Chapter 289

Chapter 289Previous

Lils wandering mind was interrupted by Shails question.

Have you been hunting often?

No. Its been a while.

I think it would still be too much for you to hunt with a rifle

For the first time, Lil actually looked at Shail. The young man, whose appearance was close to those of the Northern Continent, had light brown eyes, probably due to being mixed race.

His face was slightly flushed despite his attempts to conceal it. Meanwhile, Lil responded casually, pretending not to notice.

How do you know that?

Because I saw you practising every day back in the residence.

..?

Shail quickly added after realising his words might be wrongly interpreted.

Even the servants talk a lot about the lady

Lil nodded calmly. She agreed that guns were still too difficult to use regularly due to the recoil. She then drove her horse, cursing her body for healing so very slowly.

Herders led by hunting dogs soon climbed the mountain, Lil glanced at the people gathering around her and Shail. Shail was a beat faster and asked before she could.

Are you going to lure them with a flute?

A middle-aged man who introduced himself as Turrago nodded his head.

Yes, our flutes sound exactly like the males. To be honest with you, the hard part of the hunt isnt attracting them, but we simply lack the manpower to catch them. If it hadnt been for this years famine, we wouldnt have needed more catchers or go as far as to ask our noble guests to help us out

Turrago noticed Lil. The way he anxiously alternated between her and Shail, revealed that he had something more to say.

Its Turrago, right? Whatever it is that you want to say, it will be better to keep it to yourself. Lets not ruin the mood, okay?

Even though he didnt seem like a very discreet person, Turrago, fortunately, began to explain the habits of the roe deer in this area and the formation of the canyon instead.

Listening to his explanation they eventually reached the canyon.

The forest that covered along the ridge became sparse, and the ground became filled with rocks and moss-covered pebbles instead. With a nearby creek flowing along the valley, Lil found herself standing near the sound of a stream running under the friction of falling leaves.

It was then that the sound of the flutes of the herders, who climbed up the mountain, reverberated downwards and faintly mixed with the wind. At first glance, it seemed like they were exchanging signals by whistling among themselves. That was until the dogs barking gradually intensified, and the sound of something moving quickly down the mountain was heard.

Its coming this way.

Lil quickly fired her crossbow at the shadow emerging from the piled-up leaves. She never confirmed what it was because her shot was done on instinct. It wasnt until the shadow fell on the leaves that Lil realised it was just a rabbit. However, before she could recite a prayer dedicated to her prey, another shadow darted out. A much bigger one this time.

It was a roe deer.

Lil didnt have the time to reload her crossbow, so she couldnt fire anything. Instead, the hunters around her fired their crossbows without break. They needed to aim for their targets heart, but the flying arrows only grazed the front of the beast. In the end, all arrows fired by the hunters ended up in the river or between rocks, and the roe deer was now beyond their range.

Its so fucking fast! Its already so far away now!

Shail paused for a moment, trying hard to comprehend what she was saying and nodded belatedly.

Oh, I didnt realise. That was rude of me.

I was a cadet at LeBrun.

Lil wondered why he wasnt mocking her.

Is it because the world has changed over the years, or is it because he doesnt dare say anything against the woman who appears to be Eds lover? Or perhaps, he wants to look good in front of me?

Even though you havent fully recovered yet, your horsemanship and marksmanship were both excellent.

Youre quite talented yourself. You werent that bad either.

When the group came out of the canyon and walked into the field, white smoke already rose from chimneys everywhere. As they were heading toward the village, Lil saw Ed stop by. He tilted his head to look at her while lifting the brim of his hat. Thinking that the face appearing at an angle underneath the hat looked wonderful, Lil was shocked at her own thoughts and frowned for no apparent reason.

Did you enjoy hunting without me?

I did.

What?!

Eds voice was raised because he never expected Lil to respond so affirmatively. Lil smiled regardless.

Its been a while since I stretched myself like that. It made me feel good.

It seems like you got good results.

Ed looked back and gestured with his chin. Lil followed suit and looked behind her. Attendants following suit were carrying carts full of todays game.

You know, if it was me. I wouldve hit a bird too.

When Ed gestured his chin arrogantly towards the sky, Lil snorted sheepishly.

Ah yes, that amazing escape story of yours. As I havent seen it with my own eyes, how would I know?

Among the many adventurous stories Ed told her, there was one about escaping a primaeval forest that he narrated with such passion. He almost died of starvation, but survived by desperately slinging stones, catching a bird, roasting and eating it.

Ed asked with a laugh.

You dont believe me, do you?

No, I believe you.

You look like you dont believe me at all.

Fine. You caught me.

Glancing at Ed, his dumbfounded expression couldnt look any funnier. Eds look made Lil laugh out loud, causing Ed to laugh along with her like a mirror. His reactions always made Lil become more comfortable about expressing herself

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