The Baby Bear of the Black Fox Mansion - Chapter 15

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 15
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Behind Noctis Manor stood an enormous tree.
A massive ancient thing that had lived for centuries.
In summer it would drape the surrounding grounds in cool green shadow, and it was known as Noctis’s Guardian Tree—even now, after winter had stripped it bare years ago, leaving only skeletal branches.

Thump.
And there, seated on a straw mat embroidered with a fox, Miel sat surrounded by an abundance of delicious food, nodding with obvious satisfaction.
It was Zerpeon who had relented to Miel’s request.
The dishes themselves had been prepared by the Head Maid, since there were scarcely any servants left to do the work.
And Miel stood before the tree, occupying the center of attention.
Dressed in an oversized earflap hat, scarf, thick coat and shawl, fur-lined boots and gloves—thoroughly bundled against the cold.
Watching the puffy-clothed child from behind, Zerpeon narrowed his brow.
He’d agreed because the child had asked, but he still wasn’t confident this was the right thing to do.
The Head Maid and Butler, equally baffled by their master’s sudden eccentricity, stood behind Zerpeon.
The moment Miel saw the generous spread of food, she placed both hands against the tree.
The instant the child’s eyes closed.
A pure white light seemed to seep from the child’s hands, slowly permeating the tree.
……!
Zerpeon drew in a sharp breath.
Did the Vernear Family, specialized in Barrier Magic, also possess a Purification Ability?
His brow furrowed in confusion.
“Phantom.”
……!
At the strange language that spilled from Miel’s lips, Zerpeon froze.
He couldn’t understand the meaning, but it was identical to the language the young Demon had spoken in his dreams.
Crack. Crackle.
The tree began to split slowly.
And then.
The tree cracked completely open.
Blast……!
In his alarm, Zerpeon hastily drew a Leaf from his inner pocket.
From within the tree, wrapped tightly around the fine branches and roots, a Demon with pale skin emerged.
He was far more grown than the version Zerpeon had seen in his dreams—now in the form of a young man.
……Good heavens.
Master……!
The Head Maid and Butler gasped, their eyes wide.
A horned creature with crimson eyes had materialized violently from within the Guardian Tree—of course they were frozen.
The expressionless Demon’s gaze turned fierce, and he bared his teeth in a savage grin.
……At last!
Hello there.
Bow.
Miel lowered her head respectfully.
The Demon, not yet fully released from the Seal, remained bound to the tree—only his eyes moving as he looked down.
What are you?
Miel! Five years old, and it’s a pleasure to meet you.
The Demon’s brow creased.
Miel began inching the food on the straw mat toward him with small, deliberate movements.
I’m so sorry I didn’t keep my promise.
What are you talking about?
Please eat this and remove the Seal for me.
Miel bowed again, with formal courtesy.
The Demon’s cheek twitched sharply.
You man, come here. Put your hand on me.
The Demon tilted his head toward Zerpeon.
He’s asking you to put your hand on him.
My hand?
Zerpeon’s face twisted when Miel relayed the message.
Watching the Demon’s expression gradually contort, Zerpeon slowly approached and placed his hand on the Demon.
Whoosh.
The Demon’s eyes flashed crimson for a moment before he slowly closed them, then opened them again.
“Say it again.”
“……!”
Zerpeon’s eyes widened sharply.
He could understand what they were saying.
Or rather—he was now speaking their language.
“What are you?”
“I’m Miel! Five years old, and I’m real sorry.”
Miel introduced herself again.
“Didn’t keep my promise, so I’m very sorry. Eat this and forgive us just once, please.”
Miel pointed again at the food she’d set on the Straw Mat.
“Hah.”
A hollow laugh escaped him.
He couldn’t fathom what this child was babbling about.
“You’re asking me now to eat this pathetic food and forgive this accursed family?”
“Yes, yes… sir.”
Miel, tense with worry, bobbed her head eagerly.
“It’s really tasty though…….”
Honey Sweets…….
These were by far the most delicious things Miel had ever eaten.
One bite and honey would cascade sweetly across your tongue—such delicious confections they were.
Surely eating them would melt away any anger completely.
“Miel wants you to listen…….”
“Ha! You broke your word first. I, summoned according to the Ancient Covenant, fulfilled my obligations. But you? You deceived me, mocked me, and in the end, betrayed me with vile Sorcery, sealing me away.”
“But… that old person. The Honey Sweets mister did that, not…”
Miel wriggled her fingers as she spoke the simple truth.
“…….”
For a moment the Demon was speechless, then let out a savage laugh.
“Fine. I was foolish too in those days—I’ll forgive that as my own fault. If you complete the Contract properly, I’ll even overlook the insult of being sealed.”
“…….”
“Give me the lifespans you withheld from me that day.”
The Demon’s crimson eyes gleamed as he fixed his gaze on Zerpeon.
“……!”
“Finish the Contract we couldn’t complete then. Do that, and I’ll graciously lift the Curse I placed upon you.”
The Demon’s pupils flared bright red.
Slap!
Miel struck the Demon’s leg—still bound to the tree—with her small palm.
At the same moment.
Thud.
The Demon’s eyes, burning moments before, dimmed as if their light had been snuffed out.
“……!”
The Demon’s eyes widened.
His Magical Power had been severed. The thread of the Contract that had been reknitting itself refused to reconnect.
His trembling gaze rolled toward Miel.
“Miel will untie this for you. Please forgive us.”
Miel patted the tree repeatedly with her small palm and bowed her head again earnestly.
At the child’s shameless words, the Demon’s jaw clenched visibly.
“You impudent little thing. Do you think a Contract is a jest? You dare suggest that I should agree to have you unseal me in exchange—me, whom you sealed away?”
“Very sorry.”
Miel tugged insistently at Zerpeon’s sleeve.
“Please apologize right now.”
Miel spoke in a small voice, chiding him.
Dragged forward by the small hand, Zerpeon looked bewildered as he glanced between Miel and the Demon, then lowered his head in an awkward bow.
With their master bowing, the Head Maid and Butler quickly bent their waists as well.
“The woman and child you bind with your Curse bear no guilt. If you require a life, take mine instead—but please release them.”
“Was there no guilt in me?”
“…….”
“That man who deceived me—he lived out his days playing the perfect gentleman, his name immortalized in the family’s history. And yet you dare…….”
“We will set things right. No matter how long it takes, we will.”
At Zerpeon’s resolute words, the Demon fell silent.
“I will not trust those human realm creatures any longer.”
The Demon bowed his head.
“I only wanted to see my mother…….”
During the Seal, every trace of Magical Power had drained away, leaving him without even the strength to draw the Magic Circle that would carry him home.
‘I cannot return.’
He let out a hollow laugh.
He had lost everything.
The precious childhood he cherished, the life where he could have built memories, the singular span of time he was given, the way back to his mother.
And yet…….
“And yet you dare ask me for forgiveness……?”
The Demon tilted his head back.
A dim sky hung heavy with clouds came into view.
Scarlet tears dripped steadily down the Demon’s cheeks as he looked upward.
Tears of blood fell upon the pristine snow.
“You dare to me…….”
Miel watched in silence as the Demon wept without words.
A tide of sorrow washed over her, and strangely, her own eyes grew red with tears.
Poof!
Miel had transformed into a baby bear!
“……! Little one!”
Zerpeon startled and reached out his hand toward Miel.
But Miel was faster.
With a Honey Sweet clenched in her mouth, the baby bear Miel scampered up a tree, gripped the sweet in her front paws, and began licking away the tears that streamed down the Demon’s cheeks.
Lick.
Lick, lick.
“Squeak…….”
“…….”
The small bear’s soft fur brushed again and again against the Demon’s face.
“……What is this, really. You.”
Each time the baby bear’s fur touched his cheek, the anger and resentment that had accumulated over so long seemed to melt away.
The Demon let out a hollow laugh.
“Why are you the one crying.”
“Squeak…….”
The baby bear, her eyes glistening, pressed her soft head again and again into his neck and cheek.
She wanted to do this.
She placed the Honey Sweet in her paw into his mouth and nuzzled his cheek tenderly over and over.
As she felt the soft sensation, she found her own anger somewhat foolish.
“……It is I who should weep.”
Deflated, the Demon hung his head.
“The truth is, I never wanted to make a Contract. I only wanted to return to my mother with a gift.”
“Squeak…….”
“If I could only return home again…… nothing else matters now.”
The moment those longing words escaped his lips like a sigh.
Whoosh—!
Miel’s form began shifting back to human, and soon the rough stone embedded in Miel’s forehead began to glow with a soft light.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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