Mira stands motionless beside you, her fox ears barely twitching as the little noble girl clings desperately to the hem of her leathers, sobbing and begging.
Mira looks down at Lady Elara with calm, unyielding emerald eyes. Her voice is polite but firm, carrying clearly through the silent guild hall:
"Sorry, little one… I can't help you without my master Lord Grim's permission. I can't obey anyone else."
The words land like a thunderclap.
The entire adventurers' guild freezes.
Lady Elara's tear-streaked face crumples in shock and fresh despair. "B-but… you're S-rank! You're right here! My mom and dad are going to die—please!"
Guild Master Thorne's face turns beet red with frustration. He slams a gauntleted fist on the counter. "What the hell is this?! An S-rank Sword Mage refusing an emergency quest because of some F-rank weakling with a joke class?! Girl, the Duke and Duchess are dying right now! Four A-rank wyverns! This is no time for games!"
Muttering and angry whispers explode across the hall again:
"She's actually serious?!"
"Obeying an F-rank 'Granting Wish' loser over the Duke's life?!"
"What kind of brainwashed fox is she?!"
Mira doesn't flinch. She doesn't even glance at Thorne or the crowd. Her tail curls once around your leg in secret affection, hidden beneath the counter, and she leans the tiniest bit closer to you, voice dropping to a whisper only you can hear:
"I meant every word, my lord. I serve only you. Say the word and I will burn those wyverns to ash… or say nothing and we walk away. Your will is my only law."
The little Duke's daughter is still on her knees, clutching Mira's leg and crying harder, looking up at you now with desperate, hopeful eyes as if realizing you are the key. The whole guild is staring at you — some with pity, some with open mockery, a few with growing anger.
Guild Master Thorne glares straight at you. "You! F-rank! If you have any decency at all, order your… servant… to move! The Duke's family is seconds from death!"
Mira remains perfectly still at your side, waiting.
The emergency quest hangs in the air. Four A-rank wyverns are tearing apart the Duke's carriage on the Skyroad Pass right now.