THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

Chapter 199 DAWN OF RESPONSIBILITY AND REMINISCENCE



The crisp morning light filtered into a modest, well-worn room, casting golden hues over its simple furnishings. Litty groaned, her eyes squinting against the unwelcome brightness. The weight of her mother's foot pressed against her face, a familiar intrusion that made her sigh. With a gentle push, she rolled her mother to the other side of the bed, who mumbled incoherently before settling into deeper sleep.

Stretching, Litty arched her back, a symphony of cracks rippling through her stiff muscles. The aches of yesterday's skirmishes lingered, but she brushed them aside. Crossing the room, she dipped a cloth into the cool water within a wooden bucket, wiping herself down in brisk, efficient strokes. The chill invigorated her, sharpening her senses for the day ahead.

Dressed in her battle-worn combat attire—sturdy leather armor reinforced with riveted steel plates—she secured her twin swords in their sheathes, the blades clinking with a reassuring weight. Before leaving, Litty turned, casting a glance at her mother, Yue, who lay peacefully curled on the bed. A faint smile crossed her lips as she tucked the thin blanket snugly around her. "Sleep well," she whispered, affection softening her sharp features.

Descending the narrow, creaking staircase of the tavern, the scent of fresh bread and roasted meat greeted her. The tavern keeper, a burly man with a perpetual grin, glanced up from polishing a wooden tankard. "Morning there, missy!" he called out, his voice booming with the warmth of familiarity.

"Morning," Litty replied, striding toward the counter. Without missing a beat, she tossed a few copper Terran coins onto the polished surface.

The innkeeper's eyes gleamed as he caught them with a practised hand. "What'll it be?" He leaned forward, anticipating her usual request for breakfast.

"Nothing for me. I'm already running late," she said, raising a gloved hand to stop him. "That's for my companion upstairs."

The innkeeper's brows rose with curiosity. "The kid?" he asked, tilting his head.

Litty nodded, accustomed to the misunderstanding. Yue's childlike appearance often drew questions, but she seldom bothered to explain. "Don't let her eat more than what those coins cover," she added, her tone firm but not unkind.

The innkeeper chuckled, the coins clinking as he weighed them in his hand. "I'll make sure she's fed right," he assured, tucking the coins into his apron pocket.

With a final nod, Litty pushed open the tavern door, the morning air crisp and bracing against her skin. The cobblestone street stretched before her, bustling with the early stirrings of townsfolk. Merchants called out their wares, horses' hooves clattered in rhythmic beats, and the scent of dew mingled with the earthy tang of the forge fires.

Litty's destination loomed ahead—the imposing Halls of Valhalla, their stone spires clawing at the sky like the fingers of ancient gods. She tightened her grip on the hilt of her swords, a spark of anticipation flickering in her chest. Today, the call of battle awaited, and she was ready.

****

Litty pushed open the grand, carved wooden doors of the Adventurers Guild and stepped inside. The place buzzed with activity, as it always did at this hour. Sunlight streamed in through the tall, mullioned windows, casting golden slants on the stone floor.

The scent of sweat, ale, and burning candles melded into an unmistakable fragrance that clung to the walls. Adventurers of all shapes and sizes filled the space, voices clashing in a raucous din as they clamored for early commissions to avoid the scraps that wouldn't pay for even a crust of stale bread.

The large commission board dominated the room—a wall covered with parchments and notices. Litty walked over, her fingers brushing against the wooden frame as her sharp eyes scanned for suitable work. Her breathing steadied as she read through the listings, though her attention wavered when a pair of deep voices behind her broke through the noise.

"Did you see it? The De Gors' escort coming in yesterday evening," one of the men said, his voice tinged with awe.

"Aye," his companion replied, slapping a rough palm on the first man's shoulder. "They were heading toward Castrum Belli et Ignis. But that's not the half of it—David De Gor was there."

Litty's heart gave a faint stir at the name, a strange familiarity whispering at the edge of her consciousness. She paused, her eyes still on the board but ears now straining to catch every word.

"David?" The first man's eyes widened. "The one who fought that demon-like creature? And the Blood Whale wasn't even nearby? Hell, even his father, the great Elder Dragon Slayer, wasn't around! David stood his ground alone!"

A third adventurer, a young man with a mop of unruly hair, let out a scoff. "You're saying he fought a King-ranked swordsman while he was only a Master-ranked swordsman himself? That's ridiculous!" His laughter joined the chorus of clinking mugs and shouted greetings.

Litty's brow furrowed. The name sparked something—a distant, almost forgotten echo—but she shook it off, returning her focus to the commission board. Her eyes landed on a task that promised decent pay: "Dunemauls Hunting at the Beach." It was marked with a warning sigil that indicated danger, but she'd faced worse. She carefully pulled the parchment from the board, its edges curling like a snake's tail.

She turned on her heel, her boots tapping against the stone floor as she made her way to the reception booth. Behind the counter stood a familiar face: a woman with golden-coloured hair coiled into a tight bun, a quill tucked behind her ear. The receptionist's sun eyes sparkled as she greeted Litty with a practised smile.

"Ad Arcana et Immortalis," the receptionist said, her voice ringing with the well-rehearsed phrase.

Litty inclined her head, repeating, "Ad Arcana et Immortalis." A curious smile played on her lips. "What does that mean, anyway?"

The receptionist chuckled, a warm, airy sound. "It's the guild's motto. We're required to greet adventurers with it. It means 'To the Mysteries and Immortality.' Catchy, isn't it?"

Litty's smile widened. "I'd say so." She handed over the commission parchment.

The receptionist's eyes skimmed the document, and her brows furrowed. "Dunemauls hunting at the beach?" She raised a skeptical eyebrow.

"You know this requires either a C-ranked adventurer or a party of six D-ranked adventurers, right?" Her eyes flickered to Litty's badge—a single, modest D-mark. "I'm afraid you're not qualified for this, Miss Litty."

Litty straightened her back, a flash of determination in her eyes. "I'm not alone. My companion will be joining me shortly."

The receptionist's expression shifted from skepticism to surprise. "You should have mentioned that sooner," she said, leaning in conspiratorially. "Is it the S-ranked adventurer you arrived with yesterday?"

Litty's heart quickened, and she forced a nervous smile, avoiding a direct answer. "Something like that," she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

The receptionist's eyes sparkled with interest as she stamped the commission with a heavy thud, sealing Litty's fate. "Good luck on the hunt," she said, handing the parchment back.

"Thanks," Litty said, exhaling as she took the commission. The whispers behind her continued, tales of valor and impossible battles, but she shut them out, focusing on the task ahead.

"To the Mysteries and Immortality," she whispered to herself as she stepped out of the guild, ready for whatever challenges awaited her on the sun-scorched sands.

****

Yue stirred in bed restlessly, her small frame shifting as she searched for something amidst the crumpled sheets. "Litty, mama... wants... more... treats," she mumbled, her voice soft and sleepy.

Suddenly, her eyes flew open, the haze of dreams dissipating to reveal reality. Her hair was an unkempt mess, with strands sticking out at odd angles, and a thin line of drool trailed down her cheek.

Looking around the empty room, Yue's eyes softened with a wistful smile. Litty must have gone out early. Pride warmed her heart as she thought about how her daughter was growing into such a capable and responsible young woman.

The thought made her chest ache, bittersweet and heavy. If they couldn't find a cure for her illness, at least Yue could rest assured that Litty would be able to look after herself.

She shook the somber thought away, forcing herself to focus on the present. "No, not today," she whispered, determination flickering in her eyes. Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, she rushed to wash and tidy herself up, splashing cold water on her face and brushing away the tangles in her silver-white hair. The absence of Litty's gentle hands to help her through the morning routine was felt more keenly than she expected.

A loud growl erupted from her stomach, snapping her attention to the rich scent of sizzling meat wafting up from the tavern below. A sheepish smile spread across her face as she patted her belly. "Guess breakfast won't wait," she said with a chuckle, her eyes twinkling with a playful resolve as she hurried to get dressed and join the bustling life downstairs.

****

A/N: Hey guys what happened to the golden tickets and power stones? My life depends on it, well the book but you get what I mean lol. Otherwise, Yue isn't a pig that likes eating a lot, its the symptoms caused by Nature mana glut.

thanks for reading.


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