Who is he?
The beastman standing before Paxilous held the fox‑folk girl’s hand gently—far more gently than most humans ever could.
There was a quiet understanding in the way their fingers were intertwined, an ease born from instinct rather than thought. The air between them felt smooth and unbroken, as if they had long learned how to move around one another without friction.
The girl was small, barely reaching the man’s elbow. Rain slid down her hood and clung to her short fur, making her look even smaller than she already was.
Paxilous, still drowning in shock and grief, did not answer right away.
“I asked if you’re okay,” the man repeated, his voice steady.
“He’s crying,” the girl said flatly.
They both looked at Paxilous with mild curiosity—not concern, not cruelty. Just awareness. Whatever tragedy had found him, it was not yet theirs to carry.
The girl tilted her head toward the man.
“Why isn’t he answering?” she asked. “That’s so rude of him.”
Her expression soured with visible irritation.
Then she coughed.
Hard.
Her body folded slightly as she pressed a hand to her mouth, the sound rough and painful. She nearly lost her balance.
The man reacted instantly, releasing Paxilous from his attention and placing a firm hand on her back, rubbing slow circles.
“Princess,” he said quietly.
She inhaled, steadied herself, and straightened again.
“Let’s get out of the rain,” she said, brushing it off. “This boy is ignoring us anyway.”
The man nodded, then glanced back at Paxilous.
“Kid,” he said, his tone still calm. “If you’re not going to answer, we’re leaving.”
They turned as if they truly meant it.
Paxilous’s chest tightened.
“No—don’t!” he cried.
He dropped to his knees and shuffled forward, hands raised instinctively as if afraid they might vanish if he didn’t reach out.
The man stopped and turned back.
“Then tell me what’s wrong,” he said. “If you need help, speak.”
His words were cold, but not unkind. Even as Paxilous cried silently, tears streaking down his face, the man did not look away.
“Come on,” the girl muttered. “I’m freezing.”
She had clearly lost interest.
“Wait a moment, princess,” the man said.
“Don’t call me that,” she grumbled under her breath, turning her face away. "I'm no longer a princess."
The beastman saw her reaction, but he let it go.
He then released her hand and crouched in front of Paxilous.
“Speak up,” he said. “What happened?”
Paxilous sniffled, his shoulders shaking.
“It’s my sister,” he said. “She’s… she’s in danger.”
The man listened without interrupting.
“All of them are,” Paxilous continued. “Please. You have to help them. I beg you.”
The words finally broke free, tangled with sobs.
The man placed a firm, steady hand on Paxilous’s shoulder.
“It’s alright,” he said. “I’ll help you.”
“What?!” the girl snapped. “You can’t do that.”
“Where are they?” the man asked, ignoring the girl.
Paxilous lifted a trembling hand and pointed back toward the forest—the only direction burned into his memory.
“Alright,” the man said. “Stay here with the princess. I’ll be back.”
He stood and slipped off his raincoat.
Beneath it, his fur was marked with distinct black spots and muted orange stripes. Two short swords rested crossed against his back, worn and familiar.
He draped the raincoat over Paxilous’s shoulders.
The girl scowled.
“Hey! You’re just leaving me here in the rain?!”
“I’ll be back,” he said calmly, adjusting his stance. “This shouldn’t take long.”
“If you leave,” she snapped, “don’t come back.”
“Don’t be dramatic. Just stay put.”
Then he turned and disappeared into the forest.
“Hey!!” the girl shouted after him.
The rain swallowed her voice.
She snarled sharply, tail flicking in irritation, then glanced at Paxilous again.
Whatever sympathy she might have had vanished just as quickly.
She sat down heavily against the nearest tree, puffed out her cheeks, and huddled there in silence—angry, wet, and waiting.
※
Mariada struggled weakly against the assassin’s grip.
Her body dragged across the soaked earth as he kicked her forward, mud smearing her clothes and skin. Rain mixed with dirt, clinging to her fur and weighing her down.
“Stop struggling!” he snapped, his patience finally gone.
Mariada cried out in pain—but that was all she could do. Her limbs felt heavy, useless, as if her will itself had been drained away.
“Because of you,” the assassin continued coldly, “that brat managed to escape. Who knows who he might tell of our deeds...”
Then he smirked, as if what he had just said was funny to even think about.
"It doesn't matter. It's not like anyone will believe a beast child."
As he dragged her deeper into the forest—something moved. Fast.
Too fast.
A presence cut through the rain and branches like a blade through cloth. Even the falling droplets seemed to lag behind their movement.
Before the assassin could react, a voice spoke behind him.
“Hey.”
The assassin flinched and turned sharply.
“What do you want?” he snapped. "Tch! Great, another nuisance."
The beastman stood there calmly, rain sliding off his fur.
“Drop the woman,” he said. “And leave.”
The assassin’s irritation twisted into open hostility.
“Huh?” His lips curled. “You must want to die.”
He shoved Mariada aside. It was not out of obedience, but to free his hands.
The beastman moved.
Not toward the assassin. Toward Mariada.
Before the assassin could even blink, Mariada was gone from his grasp.
“What—?”
The assassin spun around.
The beastman had already lifted Mariada, placing her gently at his side.
“Tch! Who are you?” the assassin demanded.
“Who I am doesn’t matter.”
As the beastman supported Mariada, his hand brushed the cold metal at her neck.
A collar.
His expression darkened instantly.
He set her down carefully, then turned back toward the assassin.
“Now,” he said quietly, “tell me where the others are.”
The assassin scoffed.
“And why should I answer you when you won’t answer me?”
In one smooth motion, the beastman drew the two short swords from his back and fixed the assassin with an unreadable stare.
“…Because if you don’t,” the beastman replied evenly, “I’ll kill you.”
There was no anger in his voice, only certainty.
The assassin laughed.
“You don’t scare me.”
That was his mistake.
The beastman’s eyes narrowed, then he rushed forward.
Steel flashed.
Two blades swept outward in a perfect crossing arc.
The assassin barely managed to twist away, the edges slicing through his chest armor instead of his flesh. He leapt back, clutching himself in shock.
“Tch—!”
He sprang up into the trees, instinct screaming at him to create distance. But when he landed on the tree branch—cold steel pressed against his throat.
The assassin squeaked in terror.
The beastman stood behind him.
“I warned you,” he said softly. “I’ll give you one chance. Where are the others?”
“How did you—” the assassin began.
But then the blade pressed harder.
His breath hitched.
“…Okay,” he said quickly. “I’ll talk.”
*I need to buy time.*
“Count Juliq ordered us to subjugate a beastfolk tribe in the mountains,” he said. “We succeeded. But right when we were transporting them, that woman escaped with another and a young boy, causing chaos. So I pursued her. The other woman was already captured, and the boy fled into the forest—”
The blade bit closer.
“Don’t play games with me.”
“O‑Okay!” the assassin stammered. "You want to know where the others are, right?"
Then, beneath his mask, he smiled.
“The others… are none of your concern!”
Steel whistled through the air.
Several kunai flew at once.
The beastman released him instantly and twisted aside, blades flashing as he deflected the knives. The assassin used the opening to leap away, creating distance.
He touched his neck.
No blood.
Three more assassins emerged, landing near him beneath the trees.
“Are you alright?” one asked.
“It’s nothing,” the spy said coldly. “Retrieve the woman.”
“What about the beastman?”
“Kill him.”
They vanished at once.
If they had known what they were facing, they might have hesitated.
They had brought down Kael and his guards, and they outnumbered this man, which boosted their ego.
That was enough for them.
One struck from behind—The beastman sidestepped and slit his throat in a single motion.
The spy used that moment to flee, never looking back.
The remaining two assassins attacked in fury, angry for their fallen comrade.
Knives flew as they rushed him. However, they fell just as quickly.
When the forest grew quiet again, the beastman stood alone among the bodies. Looking up at the tree, he noticed the spy had abandoned his allies.
The rain seemed to soften. Then it stopped.
He sheathed his blades and turned back to Mariada.
Only then did he really see her.
*…Sh-She’s beautiful.*
He caught her as she swayed, supporting her carefully.
“Are you alright?” he asked.
Mariada lifted her gaze, eyes unfocused.
“Who… are you?”
“Oh. I’m Zecorn,” he said simply.
She nodded faintly.
“…Thank you.”
“No problem,” he replied. “Come on. A boy is waiting for you.”
He guided her gently toward where he had left Paxilous and the fox‑folk girl.
☆
They returned to where the fox‑folk girl and Paxilous were waiting.
The girl sat with her back against a tree, arms folded tightly, saying nothing. Paxilous sat nearby, knees drawn to his chest, staring blankly at the rain‑soaked ground.
“I’m back,” Zecorn said.
“Hmph. Took you long enough,” the girl replied without looking up.
Then her eyes flicked to his swords.
The inner edges glowed faintly red, the light fading slowly like embers cooling after a fire.
“…Did you kill someone?” she demanded.
“I didn’t have a choice,” Zecorn replied.
That ended the matter. Though the girl’s cheeks puffed slightly, her irritation didn’t fade.
When Paxilous noticed Mariada beside him, he shot up so fast the raincoat slipped from his shoulders.
“Miss Mariada!” he cried.
Zecorn lowered her gently, careful not to let her stumble.
Paxilous rushed to her side and tried to support her himself, even though she was far heavier than he was.
“I’m glad you’re safe, Paxil,” Mariada said softly.
“…Mhm.” He nodded, forcing a small smile. “What about my sister?”
"She..." Mariada hesitated.
*So this is not her sister,* Zecorn thought.
Then he spoke up.
“I’m sorry, kid,” he said. “I only managed to save her. I couldn’t find your sister.”
The words struck hard.
Paxilous’s face crumpled. Tears welled in his eyes, but he made no sound as they spilled down his cheeks.
“Why are you apologizing?” the girl snapped. “He should be thanking you.”
“Princess—” Zecorn began.
“No!” she interrupted. “This kid’s been rude the entire time.”
*You’re the one being rude,* Zecorn thought.
He turned back to Mariada and Paxilous.
“Please forgive her,” he said evenly. “She means well. She just has little patience.”
The girl looked away with a huff.
“No… she’s right,” Mariada said. “What you did was more than we could ever ask for. We truly appreciate it.”
The girl froze.
She clearly hadn’t expected that response.
Paxilous remained silent, shoulders trembling as tears continued to fall.
Mariada placed a gentle hand on his head.
Zecorn cleared his throat.
“Ahem... We should leave this place and find shelter,” he said.
He stepped closer and offered Mariada his support again.
“Thank you,” she replied quietly.
As Zecorn steadied her, Mariada reached out her free hand.
“Come on, Paxil. It will be okay.”
Paxilous hesitated—then took her hand. The other was used to wipe away his tears.
Zecorn reached back as well.
The girl grimaced, but after a moment, she took his hand too.
The four of them began to walk, leaving the soaked forest behind in search of shelter.
A woman held a child’s hand.
A man held a young girl’s.
Three different races, all sharing in each other's kindness.
☆
Elsewhere—
The carriages carrying the captured beastfolk rolled out of the forest and through the rear gates of Count Juliq’s manor.
Chains rattled softly inside.
Most of the captives sat in silence, staring at the floor or clutching one another in fear.
They knew what it meant when a human noble took an interest in beastfolk.
And it was never merciful.
All they could do now—was wait.
