Erza's eyes lingered on the woman standing before her, and for the first time since arriving on Earth, genuine surprise appeared on her face.
The figure wasn't human.
She possessed the powerful build of a warrior, but her body was covered in reddish-golden fur. A long tail swayed lazily behind her, and a pair of lion-like ears rested atop her head. Every feature resembled that of a lioness standing upright, blending beast and human into a single existence.
"A demi-human..."
The words escaped Erza's lips almost unconsciously.
It wasn't that she had never seen demi-humans before. Nova had countless races far stranger than this. What surprised her was something entirely different.
Earth... had demi-humans?
For a brief moment, her thoughts came to a halt.
Then, just as quickly, her expression returned to its usual calm. Every trace of surprise vanished from her face, leaving behind the cold dignity of the Dragon Queen.
