastly traits at all. She was completely a beautiful girl with extra cute points.
Beast-eared girls are the way to go; she's not messing around, I'm telling you.
My 【Great Thunder】 is already aching!
However, Faust's flattery caused Alkin's expression to turn subtle. She placed a hand on her hip and looked at the prince, laughing.
"Beast-shifters... Heh, you've misunderstood. I am not a beast-shifter. The true beast-shifter curse turns a person into a frenzied beast, twisted in both heart and form, like the ones you just saw."
"I don't know what rumors exist about the Fog Moon outside, but the vast majority of the citizens of the Fog Moon Kingdom are normal humans."
Faust looked at Alkin's wolf ears in confusion. "Then what are these..."
Alkin stroked and groomed her wolf tail with her gloved hand.
"This is not a product of the beast-shifter curse. On the contrary, it is a blessing from the Great Moon, leading the wolves of the wilderness into the halls of civilization."
The white-haired wolf girl looked up, her voice melodic like a poem as she spoke to Faust.
"Foreigner, let me tell you a story—a tale of our people and the past of our kingdom!"
Without waiting for Faust's reply, Alkin stepped lightly onto a nearby boulder. She pressed a hand to her chest, closed her eyes, and tilted her head back. The moonlight seemed to focus solely on her at that moment.
"In the distant past, the Great Moon descended upon His kingdom on earth. He promised mortals that He would establish city-states in the wilderness and use the sparks of civilization to dispel the darkness!"
"Receiving His decree, the citizens of the kingdom spent generations expanding into the most remote wilds, hacking through thorns and building countless cities."
"The battle between hunters and beasts runs through the history of the Fog Moon Kingdom. During this time, a tribe of beasts yearned for civilization. The Great Moon tamed the noble and unruly souls of our ancestors, granting the wolves sentience and human form."
"Thus, the wolves became the kin of the Moon Deity for generations. We are the strongest shield defending civilization and the sharpest blade for the subjugation of the Ancient Ones!"
After finishing the brief history of her people, the white-haired hunter let out a long breath and said to Faust with satisfaction:
"Ah... that felt good. I've wanted to recite the history of the wolves like that for a long time."
Mephistopheles provided context for Alkin's story:
【All life in the world shares the same origin. The Son of the Sea who comes ashore becomes the Son of the Beast, and the Son of the Beast who embraces civilization becomes the son of man. If your judgment is correct, is this witch... actually a descendant of the naturalized Son of the Beast?】
【Then she truly can be called human. One might even say she is more human than most of the son of man.】
Mephisto, why didn't you say so earlier! You made me look like a fool! Now I'm the country bumpkin.
Faust, who valued his pride so much, should have been incensed, but since the other party was a 【witch】, he didn't mind too much.
The prince came to a realization.
"So that's how it is... Sigh, I've heard too many rumors and made a fool of myself. If possible, I hope you can tell me more about the Fog Moon Kingdom."
"Of course!"
Alkin agreed immediately, saying without hesitation:
"I am also very curious about the outside world. Faust, please enlighten me as well. And while we're at it, please allow me to show you some hospitality."
She glanced at her pocket watch and said:
"Once the night of the hunt is over, we can head into the city for breakfast."
Rate on N.U.
