Snap!
The sound of a branch breaking echoed.
Aozaki Touko stepped on thick layers of fallen leaves, slowly walking deeper into the primeval forest. The surrounding towering trees reached forty to fifty meters high, and tangled vines made it difficult for ordinary people to move.
However, an invisible field enveloped her, pushing aside and cutting through the dense vines and branches.
Her forward progress was unaffected throughout.
"I don't want to spend the night here... I hope to solve the problem before dark!"
Aozaki Touko looked up, through the gaps in the dense leaves, at the recently risen sun, her eyes narrowing slightly, then she quickened her pace.
This operation to capture the Golden Wolf was undertaken by her alone.
Irisviel and Ilena, who accompanied her, were settled in a small town outside the primeval forest.
Although they also wanted to accompany her, considering their strength, if they really went together, they might be bitten to death by the Golden Wolf during the battle.
After all, modern Magicians were hardly better than paper in front of this Phantasmal Species... The sun gradually climbed and began to set in the west.
Aozaki Touko finally arrived in front of a hidden village.
This was a village inhabited by a group of werewolves.
Just like the werewolves in movies, their bodies were covered in thick fur, their physiques extremely strong and tall, and a slight parting of their mouths revealed sharp teeth.
At this moment, they surrounded Aozaki Touko, their green beast-like eyes fixed on her. If she showed even a hint of weakness, they would swarm her, biting and tearing her to shreds.
This was their territory.
And a place that absolutely could not be exposed.
This woman must die here!
"Who's in charge here?"
Aozaki Touko's expression remained unchanged, her tone remarkably calm.
Every Werewolf here possessed astonishing destructive power, capable of independently wiping out an army of hundreds if casualties were disregarded. Their strength was undeniably formidable.
Moreover, there were over fifty Werewolves currently surrounding her.
As for how many more Werewolves were inside the village, that was an unknown.
However, she didn't need to be afraid.
Because… she was just a puppet!
Yes, although she was confident in her own abilities, necessary caution was still required. Before ascertaining the specific strength of this group of Werewolves, there was no need to risk her main body.
She was a Magician; caution and rationality were essential!
"…"
The surrounding Werewolves' eyes flickered with thought, not responding immediately. Only after a Werewolf darted out from the bushes and spoke a few words to the others did the tense atmosphere slightly relax.
"Magician… why are you here?"
A Werewolf with a prominent physique stepped forward and asked in a low voice.
They had just used the Werewolves' naturally keen sense of smell to scout the surrounding environment. Only the Female Magician's aura was detected, indicating that only one outsider had come to the Werewolf village.
Now that she was heavily surrounded and controlled, they could spare a moment to hear what this Magician had to say.
"About that… we can discuss it later!"
Aozaki Touko said with a smiling face, "Let's talk about your needs. Staying in this remote village, you must have felt it getting increasingly difficult, haven't you? This era is abandoning you!"
"What exactly do you want to say?!"
The Werewolf Leader's gaze grew colder, as if he might erupt at any moment, tearing this Magician into shreds with his sharp claws. This Female Magician had indeed touched upon their pain point.
Because this era was indeed becoming increasingly unsuitable for their survival!
Their reproduction was becoming more difficult; the birth of a new pup was enough to make the entire village cheer with joy. Furthermore, human development of the environment was intensifying, and their living space was shrinking.
At the same time, Magicians and the Holy Church also harbored ill will towards them.
"...Hmm, I have a way to solve your problems!"
Aozaki Touko revealed a cunning smile: "Whether it's reproduction, living environment, or providing a sanctuary, I can offer all of these to you, and I guarantee I can deliver!"
"...!!!"
Upon hearing this, the Werewolves' eyes immediately widened, their green eyes seemingly glowing, as if they wanted to devour the Female Magician in front of them.
"Don't look at me like that… it's a bit unsettling~"
Aozaki Touko swept her long hair back, revealing a confident smile: "I speak nothing but the truth, you can rest assured on that point. However, you must also pay a corresponding price!"
"…"
The Werewolf Leader's gaze was extremely sharp, not missing a single expression on the young woman's face. Yet, he never saw any sign of pretense; her eyes showed no fear or wavering, like a pure embodiment of confidence.
"We'll discuss the truth of what you said later. What exactly is the price you want us to pay?"
He asked coldly.
"It won't be light!"
Aozaki Touko's expression turned serious, and she said:
"The price is — your deity, the Golden Wolf!"