Field had added a few modern touches to the maid outfit.
The skirt had been shortened to just above the knees, and the sleeves were changed into short sleeves. It lacked the most essential accessories—no black stockings or white stockings—but the sight of Ashina's smooth thighs and her delicate, pearl-like toes was already pleasing enough.
"It fits well," Ashina said.
She seemed unable to endure the torment of guessing any longer. Her tone carried a hint of teasing, as if she had already seen through Field's intentions.
"My lord… is there something you want me to do?"
According to the maids, her job was to sleep with the man in front of her.
But Ashina thought that was unlikely.
Humans despised demi-humans. Animal ears and tails were seen as a corruption of human bloodlines—like the offspring of someone who had done unspeakable things with beasts.
"Of course you're here to help me develop my territory," Field replied matter-of-factly. "I just said that."
Ashina's expression clearly showed she didn't believe him.
Field rubbed his forehead helplessly.
"Let's eat first. We can talk while we eat."
The moment she heard the word eat, Ashina immediately calmed down.
Her stomach felt like it was burning from hunger.
Field's situation was far from easy.
Being disliked by his siblings because of his behavior wasn't the biggest issue.
The real problem was that the old Count's health was getting worse day by day. His enormous fortune would soon be divided.
Even though Field wasn't favored, the laws of the Holy Griffin Empire clearly stated that all direct blood descendants had the right to inherit part of the family estate.
It was essentially an otherworld version of the policy of splitting fiefs—breaking large territories into smaller ones to prevent any single lord from becoming too powerful.
Naturally, Field's brothers would prefer it if he died as soon as possible.
And they hated each other almost as much.
Soon, the dining bell rang.
Two well-mannered maids entered the room, carrying plates of steak covered in rich sauce and freshly baked honey bread.
"Ashina, you possess—"
Field was still carefully choosing his words when he suddenly realized something.
"…Wait. Where did she go?"
He looked around in confusion.
"I'm here," Ashina said.
She was sitting quietly in the corner of the room, on the floor, in a duck-like sitting posture.
"What are you doing over there?" Field asked, stunned.
"Um… sitting… and waiting for food," Ashina replied nervously. "My lord… did I do something wrong?"
Field walked over quickly, grabbed her by the hand, and pulled her to the table.
"Sit on the chair," he said. "We're eating."
Ashina only dared sit on the very edge of the chair—barely a third of it.
She stared at Field for a long moment, carefully confirming that the noble lord in front of her wasn't about to pull out a whip.
Or worse.
"You're not joking… I can eat this?" Ashina pointed at the fragrant steak.
Field spread his hands.
"Of course."
The pitiful wolf-girl finally believed him.
She carefully lowered her head and took a small bite.
The next second—
The flavor exploded in her mouth.
The rich meat juices mixed with spices and sauce spread across her tongue.
It had been so long since she last tasted meat that her taste buds almost felt like they were dancing.
This was the greatest thing in the world.
Throwing away all restraint, Ashina devoured the steak in seconds and licked every drop of sauce off the plate.
Then she proceeded to eat three steaks and five white bread rolls by herself.
Only when her stomach swelled like she was pregnant did she finally stop.
Field watched with a gentle smile that looked suspiciously like a proud father.
Eat, eat.
Work hard for me later.
Ashina licked the last bit of sauce from her lips and sighed happily.
"If I died right now… I think I'd still be satisfied."
Her wolf ears stood upright energetically.
"That won't be necessary," Field said calmly, leaning back in his chair with his fingers interlocked.
"I intend to train you into a Chosen One."
Of course, he wasn't stupid enough to reveal that she was actually an unawakened Chosen One.
So he simply used the word train.
"Ah?" Ashina looked surprised.
"You might be disappointed, my lord. The chance of becoming a Chosen One is incredibly small. And I'm a demi-human… I've never even heard of a human forming a contract with one."
According to the books, Chosen Ones were more likely to appear in large and prosperous cities.
Even in Golden Eagle City, however, only three had appeared in the past hundred years.
Two were noble children.
One was a member of the clergy.
Demi-humans becoming Chosen Ones was even rarer.
They had no powerful nations or great cities.
Most of them struggled just to survive.
Field chuckled.
"You won't know unless you try."
"I believe I can train you into one."
If he failed…
there was a good chance he'd die in the cursed land anyway.
"Well… if there's meat involved, I'm willing to try," Ashina said, still licking her lips.
The next ten days passed quickly on the road.
To improve Ashina's nutrition, Field bought large amounts of meat and magical supplements every time they passed through a town.
Before long, Ashina realized that Field wasn't joking.
In addition, Field spent 150 gold coins on Fog-Repelling Lamps, purification potions, and awakening crystals.
He had done his research beforehand.
These magical items were essential for developing Nightfall Territory.
Soon, they arrived at the final fortress leading into the Northern Province.
Bull Baron's Kasha Fortress.
A stone castle built against towering mountains, it served as a defensive stronghold against corrupted creatures, magical beasts, and the terrifying orcs of the north.
"Goddess of Winter… please let me become a Chosen One."
Ashina hid inside the creaking carriage and prayed quietly to the wolf-folk's deity.
The past few days had felt like a dream.
Riding in a noble carriage.
Eating delicious steaks.
Even having maids attend to her—though they clearly did so unwillingly and often complained.
Still…
These days had felt like heaven.
Ashina even touched her forehead, checking if she had a fever that made her hallucinate.
The only thing she couldn't understand was why Field kept buying expensive magical potions for her to drink.
She had never heard of someone becoming a Chosen One by simply drinking potions.
"Maybe it's some kind of evil ritual…" Ashina muttered.
"But even if I end up sacrificed to a demon… it might still be worth it."
She quickly shook her head.
"Wait, what am I saying?!"
Then she sighed quietly.
"I really hope I'm actually a Chosen One… otherwise Baron Field might faint from anger."
Steward Kao sighed deeply.
"I never thought the last time I came to Kasha Fortress would be like this…"
Field ignored the man's endless sighing.
Sitting on horseback, he casually poked Kao's shoulder with his riding crop.
"You've been here before?"
Kao rolled his eyes.
"Of course. You used to donate all your living expenses to the villagers here."
"Or send them straight to Baron Bull's private treasury so he and his soldiers could eat, drink, and enjoy themselves."
"…Right."
Field's mouth twitched.
He had momentarily forgotten that the original owner of this body had been a ridiculously generous good person.
He laughed awkwardly and shrugged.
"Well… at least Baron Bull will welcome us, right?"
"And the locals should have a good impression of us."
"That should make entering and leaving Kasha Fortress much easier in the future."