126 Provocation

The sky stretched vast and endlessly blue above, a boundless expanse. Beneath it, layers of verdant greens overlapped and spread toward the horizon. Farther still lay the bustling, vibrant cityscape. From this elevated vantage, the view was expansive, and with it, her spirit opened wide. Drawing a deep breath, she felt a surge of pure, invigorating air fill her lungs, reaching deep into her very core, dispelling all weariness and impurities within. In that moment, her entire body relaxed, embraced by a soothing freedom.

“Climbing to the summit, I shall gaze upon all the lesser peaks below…” Theresa murmured softly, captivated by the vast, lofty scene before her. Her whisper was so faint it blended into the breeze, dispersing swiftly—so much so that neither Anita beside her nor Theresa herself caught the words fully. Yet this did nothing to diminish her good mood. She stretched languidly, as if to shake off the fatigue and listlessness of recent days.

Anita, seeing Theresa’s delight, grew even more cheerful, counting off plans on her fingers. “Tomorrow, we’ll visit the lake; the day after, we’ll soak in the hot springs; three days from now, there’s a tea gathering in the Peach Blossom Grove on the northern hills. And two days after that, we’ll go to a famous private garden in the western suburbs… If only you had arrived a fortnight earlier, there would have been so much more to enjoy. But now, at the tail end of spring, our options are a bit limited.”

“That’s more than enough,” Theresa replied with a gentle smile, turning her head. “No matter how splendid a view, too much of it dulls the taste. Besides, I’ll likely be leaving in a few days, and won’t have the chance to enjoy your thoughtful plans again.”

“Really? You’re returning to Seventis? Perfect—come along with me!” Benita bounced excitedly. “I’m so tired of the imperial capital, but my parents won’t let me leave the house, and even my great-aunt said I shouldn’t wander around lately… It’s utterly boring!”

Theresa couldn’t help but smile at her exuberance. She reached out to tug playfully at Benita’s long hair. “Since last year, the empire has been troubled. You’d better behave and not wander about—it worries people. As for me, the place I’m going to, you simply can’t follow. Otherwise, your family would blame me to death.”

“Where are you headed?” Benita’s tone grew serious, sensing a shift in Theresa’s mood.

“To the Land of Nature. I’m going to the Land of Nature…” Theresa’s voice trailed off, her thoughts drifting far away, her expression darkening with melancholy.

Benita opened her mouth to question further but hesitated, unwilling to push the matter.

The two remained in this quiet tension until a sharp cry from the sky startled them. They both looked up. Not far overhead, a flock of young golden-winged roc chicks had broken their peaceful formation, shrieking and scattering chaotically. As they watched in confusion, two strange sounds echoed faintly, and something flashed swiftly across the sky.

Theresa squinted, unable to hold back a whisper of admiration, “Impressive archery!”

At that moment, several fledglings were struck by arrows, plummeting downward. The startled young rocs, after an initial panic, remembered to fight back, screeching as they dove rapidly. Then Theresa and Anita witnessed a breathtaking display—

Arrows streaked like shooting stars, one following another in quick succession. At first glance, it seemed like a multitude of archers, but upon closer inspection, the arrows were aligned in a straight line at the start. In midair, as if guided by some unseen hand, each arrow veered in a different direction, piercing the flock and sparking fresh cries.

The golden-winged roc chicks couldn’t bear the relentless assault. Within three hundred meters, over a dozen arrows had broken through their ranks, wreaking havoc. Injured birds fell one after another—not quite a downpour of rocs, but still a shockingly high number.

The flock’s instincts told them they couldn’t withstand such unceasing torment. Without even confronting their assailant, many had already fallen. Driven by sheer survival, they chose the safest course—flight.

The lead chick gave the order, and the remaining fledglings fled in disarray. From the moment of attack to their desperate escape, only minutes passed.

Theresa counted silently and couldn’t help but praise, “Twenty-one arrows, downing at least thirty-seven golden-winged fledglings—more than one per arrow on average. This archer’s skill is truly extraordinary.”

After marveling, Benita craned her neck, scanning the probable direction of the arrow’s origin. Yet, as she searched, her expression gradually darkened.

Noticing, Theresa’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. “Nini, what is it?”

“Those are from the Gadis family,” Benita snorted. “No matter how skilled, they’re nothing but lapdogs!”

Turning toward Theresa’s hesitant demeanor, Benita explained, “Tessa, you’re new to the capital, so maybe you don’t know how despicable Ober Gadis is. I won’t go into all his misdeeds. The capital is full of spoiled nobles, but what I can’t tolerate is that he keeps orc slaves as hunting prey. Periodically, he holds ‘hunting parties’ where these tortured orc slaves are the targets—it’s utterly barbaric!”

Theresa frowned deeply. “And no one intervenes? Does the Grand Duke Gadis allow this... this cruelty?”

“Who’d dare report it to the Grand Duke?” Benita wrinkled her nose. “I may despise them, but I must admit Ober is the only Gadis grandchild with some real ability. No wonder the Duke favors him. Honestly, I dread to think what disaster would befall our country if someone like him inherited the Duke’s title in decades to come.”

Benita’s far-reaching speculation made Theresa laugh. She tapped Benita’s forehead lightly. “Why worry about decades from now? Who can say what the future holds? Well, we’ve been out long enough for today. Let’s head back and rest.”

Glancing at the sky, Benita agreed. “Right. We’ll get back just in time for dinner. I’ll take you to the capital’s best seafood feast.”

☆☆☆

The hunting grounds lay silent, save for the dying golden-winged fledglings struggling on the grass, their pitiful cries filling the air. Everyone was stunned by Tatu’s display, wide-eyed and speechless. Yet Tatu himself remained composed. Nonchalantly lowering his bow, he knelt respectfully before Ober Gadis and raised the bow before his brow, his voice calm and steady: “I am unworthy of your favor.”

“Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!” Ober Gadis exclaimed, eyes fixed on the fallen fledglings. He called out three times in praise, applauding with genuine admiration.

“What keen sight, what skillful archery, what cunning strategy!” Ober continued, then turned to Joans. “Your man is remarkable. I’ve been looking for such a skilled archer. Would you be willing to part with him?”

Though worried, Joans dared not show reluctance. He hastened to flatter, “It is your honor, young master, to favor him. Tatu is my attendant, but he is free in spirit. He serves as a household servant only out of gratitude to my father’s kindness. I hope you understand.”

“You’re always so cautious. Do you think I would mistreat him?” Ober laughed. “He will enjoy the same status as my second-tier generals. How does that sound?”

Joans bowed deeply, offering words of praise. Others among the noble youths surrounding Ober gathered as well, lauding his generosity and discernment. Soon, Joans and Tatu were left behind in the crowd.

Taking advantage of the moment, Joans leaned close to Tatu, his lips moving barely perceptibly, a whisper carried softly to Tatu’s ear—

“You know how Master Gadis is—he cannot tolerate any defiance. If you want to stay safe, temper your temper. Don’t confront him head-on.”

Seeing no reaction from Tatu, who seemed to focus inward, Joans pressed on, “If Master Gadis orders you to do something impossible, just accept it at first. Then come to me, and we’ll figure it out together. It’s far better than clashing with him directly—that’s a death sentence! Not just for you, but possibly for your family, and even me, my father, my sister, and the entire Hak family!”

Only then did Tatu respond. Clenching his legs around his horse, he surged ahead of Joans as if to distance himself. As he passed, Joans caught the faintest murmur: “Understood.”

☆☆☆

Descending from the mountain and entering the city, Theresa followed Benita to savor the capital’s most delicious seafood. Full and content, she returned to the temporary residence, only to be met at the door with a sharp demand—

“Who are you? How did you get here?”

Still on horseback in the garden, Theresa turned in surprise. At the far end, a young woman emerged from a small gate—golden-haired, green-eyed, clad in alluring beast-skin attire. Her face was angelic, her figure devilish, and her aura that of a fiery little spitfire.

“Are you deaf or mute? Why won’t you answer me!” The fiery woman demanded, her tone haughty and brash.

Theresa remained unruffled. Dismounting with graceful ease, she bowed in a lady’s elegant salute, her voice poised and refined. “Theresa Brento Borje. A pleasure to meet you. May I ask your name?”

“Rebecca,” the fiery one replied. “So you’re the Theresa who caused me to lose Lambert! I honestly don’t know what the clan’s thinking, mistaking you for Andrew’s daughter—you bear no trace of Angamen blood!”

A blatant provocation—raw and unmistakable.

Theresa’s eyes narrowed slightly, her expression darkening with quiet resolve… (To be continued)