Field had added modern touches to the maid outfit, cutting the skirt above the knees and changing the sleeves to short ones. Though it lacked the all-important black or white stockings, the sight of her delicate, rounded toes and smooth, fair thighs was already a treat for the eyes.
"It fits well." Unable to bear the suspense any longer, Ashina spoke teasingly, as though she had seen through Field's intentions. "My lord, is there something you want me to do?"
The maids had told her that her job was to sleep with the man before her. But Ashina thought that unlikely, because humans despised Demihumans. Their animal ears and tails made humans see them as a human bloodline defiled by beasts, like devilish mongrels born from someone having their way with a goat.
"Help me develop my territory, of course. I just said that." Field answered as if it were obvious. Seeing the disbelief on Ashina's face, he could only press a hand to his forehead and say helplessly, "Let's eat first. We can talk over dinner."
At the mention of food, Ashina immediately calmed down. She was so hungry that her stomach felt as though it were burning.
Field's situation was difficult. Being hated by his siblings merely for his behavior was the least of his problems.
But the old count's health worsened by the day, and his vast fortune would soon be divided. Even though Field was out of favor, the laws of the Holy Griffin Empire stipulated that every direct descendant had the right to a share of the inheritance.
It was essentially another world's version of the Enfeoffment Edict, splitting large territories into smaller ones to prevent any one lord from growing too powerful.
Naturally, Field's brothers hoped he would drop dead on the spot. They also hated and opposed one another.
Shortly after the dinner bell rang, two dignified maids entered carrying steaks with sauce and honey bread.
"Ashina, you possess... Wait, where did she go?"
Field had been choosing his words carefully, only to turn and discover that Ashina had vanished. He looked utterly baffled.
"I'm here."
Ashina was sitting obediently on the floor in the corner, her knees bent and her legs splayed out to either side.
"What are you doing?" Field asked in shock.
"Um... Sitting... Waiting to eat. My lord, did I do something wrong?" Ashina grew nervous again.
Field strode over, took her hand, and led her to the table. "Sit on the chair. We're eating now."
Ashina only dared to sit on the front third of the chair. She watched Field for a long while, making sure the nobleman before her wasn't about to pull out a whip-or a flesh whip.
"You're not joking? I can eat this?" Ashina pointed at the fragrant steak.
Field spread his hands. "Of course."
Only after deciding that Field wasn't joking did the poor animal-eared girl cautiously lower her head and take a bite of the steak. In the next instant, the flavor of meat, spices, and sauce burst across her tongue. Her taste buds, which hadn't tasted meat in who knew how long, practically danced with abandon.
This is the best thing in the world!
Putting everything else out of her mind, Ashina quickly swallowed the steak on her plate and licked up every last drop of sauce.
After that, Ashina single-handedly polished off three steaks and five pieces of white bread. Only when her belly bulged as though she were pregnant did she finally stop eating.
Field smiled with the benevolence of an old father.
Heh heh heh. Eat up, eat up. You'll be working hard for me later.
"Phew. I could die happy now." Ashina licked the sauce from the corner of her mouth, her two wolf ears standing up alertly.
"No need to go that far. I want to train you into a Chosen One." Field interlaced his fingers and leaned back in his chair.
Of course, he wasn't going to be so honest as to reveal that Ashina was a Chosen One who had yet to awaken. Instead, he had used the word "train."
"Huh? Then you may be disappointed. The chances of becoming a Chosen One are tiny, and I'm a Demihuman. I've never heard of a human forming a contract with a Demihuman," Ashina replied timidly.
According to the books, the more prosperous a city was, the more likely it was to produce Chosen Ones. Yet even Golden Eagle City had produced only three in a hundred years: two children of nobles and one member of the clergy.
Demihumans becoming Chosen Ones were rarer still. They had no powerful nations or prosperous cities, and even keeping themselves fed and clothed was a struggle.
Field chuckled. "How will we know unless we try? I believe I can train you into a Chosen One."
If he failed, he would most likely die in the Cursed Land.
"All right, as long as there's meat to eat." Ashina licked the corner of her mouth, still craving more.
The next ten days passed quickly on the road. To improve Ashina's nutrition, Field bought large quantities of meat and medicinal potion supplements whenever they passed through a city.
Ashina soon realized that Field wasn't joking.
In addition, Field purchased Mist-Driving Lamps, Purification Potions, and Awakening Crystals worth 150 gold coins. He had done his homework: these magical items were essential supplies for developing Nightfall Territory.
They soon reached the last fortress on the route to the Northern Frontier Province.
Baron Bull's Ka Mountain Fortress was a stone castle built against a towering mountain range, capable of holding back the corrupted creatures, magical beasts, and terrifying orcs from the Northern Frontier.
"Goddess of Deep Winter, bless me and let me become a Chosen One!" Tucked away inside the creaking carriage, Ashina silently prayed to the Wolf Demihumans' goddess. These past few days had felt like a dream.
She got to ride in a noble carriage, eat delicious steaks, and even enjoy the care and service of maids, though they weren't willing and often complained.
Still, these past few days had been nothing short of paradise. As the thought crossed her mind, Ashina felt her forehead to make sure a fever hadn't addled her brain.
The only thing she couldn't understand was why Field bought precious potions for her to drink. She had never heard of anyone becoming a Chosen One by consuming potions.
"Maybe it's an evil ritual," Ashina muttered. "Still, even if I really am being sacrificed to a devil, it seems worth it. No, no, no! What am I saying?"
"Ah, I really hope I am a Chosen One. Otherwise, Baron Field might faint from anger, right?" All Ashina could do was pray silently.
Kao, the steward, sighed in despair. "Ah, I never thought my last visit to Ka Mountain Fortress would be like this."
Ignoring the man's endless sighing, Field sat on horseback and lightly prodded the steward's shoulder with his riding crop. He asked curiously, "Did you come to Ka Mountain Fortress often before?"
Kao rolled his eyes. "Of course. You were always donating your living allowance to the villagers here, or handing it over to Baron Bull's private coffers so he and his soldiers could eat, drink, and make merry."
"Uh, right." Field's mouth twitched. He had forgotten that the body's original owner had been such a good Samaritan. He gave an awkward smile and shifted his shoulders stiffly. "At least Baron Bull will welcome us, won't he? The locals will praise us too. That should make coming and going through Ka Mountain Fortress much easier in the future."
Before you continue