"White fox?" Arthur asked the guard, whose expression was filled with confusion. The guard nodded in response, his movements quick and eager.
"Yes! It was lying unconscious at the end of the road, which made us hesitate to proceed!" the guard exclaimed, pointing ahead to emphasize his point.
Observing the scene, Arthur nodded, his mind racing with thoughts.
The white fox is a rare creature, perhaps even exclusive to the Monster continent.
What makes it particularly remarkable is that all white foxes are esteemed members of the Fox clan, which holds royal status on the Monster continent.
The Monster clan, akin to the Five Great Empires of Mankind, stands as the true governing force over the Monster continent, much like the five empires that rule the human continent.
And, when it comes to combat prowess and intellect, the Monster clan exhibits exceptional strength, particularly in terms of their physical capabilities.
As Arthur contemplated the situation, his mind drifted to the memories of the monster slaves he had rescued during Elena's perilous rescue mission when she was merely five years old.
Under Arthur's guardianship, those very individuals now sought solace and found employment within the mansion, which had once been the shared abode of him and Elizabeth.
The Fox clan itself holds great renown for their mastery over the elements, and their members are regarded as prodigious geniuses cherished by the elemental World.
It is an inherent trait of every white fox to undergo the core awakening, an extraordinary phenomenon that occurs without fail upon their birth.
They seemed to embody the essence of the world's most beloved princess.
"Alright, show me the way!" Arthur, compelled by an impulsive urge, declared his intention and instinctively made his way towards the fox's location.
The bodyguard swiftly followed, determined to accompany Arthur.
Before long, the duo arrived at the scene, where they encountered vigilant guards, their weapons leaning against the unconscious fox.
Arthur fixed his gaze ahead and spotted a small, motionless fox lying on the ground.
"This..." Arthur gasped in surprise as he laid eyes upon the fox, noticing a deep wound on its body with blue blood seeping from its stomach.
Compelled by instinct, Arthur hastened towards the fox, leaving the guards bewildered in his wake.
"Your Highness, exercise caution!" the bodyguard shouted, attempting to stop Arthur.
However, it was too late, as Arthur had already reached the fox.
Crouching down, Arthur attentively examined the fox, which seemed to sense his presence.
Slowly, the fox struggled to open its eyes, meeting Arthur's gaze.
"Huaaa~" The fox attempted to move, extending its claws in an effort to attack Arthur.
Regrettably, the fox's injury impeded its ability to raise its claws and mount an attack.
Observing the fox's futile attempt, Arthur shook his head in determination.
Swiftly, he retrieved a high-level potion from his bag and compelled the fox to drink.
"Huaaa!" The fox struggled to evade, yet Arthur firmly grasped its muzzle, ensuring the potion made its way into its mouth.
"Glup~" After a few seconds had elapsed, Arthur stowed away the empty potion and turned his attention to the fox, which had succumbed to unconsciousness due to severe blood loss.
As Arthur observed, the wound on the fox's abdomen began to gradually close on its own.
"This is remarkable!" he thought to himself, filled with relief, and carefully cradled the fox in his arms.
In an unexpected turn, the unconscious fox instinctively nestled into Arthur's embrace, seeking comfort in its newfound refuge.
Arthur's smile exuded warmth as he beheld the endearing sight, his gentle touch caressing the fox's fluffy, though slightly soiled, white fur.
With the fox cradled in his arms, Arthur made his way back towards the guards, who wore expressions of astonishment.
"Your Highness! Are you unharmed?" inquired the concerned bodyguard who had accompanied him from the start, wearing an anxious and nervous look.
Observing their reactions, Arthur chuckled and shook his head, all the while continuing to gently stroke the fox.
"I'm fine; no need to worry," he reassured them in a light tone.
He then turned his attention to the guard, who served as the driver of his carriage.
"Let us proceed," Arthur said softly, signaling for them to continue their journey.
With that, he stepped back into his carriage.
Upon hearing his instructions, the guards exchanged glances, nodded in unison, and swiftly assumed their formation.
Seated on his carriage, Arthur observed the unconscious little fox, deep in contemplation.
"This fox shouldn't go to the human continent, right?" He questioned with doubt, his attention drawn to a distinct red moon-shaped mark on the fox's lower abdomen—an incredibly special marking.
Recalling his readings in the library, Arthur remembered that the red moon mark on the white fox's belly signified a direct lineage to the royal bloodline of the white fox clan kingdom.
It was a sacred mark exclusive to the primary bloodlines and impossible to imitate.
Lost in thought, Arthur continued to stroke the fox's soft fur, his mind forming a theory.
"Don't these little foxes escape from the Monster continent?!" Arthur furrowed his brow, forming a logical conjecture.
However, he acknowledged that there were several other possibilities to consider.
Perhaps this fox had been kidnapped or inadvertently taken by slave traders.
Lost in contemplation, Arthur's attention was abruptly drawn to the fox's body trembling, signaling signs of awakening.
"Oh? Is it waking up?" Arthur inquired, a lighthearted expression crossing his face, curious to witness the fox's reaction upon realizing it had been resting so peacefully in his embrace.
As expected, when the fox opened its eyes and discovered its surroundings in Arthur's arms, it became startled and overwhelmed with panic, driven to fight back desperately.
"Huaaa!!!" The fox bared its fangs and extended its claws, poised to attack Arthur.
However, anticipating its aggression, Arthur swiftly retrieved a small stick to safeguard himself from the fox's bite.
"Wooaa!" The fox was taken aback, not anticipating Arthur's action of placing the stick in its mouth and securing its two short arms.
Despite its ongoing struggle, "Wooaaa!!!" the fox's attempts to resist were rendered futile as Arthur had already sealed its paws and mouth, leaving it powerless against his restraint.
Upon witnessing this comical sight, Arthur couldn't help but burst into laughter, his gaze playful as he observed the fox.
"Hahaha, now, how do you intend to wage your battle, little fox?" His smile took on a mischievous quality, resembling that of a villain plotting to abduct innocent young girls.
Upon witnessing Arthur's sinister smile, the little fox grew even more panicked, its gaze darting frantically from left to right, seeking help that was nowhere to be found.
"Hehehe, there's no one here to save you, little fox!" Arthur's wicked laughter intensified the fox's sense of despair.
Realizing there was no escape, the fox closed its eyes tightly, resigning itself to whatever fate awaited.
Trembling with fear, its quivering body bore witness to the depths of its terror.
Observing the fox's distress, Arthur couldn't help but break into laughter, ending his teasing.
"Well, forgive me, alright?" He spoke with a gentle smile, distinct from his earlier mischievous expression.
Slowly, he released his hold on the fox's paws and proceeded to stroke its small head.
Hearing Arthur's words, the little fox cautiously opened its eyes, relieved to find itself still alive.
Inquisitively, its gaze shifted towards Arthur, who wore a warm smile while gently caressing its head.
"Whoa?" The fox emitted a soft groan, seemingly questioning the sudden change in Arthur's demeanor, which left it feeling perplexed.
As the earlier fear subsided, the fox gazed at Arthur with newfound confidence.
Observing this shift, Arthur chuckled and playfully pinched the fox's soft cheek fur, remarking, "Of course I wouldn't harm you, little fox!"
"Otherwise, I could have done so when you were unconscious. Take a look now, is there any wound on your stomach?" He feigned innocence as he made the remark.
Upon hearing Arthur's words, the little fox became aware of its healed belly and gazed at Arthur with a profound sense of gratitude.
Filled with appreciation, the fox didn't hesitate to leap into Arthur's arms, finding solace and comfort in his embrace.
"Woaaa~" It nuzzled its head against Arthur's chest, expressing its gratitude.
Arthur himself was delighted by this gesture and gently continued to stroke the fox's head, fostering a bond of trust between them.
Suddenly, curiosity seized Arthur's thoughts, compelling him to ask the little fox inquisitively.
"By the way, how did you end up on the human continent, little fox?" Arthur queried, his fingers gently caressing the fox's velvety fur.
In response, the fox's body trembled instantly, fear emanating from its every fiber, as if recollecting a distressing memory.
Recognizing the fox's distress, Arthur held it even more securely in his arms, seeking to provide comfort.
He spoke in a soothing tone, "Don't worry; from now on, I'll protect you, alright?"
As Arthur observed the fox's fearful demeanor, it became evident to him that it had likely fallen victim to abduction by slave traders.
However, a perplexing question lingered in his mind.
How could a fox of royal blood be captured? And who should have been protecting it?
The notion of a fox from a royal bloodline being captured perplexed Arthur, considering the renowned secretive nature of white foxes.
They were distinct from other monster clans in that regard.
Lost in his thoughts, Arthur's attention was abruptly drawn to the white fox in his arms, sensing a sudden stillness.
"This little fox must be exhausted," Arthur murmured, a gentle smile forming on his lips as he carefully adjusted himself to create a comfortable sleeping space for the fox.
Observing the fox's serene and content expression, a reminiscent pang stirred within Arthur's heart, reminding him of his younger sister, Chloe.
"Hey, when will I have the chance to see them again?" he pondered, directing his gaze towards the window, lost in the quiet solitude of the carriage.
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