The sound of hooves echoed through the forest as three carriages rushed across at breakneck speed, determined to arrive before the Rosewells.
Helen's guards were on the lookout for any potential threats while she sat in her carriage, her gaze fixed on the road ahead. As they raced towards the inevitable confrontation with the Rosewell family, the tension in the air was palpable.
The three carriages had been hurtling through the winding roads for a day and a half before reaching the crossroads near the Fangspire Mountains.
They would wait and prepare for the inevitable clash with the Rosewells here.
Helen's entourage of mages and guards quickly established a fortified campsite, erecting tents and establishing perimeters.
Meanwhile, she remained inside her carriage, impatiently waiting for the moment she could confront Leah and exact her vengeance.
As the sun began to set, a carriage appeared, racing towards the crossroads where the mages had established their parameters. The guards quickly intercepted it, bringing it to a halt.
Helen watched from her carriage, her heart racing with anticipation, knowing that the carriage could only belong to the Rosewell family.
Four figures appeared from within, shrouded in black robes that seemed to absorb the light around them.
"You fuckers, do you even know whose carriage you have stopped?" One of them shouted at the guards.
Helen emerged from her carriage, accompanied by her trusted family mages and Cristie, as the guards stood firm and kept a close eye on the four figures in black robes.
"Y... You are Helen Gilles. Why have you stopped us?" Another person quickly recognized her as he asked, his voice trembling.
Helen examined the four men, who appeared to be no more than ordinary hunters. Her true objective was still inside the carriage, waiting for her.
"Are you still not going to come out, Leah?
"Wait, don't tell me you are scared." Helen mocked.
The four men exchanged glances before their gazes settled on Helen.
"Hahahahaha...
"FUCkk... Hhahahahaha…
"Look at this dumb bitch...
"I am dying... hahaha….
Laughter erupted from the four men in the center, perplexing the guards, family mages, and Helen, who watched in bewilderment as they laughed hysterically.
"It seems like they have gone mad, knowing they are going to die." One of the mages said from Helen's side.
"Oye, who said we are going to die, idiot? Haha...
As Cristie approached, she leaned in and spoke softly to Helen, "My lady, something feels amiss."
"It doesn't matter, Cristie, we have come prepared," Helen replied with a loud voice.
"Ohhhh…. Are you sure about that?" One of the men let out a sharp whistle that echoed throughout the area.
The guards, family mages, and Helen all became immediately vigilant, sensing danger in the air.
The peaceful stillness of the forest was shattered as more and more commoners and hunters emerged from the surrounding woods.
They were all armed with close-combat weapons like blades, axes, hammers, and sabers, and they appeared to be forming a circle around Helen's entourage.
"This... This is your trap? hahaha…"
"Look at them coming with commoners to fight..."
"They think numbers can win fights against mages..."
Helen and her companions couldn't help but sneer and scoff when they saw their assailants. The group that emerged from the surrounding area appeared to be a motley crew of misfits rather than a formidable force.
Their weapons were mismatched, and their clothing was shabby, giving Helen and her companions even more confidence in their victory. Helen's laughter and mockery echoed across the open space as they braced themselves for the inevitable fight.
"Is this how you do things now?
"Leah, I thought you were one of the geniuses from the noble family? It seems like this shall be the beginning of your family's downfall." Helen shouted while laughing.
Meanwhile, inside the carriage…
The man stared at his trembling arms, helpless against the strange tremors coursing through his body. He turned his gaze to the staff, its crystal pulsing with a soft light that seemed to speak to him in an otherworldly voice that echoed in his mind.
"David...
"David, what are we going to name our baby?"
"If it's a boy, then Thomas, and if it's a girl, then you name it."
The man's rage boiled over as the memories flooded his mind, and he gritted his teeth, clenching his fists tightly.
A voice echoed through his mind as his hands stopped shaking and the crystal on his staff glowed brightly. He kicked open the carriage door with incredible force, sending it flying through the air. He opened his eyes, revealing a fiery red glow.
"You got that right! Helen; my family's downfall is going to start.
"But it will be me who will be responsible for it..."
David gracefully inclined his head like a chivalrous man, clutching his staff tightly.
The crowd was stunned when David Rosewell appeared in front of them, holding the staff in his hand. They couldn't believe it when they saw he was still alive.
"You... How are you alive? You died that day." Helen said. She looked at him in disbelief.
As he moved towards her, David's gaze lingered on her, his fingers gently tracing his chin in deep thought.
"You are right. I died that day, but… then something magical happened.
"I heard a voice in his mind; it was like it was trying to wake me up.
"It was Xelgar's voice.
"It told me I cannot die right now; I have a duty to hold towards the kingdom, so here I am, alive again, ready to kick some noble asses." He replied with a smile.
"I don't care what is going on with your head right now.
"But I am happy that you are alive now so I can finally kill you with my own hands. Because of you, my daughter died, and you will not get away with this."
*Tsk* *Tsk* *Tsk* *Tsk* *Tsk* *Tsk*
"What is this hypocrisy you are spouting? Last time, I was tied to a pole in between the noble families, alongside your daughter.
"I clearly remember; I didn't see you there at all.
"Where were you hiding at that time? Don't tell me you were running late to your own daughter's funeral."
"SHHUUTTUPPP… You fucker, no matter what you spout, you are going to die today."
"We'll see about that."
"Thud*
Shuuuuu...
David tapped his staff on the ground, the crystal on it glowed a bright purple. As soon he did so, the mana in the area began to dissipate, leaving everyone stunned and speechless.
