The sun had yet to fully rise when the village chief's house received a town messenger. The news was brief but heavy.
Mayor Danan and the Heir of Duke Eshaan, Gara Eshaan, would arrive in Galigo Village within a few hours.
Seno, the village chief, taken a back as he received the message. He turned his head toward the backyard.
There, Madha stood bare-chested, chopping firewood.
"Gara is coming," Seno said.
He didn't raise his voice. Madha heard him anyway.
Madha's axe froze mid-swing. Sweat slid down his temple and dripped onto the log beneath his feet.
He turned to look at his older brother, who was already heading back into the house.
"I'm going to the mountain behind the village to hunt," Madha said calmly. "I probably won't be back for a few days."
Seno paused, about to say something.
But Madha activated his Talent. In the next instant, his figure vanished.
"So they really did fight," Seno muttered, shaking his head.
...
Madha hadn't actually gone far.
