Chapter Sixty-Eight: On the Edge of Terror (First Subscription Requested)

Apart from not neglecting her official duties, Mulan’s research state persisted for several months, spanning directly from spring into autumn.

The reorganization of the Dilga Army was completed in early summer. In the latter half, Mulan only familiarized herself with the process and outcome, without much personal involvement. She merely orchestrated the “death” of the last surviving Nia family sister midway through, stirring public opinion anew.

In total, more than a hundred junior officers and officials were detained, over a dozen mid-ranking officers and civil officials were sentenced to death, and two high-ranking officials resigned and retired.

Yet, for most of the families of fallen soldiers, full compensation remained out of reach. Where records could be found, only some meager personal effects were returned, and a portion of the death benefits was belatedly paid.

Even so, newspapers across the country gave the matter extensive coverage, lavishly praising the Queen and attributing the resolution to her wisdom and benevolence. Thus, Nishelriel enjoyed a surge of popular support; even families who had not received the full compensation were grateful for what they did obtain, believing it was the Queen who had championed their cause and recovered what little could be reclaimed.

Moore saw these reports as well. He recognized the positive aspects of the campaign but also its underlying sorrow: first, the sorrow of the Empire, where even grave issues could be diluted by the connections among the powerful; second, the sorrow of the common people, whose interests were not truly preserved, yet who felt grateful to the rulers who reaped the real rewards of the purge.

For this reason, Moore anonymously submitted an article to the press, though it was rejected. However, his books had quietly been published—two so far. The first was titled “Capital,” the second “The Poverty of the People.” They had yet to cause a stir in society, but Mulan was certain these works would not sink without a trace.

...

Mid-October, autumn—the traditional season for the royal hunt of the Dilga court. Nishelriel, who had already gained considerable authority in her first year on the throne, hosted the hunt with great fanfare, inviting many nobles and dignitaries.

As the Queen’s trusted confidante, Mulan was naturally among those invited.

Dilga was situated on a plain, but some dozens of miles south of the city lay a vast forest and a gentle hill, lush with vegetation, where a large royal hunting ground had been specially designated.

Perhaps owing to the Great Maelstrom and the changes in the world, this October was, as last year, cooler than usual, and the mountain forest felt even colder.

Led by Nishelriel, groups of hunters entered the forest in succession.

Today, the Queen wore none of her usual finery; instead, her attire was practical and reminiscent of Dolly’s style—though the garments still featured delicate ruffles and were distinct from men’s wear.

Nishelriel rode at the fore, accompanied by skilled horsemen and guards—and, of course, Mulan. Her mastery of horsemanship was evident, and even Mulan was slightly surprised by the Queen’s proficiency.

The mountain wind whipped Nishelriel’s long hair. When she brushed it aside, many young noblemen around her were utterly entranced.

“Sir Jonester! The Jonester family was once among the Thirteen Knightly Houses. Your riding and marksmanship must be excellent. Since you’re on my team this time, you must help me win the hunt!”

“I shall do my utmost, Your Majesty!”

Mulan slung a hunting rifle across her back, her cane tied to her saddle, a revolver holstered at her waist beneath her coat.

“Your Majesty, while Sir Jonester hails from a knightly family, she may not be familiar with hunting. Don’t take her too lightly—we have come well prepared!”

“That’s right, Your Majesty, we won’t surrender so easily.”

Several princes and great nobles were similarly competitive. There was no tradition that the king must win the annual hunt—on the contrary, the victorious team would receive the royal prize.

“Hahaha, then you must try your best!”

Nishelriel was well aware of Mulan’s abilities. Even without the techniques learned at Black Castle, Mulan’s marksmanship and riding were first-rate—giving her a clear advantage in the hunt.

“All right, it’s about time. Today is just a warm-up—everyone must return to camp before dark. Now, let’s begin.”

At the Queen’s command, a line of soldiers in the rear sounded great horns.

“Toot—Toot-toot—”

“Let’s go!” “Ha!” “Hyah~”

“Move out! Quickly!”

...

At the sound of the horn, teams spurred their horses into the forest as if it were a race, not a hunt.

But the forest was vast, and the pursuing and pursued quickly scattered in all directions.

The Queen’s horse was swift. Mulan, responsible for her protection, could barely keep up, whereas several close attendants fell behind.

“Your Majesty, please don’t ride so fast! Let the guards flush out the game so it’s easier to shoot—!”

Mulan shouted at the Queen’s side, and Nishelriel gradually slowed her pace. Her cheeks were flushed, whether from excitement or the cold wind, it was hard to tell.

“Do you know, Sir Jonester, I wish to let go—to ride like this with abandon. I’ve looked forward to this hunt for so long.”

...

Clearly, she had been stifled for too long; a smile appeared on Mulan’s face.

“I hope Your Majesty enjoys herself. Guards, split up and drive the game toward us—we cannot afford to lose.”

“Yes!” “Ha~”

Gunshots echoed from afar; it seemed some teams had already encountered their quarry.

“The gunshots will drive the game deeper into the forest. We’d better hurry. Let’s go!”

Nishelriel cried out excitedly, urging the party to greater speed.

After a dozen minutes, the first animals appeared—several startled deer, large prey. Nishelriel took the hunting rifle from a guard and fired.

Bang! The recoil made the Queen sway on her horse. Bang! Her balance improved on the second shot.

After a third shot, the deer were fleeing, and the Queen had missed every time.

“Damn, they’re getting away! Sir Jonester, quickly—!”

“At once, Your Majesty!”

Mulan squeezed her horse’s flanks with her legs, flicked its haunches with her cane, and the horse surged forward, galloping a hundred paces before Mulan fired single-handedly.

Bang!

A deer dropped in the distance.

Mulan chased after the herd, reined in sharply, and as her horse reared, chambered another round and fired again.

Bang!

The leading stag fell even as it ran, throwing the herd into confusion.

“Well done!”

Nishelriel was elated, as if she’d made the shot herself. Several guards rode out to retrieve the fallen game.

“Amazing!” “What marksmanship—the Empire’s Thirteenth Sword, indeed.”

Her attendants were mere background.

A piercing roar echoed from beyond the mountain, making some mounts uneasy. Mulan rode back to the Queen’s side, her gaze searching for the source.

“Sir Jonester, that must be a beast of prey! Help me bring it down!”

Mulan frowned.

“Your Majesty, something is wrong with that sound.”

A nearby attendant stepped forward to advise.

“Your Majesty, perhaps we should return to camp—this...”

“ROAR—”

The roar grew louder. About ten seconds later, a thunderous crash resounded from the north, followed by rapid gunfire.

Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump...

To Mulan, those heavy footfalls seemed to shake her very heart, drawing ever closer.

“Protect the Queen! That’s no beast—it’s a monster!”

Mulan shouted in alarm as the horses around her panicked. In the distance, dust and debris filled the air as trees toppled—a monstrous presence even before it appeared.

Suddenly, a cloaked man appeared in the monster’s path, crouched slightly, then exploded forward to meet it head-on.

Mulan felt a measure of relief—an extraordinary protector was indeed present.

...

With a thunderous crash, the massive creature’s charge was actually halted by the figure. The surrounding trees and earth were blasted upward in a greater storm of sand and dust.

“Guard the Queen! Fall back!”

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The distant battle grew ever fiercer, as if two titans were clashing.

“Your Majesty, look out!”

Mulan lunged, knocking Nishelriel from her horse just as a section of tree, flung by the impact, smashed the Queen’s mount and whistled past their heads.

“Is someone trying to assassinate me?”

“Your Majesty, go!”

Mulan grabbed a guard’s horse, helped Nishelriel mount, then leapt onto another and sped toward the camp.

ROAR—

The monster’s cry became shriller; the battle’s violence more dramatic. A bone-chilling cold swept over them, and mist began to curl through the woods.

Leading the Queen's horse, Mulan was effectively controlling two steeds at a gallop. Suddenly, he realized the sounds of combat had ceased for over ten seconds.

‘No—it's circled around us!’

Glancing back, Mulan glimpsed a pair of burning red eyes through the thinning mist—eyes locked on him with a dreadful, singular focus.

‘Is it after me?’

ROAR—

The beast bellowed, spewing dense fog, its heavy footfalls closing with speed far surpassing a horse’s.

Gritting his teeth, Mulan released the Queen’s reins.

“Hold on tight, Your Majesty!”

Crack!

He brought his cane down hard on the Queen’s horse’s flank. With a startled cry, the horse bolted, while Mulan wheeled his own mount in a different direction. He was not without means of resistance, but he refused to unleash his wildest resonance in the Queen’s presence.

ROAR—

The roar was suddenly so close it was terrifying. Mulan’s hair stood on end, his pupils dilated, and in his peripheral vision he saw the beast’s gigantic, blood-red eye bearing down upon him.

What?

Bang!

Mulan and his horse were swept away by the monster’s charge. Up ahead, the Queen had barely regained control of her mount when she turned and saw the scene, screaming in horror.

“Mulan—!”

At the moment of impact, Mulan was already shrouded in a cloak of black shadow, his fangs drawn. He braced himself against the monster’s brow, enduring the crushing wind and the violent collisions with trees.

Crash. Crash. Crash.

Tree after tree smashed against Mulan’s back and arms; his muscles, bones, and organs suffered unbearable pain, yet the shadows around him only grew. Amidst the chaos, his body slowly rose from the monster’s brow, despite its attempts to shake him off.

‘Come! Come! Let me dance on the edge of terror!’

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ps: Two more chapters coming soon.