Chapter 92: [Fairy Tale] He Has a Little Gray Wolf (18)

Harris’s eyes were filled with disgust. He utterly despised Ryder, and not just because Ryder was the only man in Red Hood Town who couldn’t use magic. If it were only that, Harris would merely look down on him, but the emotions he harbored toward Ryder were pure revulsion. The reason was that, while patrolling in the Black Forest, Harris had personally witnessed Ryder saving a wolf. And nothing in Harris’s life did he hate more than the wolf tribe.

From that moment on, Harris’s loathing for Ryder became extreme; he wished nothing more than to drive Ryder out of Red Hood Town. Yet Ryder’s parents had both been knights and had made great contributions to the town, so even Harris had no right to expel him.

Ryder kept his head bowed, and Harris’s furious tirade made those who had stood by Ryder instantly back away from him. Ryder said nothing, but continued on his way with the basket on his back. The boy’s pale, delicate cheeks hung low, and his blue eyes brimmed with an inferiority that threatened to overflow.

“Everyone, look at this coward! The wolf tribe and Red Hood Town are mortal enemies, and yet this little stutterer went and saved a wicked wolf! Tell me, doesn’t he deserve to be scolded?” Harris stood there, still draped in his red cloak, looking every inch the formidable figure. Daisy was held tightly in his arms, her beautiful wide eyes fixed on Ryder. Even though she disliked Harris, she couldn’t deny that Ryder had gone too far. Though the boy’s lonely and pitiful figure stood before them, the crowd’s opinion was unanimous: Ryder was detestable.

Suddenly, Ryder stopped. He turned to look at Harris, and those blue eyes—usually so timid and self-effacing before Harris—now shone with resolve.

“It wasn’t… a wicked wolf.” Ryder spoke softly, each word carefully enunciated, solemn in tone. He knew exactly what kind of scornful, contemptuous looks awaited him for speaking up, but he said it all the same.

“Did you all hear that? What kind of nonsense is he spouting? How are your parents supposed to rest in peace? They were both exemplary knights—how could they have a thankless child like you!” shouted Harris.

“That’s right! An ungrateful wretch!” echoed others.

Ryder’s fists clenched tight, his face suddenly drained of color. Though it was midday and the bright sunlight shone on everyone, Ryder felt cold. Desperately cold.

A long, childish wolf’s howl suddenly sounded from behind them.

This was Red Hood Town. Although there were red-hooded knights, most of the people were ordinary folk. They spun around quickly to look.

It was a wolf cub, its gray fur gleaming in the sunlight. It raised its head, black eyes staring at them coldly.

“Quick! Catch it!”

“The wolf tribe is here! Everyone, hide!”

“Kill it! Kill it!”

As chaos erupted among the crowd, Asher suddenly turned and ran. Her gray tail held high behind her, she looked bold and majestic. Harris snapped back to his senses and cursed under his breath, immediately giving chase. He didn’t dare take chances: even if it was only a wolf cub, he feared it was just bait. Harris blew his whistle, summoning a group of red-hooded knights to go after the cub.

Greed chased after Asher at top speed.

“Hey! Aren’t you supposed to be a spirit? How could you do something so foolish! Do you realize how dangerous that was? You’re a wolf—what if those people killed you?” he scolded.

Asher ran swiftly, letting out a few plaintive whines. She hadn’t wanted to reveal herself, but the insults hurled at the boy had been unbearable. She couldn’t help herself and had rushed out.

She was of the wolf tribe, and showing herself would inevitably draw everyone’s attention. That way, the boy would have a chance to get home safely.

(End of this chapter)