Half an hour later, the dining hall doors creaked open, and Amelia, Mira, Ayesha, and Freya shuffled in, their steps unsteady and their faces flushed with embarrassment. The ordeal they had just endured—rushing to the bathroom after their greedy indulgence—was a humiliating lesson in self-control. Mira's wings drooped slightly, her pride battered by the realization that her own gluttony had led to such an undignified outcome. 'I should've known better,' She thought, her cheeks burning as she avoided the others' gazes.
"Are you all okay?" Nicole asked, her voice laced with concern as she studied Freya and Ayesha, who looked particularly mortified.
"I'm… fine," Freya mumbled, her face still crimson. She shook her head, her orange eyes averted. This was a stain on her dignity, a moment she'd rather forget.
"Master, is it true that eating just one dish would've been fine?" Ayesha asked, her voice tinged with a mix of frustration and misery, her purple eyes pleading for answers.
"Yes," Lucas confirmed with a nod, his tone steady and reassuring.
"Why? How did this happen?" Mira demanded, her expression hardening. She knew she had lost again—not just the challenge but her own self-control. Even with Lucas's warning, her greed had gotten the better of her. The implications chilled her. If the food hadn't merely caused diarrhea but had been laced with a deadly poison, she would be dead now—an invisible assassination, just as Lucas had promised. But how? She had tested both dishes with her silver needle, and neither had shown signs of poison. 'What did I miss?' She wondered, her mind racing.
Lucas leaned back in his chair, his dark eyes scanning the bewildered faces around him. "Everything in this world exists in balance—creation and destruction, harmony and conflict. Food is no exception." His voice was calm, almost philosophical, but he couldn't help but wonder if his explanation was lost on the group. Their puzzled expressions suggested it might be.
Mira's eyes narrowed, her assassin's instincts kicking in. "Lord Lucas, are you saying that two non-toxic foods can combine to become poisonous?" Her voice was serious, her feathers swaying as she leaned forward, eager for answers.
"Yes," Lucas said, nodding. "Certain foods, when eaten together, can create a toxic reaction. Regular consumption of such combinations can lead to poisoning—or worse, death."
"What foods are they?" Mira pressed, her voice urgent. This method of invisible assassination was unlike anything she had encountered. It was insidious, nearly impossible to detect since the individual foods were harmless until combined. The implications for her trade were staggering—a silent killer that left no trace.
"Master, you can't…" Mina interjected, her eyes narrowing as she glared at Mira. Her cat ears twitched with irritation, clearly displeased by Mira's persistence. 'She's pushing too far,' Mina thought, her protective instincts flaring.
Mira's expression faltered, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. "I'm sorry, I overstepped," She said, her voice heavy with regret. Her mind was in turmoil, torn between her desire to learn this deadly technique and the realization that she was treading on dangerous ground.
Lucas's hands folded together, his gaze steady on Mira. "If you want to know more about this method, have Amelia's sister come to me." His voice was calm but carried an undercurrent of authority, as if he were issuing a challenge.
Mira's jaw dropped, her green eyes wide with disbelief. 'Does he not know how formidable Big Sister is?' She thought, stunned by his audacity. To summon the leader of the Skywing Hunters so casually was either bold or reckless—she wasn't sure which.
"Lord Lucas!" Amelia's voice cracked with panic, her green eyes wide with worry. She knew her sister's fiery temper—if Big Sister came to Sedona City, a confrontation was almost certain. The thought of her sister and her father clashing sent a wave of anxiety through her.
"Amelia," Helen said softly, tugging at the girl's sleeve and shaking her head. Her expression was gentle but firm, a silent reminder of her principle: never question the Master's decisions, only support them from behind.
Amelia's shoulders slumped, her gaze dropping to the floor. She was torn, caught between her loyalty to her sister and her bond with Lucas, her father. If a fight broke out, whose side would she take? The thought was agonizing, and she felt her heart twist with indecision.
"Some things need to be discussed face-to-face," Lucas said, his voice calm but resolute. Amelia's situation—her reluctance to return home, her ties to Sedona City—needed resolution, and he intended to see it through.
Mira straightened, her expression serious. "I'll inform Big Sister," She said, her voice steady. She didn't need to mention the invisible assassination technique; she knew Big Sister would come for Amelia regardless. The promise of a confrontation hung in the air, heavy with potential.
"I'm full," Lucas said, rising from his chair. His appetite was smaller than the beastgirls', and a single dish had satisfied him. He strode toward the door, his steps purposeful. "Enjoy the rest of your meal."
"I'm done too," Mira said quickly, hurrying after him. She had things to say—questions, confessions—that couldn't wait.
"I'm full as well," Mina added, her chair scraping as she stood. Her expression was stormy, her eyes fixed on Mira with suspicion. She wasn't about to let this woman out of her sight.
Lucas settled into his study, the faint scent of polished wood and old books filling the air. He had barely sat down when Mira burst in, her breath uneven from her haste. "Is something wrong?" He asked, his tone curious but guarded.
"Master," Mina said, slipping into the room behind Mira and positioning herself at Lucas's side. Her gaze was sharp, her hand resting near her dagger as she watched Mira closely.
"I need to speak with Lord Lucas," Mira said, glancing at Mina before focusing on Lucas. "It's about your safety."
"Oh? Are you here to kill me?" Lucas asked, a faint smirk playing on his lips, his tone teasing but edged with curiosity.
"No," Mira said, shaking her head. Her lips pressed into a thin line before she continued. "I'm here to kidnap you."
"Kidnap?" Lucas's eyebrow arched, genuine surprise flickering across his face. This wasn't what he had expected. 'Not an assassination, but a kidnapping?' He thought. 'Is this unrelated to the Poison Fang bounty?'
"Yes," Mira said, her voice steady despite the weight of her confession. "Someone offered a bounty of 130 gold coins to kidnap you. I took the job."
"That bastard!" Mina hissed, her teeth bared as she glared at Mira, her hand tightening on her dagger. "Who is it?"
"I don't know," Mira said, shaking her head. "The bounty guild doesn't share the client's identity."
"Then where are you supposed to take me? Who will you hand me over to?" Lucas asked, his voice calm but probing.
Mira hesitated, her brow furrowing. The bounty guild's rules were strict—revealing mission details could get her blacklisted, cutting her off from future jobs. But Amelia's presence in Sedona City changed everything. With a reluctant sigh, she said, "The client will arrive in Sedona City tomorrow. My task is to kidnap you and deliver you to them outside the city."
"Tomorrow?" Lucas's eyes narrowed, a calculating glint in his gaze. A kidnapping, not a murder, suggested a different motive—likely someone aiming to seize control of Sedona City. The pieces were falling into place.
He turned to Mina, his voice low. "Check the intelligence reports. See what's come in."
"Yes, master!" Mina shot Mira a final glare before darting out of the room, her steps quick and purposeful. She headed for the courier station, knowing that if a large group was approaching Sedona City, news would have reached the city's informants by now.
Lucas leaned back in his chair, his gaze returning to Mira. "How are the bird beastkin faring these days?" He asked, his tone casual but laced with intent.
"We're… doing well," Mira said, her green eyes flickering with caution. She wasn't about to reveal the struggles of her clan, not to an outsider, no matter how curious he seemed.
"Is that so?" Lucas said, nodding faintly. He let the silence stretch, his expression unreadable. 'We'll see how well they're truly doing soon enough,' He thought.
Half an hour later, Mina burst back into the study, her face grim as she handed Lucas a sealed letter. "Master, this just arrived," She said, her voice urgent.
Lucas took the letter, breaking the seal with a deft motion. As he scanned the contents, a cold smile curved his lips. "Well, this is interesting," He said, his tone laced with amusement. "Looks like our new recruits are about to get some real experience."
"Master, let me handle it," Mina said, her voice icy as she spun her dagger with practiced ease. "I'll take him out."
"No," Lucas said, waving a hand. His eyes grew distant, his mind already strategizing. "Let the recruits have a chance to prove themselves."
Mira watched in silence, a chill running through her. The letter, Lucas's reaction—it all confirmed what she had suspected. Her warning had been unnecessary; Lucas was already steps ahead. 'I've underestimated him,' She thought, a mix of respect and unease settling in her chest.
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