Steampunk Era: Mad Abield
Chapter 420 - 281: Hunter and Prey (3)_2

Chapter 420: Chapter 281: Hunter and Prey (3)_2

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"Being alive is good," Jessica walked over to her brother and gave him a hug.

"Thanks to the potion Malin brother gave me," the young wolf cub said, then pointed to his right arm, "When the ogre broke into the camp, I tried to attack it with a sword, but it shattered my arm with a slap, so I chose to run away—everyone says that an apprentice running away can be forgiven."

At this point, the kid sighed helplessly, "I, I feel like a coward, but I must survive because I saw a slave brand on the ogre’s forehead."

"I’ve seen them, don’t know whose slaves they might be, but they’re dead now," Malin said, taking the potion and leather cloak passed to him by Faye, "Here, drink this, it will replenish your energy, and then we’ll leave."

"Let me do it," Jessica reached out, so Malin let Jessica help his brother, then had Bippo contact Lorrin to bring the War Dogs and meet up with them.

......

"What’s that signal from the Northern Forest all about?" the Tower Master of the Mage Tower pushed open the door and looked at his subordinates.

"Unable to confirm the identity of the signal’s owner, but it is indeed a final signal, from a third-ring combat mage; we are verifying the local third-ring mages," the duty mage reported.

"It’s not necessarily a local combat mage; immediately summon the duty combat team to stand by, contact the Church of Justice and the Church of the War God to confirm if there are any Punishers acting in the North. Also, inform the Proxy squad, I need an aerial reconnaissance report within half an hour. Whatever they see, they must inform me," the Tower Master ordered.

"Yes, Your Excellency, everything you need will soon be on your desk," was the response.

"Not on my desk, in my hands!" the Tower Master barked with frustration.

......

At the Church of Justice in Carterburg, the Bishop stood silently in the center of the Prayer Hall. An Assistant Priest walked into the hall and came to the old man: "A final signal, belonging to an unidentified third-ring combat mage, just appeared in the North."

"If I remember correctly, Princess Faye is of the fifth or sixth ring... however, the emergence of this signal is an ominous sign... notify the Church’s assault team to prepare for action," the Bishop said.

Another Assistant Priest approached, "My lord, we have a message from the Mage Tower. The Tower Master wishes to know if we have any Punishers in the North."

"We do not, but the War God’s Mages have a team of apprentices investigating the attacked camp. Have their messenger take this information back, telling the Tower Master we are prepared," said the Bishop, and after delivering his instructions, he looked at a small statue in front of him. Once the two Assistant Priests left, he bowed his head and once again fell silent.

......

Meanwhile, in Regensburg.

"Lady Kay, is your husband not here?" the young messenger asked the petite elf lady with some confusion—according to his information, Lord Sayer Kay was supposed to be resting in the inn.

"Yes, he is out. Men, when they go out on business, don’t always explain why to their wives. So, what is it?" the lady asked with a smile.

"It’s like this, the competition committee earnestly invites your husband to be the last performer in the combat display following the conclusion of the tournament. As he’s not present, could you pass on this invitation to him?"

"No problem," taking the invitation, the elf lady nodded, "Is there anything else?"

"That’s all, may your life be happy," the young man wished.

"And may you find fortune in yours," she returned the sentiment.

After seeing the messenger off, the elf closed the door and went to the kitchen window, watching as the messenger boarded his old-fashioned large-wheel motorcycle.

......

"Jiaxi, is our Baron not here?" As Jiaxi’s companion, Zem Mayer asked nonchalantly while starting the motorcycle, "By the way, the lady is watching us. Tilt your head a bit to avoid her lip-reading."

"He’s not here, an interesting answer. Come to think of it, I’m also not clear on why Lady Anna is so eager to know the whereabouts of a married man," responded Jiaxi.

"Let me tell you, sometimes it’s not only the bad guys who die from talking too much; the boss asks you to do a job, not to seek death," his direct supervisor scolded.

"Alright, alright, I believe it’s nothing too important, otherwise they wouldn’t have assigned us two rookies to handle this," retorted Jiaxi while lifting his legs and taking off his boots, "Damn it, I’ve been feeling like there’s been sand under my feet since a while ago; it’s killing me."

"Where’s a gentleman’s dignity, Jiaxi? There are at least a hundred commoners watching you pick your toes," his superior chided him.

"Ha, should I start charging them then?" Jiaxi joked with a laugh.

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And, as a matter of course, she earned herself a roll of the eyes.

......

Upon returning to her own backyard, the old lady of the Rhode family felt as though she had pierced through some damned point—a concept her grandson had taught her.

Because she saw her husband sitting together with his most hated son-in-law, in front of the two men on a small round table lay dozens of empty bottles, and both, reeking of alcohol, clutched their heads and sobbed uncontrollably.

"Dear, and Your Majesty, what about your dignity?" she couldn’t help but ask.

"My dear, come, let me introduce to you, this is Mr. Goethe Mowish, who, like me, has suffered the pain of losing a beloved daughter," her husband said in his introduction.

And His Majesty, with a pained face, took off his small hat from his head: "Lady, hello."

The old lady felt a bit surprised, but she didn’t know how to respond.

What ghostly talk of losing a beloved daughter? Aren’t your daughters all alive and well?

Just as she thought this, the old lady saw the two men start to laugh while they picked up their bottles and blew into them.

When they finished blowing, they began to cry again.

Turning her head, the old lady noticed the old butler who had brought them the wine was now making his escape.

Looking back, the two men were already hugging each other’s shoulders and began to sing Sydney’s folk songs.

The old lady let out a sigh.

Forget it, let the poor men who have ’lost their daughters’ blow off steam here.

ThThinking so, she turned and walked towards her mansion.

As she walked, she began to smile.

Her husband probably never imagined that one day he would share the bitter pill with his most detested son-in-law.

Pushing open the door to the mansion, the old lady saw her married daughter, Manli: "My dear, you’re here, I thought you hadn’t come back."

"No, mother, I have come back, but I felt I shouldn’t be outside." Her daughter walked over to embrace her: "Mother, I’m so happy to see you are well."

"I’m happy too, Manli. Seeing your husband and father able to sit together, it makes me so happy, very happy." The old lady unwrapped her shawl, and her daughter took it and hung it on a nearby coat rack as she always had.

"It seems that Faye is also getting married, is it?"

"Yes, mother."

"I told you before, that Anna, though she came after you and Goethe, she and Goethe are both the apprentices of that person. You don’t have anything to worry about, right?"

"Yes, mother, but... why were you so certain at the time?" Manli helped her mother to a chair, supporting her as she sat down.

"Because it’s a mother’s intuition, and in my eyes, you are always young." The old lady answered with a smile.

"Forget about the child of your foolish brother; they’re not worth you risking your life to provoke that elf." The old lady said this and looked over at Manli: "Daughter, life is like an investment, and you are already a very successful investor. You have three lovely sons and a daughter, and in the future, your children will inherit the throne of this kingdom. You are the Queen, you must have the demeanor of a queen, and even more so, the vision of a queen. This world is too dangerous; don’t end up a fool like my brother who bumbled himself to death."

"I won’t, my mother." As Manli said this, her mother slapped her.

"You’re lying, my child. I am glad Goethe was here when I came back, otherwise I might have to find your head and your father’s in a pot." Having said this, the old lady took a deep breath and then turned her head towards the shadows of the hall: "Won’t you come out for this old lady to see you?"

No one responded, but a maid stepped out of the shadow, smiling as she lifted her skirt hem, then crumbled away like sand, disappearing before the mother and daughter.

"Who is this child, she’s truly beautiful." The old lady turned to her daughter.

"It’s Lena." Manli said with her head lowered.

And her mother reached out and slapped her again.

"My daughter, remember, the mercy of legends is an incredibly extravagant gift; don’t waste it."