Leon led Dumpling and Coco as they silently skirted around to the woods in the rear, selecting a low-lying spot overgrown with weeds to begin their excavation.
The two Felynes focused on digging, their movements extremely cautious and their breathing light.
Fortunately, the soil was soft, and progress was unexpectedly smooth.
Leon kept watch while Coco and Dumpling handled the digging, their small paws moving in a blur of activity.
The tunnel gradually extended beneath the wooden shack. Hope flared in Coco's heart; just a little further, and they could sneak in through the floorboards to spirit Flora away...
However—
"Boom!"
With a muffled thud, the roof of the tunnel suddenly collapsed!
Coco reacted instantly, rolling out of the way of the cave-in. But immediately after, several thick spears thrust violently into the earth, trapping him within the narrow confines of the hole.
Behind him, Dumpling was nearly turned into a cat-kabob...
His fur bristling in terror, the Felyne scrambled away from the repeated spear thrusts, his small body tumbling through the tunnel in a frantic, undignified retreat back to Leon's side.
At the same time, Coco also escaped the burrow.
Leon's gaze sharpened. Realizing they had fallen into an ambush, he drew his blade immediately, shielding the two Felynes behind him.
The hunters who had been lying in wait within the forest slowly closed in.
Under the moonlight.
A burly figure stepped out from the darkness. It was none other than—Retos.
"Hmph. Just as I thought. You really haven't got an ounce of creativity, do you?"
Retos wore dark red armor, his frame towering and robust. His face was cold as stone, and his eyes held the detached alertness and wariness of a predator.
Leon's gaze was icy as he gripped his bone kukri. The blade trembled slightly, but he did not strike recklessly.
"Drop your weapon and surrender," Retos said, walking forward slowly. Behind him, the hunters tightened their perimeter like a pack of wolves.
Dumpling hugged Coco nervously...
Leon's gaze swept across his surroundings, the veins on his arms bulging slightly.
'There are at least ten of them, and they all look like battle-hardened hunters. I feel like I wouldn't be a match for even one of them individually.'
Not to mention he had two Felynes with him. Acting rashly would only make the situation worse.
Seeing Leon hesitate, Retos snorted and raised his right hand in a grasping motion.
Several hunters immediately stepped forward, disarming Leon and roughly shoving him to the ground, binding his hands tightly with hemp rope.
Though these hunters were young, their movements were steady and experienced, far beyond that of ordinary grunts.
Leon struggled with all his might, but a blow from a blunt club sent him crashing to the dirt. The rough rope chafed his wrists painfully, drawing blood.
"Let Leon go, meow!" Coco lunged forward, claws bared, only to be caught by Retos. He hoisted the cat up by the scruff of his neck as if he were a mere chick.
Dumpling was so terrified he flattened himself against the ground, trembling.
Glancing at the two Felynes, Retos did not make things too difficult for them. He ordered, "Escort them all back to the village."
Leon was hoisted up by several large men, while Dumpling and Coco had their paws bound with rope as well.
The procession passed through the forest and stepped onto the stone-paved path at the village entrance, where a large crowd of villagers had already gathered.
Leon kept his head down, his hair obscuring his eyes and hiding his expression. However, his slowly tightening fists betrayed the fury and resentment burning within him.
The crowd buzzed with hushed conversations. Their looks were a complex mix of coldness, disgust, and above all, fear.
"Did you hear? He killed several people..."
"Murder is a capital offense! He deserves to die!"
"Tsk tsk, such a reckless youth..."
The procession came to a halt in the center of the village.
It was a wide open space that usually served as the village marketplace and social hub.
Standing in the center were statues of a Rathian and a Rathalos, symbolizing the highest glory of Schrade Village.
Retos stood before the statues, looking down at the kneeling Leon. He announced loudly, "The outsider, Leon! For the crime of intentional murder—there is no forgiveness!"
He suddenly drew the Great Sword from his back, pointing the tip at Leon. "According to village law, he shall be executed on the spot!"
A roar of shock erupted from the crowd at his words.
Some cheered excitedly, some clapped with cold smiles, but more people looked hesitant, instinctively taking half a step back.
Dumpling and Coco struggled and screamed, but they were dragged away and locked inside a nearby building.
Retos raised his Great Sword with both hands, the muscles in his arms bulging as his killing intent solidified.
Just as the blade was about to fall—
A sound like an eagle's cry pierced the air!
"Clang!"
A slender long sword swept through the air, accurately parrying the downward stroke of the Great Sword.
The massive force numbed Retos's wrist, forcing his burly frame back half a step.
The crowd gasped, their heads turning in unison to see the source of the interruption.
There stood the Sword Master, long sword in hand, having parried a fully charged Great Sword strike.
"Since when does Schrade Village carry out extrajudicial punishments without a trial?" the Sword Master asked calmly. His voice wasn't loud, yet it carried over the noise of the crowd.
The Sword Master?
Leon had never expected him to appear.
Retos's expression darkened. "This is an internal matter of Schrade. It has nothing to do with you!"
"Incorrect." The Sword Master sheathed his blade and stepped in front of Leon. "Leon holds a provisional hunter's license from our Research Commission. According to the Hunter's Guild regulations, you have no authority to handle him privately."
With that single sentence, he completely suppressed Retos's momentum.
"Hahaha!" Retos laughed in fury, but before he could speak, the sound of rapid footsteps approached.
Several hunters from the Research Commission rushed into the square, quickly forming a line behind the Sword Master.
In response, the local hunters of Schrade Village glared back, weapons half-raised as the atmosphere turned tense.
Leon looked up. From beneath his bangs, his eyes looked like an abyss about to break through the ice.
The two sides stood in a tense standoff, swords drawn.
Retos hoisted his Great Sword onto his shoulder. "Fine, fine. I've put up with you lot for long enough!"
Just as a clash seemed inevitable, a figure appeared in the sky, causing everyone to freeze.
The Commander of Astera.
Upon seeing the Commander, the Sword Master sheathed his weapon and silently stepped aside.
"The Commander?" Retos's expression shifted slightly. He knew well that the Elder Dragon Research Commission was full of talent and not something Schrade Village could easily challenge. He just hadn't expected the Sword Master and the Commander to show up at the same time.
The Commander landed in front of Retos. Looking at the situation, he could roughly guess the cause of the conflict.
The air grew heavy.
"Retos, it has been a long time." The Commander's gaze swept across the area like an eagle. "Both Leon and Flora are connected to this case. I will be taking them back for investigation myself. No one is to interfere."
A commotion rippled through the crowd.
Retos's face was so dark it looked like it might leak ink.
He gritted his teeth. "This matter concerns the dignity of Schrade Village. An outsider murdered hunters from our village..."
"Don't be hasty," the Commander said indifferently. "I will uncover the truth. I must take them with me today."
Alarm bells rang in Retos's mind.
If Leon and Flora returned to the Commander's custody, his schemes would surely be exposed...
Damn it!
Because Leon and Flora were so close, Retos had set a trap to drive Leon away. He never expected to alert the high-ranking officials of Astera.
Retos growled, "Commander, you saw the bodies yourself. This is no misunderstanding! If you take him away recklessly, it will surely cause outrage. Even my father..."
Impatience flickered in the Commander's eyes as he interrupted, "We have always been on good terms with Schrade Village. I will give you an explanation, but extrajudicial punishment will not be permitted."
At this, the villagers began to whisper among themselves.
Seeing this, Retos steeled his resolve. "How about this? Let the outsider and me settle this in an Arena match. If I win, he pays with his life. If I lose..."
"Then I'll take yours." Leon looked up, his eyes ablaze with fury. Before the Commander could even speak, he agreed directly, "We'll do it your way!"
The Arena was a fair, just, and public competition where hunters used designated weapons, armor, and items to hunt monsters. The one with the fastest time won.
The Commander frowned slightly, glancing at Leon. "Are you sure?" he asked in a low voice.
Leon replied without a hint of hesitation, "I'm sure."
Hearing this, the hunters present exchanged looks of disbelief.
"An outsider is challenging Retos?"
"Retos is the genius of Schrade Village!"
"Heh, he must be out of his mind..."
"Very well. In three days, at the Astera Arena," the Commander announced. "I shall oversee the match personally."
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+40 chapters) patre0n.c0m/Royal_ink]