"Weaken the seeds..."
"...before they have the chance to sprout into flowers."
Those words hung in the air
"Interesting"
The Primarch finally spoke, breaking the silence.
"Would you rather speak in parables, or just make it plain for us all?"
Raze spoke up, the natural hothead among the Imperions
Chron shrugged, flashing a grin in Raze's direction.
"Meaning, I should explain what lies beyond the words themselves?"
"I guess a hothead like you would find it rather hard to understand."
A vein bulged on Raze's forehead.
"I kinda agree with him."
Nyra chimed in with her usual cheeky smile.
Raze immediately stood from his seat, gripping his broadsword.
"Okay. You both are dead."
"Quiet. All of you."
The Primarch's voice echoed throughout the chamber.
His aura exploded.
Every mouth went silent.
Even Raze stood frozen.
The Primarch's irritation was becoming increasingly visible.
"Raze, don't I always tell you to act calmly and rationally"
"Yes, Primarch"
"Now..."
The Primarch's gaze hardened.
"Sit down."
Raze swallowed.
"I will not repeat myself."
"Don't make me take action instead."
Raze's face went pale.
The flame that had been burning inside him was instantly extinguished.
He quietly sat back down.
"Now, Chron."
The Primarch turned his attention toward him.
"Explain it."
"Don't beat around the bush. You're beginning to irritate everyone."
"I'm sorry."
Chron bowed his head respectfully.
Yet the sly grin never left his face.
Beneath his cheerful demeanor was something far more twisted.
A Sadistic manipulator.
Chron slowly raised his head.
If one could Chron, the best word to be used would be
A sadistic Manipulator
Chron slowly raised his head.
"Okay. Sorry, Raze."
He grinned.
"I'll keep it in mind next time."
"Tch. Asshole."
Chron ignored him.
"As I was saying..."
His eyes moved across the room.
The Imperions were now paying close attention.
"You know the Union is hosting its annual Hunt."
"Yeah."
Veron chimed in.
"Isn't it the usual event where selected families and their heirs participate in various games?"
"Bingo."
Chron smiled.
"So, does any of you have an idea what makes this event so special?"
Silence.
Chron sighed.
'Am I really the only one who prefers gathering information before jumping headfirst into battle?'
'They say information is power, don't they?'
Unimpressed, His gaze shifted toward the Primarch.
"Why don't you answer that for us, Primarch?"
The Primarch remained silent for a moment.
"The Hunt is not merely an event the Union hosts as some kind of charity gala."
His voice carried through the chamber.
"It is also a means of measuring the next generation of heroes."
"By doing so, they strengthen their forces while identifying those who may one day contribute to the safety of all three races."
Chron smiled.
"Thank you for that splendid information, Primarch."
The Primarch merely nodded.
Chron's smile widened.
"So..."
His eyes gleamed.
"Why don't we crash the main event this time instead of sitting on the sidelines?"
Astra raised her hand.
"How do we do that?"
Chron's grin widened.
"Oh."
He leaned back.
"I have a plan."
Lyra, Aria, wait up!"
Elior hurried after the two girls.
They were far too energetic for him.
He preferred to laze around whenever he had the opportunity.
Then—
Grrrroooowwl.
Aria's stomach rumbled.
The sound brought all three of them to a stop.
A faint blush spread across her ears and face.
She quickly looked away.
Elior chuckled.
"Guess it's time to eat."
The three stopped at a nearby stall and picked up some roasted meat.
Lyra took the first bite.
Her eyes immediately lit up.
"Mmmm. So good."
Aria nodded enthusiastically.
"You're right."
Both girls turned toward Elior.
He froze.
"...What?"
Their eyes remained fixed on him.
Elior swallowed his meat.
'Why do they need my opinion?'
"Um... yeah. It's quite good."
"I know, right?"
Elior stared ahead.
'Not better than pizza, though.'
Pizza.
The thought brought a faint smile to his face.
It had always been more than food to him.
It was one of the few things that reminded him of his parents and sisters.
'Should've made it possible in this world.'
Lyra suddenly looked toward Aria.
A mischievous smile appeared on her face.
"So, Aria..."
"Yh?"
Aria answered with her mouth still full.
"Any admirers my dear brother has?"
"Kuh!"
Aria immediately choked.
"Lyra!"
Elior's face flushed red.
He looked away, desperately trying to pretend he hadn't heard anything.
"Um... I don't know."
Aria's eyes briefly flickered toward Elior before quickly looking away.
Lyra noticed.
Her eyes lit up.
"Elior, you can go home now."
"Huh?"
"Yeah. I think Father said he had something to share with you."
Elior narrowed his eyes.
"I know what you're doing, and it isn't working."
"What am I doing?"
Lyra replied innocently, a grin spreading across her face.
"I know that look."
"Elior, don't make me take you home myself."
Elior immediately raised both hands.
"Fine."
There was no point arguing.
He didn't have a death wish.
"I'll start heading home."
He turned away.
But before leaving, he looked back at Aria.
"Aria, if she pressures you into anything, don't force yourself."
Aria nodded.
"Yeah."
Elior continued walking.
Behind him, Lyra placed a hand on Aria's shoulder.
Aria shivered.
"So, Aria..."
Lyra's grin widened.
"How do you feel about my brother?"
Meanwhile, Elior scratched his head.
'I really hope Aria is okay.'
He paused.
'But this thing about Father wanting to see me...'
A strange feeling settled in his chest.
'I can't help but wonder what this is about.'
Then—
"I don't know."
Chim.
Elior froze.
A familiar blue screen appeared before him.
Chim
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
NOTIFICATION: ACCEPTED
Avoid the death of Valenor Head at the upcoming annual Hunt.
REWARD: Breakthrough to the Initiate Rank
EXTRA REWARD: A page on the Forgotten Swordsman
GOODLUCK
Mission Status: Not Yet Started
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Elior stared at the translucent screen.
The Annual Hunt.
Valenor Head.
His eyes narrowed.
'But whatever this is...'
His expression slowly became serious.
'It definitely involves the Hunt.'