Chapter 213: Little Kiara Is Very Curious
To put it plainly, Tamamo-no-Mae is actually someone exceptionally skilled in certain areas.
Cursed Arts (Dakini-ten Method): EX
Not only is the level of this Cursed Arts possessed by Tamamo-no-Mae high, but its effects also include acquiring wealth and status (for men) and gaining the favor of those in power (for women).
It can be said that as the legacy left to Tamamo-no-Mae by the Golden-Faced Nine-Tailed Fox, although Tamamo-no-Mae is strictly speaking not the Golden-Faced Nine-Tailed Fox, she is capable of everything the Golden-Faced Nine-Tailed Fox could do.
For example, bewitching an emperor like Su Daji—this is not a difficult task for Tamamo-no-Mae. On the contrary, even if she has never done it before, she can accomplish it as long as she wants to.
Secondly, aside from this absurdly high-level Cursed Arts, Tamamo-no-Mae also possesses another ridiculously high-level peculiar skill.
Namely—Fox's Bride: EX
To put it simply, this skill is a one-sided declaration of marriage to the other party. However, after activation, its effects can even drag all the fated people around into the ceremony, forcibly making them participate in the wedding.
It also summons a sunshower representing blessings.
And it gives gifts to the fated people.
If used to bless a mutual love, this skill is quite remarkable—but if used directly on a stranger, then it is remarkable in another sense.
Moreover, this skill evolved from a fairly high-level Item Creation.
So in a way, this fox has her own impressive traits, even though she is no longer the Golden-Faced Nine-Tailed Fox after severing her tails.
But...
After Tamamo-no-Mae pounced, rather than catching her, Noah dodged instead.
He stepped back slightly, letting Tamamo-no-Mae fall to the ground. Then, looking at Tamamo-no-Mae lying on the floor with a resentful gaze and the eight tails swaying behind her, he asked in a rather indifferent tone.
"Eight tails... I've actually heard about you from various sources. If you had three tails, I might have welcomed you, but with eight tails—in this situation, should I call you Tamamo-no-Mae, or should I call you the Golden-Faced Nine-Tailed Fox?"
When Noah helped Tamamo-no-Mae against Chaos, he actually obtained some information from her.
This included the fact that after Tamamo-no-Mae devoured the Heavenly Fox and severed its tails, even with eight tails now, she is still Tamamo-no-Mae, not the Golden-Faced Nine-Tailed Fox.
Moreover, Noah's power from the Star Performer allowed him to clearly hear the voice emanating from Tamamo-no-Mae.
It was not the voice of a monster, not the voice of a god, nor the voice of a Beast...
But Noah still said it.
Because he felt that some things must be made clear from the very beginning.
This wasn't about him needing something or fearing something; on the contrary, it was likely Tamamo-no-Mae who needed such clear positioning to truly feel at ease.
"It seems my name has spread quite far..."
Hearing Noah's question, Tamamo-no-Mae's gaze clearly grew complicated.
But before she could utter her next words, Noah spoke first.
"Your name is certainly very famous... but that's not what I'm referring to. Reputation is merely something used to intimidate others. When encountering an independent being, if one doesn't seek to understand them personally, wouldn't that be equivalent to living in someone else's world—do you think I would be frightened by mere reputation alone?"
Noah's words left Tamamo-no-Mae somewhat taken aback.
Initially, when Tamamo-no-Mae heard Noah say this, she thought he had heard of Su Daji's name and mistaken her for the Golden-Faced Nine-Tailed Fox from that era.
Of course, she could understand that.
Because such infamy is like driving a nail into a wall—it's not over just by pulling the nail out, for afterward, the wall still bears the Hole left by your action!
Those Holes form a wall of prejudice... and it's not something you can shatter simply by trying to correct it.
Because even someone like her, who is now an entirely different fox, still has to bear the ill repute left behind by the Golden-Faced Nine-Tailed Fox.
So... it seems that a fox spirit like her is akin to poison to any ruler.
This led her to feel distressed that her romance this time had ended before it even began, but she didn't blame Noah for it.
However, upon hearing Noah's words, she was clearly stunned.
He wasn't afraid of the reputation she inherited from the Golden-Faced Nine-Tailed Fox?
Then what?
Just as Tamamo-no-Mae was puzzled, Noah spoke his next words.
"Compared to such trivial matters, you, possessing eight tails, wield far too much power... So, Tamamo-no-Mae, I offer you two choices: either I will eliminate you here, or... join us. I will keep you in the Maid Squad, a position close to me, to keep a watchful eye on your overwhelming power—of course, whether to live or die, I will give you ample time to think it over. For now, consider it carefully."
Noah left these words behind and, without giving Tamamo-no-Mae a chance to respond, turned and walked away.
Watching Noah like this, Tamamo-no-Mae felt her mind filled with question marks.
You, who can resist that extraterrestrial will that easily suppressed me... say I'm too powerful!?
Tamamo-no-Mae truly couldn't understand this. After all, even though she now has eight tails, she still doesn't believe she could be a match for Noah...
Even he himself knows this, yet he threatens to kill her.
So why would he say such a thing?
Tamamo-no-Mae felt she couldn't comprehend it at all...
But since these words came from Noah.
In the presence of someone stronger than herself—even far stronger—no matter how unreasonable their actions might seem, as the weaker party, she must think more carefully.
Especially since she isn't alone in this...
Thinking of this, Tamamo-no-Mae glanced at Little Kiara beside her and noticed that she hadn't been frightened by Noah's words, remaining as composed as before.
Even when she noticed Noah looking at her, Little Kiara showed a somewhat puzzled expression.
Ah, innocent children really are wonderful.
Pure, and... not having to think about so many (Noah's) things.
With such thoughts, Tamamo-no-Mae confirmed her own choice.
Although she didn't know what kind of place the Maid Squad was, if she had to make a choice between life and death... she couldn't die just yet.
With this mindset, Tamamo-no-Mae first comforted Little Kiara before planning to go out and check on Noah's situation, then formally inform Noah of the only choice available.
With these thoughts, Tamamo-no-Mae left the room.
Watching Tamamo-no-Mae like this, Little Kiara grew even more puzzled.
She had eyes that could see through to the essence of things.
She had clearly seen that when Noah spoke those words, his colors were bright and warm, without a trace of malice—even carrying a great deal of goodwill.
That's why she was curious about Tamamo-no-Mae's reaction.
If the other person spoke with goodwill, why did Teacher Tamamo-no-Mae show such an expression?
Little Kiara was very curious!