I've Turned Into A Fox Girl?

Chapter 291 Elysia’s preparation

<Elysia POV>

"Hey Vania, what makes you so confident that I can return to my family without any issues? It seems very convenient that you know where they are located." I was in the arena, talking casually to Vania as we traded light blows with our spears.

"Hmm, I don't blame you for being suspicious. However, I can assure you that you will be fine, as they are actually looking for you so you can take over."

"As for how I know, when I was visiting the Fox Realm, me and my parents were kidnapped to be kept as livestock. I do not know the full details about your true race, but I know they inherit the characteristics of a vampire in that they need blood."

"We were trapped for a few years when apparently the heir to the family ran away with their daughter. Many of the guards who were stationed to keep us from running away left, so it gave us the chance to get away. Unfortunately… my parents died, but they gave me the chance to live and escape into the demon lands."

Vania gave more context on how she knew where my family were, which was quite a grim story, but I was glad that she managed to get out albeit having lost her parents.

"Don't you resent me then? I hail from that clan, don't you want to eradicate all of them?" It was a peculiar situation that made me wonder if she had any ulterior motives. Was it possible she was actually working with them to get me killed?

"I have nothing against you. If you hadn't escaped I would have still been rotting in a cage, having my blood drawn every day. However, I can't deny that being around you makes me angry, as the memories of seeing my parents die do come back." Vania got riled up for a brief moment, which was reflected in the strength of her strikes, but she managed to quickly calm herself.

"As for the eradicating part, I'm just not strong enough. As you will find out, that grandpa of yours is someone who is on par with Elaina. Killing him is a task not worth the resources right now, and since they are not causing any trouble demonkind won't intervene."

"Trust me, I would love to go there and kill them, but now isn't the time." There was a disappointed look in her eyes, which made me feel bad for her, but she wouldn't have to wait for long.

"I see, so what makes you think that I will be able to kill them?" That was another question that plagued me. I loved the idea, but it sounded more like a death wish than a plausible mission.

"I-I'm not sure, this is when I tell you that this is your chance to reject the offer. I do not know if you will be able to return after joining them, but I promise you this: If you ever need help, I will come to your aid." In order to demonstrate that she was truly serious about what she was saying, Vania halted our brief fight and made eye contact with me.

"Sorry that I made it seem like I had it all planned out. Truth is I'm just using you to get revenge." Vania came clean, emphasizing that the last thing she wanted was to get me killed. I appreciated her being so considerate, but there was no need for self deprecation. We had a shared goal, and if anything, I'm the only one who can infiltrate without being kept as livestock.

"No need to apologise, you have finally given me a chance to pay back what they did to my parents. Even if you hadn't told me, I would have eventually found them myself." I couldn't be mad at Vania. Even if things don't go exactly as planned, it's an opportunity I can't miss.

"I'm glad that is the case, now I don't feel as bad letting you go right into enemy territory." Vania then reached into her pocket, pulling out some kind of talisman.

"Take this, it's something that will allow you to contact me in case of an emergency. I hope it never comes to it, but if it does, tear it in half, and it will send me an alert. I'll try to get Elaina involved, as there is only so much I can do. Just be aware it isn't a get-out-of-jail-free card." The talisman had some kind of elven language written on it, and a quick inspection of the system verified it indeed was a communication talisman.

"Thank you. If what you say is true, then they won't lay a hand on me." I took the talisman and placed it in my inventory. I also came to realise that I had quite an advantage, as the inventory is something that no one else can access. I would be able to smuggle pretty much anything without getting caught.

"I can only hope that is the case. Their motives may have changed since then, but as far as I know, they want to capture you since technically you are the rightful heir to the family." Vania was going off at least 10-year-old information, but it's still worth a shot since kitsune do live for a long time, meaning they won't give up that easily.

'I'm able to use Lover's Call even if they try to kill me, but I am not sure if its range is limited. According to the description, I can teleport to my partner, so I suppose I can... Just in case, I should not count on that as my escape.' As much as having a safety net is handy, I need to proceed as if it isn't there, as I may find myself in a position where it's unusable.

"Well, nothing to do but give it my all." The only thing left to do was to approach them, and only then will I know if this plan will be successful. It will be hard to control myself, but thinking about how satisfying it would be to see the desperate and betrayed faces of my family was enough to keep me satisfied.

"Indeed, but before then, I need to make sure that you are adequately trained. We will aim for you to be ready in 2 weeks, so prepare for some looong, painful days." Vania smirked and readied her spear to continue their duel.

"Bring it!" The light sparring was over, and now it was time to fight a bit more seriously.

***

<In an underground chamber on the border of the Fox Realm>

A young-looking Kitsune sat behind a desk in a room lit by blood-red flames. The room itself seemed to be a personal study, with books covering the walls and a fireplace that was directly behind the Kitsune.

Their black hair was slicked back with red tips, but the roots were grey, showing that he was older than he looked. He was in a red suit, leaning on one of the arms of his chair, looking at a kitsune servant kneeling before him.

"Have we found where Elysia teleported to?" His piercing red eyes stared down at the servant, awaiting his report.

"We are yet to locate her, but we are under the impression she is in the Demon Lands. Unfortunately we do not have any agents in that territory. Still, if she is indeed no longer in the Fox Realm then it would make the most sense for her to go there." The servant kept his head down, not daring to make any eye contact, afraid that the Kitsune in front of him would lash out.

"Hmm, I see." The kitsune reached out with his other arm, grabbing a wine glass filled with a red liquid. In the dim lighting of the room one might think that it was just wine, but in reality the liquid inside the glass was of course blood.

Hearing his master sip on his nectar, the servant stayed kneeling, feeling the pressure build as he waited for some kind of instruction.

"Station some people along the border. I do not want to waste the limited men we have searching the Demon Lands. Have them carry alert stones, and order them to shatter the stone if they see Elysia. I will personally go get her if she is spotted."

"As you order, Sir Teivel." The servant vanished from the room as soon as the order was given, not wanting to overstay his welcome.

"Finally, you appear after so many years, and to think you were in human territory just outside of our reach for so long. I hope your mind isn't so poisoned by the outside world that you refuse to come back." Teivel tapped his fingers on his glass, feeling the anticipation of meeting his granddaughter.

It had been many years without a sign of his granddaughter, until suddenly they were seen entering the Fox Realm. Of course, they had to enter the Freya forest, the only area in which he couldn't act, but he had already been waiting years for this moment, so there was no need to rush.

"It's only a matter of time before we catch you, Elysia Dahlia."

*

<Deeper in an underground dungeon>

Sitting in a cell, two barely alive Kitsune sat together, unable to function. Their bodies were hooked up to some kind of tube, having their blood slowly sucked out. Just outside the cell was a nameplate that read.

[Dahlia]