Kitsune of the Blue Sun

Chapter 184- The Invitation

[Keeno POV]

A few days had passed since we had our relaxing time together.  We had moved to the larger Radiant Knight compound outside of the noble district in this time and honestly, it was much more comfortable.  It was early morning now and I was in the training room. When Margaret showed us around the day we got here, I was surprised that they had what I would consider a modern day earth gym with all the equipment. Deciding to take advantage of this, I woke up early the next day and dressed in a good outfit for working out. Hitting the gym I couldn’t help but inwardly chuckle at Ama’s approving silence that clearly showed she was quite interested in what I was doing and wearing.

‘Note to self, wear more form fitting clothes for Ama.’

Finished up with my workout, I decided to jog around the room to decompress. Once that was done, I grabbed a towel from my ring and wiped the sweat off my face.

{Guh.}

“Ama?”

{You’re too sexy like this, Keeno.}

“Oh?”

I smirked mischievously.

“So me being all sweaty makes you hot and bothered, eh?”

{No, but your slightly flushed, toned body in clothes that hug your form does.}

“Hehe.  Alright then, I know what I’m wearing next time I see you.”

{YES!!!}

Her overreaction made me chuckle.  Just as I was leaving the room, Margaret and Zofia came in followed by a seemingly sleepwalking Maria.

“Oh!  Hello, Keeno.” (Margaret)

“Morning. I hope it was alright for me to use the facilities here.” (Keeno)

“Perfectly fine.” (Margaret)

“Hmm.” (Zofia)

Turning my attention to Zofia, I saw that she was looking me up and down while she had her fingers on her chin, clearly thinking about something.

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“Lady Okami, if I may, can I ask for a small sparring session?” (Zofia)

“I don’t see why not, though I do want to ask why.” (Keeno)

“I’m the one in charge of training the knights and seeing your physique, it makes me want to test you.   See if you have anything I can help you improve on.” (Zofia)

“Aunt, I think that’s a bad idea for you to spar with her. I’ve done it a few times and know she’s above your level to handle.” (Margaret)

“Then I’ll observe while you two spar. Maybe it’ll even motivate Maria to improve too.” (Zofia)

Speaking of Maria, she was still standing there clearly half asleep, though at the mention of her name she seemed to become slightly more aware.  Seeing this Zofia just shook her head and heaved a defeated sigh.

“You have a place that can withstand it?” (Keeno)

“While not as good as the Guild, we do have a room for higher tier fights.” (Margaret)

“Then let’s go. I’m all warmed up.” (Keeno)

Margaret led the way to the sparring room. When we got there and she opened the doors, I was greeted by the sight of walls full of weapons ranging from swords to spears to axes. There were also bows and crossbows, spear throwers, and even blowguns.  Stepping into the center of the room, Margaret turned to me and summoned her Soul Weapon.

“Let’s see who wins this time.” (Margaret)

Summoning my swords in reply, we began our fight. It only lasted half an hour before we called it to a stop with a tie. We had both gotten in some good bits, but neither of us could get the equilibrium to tip in our favor.

“You’ve improved.” (Margaret)

“Well, I did have some training with Ama, so I’d be upset if I didn’t.” (Keeno)

Walking up to us, Zofia had a look of admiration and contemplation on her face.

“You fight more to kill than anything, don’t you?” (Zofia)

“Is there a problem with that?” (Keeno)

“Not really, though that’s why you couldn’t break the stalemate. Because you fight more to kill, when you are put in a situation where you need to hold back like this, you become too conscious about it. Of course, this reason is also what prevented Margaret from winning as she couldn’t find the right balance herself. A mix of deadly and nonlethal strikes threw her off and caused her to over analyze things.  Also, and this is just my own personal opinion, but you are quite cocky in your fighting style. It tells me that you don’t lose fights very often and your aggression shows flaws that you rely in your killing intent to cover. Like you don’t fear getting killed.” (Zofia)

“Well, I can’t die, though I do also feel pain, and I don’t lose fights much at all. If I’m sparring against Ama or Fia, I do, but with Margaret, though I’m still under at the moment, I can get better.  Plus, most gaps I do have I fill with magic, though this sparring session didn’t let me show that.” (Keeno)

“Hmm.  I still think you should show a little more caution, but that’s just my opinion as an instructor. All in all, it was a good match. And Margaret, you still haven’t gotten over some of those bad habits of yours. Fighting is about efficiency, you don’t need to flourish your attacks as much. No unnecessary movements or showboating.” (Zofia)

“Yes, Aunt Zofia.” (Margaret)

Maria came up shortly after, fully awake, and was about to say something, but was interrupted when a knight came into the room.

“Commander Margaret, a messenger from Madam Sif has arrived with a message.”

Nodding her head, she and I left the room seeing as it was most likely for me.  Arriving outside an office I saw a young kitsune woman standing next to the door.  She seemed extremely nervous if her twitching ears and stiff tail were anything to go by. When she heard us approaching, she turned and her eyes went wide upon seeing me, her eyes instantly being drawn to my tails.

‘I’m starting to think my having four tails is more inconvenient around other kitsune than I originally thought.’

{It’s an instinct thing. The more tails we have, the more other kitsune are drawn to us. It’s also a respect thing, though it’s not as known now.}

‘Hmm.’

The kitsune woman stared for a minute longer before coming back to herself. Her ears flattened against her head, and she blushed a little.

“G-greetings, Lady Nearl, p-princess. Madam Sif has sent me to deliver an invitation.”

Pulling a letter out of her tail, she shook as she handed it to the knight who led us here who then handed it to Margaret. She looked over the envelope before nodding and handing it to me.

“Before that, let’s go inside. It isn’t proper to meet in the hallway like this.” (Margaret)

She walked up and unlocked the door. We all entered after her and I took a seat on one of the plush chairs in the room.   Opening the letter I started reading.

[Greetings Princess Okami. I apologize for the delay in sending this but I’ve been dealing with rescuing our kin from the nobles that have been mysteriously dying recently.  Preface aside, I’ve been able to free up time the rest of this week to meet with you at your discretion. Our meeting place is my main establishment called The Vixen’s Allure.  Once you arrive, just let the one at the entrance know I’m expecting you and she should let you in.  All I ask is that you please hold any disgust for this profession in. I understand that it isn’t the most reputable, but the ones that work here truly love their work and despite the image it may give them, they too have their reasons for it.

-Signed, Sif]

I was a bit confused why she would think I’d be disgusted at her work but decided to chock it up to difference in culture.

{If you want a suggestion, the id say go today. The faster the better.}

I nodded mentally at Ama before turning to the messenger.

“Please let Mrs. Sif that I will meet with her later this afternoon. I shall go prepare soon.” (Keeno)

The messenger bowed deeply and looked like she wanted to run out the door, but realized she would be rude for doing that, she embarrassedly bowed again to me and Margaret.

“I shall relay your intentions, mistress. Madam Sif shall be waiting your arrival.”

She bowed a final time before leaving the room.

“Well, I guess I know what I’m doing the rest of the day.” (Keeno)

Standing up I was about to leave the room when I turned to the others.

“Margaret, mind if I borrow that carriage, we used last time?” (Keeno)

“Feel free. I’ll assign someone to driving it since Aunt Zofia doesn’t like going to that part of town.” (Margaret)

“…” (Zofia)

We turned to look at Zofia who let out a strange noise somewhere between a grunt and a cough.  Her face was red like a tomato and her tail was erratically swishing back and forth.

“…” (Margaret)

{Well, she’s an adult, so she can do whatever she wants. It’s not like we’ll judge her.}

“Guess Aunt Zofia will be driving you then.” (Margaret)

It was this moment I decided to get out of the room because Zofia’s embarrassed blush turned to one of irritation and I didn’t want to get caught in the scolding. I made my way to my room and took a shower.

{Remind me next time we’re together to get you to walk around with just a towel hanging from your neck. It does things to me.}

“I’ll remember.”

Once I felt fully clean and refreshed, I dried myself off before getting to work drying my tails.

“WHY IS THERE STILL ASH IN THERE!!?  It’s like sand!!”

I got up and went back to the shower before starting the entire tail cleaning process again.  Only on the seventh wash did I finally become satisfied with the result.  Thankfully it only took two hours, and I still had ample time before the afternoon came around. I got dressed in my short shorts and sleeveless shirt since it was easier to move in and, even with my tails, since it would cause some kind of commotion. No one would expect a princess to wear something so casual to somewhere she normally should never be seen near such a place.

“Time to go then.”

Leaving my room, I made my way to the carriage that should have been waiting for me.

Chaos Realm:

*Payto sticks his out out of a shining window*

Luna, your blessing hit ant doom affect there.

Luna: Good. I hope Aiko and the others appreciate it.

I’m sure they will, given enough time.

Luna: That’s good. By the way, there is this kitsune named Vale I want to bless.

Same rules as last time. I’ll meet with the Chaos God there and see where and how much is allowed.

Luna: Thanks.