The Baby Bear of the Black Fox Mansion - Chapter 22

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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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Episode 22
Miel trembled, her small frame shaking.
The man carrying dark spirits piled high like a mountain was terrifying just to look at.
‘Miel, brave Panda.’
But…….
‘Even brave pandas run away sometimes.’
Miel thought solemnly.
The caretaker had said something like that once.
Running away was… on purpose for the front line, something… oh, regret, he’d said.
“He said running away is on purpose for the front line, regret.”
“……?”
Zeros tilted his head.
He chewed over the child’s words for a long moment, then let out a low “ah” of understanding.
“Did you mean — retreating is advancing one step forward?”
“……It’s kind of like what Miel said.”
Miel glanced away a little.
Zeros swallowed a laugh. Impossibly adorable.
“Who is he?”
“Valen Noctis.”
“Valen?”
“The previous Noctis patriarch. Jerpeon’s father. Though they don’t get along very well.”
If Honey-Cookie’s uncle’s father…….
Then that’s Honey-Cookie’s grandfather!
The man presumed to be a bad(?) grandfather had brought many other people with him too.
‘So many carriages.’
Miel blinked her eyes.
People began stepping down one by one. They wore ornate clothing and bore resemblances to one another.
“Ugh, they came in a whole group.”
“Who are they?”
“Troublesome humans.”
He wouldn’t be bothered by them, but Jerpeon was probably going to have a time of it.
“……G-grandfather?”
At the sudden voice, Miel turned her head.
It was Lisar.
He must have come to the Entrance Hall when the commotion started and witnessed the scene.
Upon catching sight of Valen Noctis, Lisar’s expression stiffened and he retreated hesitantly backward.
‘Lisar is scared.’
Miel stamped her feet.
“Put me down, please.”
“What? No way. You know it’ll just get complicated.”
“Put me down, please.”
Miel made her request again, firmly this time.
Zeros let out a sigh, about to refuse the child once more.
But the moment their eyes met, he had no choice but to stay silent.
Those eyes, fixed with such determination, showed no sign of backing down.
“…I did warn you.”
Zeros exhaled deeply and bent down to set the child on the ground.
The instant her feet touched earth, Miel scampered toward Lisar.
“Honey-Cookie!”
“……Baby Bear?”
Miel planted herself squarely in front of Lisar.
Hands planted firmly on her hips, Miel looked up at Valen Noctis with eyes narrowed fiercely.
“What is this?”
At the man’s cool words, Miel’s expression shifted — suddenly round-eyed and startled.
Her face softened obediently in an instant as she lowered her head.
“Hello, sir.”
“…….”
“Miel is five years old. Panda.”
“……Panda?”
Valen Noctis repeated the word, looking somewhat bewildered.
“Why is a child of the Panda Race here…?”
“That clan doesn’t let their young ones roam freely—they’re too precious.”
“And more than that, there’s nothing typical about the Panda Race at all.”
Miel tilted her chin up defiantly, meeting Valen Noctis’s gaze.
[Shrieeeeek—!]
At that, the black things clinging to Valen Noctis began crawling toward Miel with a writhing, undulating motion.
The closer they crept, the paler her face became.
‘I’m not scared, I’m not scared… Miel is a brave panda….’
But then.
Tap.
The moment something pitch-black brushed against her nose.
“Eeeeeeeek!! It’s terrifying!!”
“Oh, little one—?!”
Miel grabbed Lisar’s hand and bolted, her feet thundering against the floor.
Whoooosh—
In the Entrance Hall, a sudden silence fell over the two children as they vanished in panic-stricken flight.
“…Am I really that frightening to look at?”
Valen Noctis found himself asking the question aloud.
Anyone witnessing a cheerful child they’d just met convulsing in terror and fleeing for his life would naturally think the same.
“My apologies.”
The butler who had been observing from the side bowed his head with a look of obvious bewilderment.
“Come inside.”
Valen Noctis glanced at him once, then stepped into the Mansion.
After scanning the neatly organized interior in a single sweep, he was about to venture deeper into the house.
“…So the sun rises in the west now, does it? What brings you here?”
Jerpeon, having heard the news from the head maid, emerged into the Corridor with long, purposeful strides.
“Jerpeon.”
“Yes. Though I received no prior notice……”
His gaze swept over the several figures visible behind Valen Noctis.
They were Clan Leaders of the various Fox Clan branches.
Though he wielded authority over the entire Fox Clan, they were scattered across different regions, so each branch maintained its own leader.
Typically, they gathered twice a year for Fox Clan Council meetings.
Simply not today.
“I hadn’t scheduled a council for today… yet somehow you’ve managed to rouse those sluggish fellows. When I summon them, they complain endlessly of aches and pains. How convenient that you’ve all recovered simultaneously.”
Jerpeon spoke in a gentle tone, then broke into a knowing smile.
“Ahem.”
“Cough!”
The others promptly cleared their throats, glancing away.
“I didn’t summon anyone, so please be on your way.”
“The weather has suddenly returned to normal. I need an explanation.”
“An explanation for what, exactly?”
Jerpeon’s expression turned artificially innocent, his eyes widening as he tilted his head.
“It seems an angry black fox has lifted his Curse.”
He spoke with a disagreeable smile, his tone dripping with mockery.
“Jerpeon Noctis!”
“Yes. I’m afraid the Mansion is quite full at the moment, and my health isn’t what it should be, so I haven’t the capacity to receive guests. Do leave.”
A sharp, cutting silence descended.
One couldn’t tell whether they were family or enemies.
‘Well, I understand it, at least.’
Zeros, who had been quietly observing, scratched his head before striding deliberately toward the Entrance Hall.
“Well, it’s been ages. Sir.”
“You……”
Valen Noctis narrowed his eyes.
“What’s Nordic’s ruffian doing here?”
“Just visiting a friend’s place. What else would bring me here?”
Zeros flashed a roguish grin and casually slung an arm around Jerpeon’s shoulder.
“Remove your hand.”
“Don’t be so prickly. You’re not some brooding teenager. How do you expect those people who’ve come all this way to just turn around and leave immediately? Look—evening’s already falling.”
“They can take the Carriage back the way they came, can’t they?”
“It’s not that simple in this world. But I suppose you’re just curious about the cause yourself, aren’t you?”
“Is everything resolved now?”
Jerpeon let out a hollow laugh.
“Even a stray mutt passing by would laugh at that.”
“Well, what else can we do at this point? You’re all getting on in years—sleep in a bad spot and your back’ll give out, won’t it?”
“Whose side are you on, anyway?”
Zeros Nordig, who’d been leaning against Jerpeon’s shoulder with a swagger, shrugged.
“Well, things aren’t always what they look like.”
Jerpeon’s eyes narrowed.
“Isn’t that right, old man?”
“You’re still as glib and reckless as ever.”
“That’s my strong suit.”
Crack!
Jerpeon swatted Zeros’s arm roughly away. Zeros clicked his tongue and brushed his hand off lightly.
“Touchy as always.”
“Trying to get yourself killed?”
“Your little panda ran off crying just now, took your son with him.”
A pause.
Jerpeon’s brow darkened, and after one sharp glare at Zeros, he spun on his heel and stalked away.
“Prickly as ever, I tell you.”
Zeros shrugged, watching Jerpeon disappear into the distance.
“You should probably settle things with words soon, old man. You’re both at that age now.”
“Quiet.”
“I’ve never known you to be quiet.”
Valen Noctis watched Zeros stick his tongue out cheekily before stepping into the Mansion.
“Has Serniel woken?”
“Yes, well.”
Valen Noctis furrowed his brow.
“Now, you lot behave yourselves. If you don’t want to get on my nerves and walk around decorated with curses, stumbling every three steps, I suggest you keep quiet.”
When Zeros made a slicing motion across his neck, the ones following him went pale.
Shoo, shoo.
Zeros Nordig waved them off casually and followed Valen Noctis at an unhurried pace.
“What happened?”
Once the sounds of their footsteps faded, Valen Noctis asked.
“Since you’re here, was it curse-related after all?”
“Well, it was, but…”
Zeros scratched his head.
“I can’t say I’m the one who solved it…”
“What are you talking about?”
Hic, hic.
At the sudden sound, Valen Noctis stopped and his gaze shifted.
The self-proclaimed little panda who’d run away with all her might earlier had come back.

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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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