Chương 47: The Wolf’s Retribution

A few minutes before Aurelia's confrontation with Galan, she had left the noble alone with his two guards. And as her figure disappeared into the dense forest, the noble's face twisted in fury.

"That ungrateful wench," he muttered in Latin.

"After everything I've done for her, she abandons me like this?!"

"My lord," a guard whispered.

"Keep your voice down. We don't know what's lurking in these woods." The noble scowled but took a deep breath.

"Fine. I will deal with her insubordination once we're out of this mess." Suddenly, a faint rustling from a nearby bush startled them.

"Did you hear that?" one guard whispered.

"Something's out there," said the other one.

"Give me a light wand!" the noble hissed. He snatched the wand and swept its beam across the darkness. The light settled on two reflective eyes. For a moment, they felt a flicker of relief—the eyes of a cheetah. But then, the eyelids blinked, a slow, deliberate, human-like motion. A predator confirming its meal. The noble clicked the light off, his hands shaking. The rustling intensified, coming from multiple directions. They were surrounded.

"We're next, aren't we?" a guard stammered. A sharp hiss cut through the air. A small, smoke-trailing object landed a few yards in front of them. Before anyone could react, the object unleashed a thick, acidic cloud of gas. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

"What… what is this?!" the noble choked, his eyes and throat burning. His skin stung as if assaulted by a thousand needles.

"I can't see! It burns!" Another thud behind them. Another hiss. A foul, nauseating stench filled the air, and they began to vomit violently. Blinded and retching, they crawled from their hiding spot, collapsing in a clearing.

"This was a trap!" the noble screamed.

"Aurelia… she led me right into it!" A bright flash and a muffled blast ripped through the trees. The noble, Aurelius, was thrown back, his ears ringing. As he regained his senses, two figures appeared before him.

"Help me up!" he commanded. One of the figures stepped forward.

"You're not going anywhere, Aurelius." The noble pointed his light wand, revealing the snout of a wolf. The beast smiled, his massive axe resting on the ground.

"Do you remember me?"

"I—I don't know who you are," Aurelius stammered, his eyes darting around.

"Where are my guards?!" The beast's smile vanished. With a swift motion, he tossed something onto the noble's lap. It landed with a sickening thud. A severed head, its eyes staring blankly at him. Aurelius screamed.

"Now, answer my question honestly," Tiberius growled.

"Do you remember Helius Hortator? Or do I have to show you your other guard first?" Meanwhile, a few hundred yards away, Lucilla flinched at the sound of the blast.

"Should we check?"

"Nah," Galan smiled.

"Not our problem. Just let fate take its course."

"Okay," she whispered. During their walk, the distant screams of her dominus cut through the air, ones that she silently ignored with a pained grimace, knowing that they're a part of Galan's unstoppable plan. She looked down at Aurelia's sleeping form.

"Is she having a nightmare?" she asked, noticing her mentor's fists were clenched.

"Yeah, but it's part of her past. We shouldn't bother her."

"Can't you at least calm her down?"

"She has to go through the emotions as if she's actually there," Galan explained.

"It's the only way for her to believe it's real. I mean, I could just tell her what happened, but... how could she ever trust the word of a lying assassin?" Lucilla looked down.

"Hmm... I guess you're right."