“Did he just kiss me on the lips?” Faith wondered, her cheeks turning red after Anon’s audacious act.

Throughout her life, Faith had encountered many men, but Anon stood apart from them all. He possessed a unique charm, intelligence, and the physical prowess to achieve his goals. He was, in her eyes, the perfect man.

Suddenly, Faith snapped out of her reverie and assessed the situation. “Oh, hell… I totally forgot he was a prisoner. I can’t allow a prisoner to escape. Jule, you colossal idiot,” she muttered, withdrawing a small dagger from her waist belt and pointing it toward her own stomach.

Gritting her teeth, she plunged the dagger into her abdomen.

Chek

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhh…” Faith cried out as the dagger penetrated her, her painful shriek echoing.

Screeeechhh

All the carriages came to an immediate halt, and the elf soldiers disembarked, rushing to Faith’s carriage.

“Commander, are you alright?” one of the female soldiers inquired, entering the carriage and noticing the dagger embedded in Faith’s abdomen.

“Oh, **, I need healing potions. Get me some healing potions,” the elf soldier urgently requested of her companions.

“Yes, ma’am,” one of them responded and hurried to retrieve the healing potions.

“Ma’am, did he do this? Was it that boy, ma’am?” the elf soldier inquired, her expression seething with anger.

“Yes… Ahhh… damn, it hurts,” Faith pretended, observing the elf soldier.

“Soldiers, capture that man immediately and kill him on sight,” the elf soldier commanded.

“Yes, ma’am,” the soldiers chorused.

“Wait… we need him alive,” Faith murmured in a soft but audible tone.

“But, ma’am… he tried to kill you,” the elf soldier protested.

“Ma’am, here is the healing potion,” one of the elf soldiers said, handing the healing potion to her.

“Here, ma’am, drink this; you’ll feel better,” another elf soldier offered, passing Faith the healing potion.

Chek

Suddenly, the elf soldier gripped the dagger’s hilt and yanked it out.

“Ahhh… Fuck. At least give me a warning when you’re about to do that,” Faith yelled, feeling her wound rapidly mend thanks to the healing potion, although the pain of the abrupt dagger removal still throbbed.

“I’m sorry, ma’am,” the elf soldier quickly apologized.

“We need that guy alive. I will personally present him before the Royal court,” Faith declared, her expression resolute.

“Yes, ma’am,” the elf soldier replied.

“Everyone, find him and bring him back alive,” the elf soldier ordered the other soldiers.

“Yes, ma’am,” the soldiers promptly dispersed to search for Anon.

“Ma’am, there’s something I don’t understand,” the elf soldier said, looking at Faith.

“What is it?” Faith inquired as she stood up.

“How did he manage to stab you? Wasn’t he tied up with the magic-sealing rope?” the elf soldier asked.

“He was, but somehow he broke free,” Faith explained.

“What? He broke an unbreakable rope?” the elf soldier questioned in disbelief.

“Are you implying that I allowed him to escape and stabbed myself on purpose to make it seem like he fled?” Faith countered with a very angry expression and loud tone.

‘Well, the dagger part is true but i had to save my reputation as well.’ Faith thought as she continued to look at The elf soldier in anger.

“N-No, ma’am, I’m so sorry. Please forgive me,” the elf soldier hastily apologized.

“Good, now go and find him,” Faith ordered. 𝘦𝘯.𝘰𝘳𝘨

“Yes, ma’am,” the soldier acknowledged before heading off to search for Anon.

Once Faith exited the carriage, she surveyed her surroundings and sensed that something was amiss.

“What?” Faith murmured, retrieving the letter Anon had given her and studying the location mentioned on it.

“This place is on the other side of the Kingdom. Why did he jump out here? This doesn’t make any sense—” Then, a realization struck her.

“Oh, **. I have to stop him. Everyone, return to your carriages. I know exactly where he went,” Faith ordered.

“Ma’am, is something wrong ? Did you found him ?” The elf soldier asked with a confused expression.

“No, but I may know where we can find him. So, get in the carriage.” Faith ordered.

“Yes, ma’am,” the elf soldiers obeyed, returning to their carriages.

On the other side, Anon stood in front of a grand mansion, painted in red and yellow hues, with two imposing golden lion statues flanking its entrance.

“Well, well… if we’re going to play the family-for-family game, why not involve your family as well, Mr. Ares?” Anon remarked, his tone wicked and a psychotic smile gracing his lips.

Anon began walking toward the mansion but abruptly noticed over five guards at the outer gates.

Additionally, ten to twelve guards safeguarded the main entrance of the mansion.

“Hmm… it seems it’s time to hunt some bastards, right, mate?” Anon inquired, glancing at Gin.

Woof-Woof

Gin barked twice, prepared to transform into his true form at a moment’s notice.

With both hands in his pockets, Anon continued toward the mansion.

?? There lived a certain man… in Russia long ago. He was big and strong, in his eyes a flaming glow.??

Anon started singing the Ballad of Irina as he strolled toward the elven guards who were engrossed in conversation and laughter.

As he reached the entrance, the guards immediately halted him.

“Who the hell are you, kid? Do you even know who this mansion belongs to?” one of the guards, wearing a disdainful expression, confronted Anon.

Anon remained silent, as did Gin, awaiting his master’s order to transform into his original form and eliminate these guards at a single command.

?? But when his drinking and his lusting and his hunger for power became known to more and more people… the demands to do something about this outrageous man grew louder and louder. ??

Anon continued to sing, gazing at the ground.

“What’s this guy talking about?” one of the guards asked, chuckling.

“I have no idea. He’s talking about drinking and lusting… I think he’s drunk. Let’s toss him out of here before the master sees him,” another guard suggested.

“Yeah, you’re right,” the remaining guards agreed, seizing Anon’s shoulders.

“HUNT,” Anon ordered.