The scorched earth reeked of smoke and burnt flesh.
The lingering aftermath of demonic energy still hung in the air, making everything around them seem both illusory and painfully real.
Chiyan's body slowly collapsed. Her once-seductive form now looked like a shattered doll, blood seeping endlessly from her wounds.
Her fiery eyes, once blazing with heat, had dulled into lifeless embers, like a candle flame snuffed out.
Her last gaze fell upon the First Elder—filled with unwillingness, filled with regret.
As her human form fell, it reverted to her true body: a massive crimson Leopard Cat yōkai, nearly eight meters long. She crashed heavily onto the charred ground, raising a cloud of dust.
It was the final announcement—the battle was over.
The First Elder slowly sheathed his sword. The clear clink of blade against scabbard rang out sharply across the silent battlefield.
He descended to the ground with a satisfied look. His steps were slightly unsteady, but the joy in his heart could not be hidden.
His robes had been torn to rags in the earlier blast, his hair disheveled, strands of white flying loose in the cold wind.
But none of that mattered. He had slain a high-ranking Leoaprd Cat yōkai—an achievement worthy of celebration across the entire Dog Clan.
In the fifty years since the war between dogs and Leoaprd Cats began, this was the first time a high elder of the Leoaprd Cat Tribe had fallen.
Excitement surged through him. If not for maintaining his image of dignity before the younger "pups" of the clan, he would have thrown his head back and howled at the sky.
"Wo-oooo!"
The Second Elder, far more unrestrained by nature, had no such concerns.
He swung his only arm upward and let loose a roar brimming with exhilaration and pride.
His eyes fell on the corpse of the fallen Fifth Elder of the Leoaprd Cats. Clutching his empty left sleeve, some of the violence in his gaze faded.
Yet at the same time, he knew: this was also a matter that demanded vigilance.
A high-ranking Leoaprd Cat yōkai had fallen. The Leoaprd Cat Tribe would not—could not—let it go unanswered.
Another great war loomed, like thunder rumbling on the horizon before a storm, waiting for the moment to break.
The joy upon the two elders' faces was fleeting, like a shooting star across the night sky—brief, dazzling, and gone in an instant.
Their eyes swept over the dog-demons who were howling and cheering in triumph.
On every youthful, spirited face shone the light of victory. What moved the elders most was that not a single soldier had been killed or gravely wounded.
That sight drew a rare gentleness into their eyes—hard-won comfort at seeing their kin safe and thriving after a battle.
At last, the First Elder turned toward Tōga and Shirayuki. His voice was calm, but brooked no argument:
"Let us return to the watchpost and speak further."
He left Seiten in charge of clearing the battlefield, ordering him to kill any surviving Leoaprd Cats and leave some of the corpses behind as proof.
Meanwhile, Tōga moved to take Shirayuki's hand. But the quick-witted maiden gave a small huff and slipped away without a trace.
Walking slightly ahead, Shirayuki tilted her head, revealing her graceful profile. Beneath her long lashes, her starry eyes sparkled with mischief.
The faint upward curve of her lips clearly said: "Don't think you can take advantage of me so easily."
Her cuteness made Tōga's heart itch with impatience.
He shot her a look that promised silently: "I'll deal with you later."
Before long, the four of them entered the interior of the watchpost and sat down.
The First Elder spoke firmly.
"After the explosion just now, there is no hiding this from the Leopard Cats. You two will return with me to the clan."
"The Second Elder will lead the remaining troops, withdraw the line, and join the Third Elder to fortify the second defensive position."
Perhaps worried that his decision might be misunderstood as lacking confidence, the First Elder offered Shirayuki an explanation—though he did not bother with Tōga, who needed none.
"The territory we currently hold was already seized from other yōkai by the Leopard Cats. When we took it for ourselves, it was always with the intent that we might have to abandon it again at any time."
"I understand, Great [First] Elder." Shirayuki answered softly, nodding. "Tōga often tells me the same. As long as the Dog Clan endures, the land we lose today will one day be ours again."
The Leopard Cat Tribe still had five high-ranking yōkai aside from the slain Fifth Elder.
Two of them guarded other frontiers, responsible for watching over rival powers within the Western Lands.
Now that Chiyan had fallen, it was highly likely the Leopard Cats would recall one—or even both—of them.
If five high elders struck together, the Dog Clan would suffer a bloody lesson.
Clearly, the first defensive line could no longer be held. The clan had to retreat to their carefully fortified stronghold.
Shirayuki understood all of this. But as one whose power had already neared the rank of a high yōkai, she hated the thought of cowering in safety while her kin bled on the frontlines.
Even if it was an elder's command, she could hardly bear it.
Yet the resolute look in the First Elder's eyes left no room for refusal. Shirayuki swallowed the words she longed to speak and kept them in her heart.
She glanced sideways at Tōga, who seemed deep in thought. Her eyes shimmered with mixed emotions: frustration… and a faint spark of hope.
'I want to fight!'
'Not yet.'
Tōga, reading her perfectly, gave her a look that said: "Be patient."
For though he loved her, he did not agree with her remaining at the stronghold.
Even if she was unmatched among mid-level yōkai—almost a half-step into the high tier—she still could not stand against true high-ranking panthers.
If she were to be caught in such a battle, the consequences would be disastrous.
And besides, the fortress did not need her strength—or even his own. If anything, their presence would only burden the elders, who would be forced to divide their attention.
As the Dog General's only daughter, Shirayuki was a tempting prize for the Leopard Cats. Her capture could spark a calamity none wished to face.
With Tōga watching over Shirayuki, I can rest a little easier, thought the First Elder. Still, I must warn our lord that these two must not be allowed to act recklessly.
His mind set, the elder turned his gaze upon Tōga, who only smiled slyly back, as though to say: "Leave it to me."
Then he shifted to the Second Elder.
The latter straightened, his expression solemn as he asked:
"Tōga, I've noticed that half the members of your squad have already taken human form. Does this mean the shapeshifting technique you've been developing… has succeeded?"
"Nearly so," Tōga replied with confidence. "A little more refinement, and it will be ready to share with the clan."
The Second Elder froze for a moment, his thoughts shaken, until the First Elder's reminder pulled him back.
He looked at the handsome Tōga and the graceful Shirayuki, and emotion welled within him.
"Truly… the heavens favor our clan."