Chapter 92: A Crisp Sound

“What on earth!”

Constantine muttered under his breath. His current condition was as pitiful as could be. Muddy water surged out from the bottom half of his pants and boots, the earthy stench assaulting his nostrils. The boy knew his face must be covered in mud splatters, flung up by the hooves of that useless mount.

Even worse, the enormous dog’s attention had now shifted from the fleeing horse to the boy. Its crimson-red pupils were fixed on him, and a series of low growls rumbled from its throat. Clearly, it saw the small creature before it as an overconfident challenger trying to resist. We know that canine animals should not be easily disturbed while eating; they possess an instinct commonly called “food guarding.”

Constantine instinctively stepped back but found his ankle seemed stuck. Many branches lay crisscrossed in the mud pit, their tangled strength making them a natural trap. The boy cursed inwardly, bending down to try and free himself from the predicament.

But this instinctive action brought disaster! The giant mastiff seemed to take it as a signal to attack. Giving its opponent no time to think, its powerful hind legs launched it into motion. A black silhouette drew an arc through the air! This attack carried terrifying force. The boy was almost helplessly knocked down. Even if he had been prepared, his strength could not compare to this magical beast. The impact of his back against the ground left Constantine feeling dizzy!

Yet all his movements seemed calculated… As he fell backward, he thrust out his hand violently. The crossbow in his hand pressed hard against the hound’s jaw, forcing the massive maw upward!

The giant mastiff surged with power, trying to bend its neck down, but the crossbar across its lower jaw prevented it from closing its mouth. Thus, the drooling, foul-smelling maw gaped wide before the boy’s face, its knife-sharp, terrifying teeth clearly visible! But at the same moment, Constantine’s left hand extended slightly, bracing against the mastiff’s chest. With a soft murmur from him, a massive force field erupted from his middle finger!

The mastiff let out a sharp howl and was sent flying over a dozen feet by the goat-head ram that appeared out of nowhere! It crashed heavily into a large tree! But this enormous creature clearly had considerable stamina. After rolling on the ground, it scrambled back to its feet. This injury must have made it feel threatened. It lowered its body, two blood-red pupils locked onto the short human who had just stood up and wounded it. A series of barks, grating like rocks rubbing together, came from deep in its throat.

Watching the giant hound emitting low growls, Constantine sensed an even greater danger. He carefully took two steps back, tightening every muscle in his body. Though he had no experience fighting magical beasts, he knew the opponent wouldn’t attack recklessly this time but would strike with full force. Nature documentaries said beasts unleash their greatest power only after feeling injured or humiliated.

Besides, the boy wasn’t unscathed. Just from that brief contact, the hellhound’s hook-like front claws had torn through the thin hunting attire on his shoulder, leaving three bloody marks. While the wounds weren’t serious, the numbness, stinging pain, and sudden weakness from exerting force made Constantine feel waves of slight dizziness.

“That’s a hellhound… albeit a hybrid. Kid, you’re really lucky to encounter a magical beast in a place like this,” the Lich ‘timely’ provided knowledge now, its voice tinged with malicious excitement. “You can showcase your training results from the past few days… Don’t worry, a hybrid hellhound isn’t much stronger than a winter wolf…”

“Dammit… What is the Oriel family playing at, putting such a thing in a hunting ground?” Having no mood to bicker with the irresponsible Lich, the boy merely cursed bitterly under his breath. After a period of virtual training, the aid of several magic items, and that mysterious power, Constantine’s current strength far exceeded ordinary people’s. Even facing three or five professional mercenaries, he was confident of victory. But facing a real magical beast, that confidence was much smaller. Moreover, from those crimson eyes, Constantine judged the opponent’s next assault would be a stormy onslaught.

Fortunately, such a confrontation didn’t end in a life-or-death struggle. Just as he was inwardly groaning, another commotion came from behind!

It sounded like hoofbeats and human voices. The terrifying large dog before the boy seemed affected. It tilted its head, hesitating. Though it maintained a hostile stance, the boy noticed its posture had relaxed, only issuing low growls. A dozen seconds later, with a long whistle, the large dog finally began to slowly back away.

After the sound of branches snapping, a small figure on horseback emerged from the thicket.

“What a coincidence?”

Constantine frowned. It was a rare reddish-brown horse, but the rider’s face surprised him even more. Gold-like, dazzling hair smooth as silk, a delicate, doll-like little face. The only difference from his memory was that the contrasting black-and-white dress had been replaced by a matching hunting attire… Oh, and the biggest difference was the hint of a smile now playing on that doll-like face, making the delicate features look indescribably cute.

Naturally, Constantine remembered this young lady vividly. She was the reason for his first kill… Well, more accurately, the reason he came to the capital, or the beginning of all his misfortunes.

“Xiao Hei, come back!”

This gentle command seemed more terrifying than thunder to the hellhound’s ears. The black dog instantly gave up its standoff with the boy, darting to the horse’s feet. Its limbs bent, it crouched low to the ground, emitting submissive whimpers from its throat, looking far more obedient than an ordinary puppy!

Only then did Constantine notice the giant black mastiff wore a collar of the same color around its neck, faintly shimmering with the luster of a Pact. It was actually a collar for restraining magical beasts! “Who the hell made something like this?” Constantine couldn’t help silently cursing. That chain, only about a finger and a half thick, barely visible amidst the black fur, seemed designed to be inconspicuous rather than exquisite!

Then, the boy glanced again at the hybrid hellhound, still with bits of flesh and blood at the corner of its mouth. He couldn’t help feeling a bit sorry for the magical beast. Xiao Hei? That name was so rustic it felt almost insulting. Even calling it Xiao Bai would have been a famous, good dog name, with much deeper meaning at least.

“Hey… Aren’t you going to say something? That dog is yours, right?” After a few seconds of silence, Constantine spoke up, displeased. No matter how cute a girl looked, letting a dog scare people wasn’t praiseworthy behavior. The so-called “wild girlfriend” was just comedy material. In real life, it was undoubtedly much more annoying.

“Say what?” The girl clearly hadn’t expected to meet Constantine in such a place. But her eyes swept over the boy’s disheveled appearance, seeming to understand the gist. “I don’t think I need to say anything to someone who mistook my hunting hound for prey.”

The girl’s deliberately cold answer choked Constantine. His dissatisfaction surged again… No, it should be said his anger flared up. The lesson he gave this girl last time was clearly not enough. He held back slightly, saying coldly, “According to the Empire’s laws regarding pet discipline, if a pet injures someone, the victim should receive appropriate compensation. The clothes are one thing, but I think my lineage should hold some value. Therefore, these injuries seem to be Princess’s responsibility.”

“Mei Zhi is a special medicine for treating such wounds. Please grant me some, Your Highness!” Then the boy added viciously. Of course, only in his mind.

“Mei Zhi? What’s that? An alternate name for healing potions? Or a medicine with special healing effects?” Perhaps due to excessive emotional fluctuation, this wicked thought was actually interpreted by the Lich. The curious professor then received a response half-answered and half a mental roar akin to a psychic scream: “Mei Zhi is the juice produced by lolis, especially lolis wearing pure white panties with little bunny patterns on them… No, you shut up!”

Invoking national laws seemed somewhat effective, or perhaps the boy’s malicious, venomous gaze exerted some pressure. Her Highness the Princess snorted coldly and dismounted. Surprisingly, she just murmured a few words. A pure white glow emanated from her small hands. As her palm pressed against the wound, Constantine felt a warm current. The torn-open injury gradually healed, vanishing without a trace in the blink of an eye!

But this girl’s sharp tongue clearly wouldn’t disappear with just one Divine Magic spell.

“How ridiculous. A Noble actually talks about compensation. Where is your decorum and restraint? … Blood that never spills is noble; blood that flows to the ground is worthless. That’s my father’s teaching to me. I hope you remember it well… Aiyo!”

Slap!

A crisp sound spread through the air. The girl’s voice suddenly shot up an octave!

That was the boy, itching with hatred, evil intentions overwhelming caution, slapping the detestable girl’s bottom. Naturally, her youthful figure couldn’t offer any pleasant sensation, but her shocked and furious reaction was worth it. The violated Imperial Princess screamed, frantically covering the assaulted area, instinctively leaping backward!

Of course, an instinctive reaction doesn’t change one’s nature. Fury instantly replaced the shock in her beautiful blue eyes, seeming to revert to the image from their first meeting. As soon as her scream ended, she reached to draw the foil from her belt!

But the current Constantine was not the Constantine of that time. The boy’s figure ghostly rushed forward. With just a push of his hand, the little girl’s partially drawn sword was shoved back into its scabbard! She tried to retreat, but his other hand had already wrapped around her waist. She could only watch as the hateful fellow before her showed a teasing grin: “Your Highness, it seems sometimes your decorum isn’t that noble either…”

“Insolent! Release Her Highness the Princess!”

Just then, more rustling sounds came from that direction. Several Knights emerged from the thicket…

Almost immediately upon appearing, one figure dismounted. In a few strides, he crossed dozens of feet. Then a fine, shimmering light flashed, and a rapier pointed at Constantine. The tip danced in the air, making faint hissing sounds like a venomous snake flicking its tongue. The swordsman spoke then, his voice carrying an unpleasant arrogance.

He seemed about sixteen or seventeen years old, handsome, with a young face bearing a strong military air. His attire was elegant and proper, but his physique was quite robust, especially judging by his unusually thick wrists. He must have specialized in fast swordplay. Among noble youths of his age, few were willing to put effort into martial arts. Under normal circumstances, this might have earned Constantine some slight goodwill. But this guy’s current attitude… The slight satisfaction the boy just felt made the corners of his mouth twitch twice, twisting into a mocking smile.

“Are you interrogating me or inquiring about my origins?” His gaze swept over the other person unceremoniously, as if the rapier didn’t exist. Constantine replied in a sarcastic tone: “If it’s the former, I don’t see you showing any City Guard rank insignia. If it’s the latter… you should probably bow and introduce yourself first, to match the status represented by the Revell family crest on your attire…”

As he spoke, his arm wrapped around the Princess moved like lightning. With a slight twist, he firmly grasped the dancing rapier tip! With a backward wrench, the delicate rapier snapped in two with a sharp crack!

“With such an imposing display, I’m tempted to hand over my wallet voluntarily. Is this what you call polite?” Tossing the broken sword to the ground, the boy made an exaggerated frightened expression. Barely audible snickers came from the other’s companions.

“You!” The young master’s face darkened instantly, like rain-laden clouds on an overcast day. But obviously, Constantine didn’t care about his expression. The boy casually gestured, softly uttering an incantation. This action immediately put everyone on alert and made the young swordsman before him jump back abruptly. Even the most ordinary magic was enough to instill inexplicable fear in those who seldom encountered it.

A faint glow flashed. The mud clinging to Constantine seemed to lose weight, moving outward and away. Even the water stains on his clothes vanished. Though Prestidigitation was the most minor cantrip, in the hands of Constantine, who had some mastery over mental control, its effects were quite practical.

Tense shouts followed immediately. One fellow even raised his ornamental-looking crossbow!

But he didn’t get a chance to shoot. An arrow, with a slight whistle, shot out from the woods. Generally, in such an obstacle-filled environment, arrows were more for intimidation than attack. But this one hit its mark! With a thwack, the crossbow was sent flying into the air! It disassembled mid-air into scattered components!!

“Lord Constantine, are you alright?” The group of five arrived right after. The mercenary captain spoke urgently. This could be considered their first guard duty, but unexpectedly, there was a slip-up right away. The young lady’s expression naturally wasn’t ideal. As he inquired, his enormous longbow was already half-drawn again, his gaze coldly fixed on the group before him.

“My apologies, Lord Constantine. My companion is a bit agitated. His words might have been impolite. But please believe he meant no harm. Perhaps the fatigue from the hunt caused it…” A rather clear-faced fellow, seemingly clever and alert, quickly stepped in to mediate. Constantine noticed the six-petaled marigold badge on his chest. This guy’s family backing was quite substantial, seemingly the biggest monopolizer of grain and flax in the entire south. Though his reason was utter nonsense, at this moment, the reason wasn’t important. Constantine snorted, not dwelling on the issue.

“So it was a misunderstanding… Then, you are Lord Constantine? … I’ve often heard your name recently, but this is our first meeting…”

A horse slowly trotted out from the woods, and a gentle voice joined the conversation.

He had a tall, slender frame, not brawny but not thin either. On his pale, noble-standard face were a pair of narrow eyes like a fox’s. But combined with his strong nose and somewhat thin lips, his face gave an impression of quiet, gentle reliability. He wore a magnificent set of light chainmail—the preferred gear for nobles hunting fierce beasts. It offered sufficient protection against claws and teeth, yet was light enough not to hinder nobles showcasing their skills before others. It didn’t look particularly bright, seeming somewhat aged.

Constantine was startled inwardly, then bowed humbly, performing a high-level courtesy.

He could act carelessly with Her Highness the Princess in private, because past experience told him the Emperor, who considered him a junior, wouldn’t truly punish him for it. But showing too much arrogance toward the person before him held little benefit…

In the Phoenix Empire, only two could refer to a Noble as “Lord So-and-so” in public. One, of course, was His Majesty the Seventh, seated high on the throne. The other was naturally his eldest grandson, the current Crown Prince, Geraldine Ursula Revell.