บท 227: Chapter 227: What Does the Fur of the Demon Wolf Feel Like?
Alice's voice, tinged with laughter, seemed to hint at some absurd truth.
Maybe, to them, what seemed shocking and hard to describe was simply a prank played by fate on the participants. Perhaps the deity who governed fate was really just a mischievous young child…
Suddenly, everyone fell into their own thoughts, and for a long time, no one attempted to speak again. Just as Klein was about to end the gathering, the "Hermit," Cattleya, spoke up:
"I actually heard a rumor."
"Omibella was the 'Goddess of Harvest' during the Second Epoch and the queen of the Giant King's Court. It's said that she perished at the end of the Second Epoch, but it's never been confirmed, as no one has ever seen her body or any relics."
Alice glanced at Cattleya, her curiosity piqued. She thought to herself that the Hermit seemed to know quite a few mysterious stories. Intrigued, she asked, "Does the 'Hidden Sage' include such gossip about high-sequence beings and true gods?"
Cattleya paused in contemplation.
Afterward, Klein ended the Tarot meeting but kept Alice back. Under Alice's curious gaze, he asked, "Have you ever heard of the 'Goddess of Misfortune'?"
Alice blinked, caught off guard.
The title felt strangely familiar to her, like a name she'd never use for a friend—something she should know but couldn't quite place.
"She was a subordinate deity of the Doom Demon Wolf, Flegrea, from the Second Epoch," Klein said, watching Alice intently. "Flegrea, the Demon Wolf King, was also known as the 'Demon Wolf of Night.'"
The Demon Wolf of Night… the night… Alice frowned slightly, a name nearly on her lips before she swallowed it. Right—the goddess also held the power of misfortune.
Alice looked at Klein and heard him continue, "The 'Goddess of Misfortune' had a unique title in the Second Epoch—'Misfortune Favored by Fate.'"
Alice's pupils shrank, her mouth opening and closing several times before she finally murmured, "The Goddess…"
From her reaction, Klein confirmed his suspicions. Looking at her curiously, he asked, "So… can I ask if this 'favor' of yours is normal?"
Alice was silent for a moment, then quietly looked up at the mist-covered dome above.
—Just now, a playful voice had suddenly echoed in her mind. She instinctively knew it was her own voice, even though the language was unfamiliar, the meaning was clear… just strange.
"If only I had a body… then I could feel your fur…"
What on earth had she done before?
From her response, Klein guessed the answer. Curious, he asked, "Have you remembered why the goddess isn't willing to interact with you anymore?"
Alice rested her chin on her hand, thinking for a while, then looked at Klein and asked, "Do you think… what does the fur of a demon wolf feel like?"
Klein felt like he understood everything.
Alice didn't seem to expect an answer from him. Instead, she continued to wonder aloud, "I wonder what the goddess looked like after becoming a god… Is she still in her wolf form? If not, I wonder if she could shift back… Probably, since that's a mythical form, right?"
She looked to Klein for confirmation but was only met with the sound of him gasping.
In Alice's puzzled gaze, Klein urged her, "Promise me… once you leave here, never pray to the goddess and ask her that, alright?"
Alice thought for a moment, then asked, "Then who should I pray to?"
Klein fell silent before answering with conviction, "Amon."
Alice nodded thoughtfully, mumbling, "That makes sense… it would be rude to ask her directly. Amon… Amon is from the Second Epoch too; he might know…"
Klein took a deep breath and placed a firm hand on Alice's shoulder. In her puzzled gaze, he said seriously, "Do not ask anyone about that!"
"Why?" Alice asked, puzzled.
Klein looked at her, expressionless, and replied, "Because I'll drag you to lessons if you do."
Alice sat up straight, trying to look as obedient as possible, and asked, "Anything else?"
Klein looked at her, clearly unimpressed by her apparent compliance, and said, "Stay away from Amon."
Alice looked at him in confusion.
"It just feels like…" Klein studied her, hesitating, "Even though you weren't that well-behaved before, ever since meeting Amon, you seem… different."
Alice's gaze drifted.
"That's the embodiment of deceit," Klein reminded her. "A mythical being thousands of years old—surely he's not just 'playing' with you, right?"
Alice responded sincerely, "You're his destined lover. Maybe he's planning to find you through me."
Klein clenched his teeth, stifling a shiver.
Alice continued, "Besides, I never felt like Amon was actually 'playing' with me. In fact, he treats me more like a toy. And whether he comes to see me isn't my choice… if anything, when he does come, I can't even think of running."
Klein was speechless at this undeniable truth. Massaging his temples, he muttered, "I have a feeling that if this continues, one day, you might turn into another Amon…"
Alice tilted her head. "What would be wrong with that?"
Klein sighed, yet he patiently explained, "According to you, he's someone who takes pleasure in manipulating others…"
Alice fell silent, biting her lip. Cautiously, she asked, "If… just if… if I really did become that way, what would you do?"
They locked eyes. After their voices faded, silence settled once again over the gray mist.
After a tense pause, Klein's voice broke the silence: "I'm not sure."
"But I suppose… I wouldn't just stand by and watch—maybe I'd try to talk you out of it?"
Alice lowered her head, burying her face in her arms. After a while, her muffled voice emerged, "What if talking didn't work?"
This time, Klein took a long time to answer. "I… don't know."
Alice raised her head, looking at Klein, recalling the memories of her teacher and classmates who once protected her with their lives. Murmuring softly, she said:
"How wonderful…
"To think that among humans, there are people like you… how wonderful."
Klein looked at Alice, but a sudden realization startled him—deep down, she had already separated herself from humanity.
Perhaps she never considered herself human at all.
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