Sixty serious injuries, amnesia? Meeting again, yet failing to recognize one another.

Although those iconic mismatched eyes—one violet and one gold—were now hidden beneath the heavy lids of their unconscious owner, the silky black hair, the exquisitely pale face turned almost translucent from blood loss, and the luxurious robe adorned with vivid blue porcelain motifs all unmistakably confirmed the identity of the figure before Kurama. It was none other than the Earl, whom he had once met and who had gifted him the priceless treasure known as “The World’s Gift” without the slightest hesitation.

Kurama had no time to ponder why, even with the ability to traverse parallel worlds, the Earl—who should have stayed in his pet shop—was now alone in such a perilous forest, one impossible to enter without immense power. He dashed forward, knelt beside the Earl, and reached out to check for breath—his fingers trembling ever so slightly, though he did not notice.

Upon confirming the Earl’s breathing—weak, but still steady and persistent—Kurama exhaled deeply, his nerves at last settling. Swiftly, he opened the space within the Devouring Grass, and without a moment’s hesitation, drew out a card: “Archangel’s Breath.” He applied it decisively to the Earl.

Ever since learning from Yuuko about the true value of the “little farewell gift” the Earl had so casually bestowed upon him, Kurama harbored profound gratitude toward the Earl. Regardless of the Earl’s motives, Kurama had benefited immensely in ways words could not express.

Thus, precious as “Archangel’s Breath” was—of which he possessed only three—Kurama did not hesitate to use one for the Earl. The card’s healing power began to take effect; the savage wounds on the Earl’s chest and neck started to knit themselves together, visible even to the naked eye. The once deathly pale face regained its color, and the nearly imperceptible breath grew long and strong.

As the final glimmer faded, the beautiful black-haired figure, now fully healed, let out a soft sigh. Long lashes trembled twice before slowly parting to reveal those mesmerizing, soul-stealing eyes.

“…Detective…?”

The Earl’s expression was still dazed upon awakening. Sensing another’s presence, he instinctively called out a familiar name. But as he registered the face before him—

“Who are you?!”

Suddenly, the Earl’s eyes widened, his expression turning unfamiliar and guarded. He watched Kurama warily, as though he had never met him before.

Kurama was taken aback by this reaction.

Yet the Earl did not seem to be feigning; he truly looked as if he did not recognize Kurama. The depth of rejection and caution in his gaze sent a chill through the fox spirit’s heart.

What on earth had happened?

Why was the Earl reacting in this way?

Raising both hands to show he meant no harm, Kurama stepped back, offering the wary black-haired Earl a gentle and courteous smile.

“Earl, it’s me, Kurama. Have you forgotten?”

The Earl blinked in confusion, then returned to his guarded demeanor.

“I think you must have mistaken me for someone else. I don’t know you,” he replied coldly.

Kurama frowned slightly.

Even if the Earl truly did not remember him, this reaction was… off. From the moment the Earl first showed rejection and caution, Kurama sensed something strange.

He could not forget how, during their first meeting, the Earl had been so warm and welcoming.

Even if the Earl forgot him, would he not at least sense the aura of the fox spirit within Kurama?

It was all too peculiar.

With these thoughts, the furrow in Kurama’s brow deepened.

Yet as the Earl struggled to his feet, intent on leaving despite his injuries, Kurama had no time to think further. He reached out to restrain the fragile youth.

“Earl!”

“Let go!”

The black-haired beauty shook off Kurama’s hand forcefully and turned with a look of irritation.

“I said I don’t know you!”

Kurama’s sense of unease grew ever stronger.

The Earl was not supposed to be like this. Even if he detested humans, he did so with elegance and distance, quietly excluding others from his world—never so emotionally exposed, so utterly unlike his usual composure.

Kurama did not know what had happened, but he could not allow the Earl to leave like this.

Yet judging by the Earl’s demeanor, Kurama realized that nothing he said would reach the other’s ears. Frowning deeply, he watched as the Earl prepared to depart, finally sighing in resignation.

“Please wait.”

Before the words had fully left his lips, a surge of powerful energy erupted from within Kurama, halting the Earl mid-step. Hesitantly, the Earl turned back.

Not far behind him, the red-haired youth who had persistently tried to stop him was now obscured in a suddenly risen, dense mist. The Earl stared in surprise as the fog gradually dissipated, revealing a tall, slender figure within its heart.

Silvery hair, shining like the coldest midnight moonlight, fell in lustrous waves. Snow-white robes exposed strong, slender arms and traced the enticing curve of a narrow waist. A sharply defined, handsome jaw, lips pale and delicate, a straight nose, bold brows, and long, deep golden eyes that seemed to draw one in completely…

This was a man of breathtaking beauty.

But none of this was what robbed the Earl of breath.

Atop the silver hair stood two soft, upright white animal ears, and behind, a fluffy white tail swayed gently.

“Now, are you willing to calm down and listen to me?”

Unlike the gentle, clear voice of the youth from before, the words now came in a deep, magnetic, and irresistibly seductive tone.

Yet somehow, the Earl knew that this voice belonged to the very same person as the red-haired youth.

A look of astonishment on the black-haired beauty’s face was soon replaced by excitement and fervor.

“Nine-tailed…fox spirit?!”

He leapt forward, clinging eagerly to the alluring young man, eyes shining with a feverish light as he gazed at the silver-haired fox.

Kurama’s mouth twitched in exasperation.

Though his fox form did indeed make his temperament colder and more rational, Kurama had begun his journey as an infamous thief in this form, and he had become adept at shifting between human and fox spirit, quickly regaining his emotional balance each time.

Casting a helpless glance at the black-haired beauty clinging to him, the fox spirit turned toward a nearby thicket.

“Mokona?”

The white ball had earlier spotted a patch of his favorite fruits—looking somewhat like raspberries but tasting of pineapple—unique to the Hunter’s World, and had hopped off to pick them. Most of Kurama’s attention had been on him, which was why he had not noticed the Earl’s presence sooner.

Responding to Kurama’s call, the white ball poked its head out from the shadows, and seeing the fox spirit nod, gleefully ran toward him.

“Wow—Kurama is so beautiful!”

Skillfully climbing onto Kurama’s shoulder, the white ball hugged his neck and nuzzled him with enthusiasm.

Kurama smiled gently, helplessly.

By now, the Earl had recovered a bit and, upon seeing Mokona, his eyes brightened.

“Oh? Soel?”

He reached out and hugged Mokona, delight spreading across his face. “How did you end up here? Is Larg nearby?”

The white ball exchanged a glance with Kurama, then reached out to gently soothe the Earl’s cheek.

“No, Earl. Mokona is with Kurama now.”

He drew closer to the black-haired beauty, worry etched on his face.

“And Kurama isn’t lying. We really did meet once before. Don’t you remember?”

Hearing Mokona’s words, the Earl’s expression faltered.

“Really?” His eyes filled with bewilderment. “I don’t remember anything…”

This expected answer drew a soft sigh from Kurama.

By now, he had some inkling of the cause behind the Earl’s earlier reaction and current reply.

“Earl, your wounds have only just healed. Though ‘Archangel’s Breath’ cures injuries, your body won’t fully recover immediately. Why not sit and rest for a while? We can exchange information and see what went wrong—how about that?”

As he suggested this in gentle tones, Kurama glanced down at the black-haired beauty in his arms, who seemed reluctant to let go. The fox spirit gave a wry smile and played his trump card.

“There are delicious, limited-edition desserts.”

As expected, the black-haired beauty’s face lit up at once.

***

Mindful of the Earl’s condition, Kurama did not venture far. Though they were now very close to the entrance of the ruins, the terrain here was suitable for a temporary camp. Kurama took out several large portable cushions and a small table from the Devouring Grass, served desserts to the Earl and Mokona, and began preparing hot chocolate and milk tea.

By the time the drinks were ready, both the Earl and Mokona had devoured several pieces of cake, their faces glowing with bliss.

Kurama smiled quietly.

Estimating that the Earl’s mood had settled, the fox spirit brought hot chocolate to the table, poured Mokona a steaming cup of milk tea, and turned to meet the Earl’s shining gaze.

“Are you ready to talk now?”

The Earl nodded obediently.

The smile at Kurama’s lips deepened.

He had not expected his fox form to have such an effect on the Earl.

“Then let me start.”

Kurama took a sip of warm, fragrant chocolate and organized his thoughts, narrating concisely the encounter he and Mokona had previously had with the Earl, and some of their interactions.

As Kurama spoke, the Earl’s face grew ever more perplexed.

“I have no recollection of any of this,” he murmured, frowning.

“I’m here because Detective barged into my carefully prepared dream holiday and even interfered with nature’s process…”

As the Earl explained, Kurama vaguely recalled this part of the story.

Because Leo had disrupted the natural hunting process, the Earl, unwilling for nature to be disturbed, offered himself as food to the saber-toothed tiger. He was bitten, and Leo, in saving him, killed the tiger. Furious, the Earl abandoned Leo and ran off alone, intending to leave the dream, but his injuries were too severe and he collapsed. Upon waking, he saw Kurama’s face…

When the Earl finished, both Kurama and Mokona were stunned.

If the Earl’s account was accurate—then was this reality, or the Earl’s dream?

For a moment, the three of them sat motionless, lost in silence.