Mage And Wolf
Chapter 286

Chapter 286: Chapter 286

This city is enormous. Not only because of the size of the occupants, but also the quantity. From his phone calls, I learned that the man holding me captive is Johan, the Mayor of Deimos, which has six million members of the Titan Clan and over twenty million enslaved people of various species.

Karl still feels calm in my head, and I think that he’s cultivating, so wherever he is, they haven’t collared him yet. Maybe they don’t restrict every slave the way they did me? No, that would be dangerous. Maybe not to the warriors, but their elders and the children.

Johan is supposed to have seven children of his own, which I’m assuming I’m going to meet soon if he’s bringing me to his home.

Maybe I can bring them to my side? Kids are impressionable, and when they’re happy, they will often fulfill requests they shouldn’t— requests like bringing treats to the new pet Death Priestess, for example.

If they turn out to be decent people, I’ll try to find a way to spare them when I leave. If not, this city will find out what nuclear winter feels like.

We take a carriage, drawn by captured Beasts, through the city to a massive acreage atop a hill. This place is glorious, most likely the official residence of the City’s mayors for generations. The house itself must cover twenty acres, and it’s four levels high, each with eight-meter ceilings to accommodate the Titans.

"Wait here. I will return once I’ve let my wife, know I’m home."

No problem, this place is a lot to take in, and I don’t know the layout yet. A burst of Divine Energy hits me as I’m waiting and realize that Elder Song is sending me a message.

[Wait where you are and be Safe. Something Changed in the Oracles. Lelou is with me.] It’s simple and lacks detail, but to get it to me at all through the inscription on the collar is impressive.

"You didn’t run, attack anyone or destroy my shoes. I’m impressed. Maybe you’re not as poorly behaved as your first impression."

These Titans must have a natural superiority complex. Destroy his shoes? They smell bad enough from here; why would I get my face closer to them to tear them apart?

"Didn’t see anyone. But I could start if you’d like?"

The Mayor gave a grunt of annoyance and removed the leash, pointing towards another room. "The kids are in there. If you can behave, we’ll go say hello."

I’m not sure if this guy seriously underestimates me, doesn’t know what he’s doing, or if he’s just an idiot. But he leads me into the living room to meet the family. They all seem to be ordinary four armed Titan-sized people and friendly. A very family values, wholesome sort of bunch. He definitely has no clue what he’s doing. Which begs the question, why is he doing it?

They’re all watching me like he just brought home a new family pet, so I decide to play along for now. "Hi everyone, I’m Katrina; it’s a pleasure to meet you all."

"You said she wasn’t properly trained and domesticated, but she seems pretty harmless to me, dad." One of the older boys laughs, and I wink at him.

"Don’t trust that, she clawed the trainer’s eyes out right in front of me. No remorse at all." His wife looks horrified at that, and I frown.

"He makes it sound so bad. It was just a swat, a little scratch to let him know I was annoyed. He’s perfectly fine, all healed and everything." I insist, and the toddler starts coming my way until the wife grabs her.

"Let’s find you a spot. Maybe by the back sitting room? You must be tired from the journey and your time with the trainers. Don’t worry; we’re much nicer than them." One of the daughters informs me, reaching out her hand for me to take.

This is going to be so easy it’s not even funny.

"Mila, Lycans are outdoor pets." Johan insists, and his daughter gives him a disgusted look.

"She doesn’t even have fur. How could she be an outdoor pet? If you put her outside, she’ll freeze to death the first time it rains."

"We’ll talk about this later."

Mila gives me a look of victory and leads me through the house, able to hold my hand with her lower arms if I reach up. She’s about ten years old, ginger and freckled in a school uniform that says [Deimos City Hall Primary].

"Do city workers get their own private school? I read the badge on your uniform."

"Yeah, it’s so annoying. All the kids are from rich families, and they’re so snobby. They won’t even come to play soccer because they’re worried about getting dirty."

"I’ll tell you a secret. Do you know who loves playing soccer? Lycans." I whisper, and she giggles.

"Why did they capture you? Is that rude to ask? They tell us in school that puppies are all criminals, that’s why they’re collared and locked up until they’re trained, but they won’t tell us what they’ve done."

"The Oracles said that I would be dangerous to the city; that’s why they grabbed me. But you’ll see, the Oracles are easy to alter if you know about them. That’s why so many of them get changed."

That news definitely messed up her indoctrination. They’re told that the Oracles are almost absolute and take a heroic effort to change. The thought that they might not be difficult to alter is something she never considered.

As many kids would, she decides to ignore the confusing ideas and get back on task. "This is my room, that is Jacob’s room, and the library and the room where the maids slept. You can stay in this room, and I’ll get you a cushion and blankets."

"Dad says she stays in the Kennel overnight." One of the boys interrupts her, bringing in a two meter by four meter cage made of silver and covered in inscriptions. If I were a werewolf, that cage would be an absolute nightmare. But as a half Lycan, silver isn’t such a concern. The way it’s enchanted, I’m not likely to break out of it anytime soon, though.

"Kat, this is Jacob. His room is beside mine. He snores a lot, but he brings me cookies, so he’s my favorite brother." Her evaluation has me laughing at the mayor’s oldest son, who looks rather annoyed with his sister.

"You brat. Stop telling everyone I snore. I’m at the dating age now, and I don’t need you scaring the girls away on me."