Chapter 97: The Journey to Sky God Mountain

After crying her eyes out and finally calming down, Lyra marched straight toward Serena’s room.

She didn’t even bother knocking.

"Serena?"

Silence.

She stepped inside.

The room was spotless.

The bed was neatly made.

The woven baskets were arranged perfectly.

Even the flower vase by the window had fresh blossoms.

Everything looked exactly as it should...

Except the owner was nowhere to be found.

Lyra frowned.

"Where has this girl gone?"

She searched the backyard.

Nothing.

The riverside.

Nothing.

The berry grove.

Still nothing.

By the time she returned home, she was beginning to wonder if Serena had somehow learned how to disappear.

"This child..." she muttered helplessly.

With dinner still waiting to be prepared, she had no choice but to give up the search for the moment.

Spotting a young female carrying herbs, Lyra waved her over.

"If you see Serena, tell her I need to speak with her immediately."

The little female nodded obediently.

"Yes, Madam."

That evening, after dinner had been served, the young female hurried back.

"Madam!"

Lyra immediately looked up hopefully.

"You found her?"

"I did."

"And?"

The little female hesitated.

"...Sister Serena said..."

She lowered her voice.

"...that her status isn’t appropriate."

Lyra frowned.

"What does that mean?"

"She said she shouldn’t disturb Sora and Lukan during such an important ceremony."

"She thanked you for thinking of her..."

"...but she won’t be going."

Lyra froze.

"...She refused?"

The little female nodded timidly.

"Yes."

Lyra nearly dropped the wooden spoon in her hand.

She had cried.

Argued.

Negotiated.

Even made Martin compromise...

...only for Serena to reject the opportunity herself!

"This silly girl!"

She rubbed her forehead dramatically.

"She’s far too kind!"

The little female wisely kept quiet.

She had learned long ago that when Madam started talking to herself, interrupting was dangerous.

Lyra paced around the room.

"If she keeps stepping back like this..."

"...Kaelira and Lukan will have already cooked the rice before she even lights the fire!"

The servant blinked.

"...Cooked the rice?"

Lyra waved her hand impatiently.

"You’ll understand when you’re older."

She sighed heavily.

"No."

"This won’t do."

"I have to talk to her personally."

Back then...

Martin had been the most sought-after male among all the surrounding tribes.

Strong.

Handsome.

Reliable.

Countless females had pursued him.

Yet...

She had boldly declared before everyone that she wanted only him for the rest of her life.

No second husband.

No third.

Just Martin.

Her determination had stunned the entire southeastern continent.

And eventually...

She had won.

Although...

Sometimes...

Usually whenever Martin snored...

Or forgot anniversaries...

Or accidentally praised another female’s cooking...

She occasionally wondered whether one husband had really been enough.

Still...

He treated her like a queen.

He provided the best food.

The finest clothes.

He was the strongest chief nearby.

Overall...

She couldn’t complain.

Well...

Not too much.

"Happiness doesn’t fall from the sky," Lyra declared confidently.

"It has to be fought for."

She sighed.

"Serena is simply too gentle."

"She’ll never win if she keeps giving way."

Even Sora...

That girl she had once dismissed as hopeless...

Had somehow managed to charm five beast husbands with nothing but delicious food.

Thinking about it made Lyra’s eye twitch.

"Cooking..."

"What terrifying weapon."

The little female nodded unconsciously.

She still dreamed about Sora’s fish hot pot.

"...Madam?"

"Hm?"

"I also couldn’t find Sister Serena afterward."

"You couldn’t?"

She shook her head.

"I looked everywhere."

Lyra frowned deeply.

"What has she been doing these past few days?"

"Every time I look for her..."

"...she disappears."

After a moment, she sighed.

"Forget it."

"I’ll speak to her after the ceremony."

Little did she know...

No matter how many people searched...

Serena deliberately avoided being found.

Several days passed.

Soon...

The annual Sky God Ceremony finally arrived.

Before dawn, the entire tribe buzzed with excitement.

Bonfires burned brightly.

Drums echoed through the valley.

Everyone wore their finest clothing.

Even the children had colorful feathers braided into their hair.

Sora naturally refused to be outdone.

Standing before a polished bronze mirror, she admired her reflection with satisfaction.

The dress she wore had been handmade from the white feathers collected during their last hunt.

Soft white feathers layered together like clouds, creating an elegant strapless gown that hugged her slimmer figure.

Along the hem danced emerald-green feathers that shimmered whenever she moved.

She even tucked several matching green feathers behind one ear, adding a graceful touch that made the entire outfit feel complete.

Compared to the clumsy beast-skin dresses everyone else wore...

Her creation looked almost regal.

Sora smiled proudly.

"Perfect."

She even gave herself a little spin.

The feathers fluttered beautifully.

Not bad.

Not bad at all.

When Martin saw her emerge...

His eyes lit up.

"Excellent."

"My daughter looks wonderful."

Though he praised Sora...

His eyes secretly drifted toward Lyra.

See?

I told you so.

Our daughter cleans up nicely.

Lyra naturally caught the smug look.

She clicked her tongue.

Although...

She had to admit...

The dress really was beautiful.

Sora had slimmed down considerably over the past weeks.

Her round face had become more delicate.

Her nose looked higher.

Her bright eyes sparkled with confidence.

For the first time...

People looked at her before noticing her weight.

Still...

Lyra stubbornly folded her arms.

"If Serena wore that dress..."

"...it would look even better."

Martin wisely pretended he hadn’t heard that.

Sora grinned shamelessly.

"I think it looks amazing too."

She had never believed in fake modesty.

If she made something beautiful...

She would happily admit it.

Martin laughed loudly.

"That’s my daughter!"

"Confidence suits you."

He walked over carrying a beautifully carved ceremonial torch.

Its handle was decorated with beast fangs and green gemstones, while fragrant resin wrapped around the top waited to be lit from the tribe’s sacred flame.

Martin’s expression became solemn.

"Kaelira."

He placed the torch into her hands.

"I entrust the Fire of the Tribe to you."

"You must bring back the Heavenly Flame."

Sora accepted it with surprising seriousness.

"I won’t disappoint you, Father."

Martin smiled proudly.

"I know you won’t."

He then turned toward Lukan.

The wolf stood quietly nearby, dressed in immaculate white beast hide embroidered with silver thread.

His calm demeanor immediately reassured everyone.

"Lukan."

Martin placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Take good care of Sora."

Lukan nodded respectfully.

"I will."

Without another word...

Silver light shimmered around him.

His tall human figure disappeared.

A magnificent white wolf nearly twice the size of an ordinary beast appeared before everyone.

The sunlight reflected beautifully off his snowy fur.

Several young females gasped.

"So handsome..."

"No wonder he’s everyone’s dream husband."

Sora rolled her eyes inwardly.

Please.

Stop drooling.

He’s my transportation today.

She carefully climbed onto his broad back while holding the ceremonial torch securely.

Lukan glanced back briefly.

"Comfortable?"

"Mhmm."

"Hold on."

With one powerful leap...

The giant wolf shot forward.

Cheers erupted from the gathered tribe.

"Safe journey!"

"Bring back the Heavenly Flame!"

"We’ll be waiting!"

Martin watched proudly until the pair disappeared into the forest.

Nearby...

Xavier’s expression darkened.

He had secretly hoped Lyra would create another dramatic scene and stop the ceremony altogether.

Instead...

She remained strangely quiet.

His tail swished irritably.

"Tch."

Lucas crossed his arms.

"So they really left."

Ace sighed softly.

"I didn’t expect I’d actually miss having her around."

Lucas blinked.

"...You too?"

Ace nodded honestly.

"The kitchen will feel empty."

"...And lunch probably won’t taste as good."

Lucas sighed.

"...True."

Xavier refused to admit it.

"I only miss the food."

Damien snorted.

"Liar."

"I’ve seen the way you stare at her."

Xavier instantly exploded.

"I do not!"

"You practically wag your tail whenever she smiles."

"I’M A SNAKE!"

"So?"

"I DON’T HAVE A TAIL TO WAG!"

The others burst into laughter.

Even Ace couldn’t stop smiling.

Ryan remained leaning against a nearby tree, his expression as calm as ever.

To an outsider...

He appeared completely indifferent.

But his gaze quietly followed the direction Sora had disappeared.

He remained there long after everyone else began leaving.

Finally...

He turned away.

"...Have a safe journey."

It was so soft...

No one heard him.

Not far from the square...

Hidden behind a large ancient tree...

A slender figure silently watched the departing white wolf.

Serena.

She had deliberately hidden herself throughout the past few days.

Not because she had truly given up...

But because she couldn’t bear watching Lukan leave with another woman.

Her fingers clenched tightly around the bark.

Her gentle expression slowly twisted into something darker.

Pain.

Jealousy.

Resentment.

They all mixed together until they became hatred.

Her beautiful eyes followed the shrinking figures disappearing into the distant forest.

"Kaelira..."

Her voice was barely a whisper.

"...Just wait."

"I won’t let you keep him."

"No matter what happens..."

"...I will never lose to you."