Chapter 133: [Fairy Tale] He Has a Little Gray Wolf (58)

The two knights awoke. The first thing they saw upon opening their eyes was the horrified gaze of everyone in the room.

"Save us..."
"Save us..."

The room was sweltering. The two knights struggled to their feet and scrambled outside, only to find that the heat was just as intense there. It was a heat that made one’s heart flutter with panic.

"Maybe we should go back! This place is too terrifying!" one knight suggested. The other nodded immediately; neither of them wanted to stay for even a second longer. It was simply too horrific.

"Hey, look, is that a girl from the Wolf Clan?"
"It seems so. Is she... heading toward Red Hood Town?"

As she approached Red Hood Town, Asie shifted back into her human form. Her human shape helped conceal a bit of her lupine aura. As she walked, she noticed two strange people staring at her. She frowned, intending to ignore them, but they spoke first.

"Even though you’re of the Wolf Clan, we’re giving you a kind warning: do not go any further."

Asie tilted her head, bewildered. "Why? Isn't that Red Hood Town ahead?"

"It is Red Hood Town, yes, but it’s not the same as it was before. You... really shouldn't go!" With that, the two knights fled as if escaping a nightmare.

Asie watched their retreating backs, flicked her tail, and continued forward. She leaped onto a rooftop. She had expected to be cautious, but the streets were completely deserted. In fact...

Every house was draped in red silk, creating a sea of crimson. Asie frowned. She thought it looked hideous.

***

"Laide, Laide..."

Asie walked cautiously to the front door of Laide’s house and peered through a crack, but she couldn't see a thing. She had expected Laide to open the door and welcome her with excitement. With no other choice, she climbed over the wall and into the courtyard. It, too, was empty, littered with debris.

"That’s strange. Where did Laide go?"

Asie pushed the door open and stepped inside. The sight that greeted her left her momentarily stunned. The room was filled with pastries and food, alongside numerous statues of little wolves—some sitting, some lying down. And, of course, the floor was covered in broken fragments.

A sudden, heavy ache settled in Asie’s heart. She had no appetite left for those sweet pastries.

***

With the chickens at home all eaten, Laide had gone to the market in the neighboring town that day.

"Ah! The Dark Mage is here! Run, everyone, run!"

The youth’s silver curls shimmered with black flames under the sunlight; more than that, his entire body was wreathed in dark fire. He wore a black cloak, and his delicate features were twisted into a sinister expression. His ink-blue eyes scanned the crowd with cold, ruthless intent.

"All of you, stand still."

"If anyone dares to move even an inch..."

Laide slowly raised his right hand, and suddenly, scorching black flames billowed upward. The people in the market felt as if their bodies were being seared by fire.

"Die."

He spat the word out without a trace of emotion. Then, lowering his hand, he walked to the stall where chickens were slaughtered. He held out gold coins to the man, who had already been rendered catatonic with shock.

"Two chickens."

His voice was cold. The man’s body trembled so violently he couldn't even take the coins Laide offered. They spilled onto the ground. Laide lowered his gaze, then let out a scoff.

"Are you afraid of me?"

The man’s legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground, stammering, "N-no, I’m not."

"Hmph."

With a scoff and a wave of his hand, Laide burned all the chickens in the cages to death. He picked up two at random, pulled more gold coins from his pocket, and scattered them around the man.

As Laide turned to leave, his black cloak brushed against the man. Despite the black flames that accompanied him, the touch felt chillingly cold.