Levishia: The Prophesied Quest

Chapter 8: Bad Omen

LEVISHIA QUINTESSENCE



My jaw twitched.

I could feel my rationality and calmness being pushed to the edge.

I was losing my cool. My breathing deepened as I tried to think of every possible reason why I shouldn't hunt down that man and bestow him the best and most fitting penalty. There was none. I couldn't think of anything.

I was never a fan of men belittling women and underestimating their potential.

That won't put their masculinity to a whole new level. It will only satisfy their ego and break fragile women's hearts.

The worst move for a man to do is to discriminate against women, especially women like me.

I stepped forward, feeling a rush of fury jolt my system awake. It's never fun to irk me—a woman of nobility, dignity, and competence.

I was snapped from my reverie clouded with red stains when a hand tightly gripped my wrist. I looked over to see Ard's clenched jaw and intense stare.

"Don't," was all he said before releasing his grip and returning to his stance but it was enough for me to snap back to my senses.

I sighed and looked at the Queen who had her brows furrowed, clearly displeased.

I forgot that she was also a woman, much like me.

"What a disgrace to this kingdom!" She screeched, "Men in my kingdom do not act like that, especially to female warriors! How rude!"

I exhaled. The Queen stood up to me, a female warrior of unknown descent. That's already enough for me.

At least now I'm sure that the man who yelled will be extremely embarrassed by the Queen's statement. That was enough to calm down my rapid heartbeat.

I looked over when Sin tapped my shoulder and saw both of them with little smiles of encouragement while looking at me. They were silently telling me that it was okay. And of course, it is. I am not disheartened by that single comment.

I am just... disgusted by that man's mindset.

After the Queen's outburst at the man from the crowd's yell, the dinner commenced and we were already escorted to our respective seats. Once we were allowed to eat, I grabbed a portion of the roasted piglet and sliced a few pieces of meat off of it so I could eat a lot of it.

While chewing, I noticed Fort's weird look which resulted in me raising my brows at him.

He shook his head ad averted his gaze.

"You eat like a princess."

I almost choked.

Right, this was the first time we'd eaten together and we were only observing each other. I looked to my right and saw Ard eating very gracefully, like a true-born prince. While I ate as gracefully, completely forgetting I shouldn't. Commoners were never taught proper table etiquette.

I tried brushing off his remark, "It's called basic manners, stupid."

Fort snorted. "Well, they didn't teach us that back in the military."

I rolled my eyes, mentally panicking. How would I know that? I didn't join any military training. Just private lessons with numerous mentors.

"We do it differently in Ralenti," was all I could say.

"To the warriors of Viran!" Our glasses clinked as we made a toast. Having on a subtle smile, I silently joined them. "Cheers!"

After a few moments of happy chatter and satisfying our appetite, I excused myself to go look for a public bathroom. I was squeezing myself through the crowds of townspeople already finished with their meal when I accidentally bumped into a figure.

I was almost going to fall flat on my butt when the man held my shoulder for support. I smiled thankfully and looked up at him.

He was a middle-aged man clothed in such luxurious clothing I would've mistaken him for a noble. But he was out with the people so I highly doubt that, maybe he's just a successful businessman or a rich plantation owner.

He warmly smiled, showing his wrinkles. "Be careful, dear."

When we had eye contact, he stilled, but the smile still remained.

"Thank you, kind Sir." I thanked him politely and timidly escaped from his hold and proceeded to search for a public bathroom.

After doing my business, I returned to the table and saw the three men casually chattering. When they saw me, they simultaneously stood up as if they were waiting for me. I chuckled. How sweet.

"Let's go, it's nearing midnight," approached the smiling Sin. I nodded and followed suit to our chariot. I'm tired and I feel like my tummy's already bloated with the sumptuous meal, and so as soon as we reached the kingdom, I went straight to my chamber and laid on my bed.

The maids didn't return that night which forced me to take off the heavy cosmetics on my face along with the dozens of pins on my hair. Once I was all done, I laid face flat and immediately indulged into slumber.

I never liked social gatherings.

The next morning, I was back to my warrior outfit and had already reported to the castle. I was ready to face another mission.

"I wonder where we're off to this time," Sin wondered aloud when we were waiting in the weaponry for Fiore.

Fort responded while aiming at the dartboard with a bazooka. "I bet they'll make us find that lion."

I shrugged. That's highly possible.

We conversed nonsense for a while when the weaponry's door slammed open and Fiore barged in. We instantly rose from our leisure positions and stiffly lined up horizontally in front of him.

"Today, the four of you will be split into two," he started, "One will be assigned to look for the trolls that recently traded diamonds to an anonymous merchant and in return, has been given a belladonna. While the other will be tasked to find the lion you let loose."

We exchanged knowing looks. Of course, all of us want the first mission.

"I'll do the first," Ard spoke up first. I whipped my head to him, feeling threatened.

"I'll do it as well," I quickly replied, afraid that Sin or Fort might beat me to it. Of course, I wouldn't spend my day looking for a lion. Nuh-uh.

Ard gave me a quick glance before returning it to Fiore, as I looked over to the crestfallen expressions of Fort and Sin. A small smile made its way to my lips.

"Alright, then. Get going now, Parafortien and Sinphomer," Fiore ushered the two.

They slowly dragged their feet to gather weapons with fallen shoulders and pouting faces. He then turned to us, explaining the task at hand.

"This is an important task. We believe that the belladonna, the infamous drug, is a snippet or a part of the ingredients to resurrect Rivolus. The trolls had said they traded their valuable diamonds just to get the belladonna because they were offered an undiscovered mine in exchange for the infamous drug. Get to the belladonna first before they do," he explained.

I nodded, letting the information sink in. This is a heavy task, indeed.

"Do we know where the trolls are?" I queried. Fiore shook his head.

"Those trolls move their base after one trade, they are very careful when hiding their tracks so I want the both of you to be observant. Trolls are tricky and hard to converse with, be wise. Now, if you can find the trolls' base today, that will be great. You can negotiate tomorrow. We cannot waste much time."

I looked at Ard. I hope he'll be a good comrade. Fort and Sin won't be there to lighten up the atmosphere.

He must've noticed my stare and so he tilted his head to mine. "What?"

"Nothing," I shook my head, pretending to be unfazed by our close proximity. Fiore had already left to let us prepare, so I stood up to grab my bag full of explosives. It's been my favorite thus far.

I equipped myself while frequently joining Sin and Fort's conversations. Once done, we left the weaponry as four and only halted when we saw the four individual horses in front of the palace.

I smiled as soon as I saw a midnight black horse, I went near it and softly caressed its face. It was similar to my own horse back home, so I immediately chose it. My smile widened when it leaned into my touch. Thankfully, it seems it chooses me too.

I looked over at Sin and Fort, "Best of luck!"

They both smiled at me and mounted their horses, softly whipping them as a signal. I watched them run off into the distance and was only snapped out of my reverie when Ard kicked my feet.

I have a bad feeling when I see Fort and Sin's manly backs dash off into the horizon. As if my gut was whispering to me. As if it didn't want Fort and Sin to leave, to turn their backs and face a seemingly easy task.

"Hey, we better go," Ard ushered me and led the way. We've already eaten our lunch and also have grabbed food stock in case we get stuck in the forest at night.

I silently followed suit, disregarding my gut and proceeding with our task.