Rathlands [Monster Hunter] [ENG]

Chapter 3 (Khryselios & Rakurai POV)

- H-H ... How ...?!

The King of the Rathlands refrained himself from bursting into tears, clenching his teeth.

"Don't give in. Do not break in front of one of my subjects, else my person will be discredited ..." He ordered himself mentally, shocked by the news he've just been fed.

The messenger in front of him, nervous, bowed her head, avoiding the almost pathetic sight of her sovereign. Uncomfortable, she snapped her tail pincer several times. Then she took a slow breath, and repeated slowly :

- Your daughter is dead, my Lord ... The convoy was attacked near the Rakurian border this morning ... No witnesses. The driver and the guards were all killed.

He couldn't believe it. He couldn't hear this.

" It's impossible. ... It is not possible ! » He roared inwardly.

- Tourmaline ... My dear Tourmaline is ... the king murmured in a hushed voice.

The Astalos refrained from repeating her remarks, and remained silent. Khryselios hardly regained his calm, remaining relatively stunned and dismayed.

- Who ... Who could have compromised this marriage? It was a promise of peace !

This time, the spy had to answer him, even if he wasn't really listening to her.

- I'm not sure, your Majesty. Maybe Rathien rebels ? We count about a hundred revolutionaries in all the kingdom.

The Silver Rathalos gave her a fierce look for a moment, then plunged back into thought, pacing.

- No ... It is not credible. Civilians, even armed, would not have succeeded in killing four soldiers trained and protected by armors ... Even with ten against one. It cannot be a traitor, because we all know that we must obtain this peace... He thought, gesturing his wings, as if to illustrate his words.

- The bodies were found lacerated, like a blade would do. The precision of the cut wounds makes us think that an assassin could be behind all this, the dragonfly-like wyvern specified.

- However, no kingdom or state could wish for the death of my daughter! the King of the Rathlands snarled.

"It's simply unthinkable ... Where would this murderer come from ? And who, by extension, would be willing to resume this war ? "

- Unless ... the female soldier thought aloud.

- What do you suggest as another hypothesis, Astalian?

The so-called Astalian wiggled from one leg to the other, hesitant.

- Well ... maybe it's a provocation ... from Rakurai.

Khryselios's eyes widened, bewildered.

"On one hand, it could make sense ... But would Rakuraï be so deceitful ? To the point of wanting to dishonor myself by planning the murder of my eldest daughter ? After asking me to offer her as a tribute for peace? To better crush us then ? A real Nordic would not do such a thing ... But it's the only possible explanation ... By the two Lions ... How would he dare ... "

- No exploitable trace to find this cursed criminal ? the silver Rathalos asked, bitter.

- Search for clues is still underway around the area, but I'm afraid we're dealing with a professional, the spy replied.

- So be it. Until we have proof, I declare the Rakurai Empire guilty of this murder, the sovereign scolded.

The female Astalos looked up quickly. Her crest shivered with anxiety.