Field added a modern twist to the maid outfit, hiking the skirt above the knees and swapping the sleeves for short ones. Though it lacked the essential black or white stockings, the sight of her glossy, rounded toes and smooth, pale thighs was already a treat for the eyes.
"Fits great," Ashna said, her tone laced with playful sarcasm, as if she'd seen through Field's intentions. "Sir, what do you want me to do?"
The maids had hinted her job was to sleep with the man before her. But Ashna doubted that—humans despised subhumans. The animal ears and tail marked her as a tainted human bloodline in their eyes, like some devilish spawn from a perverse act with a goat.
"Of course, it's to help me develop my land—I just said that," Field replied matter-of-factly. Seeing her disbelief, he rubbed his forehead in exasperation. "Let's eat first. We'll talk over food."
At the mention of food, Ashna calmed down, her stomach burning with hunger.
Field's situation was tough. The disdain from his siblings over his behavior was one thing, but the real issue loomed larger. The old count's health was fading fast, and his vast fortune was about to be divided. Even as the least favored, Field had a legal right to a share under the Sacred Griffin Empire's laws, thanks to his direct bloodline.
It was like the empire's version of the enfeoffment system, breaking large territories into smaller ones to keep any lord from growing too powerful. Naturally, his siblings wanted him gone—preferably dead—and they were just as hostile to each other.
The dining bell rang, and soon two poised maids entered with sauced steaks and honey bread.
"Ashna, you have… hey, where'd she go?"
Mid-sentence, Field turned to find Ashna missing, leaving him utterly baffled.
"I'm here."
Ashna sat duck-style in the corner, obediently on the floor.
"What are you doing?" Field asked, stunned.
"Uh… sitting… waiting to eat, sir. Did I do something wrong?" Ashna tensed up again.
Field strode over, grabbed her hand, and led her to the table. "Sit on the chair. Let's eat now."
Ashna perched on just a third of the seat, staring at Field for a long while to ensure he wouldn't pull out a whip—or worse. "You're not joking? I can eat this?" She pointed at the aromatic steak.
Field shrugged. "Of course."
The poor beastgirl, convinced he wasn't messing with her, cautiously took a bite. The spiced, saucy flavor exploded in her mouth, waking taste buds that hadn't savored meat in ages. It was like a dance of pure bliss.
This was the best thing in the world!
Forgetting everything else, Ashna devoured the steak, licking the plate clean. She then polished off three more steaks and five bread rolls, her belly swelling like she was pregnant before she finally stopped.
Field smiled with the warmth of a proud father.
*Heh heh heh, eat up, eat up—work hard for me later.*
"Phew, I'd be okay dying now," Ashna said, licking sauce from her lips, her wolf ears perking up energetically.
"Not quite. I plan to train you into a Chosen One," Field said, steepling his fingers and leaning back in his chair.
He wouldn't be foolish enough to reveal Ashna was an unawakened Chosen One, opting for the vague term "train."
"What? You might be disappointed. The odds of becoming a Chosen One are tiny, and I'm a subhuman. I've never heard of a human and subhuman forming a pact," Ashna replied timidly.
Records showed bustling cities were more likely to produce Chosen Ones. Even in Golden Eagle City, only three had emerged in a century—two noble offspring and one cleric.
Subhumans becoming Chosen Ones was even rarer. Without strong nations or thriving cities, they barely scraped by above the poverty line.
Field chuckled lightly. "How will we know if we don't try? I believe I can mold you into a Chosen One."
If he failed, he'd likely die in the cursed land anyway.
"Okay, if there's more meat," Ashna said, licking her lips wistfully.
The next ten days flew by on the road. To boost Ashna's nutrition, Field bought heaps of meat and magical supplements in every city they passed.
Ashna soon realized he wasn't kidding.
Beyond that, Field spent 15 gold coins on fog-clearing lamps, purification potions, and awakening crystals. He'd done his homework—these were must-haves for developing Nightfall Hold.
They soon reached the last fortress en route to the Northern Province.
Baron Bull's Ka Mountain Fortress, built into towering mountains, stood as a bulwark against the north's corrupted beasts, monsters, and fearsome orcs. "Goddess of Winter, bless me to become a Chosen One!" Ashna whispered from the creaky cart, praying to her wolf subhuman deity. These days felt like a dream.
Riding in a noble carriage, eating delicious steaks, and being tended by maids—even if they grumbled and weren't willing—felt like paradise. Touching her forehead to check for fever, Ashna wondered if her mind had broken.
The only puzzle was Field buying pricey potions for her. She'd never heard of Chosen Ones being "fed" into existence with magic drugs.
"Maybe it's an evil ritual," Ashna muttered. "But if it's a sacrifice to a demon, it might be worth it. Ugh, what am I saying!"
"Man, I hope I'm really a Chosen One, or Baron Field might pass out from rage," she prayed silently.
Butler Cao sighed in despair. "Didn't think my last visit to Ka Mountain Fortress would be like this."
Field ignored the man's dramatic sighs, prodding Cao's shoulder with his riding crop from horseback. "You used to come here often?"
Cao rolled his eyes. "You bet. You'd donate your living expenses to the villagers here or funnel them into Baron Bull's coffers for him and his soldiers to booze and party."
"Uh, right." Field's mouth twitched, forgetting the original owner's saintly nature. He gave an awkward laugh and shrugged. "At least Baron Bull will welcome us, right? The locals will praise us, making future trips to Ka Mountain Fortress a breeze."