[After the Flames]
The once bustling slave trade camp was now a graveyard of ashes, the stench of burning wood and charred earth lingering in the air. Ameer sat on the ground, his chest rising and falling as he tried to steady his breath. The black flames had finally receded, but the warmth of their power still pulsed within him like an ember waiting to be reignited.
The night sky stretched above him, vast and infinite, yet the weight of his emotions made it feel like a cage. His arms rested lazily on his knees, exhaustion creeping into his muscles. The battle was over, but his mind refused to rest.
Then, something warm and tiny nuzzled against him.
Ameer looked down.
A small fox girl, barely five years old, had curled up in his lap, her delicate fox ears twitching as she breathed softly in her sleep. Her tiny tail flicked every now and then, wrapping around herself protectively. Her face was peaceful, her previous fears washed away as if she had found the safest place in the world.
And she had—within his arms.
Ameer (staring at her): "..." ??
His entire body froze. What... what was this overwhelming cuteness?!
Before he could process, a second tiny fox kin grabbed the sleeve of his robe, tugging it lightly.
Then a third one, hesitating at first, but soon pressing against his side.
Then a fourth.
And a fifth.
Within minutes, a dozen tiny humanoid fox children had surrounded him, some resting their heads against him, others cuddling against his warmth. They trembled from the cold, their small fluffy tails wrapping around themselves for comfort, but more than anything... they clung to him.
Hua Mina was among them, wide-eyed, yet relieved.
Hua Mina (softly): "Mister... we're safe now, right?" ??
Ameer's throat tightened. He exhaled slowly.
Ameer (firmly): "Yeah... you're safe now."
[System's Unexpected Commentary]
The System, silent throughout the chaos, suddenly chimed in with a voice filled with pure mischief.
?? System Notification! ??
"Congratulations, Ameer! You have officially achieved the title: 'Fox Daddy Supreme!' ?? Enjoy your new responsibilities!"
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
Ameer: "..." ??
Ameer (whispering): "System, I swear to whatever god is watching, if you don't shut up right now..." ??
System (laughing): "I mean, look at you! You're sitting in a pile of baby foxes, one is asleep in your lap, and they've all accepted you as their protector. If this isn't peak fatherhood, I don't know what is." ??
Ameer: "I am NOT their dad!" ??
Lin Yue (giggling): "But master, look at them! They're all so cute! How can you say no to those adorable little faces?!" ??
Ameer looked down. Big, round fox eyes stared up at him, filled with innocent admiration. Some of them even wagged their tiny tails happily.
His heart clenched. Damn it.
Ameer: "I... Fine. BUT! I AM NOT A DAD!" ??
System: "Denial is the first stage, Daddy Ameer." ??
Ameer: "I WILL DELETE YOU FROM EXISTENCE!" ??????
[Ameer's Declaration]
Amidst the newfound chaos of cuteness, Ameer's gaze finally hardened, shifting toward the last remaining survivor of the slave trade merchants. A man, trembling, covered in soot and dirt, crawled backward in fear, his entire body shaking like a leaf.
Ameer stood up slowly, the fox children parting as he moved forward. His eyes glowed with an aura of dominance, a king reclaiming his throne.
Ameer (coldly): "You there."
The merchant gasped, his voice breaking.
Merchant (stammering): "P-Please, mercy! I—It wasn't my choice! The sect forced us into it!" ??
Ameer ignored his pleas. His black fire flickered ominously around his fingertips as he took a step closer.
Ameer (quietly, yet powerfully): "Go. Tell the world what you saw here today. Spread my words like a holy decree."
Merchant: "Y-Your words...?" ??
Ameer's golden fox eyes flashed with an unshakable resolve, his voice dripping with absolute authority.
Ameer: "Tell them... that from this day forward, no one—NO ONE—will lay a single FINGER on the fox kin without consequences."
The air grew heavy, his voice turning into something akin to divine judgment.
Ameer (roaring): "TELL THEM! THAT IF ANYONE DARES TO ENSLAVE, HUNT, OR HARM MY KIND—NO, ANY FOX KIN—THEY WILL PAY THE PRICE! TELL THEM THAT THE Demon FOX EMPEROR HAS RETURNED!" ??????
The merchant paled, his breath hitching.
Merchant (nodding frantically): "I-I WILL! I swear! I will tell them! No one will ever forget!" ??
With a single desperate bow, the man stumbled to his feet and ran as if hell itself were chasing him.
Lin Yue, who had been silently watching, shivered at Ameer's sheer dominance.
Lin Yue (whispering, eyes sparkling): "Master... You're right. I'm with you. Always." ????
Her heart pounded in admiration, not just because of his strength, but because she knew—deep inside—that this man was going to change the world.
[A Tender Moment]
Ameer let out a long breath, his body finally relaxing as he sat back down. The fox children immediately flocked to him again, as if drawn to his warmth.
One of them—a little fox girl—looked up at him, tugging on his sleeve.
Fox Girl (sleepily): "Mister... can we stay with you... forever?" ??
Ameer: "..." ??
Ameer (muttering): "Why do I feel like my life just got a hundred times more complicated?"
System: "Because it did, Fox Daddy Supreme." ??
Ameer: "I'M NOT A DAD!" ????
Fox Girl (snuggling into his robe): "Mmm... Daddy is warm..." ????
Ameer: "..." ????
Lin Yue (smirking): "Master, I think you just got adopted." ??
Ameer: "SYSTEM, I SWEAR I'M GOING TO BURN YOU FIRST!" ??????
Epilogue: The Dawn of a New Era
The ashes of the slave trade camp were carried away by the wind, erased from existence by the flames of vengeance.
But what remained... was something far greater.
A legend had been reborn.
The Demon Fox Emperor had returned.
And the world would soon know his name.
End of Chapter 21 ??
