Chapter 55: Meeting
I slowly raised my hand and poked the Raven gently with my finger.
Poke again.
After poking it several times and getting no reaction—neither fear nor flight—it continued to stare at me in a daze. Only then did I feel relieved enough to start examining it.
The Raven was quite large, nearly the length of my forearm. Its feathers shone darkly, and at that moment, its two claws were firmly gripping my right shoulder while it tilted its head to gaze at me. Its eyes glowed a heart-pounding scarlet, clearly different from the black crows I remembered that symbolized d*ath, victory, and wisdom.
Besides, it just spoke and called my name…
So I pondered for a moment and attempted to talk to it, “Y-you can talk? You know who I am?”
After saying it, I felt a bit ridiculous.
Just a crow, and I’m asking it if it knows me… Am I still half asleep, or did I oversleep?
But it did respond.
“Caw—Caw—”
The Raven tossed its head back and squawked twice, then spread its wings nearly a meter wide, blocking my view completely.
It leaned its head closer to my face, its beak slightly parted.
Hmm? Do you want to say something to me?
I quickly leaned in, but suddenly felt a sharp pain in my forehead.
This bird actually pecked me twice!
“Ouch…”
I held my forehead with one hand and stared blankly at this audacious little creature… Am I imagining it, or does it seem a bit angry?
What are you angry about? I’m the one who should be upset here.
How dare you peck me… Should I steam you up for breakfast or roast you for a tastier flavor?
While I was mulling over how to spice up my morning meal, I suddenly noticed a rolled-up piece of paper tied to the Raven’s leg.
“Eh?”
I reached for it.
What’s this, a letter? A message delivered to Shanter Castle?
Crows in this world can deliver letters too?
I gently untied the knot, and the red-eyed Raven didn’t resist, allowing me to take the letter off.
Then I carefully opened it.
The paper was slightly yellowed and looked crinkled as if someone had scrunched it up, and there were a few dried bl**d stains on it.
I focused on the contents of the letter.
[Dear Father, Mother, Pasifal, and my dearest Little Princess Peilo:
Long time no see. I was overjoyed to hear that my sister has returned home, and my thoughts have already flown back to the Snow Mountain in Winter City ten years ago…]
Very polite small talk, you can tell who penned it from the salutation. But unfortunately, the letter was only half-written; for some reason, the rest remained unfinished, resembling an abandoned family letter without any substantial content.
However, at the bottom of the page, I noticed a distinctively different handwriting, scribbling a few lines:
[Lafael is with me. Come to Powell Street No. 1 before noon today to find me, and I will explain the details then. Remember to come alone, and don’t tell your father and mother, or you will never see your older brother again. —Your beloved Brother Edward.]
This letter was meant for me.
…What does this mean? Lafael has been captured? By whom? Edward… has he arrived? When did he get to Winter City!? Why hasn’t anyone noticed… What does he want? Where is Powell Street No. 1? Should I inform the Duke…
I felt a momentary confusion, but it lasted only about ten seconds before I calmed down.
Lafael… my brother. He was supposed to arrive today or tomorrow, but now it seems he’s already in Edward’s hands. He wants me to come alone… What could he want?
Regardless, the Duke needs to know about this…
No, wait.
If the Duke finds out, he will surely notify the Shanter Army to rescue him, which contradicts Edward’s plan. If Edward gets unhappy… And with a captain from a team being a traitor, who knows who else might leak information? The risk is too high; I cannot take that chance.
Although there’s a high probability this is a trap… I must go alone first, to play it safe.
Thinking of this made me unconsciously smile.
“Haha.”
Edward, are you really trying to use me to threaten someone? Why do I have to go alone and not the Duke… Is it because you think I’m silly, just like the old Peilo, easy to bully?
Fine then.
It’s time to do something for the Duke and the Lady.
“Caw—Pepé!”
“…”
What is this bird still doing here? Please, I have no time for you right now.
“Pepé—, Pepé—”
“Shut up, stupid bird.”
“…”
“…”
“Pepé—, idiot! Big dummy!”
“!!!”
It understands what I’m saying!?
And it can curse!?
I widened my eyes at the Raven and then raised my small hand, giving its head a slap.
“Caw—, caw—”
The Raven stumbled from the hit, flapping its wings and taking to the air, then it landed on my head and pecked me a few times—the moment I started to raise my hand again, it immediately shot up into the sky.
“Caw—”
Its hoarse cries gradually faded away.
…I’m not angry. I’m not angry. Lafael’s situation is urgent, and I still need to find Edward and give him a good thrashing. No reason to hold a grudge against a dumb bird, so I’m definitely not angry at all.
Taking a moment to calm down, I casually tossed away the ice shard.
I glanced around and saw no sign of the Hunter. I walked past the training ground, through the corridor, and back to the towering ramparts in front of the castle.
The guards at the main gate seemed to have doubled. Hoover’s robust figure stood out in the crowd, so I walked over to him.
“Uncle Hoover, good morning.”
Hoover turned his head upon hearing me.
“Oh, good morning, little Pepé. What’s this, are you going out?”
His eyes were red, looking as if he hadn’t slept well, and he appeared a bit haggard. Was he on night watch last night?
Strangely, Hoover was the captain of Team Three; he was supposed to be in charge of task distribution and shouldn’t really be on night watch… Whatever, now isn’t the time to ponder this.
Setting aside my confusion, I nodded gently at him.
“Yeah.”
“So early? Is there something urgent?”
After a brief consideration, I decided to lie.
“I have an urgent matter to find Carlos.”
Hoover looked skeptical.
“What’s so urgent? The Lady probably hasn’t even gotten up yet, and you haven’t eaten breakfast… Why not have something before you go?”
Suddenly recalling that I hadn’t eaten anything, I realized this wouldn’t do. How could I go on an empty stomach?
“Uncle Hoover, do you have something to eat?”
“Sure, just wait a moment.” He turned and walked into the fortress, soon returning with two warm loaves of bread, “They’re having breakfast in there, so take these.”
I took the loaves, wanting to say two aren’t enough… Forget it, have some dignity.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it, we’re all eating what the Duke gave us…” At that point, Hoover paused, “How about I go with you?”
No way was I letting him tag along; I quickly smiled and said, “No need. It’s a matter for the Church. I’ll be back soon.”
The Church’s business isn’t for everyone; Hoover knows my identity, so he had no reason to insist further and reluctantly nodded.
“Alright then.” He ordered the guards to open the gate and thought for a moment before adding, “Pepé, I know you’re strong, but you understand this is a special situation, so be careful.”
“Yeah.”
I waved at him, holding the two loaves that were larger than my face, took two big bites, and then slowly walked out of the castle.
