Free Web NovelChapter 290: Representative
Lucas’ brow twitched slightly when he heard this request, turning his head to Allina, as if silently asking for her help; however, this time, his normally serious and responsible big sister just blushed faintly and averted her eyes.
At social events like this banquet, it had always been Allina’s job to keep Celestina’s antic under control, but remembering that fluffy, sweet, delicious dessert she had helped make earlier today, she decided it was alright to let this small request from her master slip.
Just this once, of course.
Doing his best not to laugh at the absurdness of these two incredibly powerful women being so enamoured with his simple sponge cake, Lucas nodded and promised, "I’ll make sure to reserve a couple pieces for both of you."
"Good!"
And with that, Celestina and Allina swiftly departed, leaving behind an exasperated boy and a very confused Viscount.
.....
A few minutes later, 3 people in full battle armour hopped onto a pair of Tartans and took off from the Carlson Family Manor’s stables.
Glancing over her shoulder at her old friend, Celestina commented off-handedly, "Seems like you still can’t stand attending parties, Elizabeth."
"Hmph, speak for yourself, Celestina," the Carlson Family Supreme Elder snorted.
Not long after Celestina and Allina quietly slipped out of the banquet, Lucas had followed his Masters instructions and informed the evening’s host about their departure, but when he arrived at the head table where Count Mathias was seated, the young boy noticed the conspicuously empty seat of honour where the Supreme Elder had been idling earlier that evening.
It didn’t take long for Lucas to realize that the Carlson Family was also aware of whatever situation had developed at the western gates.
That, however, shouldn’t have been surprising seeing how Iron Rock was the Carlson Family’s capital and their base of power. If they weren’t at least as aware of what was happening in their own city as outsiders like Celestina and he were, then it would truly be embarrassing.
Needless to say, when a messenger from the military camp had come to inform the Count of the trouble, Supreme Elder Elizabeth had leapt at the chance to escape from the banquet, volunteering herself to go and check it out.
That was how Allina, Celestina, and Elizabeth all wound up traveling together tonight.
Although the conversation between the 3 female powerhouses was light and casual, the mood was anything but; this cheerful banter was simply their way of controlling their nerves.
The report that the Carlson’s received was just as vague as the one Celestina had gotten, but it did contain one additional piece of information, that the potential threat was greater than what the guards on duty could handle.
Seeing how there were currently 10 Spirit Initiates posted at the western gates of Iron Rock, with another 10 nearby on standby, it was clear that whatever was happening was deadly serious.
Fortunately, after the arrival of the Golden Wings Legion’s First Regiment, there were now hundreds of Tartans available for use, so a couple of Squads worth had been permanently stationed at the Lord’s Manor, allowing Celestina and the others to swiftly reach anywhere in the city without having to navigate through the crowded streets.
Touching down in the clearing nearest to the main western gates, Celestina Allina, and Elizabeth found the entire area on high alert, with hundreds of archers manning the walls and all the siege equipment loaded and ready to fire.
Not having missed the arrival of the strongest Cultivator currently in the city, the lead Commander on duty, a High-Rank Spirit Initiate from the Steel Shields Legion, promptly leapt down from the battlements and saluted, "General Balfour, it’s good that you’re here."
Nodding in acknowledgement, Celestina shifted her focus to beyond the walls and commented, "You made the right decision to summon me."
Even before she landed, Celestina had swept the area outside the city with her Soul Sense and discovered what the issue was.
A small pack of beasts, about 50 in total, had arrived just outside the defence perimeter, some 5 km out from the walls.
This was a distance beyond the effective reach of any of their ranged weapons or archers, even of Celestina herself, but it was still far too close to ignore.
Now, if this had just been an ordinary pack of Wild Beasts, there wouldn’t have been any reason to disturb the higher-ups tonight, but that wasn’t the case here.
Turning back to the soldier before her, Celestina declared, "Have all Commanders at or above the High-Rank Initiate Realm report here immediately."
"Yes, General!" The Steel Shield Commander nodded before moving to carry out his orders.
Addressing her adjutant next, Celestina ordered, "Take charge of the defences here. Have everyone remain on high alert, but make sure no one fires before I give the signal."
"Understood," Commander Crest saluted, leaping up onto the walls and beginning to issue instructions to the defence forces.
"Shall I summon the non-military Initiates as well?" Elizabeth asked from the side, her face now filled with solemnity.
Although the Supreme Elder couldn’t get as detailed a picture of the beast pack as Celestina could, what she could sense from them was enough to cause her to shiver with worry.
Thinking about it for a moment, Celestina ultimately shook her head, "Not yet. I want to try resolving this issue peacefully first."
"Hm?" Elizabeth Carlson tilted her head in confusion, wondering just what Celestina meant by this.
How was she planning on resolving the issue ’peacefully’ when the other side was made up of beasts? It wasn’t like she could just walk up to them and ask them to leave, could she? freewebnovel.cσ๓
Just as Elizabeth was thinking this, though, Celestina shouted, "Open the gates! I’m heading out!"
This order caught all the soldiers stationed at the western gates completely by surprise, but thanks to their rigorous training, none of them raised any questions and instead just carried out the command.
A few minutes later, under the gazes of nearly 1,000 stunned soldiers, Celestina dashed out the gates and sprinted at full speed towards the distant beast pack.
"Close the gates! Keep the lights focused on the General!" Allina shouted a series of orders as she nervously watched her commanding officer set out.
Even though she knew letting Celestina move independently was the best option to deal with this situation, it didn’t mean Allina was comfortable watching her superior take such a huge risk.
Unfortunately, all she could do now was keep her eyes peeled and her weapon drawn, ready to assist at a moment’s notice.
.....
As a Complete High-Rank Adept, Celestina’s speed along flat ground was quite phenomenal, surpassing 100 kph. This wasn’t even her spirting all out, but rather a comfortable jog that she could maintain for an extended period of time.
Roughly 2 minutes later, Celestina gradually began to decelerate, eventually coming to a halt roughly 4 km from the gate.
Now less than 1,000 metres away from the threat, Celestina was able to get a much clearer reading on the beast pack’s size and composition.
Tonight also happened to be a clear one, without any clouds, so with the light of the moon shining down, the General was also able to see what these beasts looked like and what they were doing with her own eyes.
Staring at the four-legged beasts before her, all standing in a neat and orderly formation which resembled an arrowhead, Celestina couldn’t help raising her brow and thinking to herself, Just as I suspected, these are no ordinary beasts.
Wild Beasts could use tactics, and even employ simple strategies when out hunting or scouting, but they certainly didn’t use military formations or maintain strict discipline like this.
Which meant...
Taking a breath to calm herself, Celestina infused intent into her voice with her Soul Qi and called out, "Greetings! If you have no hostile intentions and simply wish to talk, please have a representative step forward!"
Immediately after Celestina spoke, a series of howls, cries, and growls sounded from the beast pack before the formation opened up and 2 individuals walked out.
A moment later, the pair of beasts arrived just 10 metres away and stopped.
White fur, black eyes and noses, fluffy pointed ears, long bushy tails, these Spirit Beasts were quite stunning up close, but despite looking rather cute and cuddly, the potent auras they were emitting made it clear they were not to be trifled with.
Standing just over 2 metres tall, these beasts weren’t very large considering their respective Realms, but that wasn’t enough to let Celestina lower her guard.
After sizing up the human woman who had come out from the city to meet them for a few seconds, one of the beasts gently ’spoke’, "Well met, human leader. I am Frey, fifth daughter of the Ice Fang Tribe’s Chief."
Tilting her head to the side, Frey continued, "And this, is my husband, Bron."
