Chương 13: Against Nature

Felicity, Leah, and Xia had stopped for the night in the heart of the forest. The fire crackled before them, casting uneven shadows across the tree trunks and intermittently illuminating their weary faces.

"How much longer until we reach those damned Southern Lands?" Leah grumbled, pulling her cloak tighter around herself.

"Not much longer", Xia replied calmly.

"At most, another week of travel". Felicity lifted her gaze from the fire.

"You know that thanks to that strange power of yours? The one that lets you locate legendary swords?" Xia smiled faintly.

"It's not a strange power. It's called sensory perception, or simply localization. It's one of the most difficult magical arts to master".

"Are you saying that just to show off?" Felicity replied flatly. Xia chuckled softly. Leah watched her for a moment before gathering her courage.

"Can I ask you a rather insensitive question?" Xia nodded without hesitation.

"Don't you think bringing your son back to life with a wish goes against nature?" You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. She paused briefly before continuing.

"I'd like to do the same for a man I once loved, but I don't know if it's right. I keep thinking about all the people who have lost someone, just like we have". Xia remained silent for several seconds. The crackling of the fire seemed louder than before. Then she looked Leah straight in the eyes.

"I think it also goes against nature that my son died of starvation". Her voice was calm, yet filled with pain.

"Because of a famine caused by a pointless war. Don't you think?" Leah lowered her gaze and nodded.

"Yes…you're right". Ethan Light walked between rows of wounded soldiers lying on cots. Some had lost limbs, others had their eyes bandaged. Some were in comas, while others waited silently for death. He stopped beside a severely burned soldier and gently took his hand. The man stared at him with exhausted, empty eyes. Tears ran down Ethan's face.

"I'm sorry…", he whispered.

"I'm truly sorry". He wiped his face and stepped out of the tent. Before him stretched the barren fields, motionless beneath the night sky. Captain Russ approached him.

"Do you intend to act tonight?" he asked quietly. Ethan did not take his eyes off the horizon.

"Yes". He paused briefly.

"Tonight, we move". In the palace dungeons, Oscar was performing a series of sit-ups, his breathing controlled and his body tense. He heard footsteps approaching. It was Teresa.

"I thought I'd find you here", she said as she watched him. Oscar slowly rose to his feet.

"Mother…I hope you bring good news". Teresa shook her head.

"Your brother is convinced that we're plotting behind his back". Oscar gave a bitter smile.

"Well, that's exactly what we're doing".

"For his own good", she replied.

"No". Oscar met her gaze.

"For the good of the kingdom". Teresa looked at him for a long moment, as if she were staring at a ghost from the past.

"You look so much like your father when he was young". Her voice softened.

"You have the same warrior's spirit". Oscar placed his hands on her shoulders.

"And that is why I deserve the crown". Then he added with contempt:"Not that fat fool Oliver". He picked up his sword from the ground and walked away, leaving Teresa alone in the dungeons.