Chapter 37: The Hugh Family

Chapter 37: Chapter 37: The Hugh Family

’Does this ambusher belong to the noble house this crest represents?’

Vili didn’t know which noble family the crest represented. The only family crest he recognized was that of the Aure Family, which belonged to Baron Kels.

Vili already had a faint suspicion. ’Could it be because of the Snow Pattern Deer? Since Baron Kels is so desperate for one, it’s very likely that other nobles are also interested. In that case, it wouldn’t be strange for two factions to be operating in Bole Forest.’

Vili searched the attacker’s body again and found nothing else besides the weapon and the family crest.

Vili pocketed the noble’s crest. After a moment of thought, he decided to report the matter to Bamos first.

If another noble house was involved, then this problem could only be solved by the Aure Family behind Bamos.

Having made his decision, Vili wasted no more time. He hurried toward the outskirts of Bole Forest under the cover of night.

During the day, Vili had traveled from the outskirts deeper into the forest. Since he had been searching for Snow Pattern Deer tracks along the way, he hadn’t actually gone very deep. It took him only about two hours to get back to his entry point.

Just as Vili reached the outskirts, he saw a clearing with a lit bonfire. Several tents had been pitched, surrounded by dozens of fully armed Guards. Baron Kels considered the mission to capture the Snow Pattern Deer extremely important, so he had put Olay and Bamos in direct charge. Neither of them dared to be negligent; they had set up camp right at the edge of the forest, ready to receive news at any moment.

"Who’s there?"

A guard spotted Vili as he approached the tents.

The guard held his long spear and took a warning stance toward Vili.

"I’m one of the Hunters who went into Bole Forest earlier."

Vili held his hands open to show he meant no harm.

Hearing this, the guard scrutinized him, looked over Vili’s gear, and confirmed his identity.

"Why have you returned from Bole Forest?"

The guard lowered his weapon and questioned Vili.

"I encountered something unusual in Bole Forest. I need to report it to Young Master Bamos."

Vili said truthfully.

Hearing this, the guard mulled it over. "Wait a moment. I’ll go report to Young Master Bamos first."

Although it was the middle of the night and Bamos had already retired to his tent to rest, he had given an order before turning in: any news from Bole Forest was to be reported to him directly, no matter what.

The guard entered the tent and came out again shortly after.

"Young Master Bamos will see you now."

The guard said to Vili, making a gesture for him to go ahead.

Vili gave a slight nod and walked toward the tent.

He lifted the tent flap and went inside.

The tent was huge, not just for sleeping. Besides a bed, it also had a table and chairs. It was practically a room.

Bamos was already sitting, waiting for Vili.

"Is that you, Vili?"

Bamos looked at Vili with some surprise as he entered the tent. He had a strong impression of the young man.

Vili hadn’t expected Bamos to remember his name. He bowed slightly. "Young Master Bamos."

"Coming here so late... have you found traces of the Snow Pattern Deer?"

A flicker of anticipation crossed Bamos’s eyes.

Vili shook his head. "No, it’s about something else."

"What is it?"

Before Bamos could say anything more, the tent flap was thrown open and Olay strode inside.

He was staying in the adjacent tent. Olay had just heard the guard’s report and, unable to rest easy, had come over as well.

"Lord Olay."

Vili greeted Olay. He had learned of Olay’s status back at Baron Kels’s manor.

Vili didn’t waste words and got straight to the point. He recounted in detail what had happened with the attacker that evening.

"You’re saying someone infiltrated Bole Forest and killed a Hunter? And you fought this ambusher... and killed him?"

Olay was the first to react. He frowned, seeming not to quite believe Vili’s words.

According to Vili’s story, the ambusher must have had the skills of a Knight’s Squire. Vili was just a Hunter. How could he possibly have killed a Knight’s Squire in a fight?

Olay’s expression turned grim, his gaze toward Vili filled with suspicion.

"Have you studied close-quarters combat?"

Bamos, on the other hand, didn’t seem to doubt Vili. He had investigated Vili’s background and knew he came from an ordinary farmer’s family.

Vili answered calmly, "I’ve studied Fencing with my older brother, Sopps. Sopps is currently one of Lord Kels’s Personal Guards."

"You’re Sopps’s younger brother?" Upon hearing this, Olay’s hostility instantly vanished. He remembered Sopps—a young man with a real talent for Fencing. "Have you practiced Fencing in real combat situations yourself?"

"I have, but only against beasts. This was my first time fighting a person."

Vili was telling a half-truth. In reality, he had never used Fencing while hunting. He just had to come up with a reason to explain his practical Fencing experience.

Olay and Bamos exchanged a glance, both seeing the astonishment in the other’s eyes.

Practical application of Fencing requires immense aptitude to master on one’s own, without the guidance of an expert. Although his brother Sopps was talented, he was, after all, only a Junior Knight’s Squire and couldn’t have provided Vili with much help in practical Fencing. This meant that this young Hunter named Vili was actually a promising talent.

Bamos had already taken a liking to Vili, and now, a flicker of appreciation appeared in Olay’s eyes as well.

"Right, you said you found a noble’s crest on the man. Let me see it."

Bamos said suddenly.

Vili nodded and handed the metal crest from his pocket to Bamos.

Bamos took it, glanced at it, and his expression immediately turned to anger.

"This is the family crest of the Hugh Family!"

Bamos handed the crest to Olay.

When Vili heard "the Hugh Family," his heart skipped a beat. He had heard of this family before; it belonged to Baron Enton from the neighboring Blue Whale Town.

"If it’s the Hugh Family, then everything makes sense."

Olay’s expression was also grim. "The Lord Baron warned us to be wary of Baron Enton’s men infiltrating our territory, but it seems there was a breach after all. They’re here for the Snow Pattern Deer, too."

"But even if their men came, to take a Snow Pattern Deer from Bole Forest, they would have to pass through our territory in Diamond Town. If they did, they’d definitely be discovered. It doesn’t make any logical sense."

Bamos said, puzzled.