Chapter 307: The Hunting Ground
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 307: The Hunting Ground
Sunlight pierced the clouds, its impartial radiance bathing the world.
Everything seemed coated in a layer of brilliant gold dust, shimmering with splendor, yet in the unseen corners, it cast even deeper shadows.
A shadow streaked across the clean midday sky like a fleeting ink line tracing a geometric proof, vanishing in an instant before alighting amidst the verdant trees with the breeze.
"Plan A has failed."
Perched on a branch, the Robin folded its wings. A tiny, stiff formal suit covered the bird's body, giving it a strangely solemn appearance.
It looked down at the withered old man resting with closed eyes beneath the tree, a flicker of displeasure crossing its pitch-black avian eyes.
"Muen Campbell is not dead."
"Your intelligence was flawed."
The Indra King sat cross-legged. With every breath, fragments of starlight and blood were forced from his body, drifting down like the faint glow of fireflies, yet causing the surrounding vegetation to wither instantly upon contact.
He opened his eyes, his gaze calm and indifferent.
"You never mentioned that the Stargazer would appear," he said tonelessly. "Furthermore, that Duke’s son is far more capable than the rumors suggested."
"...Fair enough."
The Robin fell silent for a moment, accepting the outcome.
"Fortunately, Plan B was a success. Everything remains under control."
"Remember our pact," the Indra King said, closing his eyes once more.
"Naturally. We are not like those low-born creatures with filthy blood. We value contracts; it has always been one of our finer qualities."
The Robin turned its head, hiding a trace of mockery in its eyes as it looked to the side.
"Now that the prey has successfully entered the hunting ground, it is time for you hunters to take the stage."
From the shadows of the forest, several blurred figures emerged, letting out malicious, ghastly chuckles.
"Rest assured. Muen Campbell’s head will soon be presented upon your excellencies' desks."
"Very well."
With a flap of its wings, the Robin transformed back into a black streak and took flight.
"The Inner Council has given you what you required. Do not disappoint us."
*
"Dammit!"
Pink Bear smashed a fist into a tree thick enough for several men to encircle, snapping it clean through. His expression was twisted with rage.
"They actually pulled it off!"
The chaotic scene had already returned to a state of eerie calm.
However, everyone’s spirits were at an all-time low. Even though the enemies had retreated and they were safe, two people were missing from their ranks.
Muen.
And... Liya.
During the enemy's final struggle, they had been engulfed by the fragments of spatial magic. By the time Adolf could free himself to intervene, the two had completely vanished.
Teleported away to parts unknown.
The Indra King had also managed to retreat. After all, he was a veteran Crown Bearer; he wasn't someone who could be easily pinned down.
"Lord Oranriel, please calm yourself. I know you are deeply worried about Muen Campbell, but anger is useless right now."
Adolf sighed, patting Pink Bear on the shoulder to comfort him.
"They were merely teleported. We can't jump to conclusions—"
"Who's worried about that little brat!"
Pink Bear interrupted Adolf, suddenly collapsing to his knees in despair. He pounded the ground, wailing in grief.
"I'm worried about my photo books and my cigars! Dammit, if I don't bring that kid back to the Holy City in one piece, that old bastard Prang will definitely destroy the collateral!!
"Waaaaah... My cigars... My Saintess Photo Book 3.0 Golden Collector's Edition Plus... How am I supposed to live without you...?"
"..."
Adolf’s cheek twitched as he looked toward the others.
"So, given Professor Prang’s temperament, why hasn't he beaten this embarrassment to death yet?"
The others: "..."
"I have a rough idea of where the kid was sent," Pink Bear said, suddenly looking up and staring in a specific direction.
"Oh?"
Adolf turned his head to follow Pink Bear’s gaze, his pupils shrinking slightly.
"The Forest of Death?"
Towering trees formed a stark boundary, seemingly splitting the earth into two equal halves. From within that dark forest where light struggled to penetrate, shrill, blood-curdling roars echoed occasionally, sending shivers down one's spine.
"Given our speed, no matter how fast they moved, they couldn't have set up too many traps."
Pink Bear pulled out a low-quality cigarette and took a heavy drag, his teeth gritted.
"So, if they couldn't kill Muen outright, the best option was to separate him from us and send him somewhere where rescue is nearly impossible, then plot his demise slowly. That’s why they went through the trouble of using spatial magic. Dammit, the route I painstakingly chose actually made things easier for them."
"This is going to be troublesome."
As he listened to Pink Bear’s analysis, Adolf’s expression grew solemn.
"With that Calamity residing in the Forest of Death, it is practically a forbidden zone for Crown Bearers. Any Crowned one who steps inside will be viewed as a provocateur by that Calamity."
"Which means you and I are basically useless from here on out."
Pink Bear flicked the cigarette away and crushed it under his heel. He gathered the three remaining intact carriages and sat heavily on one, addressing Fanny and the others.
"But there's a silver lining. At least it's impossible for the Indra King to go in there and hunt the boy down. Let's move."
"Eh? Where to?" Fanny and the others asked, still in a state of dazed shock.
"To the Holy City, obviously." Pink Bear rolled his eyes. "I gave my word to that old fossil Prang. I can't just abandon the rest of you because of Muen."
"But what about Junior Muen?"
"Don't worry. The Border Governor we’re about to meet was one of Muen’s father’s former subordinates. Now that the boy is missing, he’ll mobilize the army to search no matter what. Though that forest is full of weird things, there aren't many powerful magical beasts inside. An army's efficiency will be highest there."
"True. That is the best course of action for now."
Adolf sighed. "I feel uneasy having taken so much money only to lose the employer. I will patrol the perimeter of the forest so I can provide support the moment he emerges."
"Take this."
"This is..."
Adolf looked down in confusion at the blood-drop-shaped object Pink Bear had tossed to him.
"I left something on the kid. As long as he manages to make it out of this forest, you'll immediately know his location."
"I see."
Adolf tucked the blood drop away and smiled. "You actually are quite worried about him, aren't you?"
"Hmph. Who's worried about that brat? I'm just worried about whether my grand-niece is going to kick my ass into oblivion."
Pink Bear snapped the reins.
"Let's go."
"Then, I bid you farewell."
Adolf floated into the air, quickly disappearing into the sea of clouds surrounding the forest.
Under Pink Bear’s command, the carriages once again sped toward their original destination.
*
Inside the carriage, the group stared blankly at the scenery rushing past the window, silent and stunned.
They were the most brilliant elites of the Academy, yet faced with the series of accidents that had just occurred, they were still struggling to process it all.
"I suppose we should expect nothing less from Muen?"
Vicky sighed. "Even being assassinated is such an earth-shattering event for him. It feels like he's on a completely different level from us, don't you think?"
Vicky looked at her friend beside her, only to find her still lost in thought.
"What's wrong? Still worried about Muen?"
"A little, but that's not something I'm qualified to worry about anymore."
"Oh? Then what are you thinking about?"
"I was thinking..."
Fanny looked up, her gaze sweeping over everyone present one by one, her expression puzzled.
"Besides Junior Muen and Junior Liya... did we forget someone else?"