บท 33: Disguised as Nine-Tailed Fox

Before the day changed, Ely asked her core disciples about the most revered creature in the Northern Realm. Their answers varied, but she finally made up her mind after asking her grimoire.

Her prayer got a single answer, and she immediately prepared herself for her disguise when morning came. She was no longer a holy saintess but would still play her role as a big shot because her goals never changed.

Rather than pretending to be weak and letting some random passerby prey on her, it was better to pretend to be strong, even if it was just a paper tiger.

It was much safer for a 0th Rank girl who could only rely on items and artifacts.

The possible enemies would be wary, and she could also get twinkles and sparkles from her disciples. A master had to look strong without showing weakness, after all. Or else her disciples would try to bite her after discovering she was so weak without her magic items and artifacts.

"Hmm-mm~" Ely used her transformation innate skill to ensure her disguise reached perfection. A pair of fox ears popped on her head, and nine fluffy fox tails on her low back.

She then changed her clothes to match her new identity. It was a fancy priestess-like outfit with a starry night motif, plus lots of cold resistance artifacts that served as ornaments that complemented her current appearance.

After that, she looked at her reflection in the mirror to do a little makeup on her face with eyeliner. She did a flawless makeover for her bewitching foxy eyes and the two pairs of whisker marks on her cheeks.

*Knock* *Knock*

The bedroom door was knocked. Ely gave her permission but still looked in the mirror to reconfirm whether her current appearance resembled that of the legendary nine-tailed fox girl.

"Excuse me, master. I brought you a report regarding the events in the last three days. The demonic cults-" Gabriella entered with a document in hand. She looked up to look at her master but was soon stunned to find a breathtaking nine-tailed fox girl resembling her master there. "Who?"

"Gab-chan, how do I look now?" Ely spun around once in a slow, elegant motion.

"Ma, Ma-master!? Why, why did you suddenly become a nine-tailed fox?" Gabriella examined her master from top to bottom.

She was sure her master's fox ears and fluffy tails functioned like a real deal, not ornaments. This level of disguise was indeed beyond common sense. It was as if her master was actually a legendary nine-tailed fox from the beginning.

"It would be troublesome to travel in the Northern Realm as a human, right? The beasts and demons in this mountain are extremely friendly, but we never know in the outer regions." Ely responded with an innocent expression.

"Uhm..." Gabriella had nothing to say. The beasts and demons in this Sacred Mountain were extraordinarily docile because of her master's presence.

They settled on this mountain because it was very suitable for cultivation due to its dense and thick spiritual energy. Apart from doing odd jobs, they indirectly protected this mountain from invaders or distress.

So, it was reasonable for her master to disguise herself as a demi-human for a convenient cause.

Moreover, her master's current appearance was so fascinating and tempting. She actually wanted to hug and caress her master's tails, but she held herself back.

"Also, it would be embarrassing every time to get cynical accusations like... Human! What are you doing here? Look, I also made some animal ear headbands for everyone." Ely showed a box with lots of headbands in it.

"Disciple understands." Gabriella was enlightened. It would invite unwanted hostility if those overlord beasts found a human roaming their territories.

"You may have one. Here you go." Ely put a golden blonde cat ears headband on Gabriella's head.

"Ah, thank you, master. Your appearance is captivating, master. I'm afraid your charm will be out of bounds now." Gabriella burned her master's current nine-tailed fox appearance into her memory.

She then touched her headband. It looked like she had suddenly become a demi-human, a cat girl. Her master's fox ears perked up as if telling her master was excited.

It could even twitch and move a bit like a natural fox's ears! It was never a headband in the first place!

If she didn't know her master better, she might have believed her master was a legendary nine-tailed fox from the beginning.

At that moment, Gabriella remembered that her master was a Goddess-like existence. Her master could transform into another race without any restrictions. So, everything was reasonable.

"Hm-mm~ thank you for your compliment. So, what report were you talking about earlier?" Ely was pleased because she put much effort into her new identity. She then discussed the previous topic while glancing at the document in Gabriella's hand.

"This is a report regarding a major event that occurred in the Human Realm after we retreated to the Sacred Mountain, master." Gabriella handed over the document.

"Hmm..." Ely examined it briefly.

Something that caught her attention was the Lumina Family's expulsion from the Empire. Yet, it ended up being a public execution by many orthodox sects.

Then, a collaborative program between the major forces and the Imperial Family led by the 6th prince and 7th princess.

The last one was about the holy saintess from the upper realm. Her identity as a holy saintess had spread throughout Human Realm. She could also get many privileges and special treatment when she visited Human Realm in the future, especially the Great Yan Empire.

By doing so, she might meet her friends sooner.

Unfortunately, Ely forgot that she used her stage name instead of her real name.

"Hm? A giant secret realm will fully appear next month? The portal has already manifested, but the gate hasn't opened yet? The humans and demons at the border stopped their meaningless battle for this event." Ely found one exciting piece of information.

"Yes, master. Estimated next month. Would you like to send us to explore that secret realm when the time comes, master?" Gabriella put her hand to her upper chest as she was worried, and it was apparent on her face. She knew it was definitely not an ordinary secret realm.

"Mm, we'll talk about it again in ten days. We still have time to prepare ourselves for that mysterious secret realm." Ely confirmed it with interest.

The secret realm attracted the attention of two opposing sides, and the war had to stop temporarily. She wondered what kind of place awaited beyond that portal realm.

Ely then asked implicitly about Rafaela's response to information regarding the Lumina Family. Yet, Gabriella responded casually as if Rafaela no longer cared about that family's fate.

Hearing that, Ely wanted to confirm it with her Sacred Vision. She found Rafaela in the middle yard, enjoying morning tea with other core disciples.

Like what Gabriella said, Rafaela's spirit was calm as ever. So, those matters could no longer bother Rafaela's state of mind.

"You woke up so early. Are you excited to set off for the seasonal treasure hunt?" Ely greeted with a smile, but her focus was on Rafaela.

The nine disciples immediately looked at the source of the pleasant voice. Instead of their master, they found a charming legendary nine-tailed fox girl that resembled their master there.

They were stunned for a few seconds. Questions were asked, and Ely responded with amusement. So, her disguise for her new identity as the nine-tailed fox was perfect.

After that, Ely distributed animal ear headbands to her core disciples as a small gift.

She also distributed some life-saving talismans to all of her disciples.

"..." Azrael already knew his master was already so mesmerizing and captivating, the peerless angelic beauty. However, her current appearance brought her charm to another level.

His only worry was his master would bring some lechers and savages who were after her beauty and body. After all, this was the wild Northern Realm.

However, his attention was suddenly drawn to his master's fluffy tails swaying left and right.

He once thought it was the fake tails tied at her waist, a buttplug, or something. However, it was the functioning tails like his tenth sister's wolf tail. This was no longer a disguise but a perfect transformation.

"Hm? What's wrong, Azra-kun?" Ely looked behind her, but no one was there. She wondered what her fourth disciple was observing.

"No, it's nothing. You have to be very careful on your journey, master." Azrael was flustered and immediately shifted the topic to the three lucky sisters. "You three, please look after master well. I won't forgive you if master gets a scratch, even if it's only a little."

"..." Jophiel didn't respond because she was still mesmerized by her master's charm and beauty.

"It goes without saying." Uriel nodded lightly.

"Master, you are invincible, but I, Remi, will do my best for you!" Remiel grasped her master's hand with excitement.

"Um, understood. Please take care of me." Ely was appreciative of Remiel's passion.