Chapter 34 - The Silver Wolf Princess
The next morning, Kai left the Dragonbone Frontier.
Commander Arcturus, Lyra Frost, and hundreds of Frontier Hunters gathered outside the fortress gates.
Arcturus placed a hand on Kai's shoulder.
"The frontier will always welcome you."
Kai smiled.
"And I'll return."
Lyra folded her arms.
"Don't die before then."
The Crimson Flame Fox laughed.
"She has a strange way of wishing people good luck."
Lyra rolled her eyes.
"I heard that."
Even Ignis chuckled.
---
After seven days of travel, Kai crossed the northern border into the Kingdom of Astravia.
Unlike the harsh Dragonbone Frontier, Astravia was peaceful.
Rolling green hills stretched to the horizon.
Crystal-clear rivers wound through forests of silver-leafed trees.
Elegant stone towns stood beneath snow-capped mountains.
It felt like another world.
The Book of Infinite Beasts shimmered.
---
New Region Unlocked
Kingdom of Astravia
Population: 18 million
Known For:
- Silver Wolf Clan
- Moon Crystal Mines
- Frost Magic
- Beast Sanctuaries
Primary Objective:
Locate the Potential Ally.
---
Kai entered the capital city of Lunaris.
The streets were crowded with merchants, adventurers, and Beast Tamers.
Musicians played cheerful melodies in the market square.
Children chased young beasts through the streets.
The fox smiled.
"I like this place."
Ignis sniffed the air.
"It won't stay peaceful for long."
---
Suddenly, shouting erupted nearby.
"Someone stop it!"
A frightened horse raced through the market, pulling a broken carriage behind it.
People screamed and scattered.
A small child froze in the middle of the road.
The carriage was only seconds away.
Kai didn't think.
He acted.
"Spirit Step!"
He blurred forward.
Just as he reached the child—
A silver flash descended from the rooftops.
A magnificent white wolf landed between the child and the carriage.
Its icy-blue eyes glowed.
With a single swipe of its paw, it froze the carriage's wheels.
The runaway horse stopped safely.
The market fell silent.
Kai gently lifted the child and carried him back to his mother.
She bowed repeatedly.
"Thank you!"
Kai smiled.
"He's safe."
---
A calm voice spoke behind him.
"You moved quickly."
Kai turned.
Standing there was a young woman about his age.
She had long silver hair that shimmered in the sunlight and clear sapphire-blue eyes.
She wore a white travelling cloak embroidered with a silver crescent moon.
Beside her stood the white wolf.
The Book appeared immediately.
---
Potential Ally Confirmed
Name: Princess Selene Astravia
Age: 18
Contract Beast: Lunar Frost Wolf
Rank: Mythic
Compatibility with Kai:
98%
Future Status:
Companion of the Beast Sovereign
---
Kai blinked.
"Princess?"
The young woman smiled.
"Only when politics demand it."
"I'm Selene."
"I prefer simply being called Selene."
She extended her hand.
Kai shook it.
"I'm Kai."
For a brief moment, the golden mark on Kai's hand and the silver pendant around Selene's neck glowed together.
Both of them noticed.
Neither said a word.
---
The Lunar Frost Wolf walked toward the Crimson Flame Fox.
The two beasts studied one another.
"So..." the wolf said.
"You're the famous fox."
The fox puffed out its chest proudly.
"Word travels fast."
Ignis peered over Kai's shoulder.
"Don't encourage him."
The wolf laughed softly.
"Your companions are... interesting."
---
Before Kai could reply, the city bells rang loudly.
DONG! DONG! DONG!
The cheerful atmosphere vanished.
Royal guards rushed through the streets.
One of them knelt before Selene.
"Your Highness!"
"The Royal Beast Sanctuary has been breached!"
"The Moon Crystal has been stolen!"
Selene's expression hardened instantly.
"Who did it?"
The captain swallowed.
"Witnesses reported seeing..."
"...members of the Divine Temple."
Kai and Selene exchanged a glance.
Their meeting had lasted less than five minutes.
And already...
They shared a common enemy.
Far away, atop the highest tower in Lunaris, a cloaked figure watched them through a crystal orb.
He smiled beneath his silver mask.
"The Beast Sovereign..."
"...has finally met the Moon Princess."
He crushed the orb in his hand.
"Proceed to Phase Two."
Hidden beneath the royal palace, an ancient prison began to shake.
Something sealed beneath Astravia slowly opened its eyes.