Chapter 391.1

“Riner let out a dry cough, his demeanor sheepish as he spoke. ‘I’ve had a few missteps, I admit, but…’ His momentary deflation swiftly gave way to a renewed confidence. ‘But it was unavoidable. Ever since I first laid eyes on larks, my instinct has been to strike first.’

The three kings, including Kasser, regarded Riner with disapproval, their expressions stern. Yet, Riner met their reproach with a sense of injustice. ‘Was I the only one chasing larks? The Fourth King, King Pyeon, the Dark King—all of you set traps to capture larks. Why single me out?’

As he pointed accusingly at each king, their ire remained contained. They had recently come to terms with the fact that Fire King Riner was woefully short on common sense.

Richard’s concerns were valid. The kings had indeed hunted larks but never sought to capture them. And during the larks’ active periods, swiftness was paramount. The quicker the larks were hunted, the less damage they inflicted. Hence, extinguishing the larks’ core upon sighting was deemed the optimal strategy.

Thanks to Riner’s swift actions, larks that emerged with the first seed crack vanished in an instant. “Oh, blast it. My hand moved of its own accord.”

At that moment, understanding dawned upon everyone. Yet, when Riner persisted in hunting larks even after subsequent appearances, Kasser issued a stern warning: “Fire King, step back ten paces. If you persist, I will bind you.”

And when larks emerged from the fourth cracked seed, King Pyeon took charge. In the ensuing chaos, Akil instinctively destroyed the larks’ cores.

Even Kasser couldn’t deny such primal urges. The same held true for Pered. Yet, unlike the other kings who struggled to restrain themselves, Riner leaped into action each time.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

According to the three kings, there were numerous instances where, had it not been for Riner’s impulsive actions, they might have succeeded.

“I can’t remain here. If I’m to catch larks and I’m stuck in this place, that’s simply not feasible,” Riner grumbled, his frustration palpable.

Kasser felt an intense urge to punch Riner square in the face. It was the first time he had ever genuinely desired to strike someone.

“If the Fire King is determined to go,” Pered’s usually reserved voice cut through the tension, drawing everyone’s attention, “then I will stay. I cannot undertake this mission alongside the Fire King.”

“Then, if the Dark King remains here, we can proceed together.”

Nicholas attempted to force an awkward smile, but his troubled expression betrayed his discomfort.

Kasser felt as though he was experiencing migraine symptoms for the first time in his life. Suddenly, he found himself missing Eugene. With a longing to see something of hers, he retrieved his spellbook from his hip pocket and flipped it open. His expression shifted as he stumbled upon a sentence he hadn’t noticed before.

“We should postpone the lark-catching for now,” Kasser announced, carefully tucking the book back into his pocket. “New information regarding the spell has surfaced.”

The note contained details about the Holy City’s spell barrier that Eugene had gleaned from Alber, as well as Mara’s plea for assistance via Aldrit.

Ironically, this was information linked to the kings’ curiosity about whether larks could breach the barrier. Sang-je likely had spies stationed around the walls to monitor the kings’ activities. Approaching the walls with captured larks would undoubtedly attract Sang-je’s attention. There was no need to provide unnecessary intelligence to someone who believed the Holy City to be an impenetrable fortress.

***

[If Mara refuses to go to the Holy City, we’re left with only one option: we need the spell that controls the larks.]

[But using that spell… it’s dangerous, Your Highness. Especially now, when you’re in a vulnerable position.]

[I cannot wield that spell. I lack the qualifications. The King’s Praz has interfered with its use.]

Aldrit hesitated to directly broach the idea of entrusting Flora with such a significant task. Instead, he pondered her suitability silently. His initial hostility towards Flora had softened over time, but whether she was truly trustworthy remained uncertain.

As if responding to his internal musings, words materialized in the notebook before him.

[Surely you wouldn’t readily agree to send Flora to the Holy City. Exposing the tribe’s hideout to that monster is a risk we can’t ignore. I believe I should meet Flora and discuss this with her… Perhaps I should venture there myself. Nothing is set in stone yet. I must confer with the tribe’s elders to determine the feasibility of this plan.]

[Yes, Your Highness,] Aldrit replied, covering the notebook with a solemn expression.

The notion of Eugene visiting their humble hideout weighed heavily on Aldrit’s mind. It seemed far more significant than the uncertainties surrounding Flora’s potential journey to the Holy City.

There’s no place for her in this humble place, Aldrit mused silently.

Moreover, the realization dawned on Aldrit that Eugene’s due date was fast approaching. Even if she managed to utilize teleportation magic from the warehouse to reach their hideout, the return journey would be unbearable for a body as pregnant as hers. The thought of Eugene enduring such discomfort, followed by the necessity of resting in their modest hideout, sent a chill down Aldrit’s spine. He couldn’t fathom allowing such a dreadful scenario, especially after receiving unexpected kindness from their benefactor.