Lord Reineke swished his tail. “Only Lune can do that,” he said in good humor.
Everyone instantly paled.
“Huh? Lord Reineke, you can talk?!” Bal asked, shocked.
“Your faith in me has grown, and so has my power, enabling me to speak to you,” the spirit explained proudly.
“So our faith in you has helped you!” Bal said happily.
“Indeed. And we spirits help those who believe in us.”
At those words, the knights all joined their hands and prayed. Lord Reineke absorbed even more golden light from them, nodding in satisfaction.
We were following the Gupi River upstream, heading for the origin of the Renard River. Most of the others had started the journey on horseback, but as the animal trail disappeared, everyone had to proceed on foot.
Eventually, we arrived in front of a large cave, into which the river stream continued. The deteriorated entrance wall was covered in old carvings and ivy.
“These are the crests of the royal family and House Renard—a lion and a fox. Are these relics of both families?” Liam asked with surprise.
Lord Reineke didn’t reply, only gazing coldly at him.
“There’s also some writing...but it’s very old. Hmm...” Bal stared at the runes carved into the wall. Indeed, he had already begun studying them during his lessons. “Something about a gate? The rest is scraped off.”
“Scraped off? This place, it couldn’t be...” Liam murmured under his breath.
The scent of rot drifted from within the cave, followed by a deep howling sound that made me shudder.
“Scared?” Lord Reineke asked, and I nodded. “Well, I shall remain here. Which one of you will enter the cave?”
I looked at the fox in surprise. I was sure he’d go into the cave too.
“You’re not coming, Lord Reineke?”
“I cannot enter, as the cave is enchanted with magic that seals spirits,” he explained, smiling nonchalantly.
“I’ll go!” Bal volunteered without hesitation.
After witnessing Liam’s battle, he’d been inspired and had dedicated himself to studying martial arts. And following the ordeal with Hodr, Bal put a lot of effort into his studies in order to survive. My father ensured that the monastery was a safe place, allowing Bal to mingle with the people there. The abbot who had once been a paladin taught Bal how to use a blade, and he also learned magic from the other experts. He’d even joined our yoga exercises, which helped him to handle his mana better.
“I’ve gotten even stronger lately!” Bal said, running off to the cave entrance.
However, he crashed into something, and with a burst of golden light, he was sent flying.
Lord Reineke barely suppressed a grin. “Only the chosen ones may enter.”
“Please set me down,” I said, and the fox put me back onto the ground. I turned to face everyone before announcing: “I’ll go.”
Liam immediately stood in my way.
“Brother...”
“I’ll go,” he said.
“But...”
“I’m sure only I can enter. This must be the place only the head of House Renard knows about—The Gate That Must Not Be Invoked.”
“Huh?”
Liam’s face grew dark.
“It’s part of an ancient legend. In the past, the heirs of House Renard would pass through this gate and make a contract with the spirit inside to become acknowledged as the new head of the house. But a hundred years ago, the person who contracted this spirit went insane while in the royal palace. The spirit’s power was found to be the reason. This cave was then sealed by royal decree, and contracting the spirit within is forbidden.”
“Someone went mad?”
“He lost the humanity in his heart, and ultimately killed himself in the palace.”
“What?! You can’t go in there, Liam! What if the same thing happens to you?!” Bal exclaimed.
“If this will help us stop the monsters and control the river, then that’s what I must do,” Liam said decisively.
But Bal wouldn’t back down. “Don’t you value your own life?!”
“If we leave the monsters be, many of our citizens will perish. I could be one of their victims too.”
Liam turned toward the cave entrance. I grabbed his hand, holding on tightly.
“I wish I hadn’t said anything about the dragon after all...” I said, tears spilling down my cheeks. I had wanted to pay the marquisate back, but I couldn’t sacrifice Liam for that. “Does it really have to be Liam, Lord Reineke?”
The spirit nodded. “Unless the barrier is broken from the inside, only one of Renard blood may enter,” he replied bluntly.
“But...but...” I stammered.
“Lune, you are able to go with him. Foxes have guided humans since long ago. And unlike me, you are not a spirit, so the magic will not seal you,” Lord Reineke said, giving me a challenging look.
“Then I’ll go too! Liam, I’ll guide your path!” I decided, wiping away my tears.
Liam looked shaken by my vigor.
“Don’t be foolish, Lune. What if some of that negative energy rubs off on you too?”
“I don’t care. I won’t let you go all by yourself!”
“Just think of mother. What would she do if something happened to you?”
“But you’ll be with me!” I insisted, gazing into my brother’s eyes. “If you lose your heart, then I will find it! So you’ll find mine too, right?”
“Lune...”
“I’ll escort you to the dragon with Lord Reineke’s power. That’s something only I can do!”
Liam cast a troubled look at the spirit. “Lord Reineke, this is too much. Please stop her.”
I hugged Liam, wrapping my arms, legs, and tail around him and clinging as tightly as I could.