The Hunting Ground

Volume: Volume 3

Title: Chapter 83: The Hunting Ground

The sun, having pierced through the veil of clouds, cast its impartial light across the world.

While everything shimmered, adorned in a brilliant layer of golden dust, unseen corners simultaneously deepened into an even richer darkness.

A fleeting shadow, like an ink stroke delineating a forgotten truth, streaked across the pristine midday sky before dissolving into the verdant canopy with a whisper of the breeze.

****

“Plan A has failed.”

Perched on a branch, the robin neatly folded its wings. Its diminutive, impeccably tailored tuxedo lent it an unexpected air of solemnity.

He cast his gaze downward at the gaunt old man meditating beneath the tree, a flicker of displeasure crossing his dark, avian eyes. “Ewan Campbell is not dead.”

“Your intelligence was flawed.”

Indra King Nanurika sat cross-legged, expelling fragments of starlight and crimson from his body with each breath. They scattered like faint fireflies, yet the surrounding vegetation instantly withered at their touch.

He opened his eyes, his gaze serene. “You never mentioned the Star Seer would appear, and that Duke’s son is far more capable than the rumors suggested.”

“…Alright.”

The robin fell silent for a moment, accepting the outcome. “Fortunately, Plan B succeeded. Everything remains under control.”

“Remember our agreement,” Indra King Nanurika said, closing his eyes once more.

“Naturally. We are not like those base individuals with foul blood in their veins. Honoring our covenants is an excellent quality we have always upheld.”

The robin turned its head, the subtle hint of mockery vanishing from its eyes, and looked to the side. “Now that the prey has successfully entered the hunting ground, it’s time for you hunters to make your appearance.”

From the shadows of the forest, several indistinct figures emerged, their cackles echoing like malevolent specters.

“Rest assured, Ewan Campbell’s head will soon be presented upon your lordships’ desks.”

“Excellent.”

The robin flapped its wings, transforming back into a shadow as it soared away. “The Under-Council has provided you with what you need. Do not disappoint us.”

****

“Damn it!”

Pink Bear, his expression ferocious, shattered a tree several men’s widths thick with a single punch. “They still managed to succeed!”

The ravaged clearing had long since returned to its usual tranquility.

However, everyone’s spirits remained low. Even though the enemies had retreated and they were safe, two figures were conspicuously absent from their midst.

Ewan.

And… Liya.

In the enemy’s final desperate act, they had been enveloped by fragments of spatial magic. By the time Adolf Lowes could intervene, the two had vanished completely.

They had been teleported away, their destination unknown.

Indra King Nanurika, an experienced戴冠者 (Crowned One), had also successfully retreated, proving too difficult to intercept.

“Please calm yourself for now, Oranril. I know you are deeply concerned about Ewan Campbell, but anger serves no purpose at this moment.”

Adolf Lowes sighed, patting Pink Bear’s shoulder in an attempt to comfort him. “They were merely teleported. We cannot jump to conclusions just yet…”

“Who’s worried about that brat?!”

Pink Bear interrupted Adolf Lowes, then suddenly collapsed to his knees, pounding the ground with his hands. “I’m worried about my gravure photos and my cigars! Damn it, if I can’t bring that kid back to Holy City in one piece, Planck, that old bastard, will definitely tear up the ransom!”

“W-w-w… My cigars, my Saintess Gravure 3.0 Gold Collector’s Edition Plus! How can I live without you…?”

“…” Adolf Lowes’s cheek twitched. He looked at the others. “So, given Professor Planck’s temperament, why hasn’t he beaten this embarrassing fellow to death yet?”

Everyone remained silent.

“I think I know where that kid was teleported to,”

Pink Bear suddenly looked up, pointing in a certain direction.

“Oh?”

Adolf Lowes turned to follow Pink Bear’s gaze, his pupils constricting slightly. “The Forest of Deadly Peril?”

Towering trees formed a clear boundary, as if dividing the entire land into two equal halves. From within that dark forest, where even light struggled to penetrate, eerie roars occasionally emanated, sending shivers down their spines.

“Given our speed, even if the enemy moved quickly, they couldn’t have set up too many traps.”

Pink Bear pulled out a cheap cigarette, took a hard drag, and gritted his teeth. “So, if they couldn’t kill Ewan directly, the best option was to separate him from us, send him to a place where rescue would be difficult, and then slowly plot his demise.”

“That’s why they went to such lengths with spatial magic. Damn it, the carefully chosen path I picked actually made things easier for them.”

“This is troublesome now.”

Listening to Pink Bear’s analysis, Adolf Lowes’s expression also grew solemn. “With that Calamity in the Forest of Deadly Peril, it’s practically a forbidden zone for戴冠者 (Crowned Ones). Any戴冠者 (Crowned One) who steps inside will be seen as a provocation by that Calamity.”

“So, from here on, you and I are pretty much useless.”

Pink Bear flicked his cigarette, stomped it out, and then re-secured the three intact carriages. He plopped down onto one of them and addressed Fanny and the others. “But this is also good. At least Indra King Nanurika won’t be able to pursue that kid anymore. Let’s go.”

“Eh? Where to?”

Fanny and the others, still somewhat bewildered, asked instinctively.

“To Holy City, of course.”

Pink Bear rolled his eyes. “I promised Professor Planck, that old coot. I can’t just abandon you all because of Ewan, can I?”

“What about Junior Ewan?”

“Don’t worry. The Border Governor we’re heading to is Ewan’s father’s former subordinate. Now that he’s missing, he’ll definitely mobilize an army to search. Although that forest has many strange things, there aren’t many powerful magical beasts inside. The army’s efficiency will be highest.”

“Yes, that’s the best option for now.”

Adolf Lowes sighed, saying, “Having taken so much money only to lose our employer, my heart isn’t at ease either. I will patrol the perimeter of this forest from now on, ready to respond at any time.”

“Here, take this.”

“This is…?”

Adolf Lowes looked down, puzzled, at the blood-drop-shaped object Pink Bear had tossed him.

“I left something on that kid. As long as he successfully gets out of that forest, you’ll immediately know his location.”

“I see.”

Adolf Lowes put away the blood-drop, smiling. “You actually care about him quite a bit, don’t you?”

“Hmph, who cares about that brat? I’m just worried my niece will kick my ass for this.”

Pink Bear cracked his reins.

“Let’s go.”

“Then, farewell.”

Adolf Lowes floated upwards, quickly disappearing into the sea of clouds surrounding the forest.

Under Pink Bear’s control, the carriages once again sped towards their original destination.

****

Inside the carriage, everyone gazed silently at the receding scenery outside the window.

They were the most outstanding elites of the academy, yet they still hadn’t fully recovered from the unexpected events that had just transpired.

“Can it be said that he truly lives up to his name, Ewan?”

Vicky Morse exclaimed. “Even when he’s being assassinated, it’s so earth-shattering. It feels like he’s on a completely different level than us, wouldn’t you say?”

Vicky Morse looked at her friend beside her, only to find her still deep in thought.

“What’s wrong? Still worried about Ewan?”

“A little, but that’s no longer something I’m qualified to ponder.”

“Oh, then what are you thinking about?”

“I’m thinking…”

Fanny Sawyer looked up, her gaze sweeping over everyone in front of her. “Besides Junior Ewan and Junior Liya, did we forget someone else?”