The creature continued to lick itself clean without paying any attention to Kumo or me. It was only when its entire body was covered in the glossy sheen of its saliva that it paid any mind to us. When I gazed into the eyes of this creature, I felt something more beneath its appearance.

This creature had intelligence, which meant it was no ordinary fox. Though you could tell that at a glance. No ordinary fox has three tails.

"A three-tailed kitsune," Kumo chuckled. "You're quite young."

It was to my understanding that kitsunes grew stronger the more they aged, and with it, they grew more tails. They could only grow up to nine tails, and it was said that one tail represented 500 years of a kitsune's life.

Suddenly, the kitsune in front of us began to change shape. Its body expanded, and human limbs replaced its paws until what sat in front of us was a woman. A white-haired woman with three orange-furred tails swaying gracefully behind her.

She perched herself naked on the sofa in front of us. The spark of intelligence that I saw in her eyes earlier had somehow gotten brighter. She looked at Kumo, seeming a bit disinterested.

"Whore spider, what are you doing here?"

"I'm here to see you," Kumo answered without skipping a beat.

She looked at Kumo suspiciously. I noticed from the moment I entered the room, her eyes never once acknowledged my presence.

"Well, we're both yokais. Is it really so strange?" Kumo asked, and I could see a vein beginning to bulge in the kitsune's forehead.

"Not all yokais are the same, you should know that. Some are evil spirits while others are guardians."

"That goes for kitsunes as well," Kumo shot back. "Not all of you are guardians. I've met a few vicious kitsunes in my time. Ones who thought that the world was their playground. Which type are you?"

The kitsune clearly looked annoyed by Kumo's question.

"Tell me, do I really look like an evil spirit in your eyes?" she aske.

Personally, I didn't think she was an evil spirit, simply because I couldn't sense any malice coming from her. There were also the stories I've heard about her. From that, I could deduce that she was a guardian type kitsune.

Most likely the one left to guard Purgatory, but being so young, she couldn't possibly handle the vampires and the witches. They were simply too far out of her league. Maybe in a few more centuries when she had grown a tail or two, she could face them.

"I'm not certain what kind of spirit you are, but anyway, the reason I came here is because my darling wanted to speak with you."

"Darling?"

For the first time since I've been here, the kitsune's eyes drifted to me.

"Did you truly find the one you've been looking for all these years?"

"My one true love," Kumo smiled. "My darling wants to speak with you about the vampires and the witches who have been giving you such a headache. You are truly a lucky girl."

The kitsune snickered something under her breath, then snapped her eyes to me.

"What do you want?"

"I simply wanted to help you in your fight against inequality in Purgatory. I've heard of all the work you've done to help the people here, and I simply wanted to help."

"Help how?"

From the look on her face, I could easily tell that I had her attention.

"I think the problem you're having in your fight is that most people simply don't want to do anything. Either out of fear of the vampires and witches or learned helplessness. They've gotten so used to their shitty situation that they just didn't see the sense of doing anything about it."

"I can't accept that!" she practically shouted. As the guardian of this city, allowing anything to happen to it was just too unbearable.

"You won't have to," I said, assuring her. "In the coming days, something will happen that will open the eyes of the people of this city. They'll realize just how wicked the vampires and the witches are. During that time, they'll need someone to rally behind."

"Wait, why does it sound as if you're planning to start a revolt?"

I was right. She was smart.

"You aim to turn the people of this city against the vampires and the witches, is that it?" She asked. "I don't see any way in which you can create something like this. The people of this city are too afraid. Plus, a revolt may even worsen things."

"Just leave everything to me," I instructed. "This is probably the only chance you'll have to convince the people of this city to fight back against the current order. As the guardian of the city, who else is there to look out for the civilians as a whole."

"My darling is right," Kumo interrupted. "You're only a three-tailed kitsune. There is not much you can do for them at that level of strength. This might be the only way you can help them."

Kumo's words annoyed her, but it only annoyed her because deep down she believed it was true.

The kitsune closed her eyes as if contemplating her options. She could either take me up on my offer or let things stay the way they were. After taking a few more deep breaths, she finally opened her eyes.

"Fine, you have a deal. If you're somehow able to get the people of this city to listen to what I have to say to them, I'll lead them down the right path."

I flashed her a kind smile.

"Good, you made the right decision."

"Yes, and if there is nothing else, then the two of you are welcome to leave," she said, clearly getting frustrated by my and Kumo's presence.

It was best to leave before we somehow caused her to change her mind. Kumo and I gave her a curt nod before exiting the room.

I noticed my companion had a smile on her face as we exited the bar.

"What got you so chirpy?" I asked.

She giggled and covered her mouth with her fan.

"It's always fun one-upping those prideful kitsunes, and with you by my side, it's even more fun."

"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself."

"Yes, oh, and by the way, where to next?"

"Now that this is over with, it's time for us to see about those mana crystals."

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