Just as tragedy seemed about to strike, the Phantom-Feather Cloud Snake dissolved into mist the instant the sharp beak pecked down.
It drifted away and reappeared a short distance off.
It reared up and glared at the owl.
"Hiss, hiss!"
Its voice was full of threats and warnings.
"Hoot, hoot~"
Having failed to peck the cloud snake, the owl made no further move. It simply preened its feathers with its beak, acting as though nothing had happened.
That only made the Phantom-Feather Cloud Snake's dramatic reaction seem a little awkward.
Kroya couldn't help laughing at the sight. This owl really knows how to play dumb.
"All right, all right."
Having seen enough of the farce, he reached out and made a grabbing motion toward the feathered snake. Two pairs of Mage's Hands closed in from all sides, their surging magic leaving it no chance to escape.
It was caught outright.
"No more pecking at it whenever you please!"
After reprimanding the owl, he turned to the Phantom-Feather Cloud Snake.
"Answer my earlier question. Why did you sneak in among the black-feathered chickens? Were you planning something?"
The captive Phantom-Feather Cloud Snake sensed the magic in the two pairs of Mage's Hands and immediately calmed down.
It was indeed a level-three magical beast, but against these hands, it had absolutely no ability to resist.
So it answered obediently, "I escaped from the Stardust Circus and needed to hide from them. I only want to find others of my kind."
"The Stardust Circus?" Kroya thought for a moment and found no such name in his memories. Curious, he asked, "What sort of circus is that?"
The Phantom-Feather Cloud Snake gave Kroya a puzzled look. "You don't know? They came with the Northern Territory Envoy to perform magic for the various lords."
"You