The World Is Mine For The Taking

Chapter 973 - 148 - Bigger Plan (1)

Among the many idols and celebrities working for Leonamon, there was one name that always rose to the top, no matter how much time passed—and that was Ayane Kitsune.

She wasn’t just another pretty face in the industry. She came from the Kitsune Clan, a bloodline of beastfolk born with nine tails with each tail a symbol of power, grace, and nobility. People called them the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan, and they were said to be the most exalted among all beastfolk, almost divine in the eyes of some. But as rare as they were, their rarity became both a blessing and a curse. Only a handful of them existed in the world, and that was exactly why slavers hunted them like prized jewels.

They sold for absurd prices. If you compared the cost of buying a mermaid to the price of a nine-tailed fox, the difference would be laughable—one couldn’t even begin to compare. It was like comparing a pebble to a diamond. The mere existence of a nine-tailed fox was enough to make the greediest of men lose their sanity.

And right now, one of those rare beings stood under the flashing lights of a photoshoot. Ayane Kitsune—our company’s main star.

Her beauty was something that felt unreal, like she had stepped straight out of a dream. Every curve of her face, every flick of her tails, every faint motion of her lips seemed to pull people in. The studio’s atmosphere was heavy with silence, except for the clicking of cameras and the muffled sound of awe from the crew. Her eyes shimmered faintly under the light, like molten honey swirling with secrets. Even the faint movement of her tails created a subtle breeze that made her hair flutter softly, almost as if the air itself bent to her will.

She wasn’t just representing

the brand—she was the brand. The company’s logo, our emblem, was designed in her image—a nine-tailed fox in mid-motion, elegant yet fierce. She embodied everything Leonamon stood for and that was beauty, rarity, and untouchable allure. I couldn’t do much about it. I mean, honestly, there was no one who could compete with her. Someone that rare only appeared once in a lifetime, and considering her elegance and charm, it was only natural she became the face everyone recognized.

When I first saw her, though, she was nothing like this. I still remember the first time our eyes met... I mean, back then, her face was blank and her eyes were hollow, as if her soul had long left her body. There was despair in her every movement, every word she spoke sounded lifeless. But now... now, that look was gone. The dull emptiness had been replaced by a quiet strength, by a spark that made her eyes come alive again. Maybe it was because her life was finally her own now? I couldn’t say for sure, but whatever it was, the change in her was undeniable.

"Master."

The voice snapped me out of my thoughts. It was Maya—one of my beastfolk maids, a woman with silver hair and small ram’s horns curling from both sides of her head. Her expression was calm, but I could sense a faint tremor in her voice.

"What is it?" I asked, setting the papers I’d been reading aside.

"I know this might be impertinent for me to ask... considering I’m only a lowly servant," she began, her voice trembling slightly, "but... would you allow me to visit my family once more?"

Her eyes lowered as she continued, "I received a letter earlier. It said our village was attacked by bandits last night. I want to go and confirm the situation myself... if you would permit me, Master." She bowed deeply, her hands trembling slightly at her sides.

Maya wasn’t just one of my workers. She was one of my women—someone who had been by my side through thick and thin, helping me run Leonamon while also serving me in more intimate ways. She was loyal, gentle, and always willing to put herself on the line for me. So when I saw that look of worry in her eyes, it wasn’t even a question. Of course, I’d let her go.

"Alright," I said after a pause. "You have my permission. But I’m not letting you go alone. If there were bandits, then the roads might still be dangerous. I can’t risk you running into trouble. Which is why I’m coming with you."

"Y-You’re coming with me, Master?" she asked, her eyes going wide in surprise, almost comically so. "Is... is that really okay? You’re always so busy, Master."

I gave a small chuckle. "You don’t have to worry about that. Besides, you’re one of my women, aren’t you? I think it’s only right that I go with you to meet your family. I’m sure they’ll want to know who the man is that took their daughter’s heart. I want them to see that the one you’re with isn’t some nobody, but someone who can protect you."

The moment I said that, her face turned bright red—so red that even the tips of her horns seemed to heat up. Her eyes darted around, and she fidgeted with her hands, unable to meet my gaze.

"W-Well, I guess we can arrange that..." she mumbled shyly. "If I tell them who my lover is, it’ll definitely make them feel relieved that I’m doing okay..."

Her bashful tone made me smile. She was too cute for her own good sometimes.

And with that, it was decided. We’d travel together to the Great Forest.

To be honest, I’d been visiting that place a lot lately—mostly because of the Elven Kingdom.

It had already been a month since we successfully rescued the elven slaves from the Empire of Rodonia. The entire operation went flawlessly. Not a single trace led back to us. Still, the Empire wasn’t stupid—they must’ve already figured out that it was the Elven Kingdom’s doing. I could practically imagine the Emperor’s fury, his greedy fangs bared, already scheming to conquer the forest and enslave its people once more.

But there was no way I’d let that happen. If he wanted war, then I’d give him one. The Elven Kingdom belonged to me now, and I wasn’t about to let anyone take it away.

Solaris had already made her announcement as well that she would be stepping down, passing the crown to Artemis. The people seemed to accept it without question, almost as if it had been decided by fate. Artemis had earned their trust, and even Aegis stayed behind to support her instead of returning to Leonamon with me. That was fine—I respected her decision.

And though it wasn’t declared officially, the Elven Kingdom was mine as well, in every sense that mattered. But lately, changes had been stirring in the Great Forest—shifts that hinted at something bigger coming. I had an idea forming in my head, one that could change things for the better.

That was also one of the reasons I decided to go with Maya. Something told me that this trip wasn’t just about checking on her family—it was going to set something important in motion.