"Deceive the fox spirit?" A clank rang in the private study when Leofric lowered his cup on the low table upon emptying it.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Draz replied.
With a line between his eyebrows, he asked, "Why? Wouldn't it be easier to just find her and make a wish?"
Draz shook his head. He said, "Your Majesty, we are not finding the fox spirit to ask for a wish. We will form a contract with her."
"...Explain."
The wizard nodded. He leaned forward a little and explained, "A fox spirit can decline a wish, especially if it is too big and many lives will be affected. She could decline His Majesty's wish for victory in the war since it involves two states and the life of thousands of people. Therefore, making a wish won't gain us the strongest aide."
He flipped his finger in the air and continued, "I have read in a book that having a contract with a spirit is possible. If we can have a contract with the fox spirit, we will win this war, Your Majesty."
"..." Leofric remained silent. He had a hand on his chin. He was figuring out what the wizard was saying.
Draz grinned. He felt happy that all of his research about spirits was becoming worth it. "The spirits cannot step out of their temple. Only the contract can remove the chains fastened on their ankles that prevent them from leaving."
"Wizard," Leofric called. "Describe the plan in more detail." A blazing fire reflected in his eyes. If the wizard wanted to draw Leofric on his points, it was working successfully.
Draz nodded. He discussed, "One thing we need to remember is," he paused, "spirits do not have a track of time during their sleeping state. They reach this state when the full moon ends. Once they are sleeping, they enter the spirit world. In the spirit world, they cannot determine the actual time. Therefore, the moment we call her, she won't know the current date."
Leofric leaned on his seat. He crossed his arms and asserted, "And what part of this makes you excited?"
"Your Majesty, we can bring up the legend about her and the late Emperor who reigned 200 years ago. It's so we can increase the chances that she agrees to make a contract with you. Doing so, His Majesty will disguise as a young knight who recently earned a noble title," Draz convinced. "Foxes are cunning and smart animals, we just need to outsmart her."
He flipped a hand in the air and pointed out. "But she's not a normal fox. She's a fox spirit."
Leofric became quiet. The spirits were smart creatures. They would also have personalities. Leofric would not know how the spirit would take revenge on them the moment she felt he was deceiving her.
"But…" Leofric couldn't finish his mutter. This would be their only chance to fight, considering that there were two states targeting them.
Leofric rose from his feet and walked to his desk. He whirled and faced his back to his guest before questioning, "What about the conditions of signing our agreement?"
Draz stood from his seat and placed a hand on his chest. "Your Majesty, those are bound rules and conditions which depend on His Majesty and the fox spirit."
…
Leofric exchanged looks with the fox spirit. He heard her ask, "Did something happen to Leo?"
Leofric felt odd upon catching his nickname. Although he knew for a fact that he only had nearly the same name as the deceased Emperor, Leovic. Immediately, he brushed his thoughts and began, "Fox spirit, a war broke out between—"
"A war?" she said, interrupting him from speaking. She remained standing in her position with worry painted on her face.
Leofric nodded. "Yes, and His Majesty ordered me to—"
"Why would a war blow up?"
Leofric fought the urge to be angry. What he hated the most was interruptions and not finishing what he had to say.
He placed his right hand on his left chest. He clenched his hand to a fist. As his brows knitted together, he explained calmly, "The kingdom of Gesica intruded to steal our biggest mana stone mine with an empire who was once an ally of ours. We recently sent our second squad and we are currently preparing for our third—"
She did it again.
Leofric reminded himself that he must have patience when dealing with the fox spirit. He was yet to sign a contract with her. Perhaps after he could handle her like how he would normally treat his vassals.
"What is your name, human?" the fox spirit asked.
Leofric pressed his lips. He took his time to extinguish his fuming annoyance. He answered, "...I am Aiken Swithin."
Seven big steps forward came after the first one. The fox spirit halted and stood a few inches away from Leofric. Because of this, he examined her facial features clearly.
She had an ageless porcelain skin. First thing that came into his view was her notably long eyelashes. She had her plump lips pressed firmly together. Her prior mean looking eyes softened the moment he mentioned a deceased Emperor's name.
The temple was dark lit; only the post he stood had a little light that came from the crater above. But he knew she was bewitching, even standing in the darkness.
Because she decreased their distance to each other, Leofric could see her petite body shape under her white thin clothing clearly — he cursed it for being too light! Her rose bosoms were on exhibit.
Leofric felt his blood rushed up to his ears. He immediately moved back to staring at her rich blood iris. He couldn't believe that she swayed her for a total minute.
"You, a human named Aiken Swithin. I, who comes in the name Loraleigh, shall grant your deepest desire," she announced. "Now, call me by name so we can make a contract, Aiken."
Him surveying the fox spirit preoccupied his thoughts. He wasn't even aware when he began mouthing her name. "Loraleigh."