The Hunt

The first day's banquet concluded amidst the "joyous laughter" of the nobles. Li Yue felt the scene was quite lively, though the air was thick with tension. Everyone was attempting to use flowery words to insult those standing on the opposite side of their interests. Li Yue felt she was not a person of many words, so she simply remained silent.

Any information about her within the circles these people were familiar with was a complete blank. The only thing worth discussing was her physical traits, which were almost identical to the royal family. However, to start from that angle would be equivalent to mocking the royal family at the same time. No member of any family dared to use that as a point of ridicule or even try to fish for information from her mouth.

After all, if they actually asked something they shouldn't, and if the matter was serious, that tyrant would absolutely not allow those who heard it to leave in one piece.

Mordred did not make a personal appearance, but she did at least see the two princes she had only heard of in the newspapers. One had crimson eyes and even looked somewhat like her. The other had heterochromia and was likely the prince who had not inherited that forbidden magic.

The prince named Dmitry seemed very interested in Li Yue. After the banquet ended, he even came to find her for a brief conversation.

However, Li Yue had little interest in chatting. Most of her responses were ambiguous or outright dismissive. This prince of the Reformists did not seem to stand on the same side as her. By all logic, she should support the one named Adrian, but... Li Yue actually didn't have much interest in him either.

A mage who was too weak... almost no different from a mortal.

Li Yue thought this as she sat alone on the bed in her guest room, looking at the incredibly clear starry sky. She narrowed her eyes, seemingly having some plans of her own.

"Mordred..." Li Yue muttered the King's name. Just as she had when she bid farewell to those followers before, her voice carried a hint of complex emotion. In the darkness, she took out a glowing object. A faint, dark red light dispersed the gloom, yet it seemed to blend into the surrounding darkness.

"Now... it is not yet time... the opportunity of fate... has not yet appeared..."

The second day, the weather was clear.

According to custom, the nobles would hunt in the hunting grounds. Most of their accompanying staff included professional hunters, grooms, and hound trainers. The well trained hounds, with saliva dripping from their muzzles, were already poised and ready. Professional hunters discussed the hunting operations, strategizing on how to make it easy for their respective nobles to complete a kill.

Li Yue strolled across the soil where yesterday's rain had fallen. She caught the scent of the air, which carried a faint grassy tang and a hint of withering. It wasn't exactly a pleasant smell, but it wasn't offensive either. It wasn't a scent Li Yue disliked; she actually found it quite nice, as it possessed an elegant aura of death.

"Miss Li Yue, do you intend to participate in the hunt?" Demilian, sitting atop a horse, looked at Li Yue as she leisurely paced and spoke with a friendly tone.

"I didn't bring enough accompanying staff, so I'll pass." Li Yue wanted to yawn, but she held it back slightly. She dared to yawn in front of Mordred because he understood and didn't care, but she didn't think the prince before her was the same kind of person as that monarch.

"No matter. You can join my hunting party. We are currently planning..."

"No, I'll just follow along and watch." Li Yue refused decisively. She really had no interest in these activities. Or rather, this event always reminded her of those blood stained memories.

The gods of the heavens had once pursued and intercepted her, treating her as the target of a hunt. It was just a pity they underestimated her strength... though that made sense. In that era when everyone treated each other with sincerity, she couldn't yet be considered a deity.

"Brother, the hunters have caught the scent of the prey. The hunt is beginning now, and they're just waiting for us to make our appearance!" Adrian appeared to the side, riding a white horse. He wore a confident smile, and his blood red eyes, identical to Li Yue's, shone with a crystalline brilliance that made Clo feel slightly surprised in the distance.

"Very well, I won't let you win this time." Demilian gave an elegant smile, turned his horse, and made a parting gesture toward Li Yue. Li Yue nodded as a response.

"You're quite popular." Clo appeared beside Li Yue out of nowhere. She could currently only use spells at the Great Mage level, and the sealing of her power gave her a slight sense of insecurity.

"You surely understand that they each have their own motives." Li Yue rolled her eyes, and then Clo pinched her cheek.

"What are you plotting? Do you want to support the prince who holds the same magic as you?" Clo arched an eyebrow. "He has your magic, but he is different from you. You should be able to tell, right?"

"Of course..." Li Yue fell silent for a moment. She certainly understood, and Mordred understood even more. Years ago, his situation was the same as Adrian's current one. However, his strength was immense, so the moment his father passed the throne to his elder brother, he directly incited a revolt and ultimately crushed the heretical forces with power.

Unfortunately, Adrian would absolutely never become someone like him. No matter who inherited the throne, this country would no longer be called the kingdom of "Death." This was a reality they all knew but had to face.

"Then... the best course of action is still to maintain the status quo," Li Yue said casually. "We'll take it one step at a time. At least it's more useful than standing by and doing nothing."

Clo puffed out her cheeks. Her intuition told her that Li Yue actually already had a general idea, but there was currently no room to implement it. She looked into Li Yue's eyes and frowned slightly.

"Regardless of who I support, my goal is to eradicate the remnants of 'that era,'" Li Yue said calmly. "But only if a King of 'Death' ascends the throne can the hostile forces be suppressed to the greatest extent."

"Is that the only desperate measure left?" Clo sighed softly. Nearby, Helen led over two steeds. Cheers erupted from the group of nobles in the distance; it seemed someone had already captured the first reindeer.

Li Yue flipped herself onto the horse, her expression showing no abnormality. Hunting these things was too simple for her. Even without using magic, her keen sense for the vitality of living creatures and her extreme physical fitness made her peerless in this regard among humans.

"Everyone, the time for celebration has arrived! Let our game bring this feast to its peak!" a noble holding a bone knife shouted excitedly. He easily peeled the hide from a reindeer, letting blood drip onto the ground.

In the far distance, Li Yue noticed the prison carts transporting criminals drawing closer. She raised an eyebrow slightly, a faint bad premonition rising within her.