MISTRESS OF FLAME

CHAPTER 25

People flocked to the board when the soldier left, and one of those people was the old man walking on the street earlier. When a soldier put something on the announcement board in the middle of Ager City, it's always an important edict from the king.

The old man wanted to reach the announcement board, but he was too far away. There were too many people that he had to wait for his turn to be in front.

With the help of his cane, he walked and balanced himself every time he would accidentally be pushed by the crowd. Thankfully, a good-hearted man made a way for him toward the front.

Looking up at the announcement board, the old man saw five sketches and the word WANTED on top of them.

Seeing the five sketches, the old man dropped his cane in shock upon seeing one of the females on the sketch—the one holding a staff with a firestone—and the word Leader was written below it.

Trembling in shock and worry, the old man picked up his cane, left the announcement board, and went back to his house.

When he entered his house, he immediately made a paper bird and infused it with his essence while thinking of the person he wanted to give it to. And in a matter of seconds, the paper bird flapped its wings like it was alive and flew to the sky like how a real bird would.

♕♕♕

ESCAPING NOBLE'S HILL and traversing the barren land again, the group of five people were having an arduous time. Two of them were injured, and they didn't have a scout to clear the path for them and avoid beasts. As Sollel and Zassia assisted Cira and Grath, Hakken was in front, fighting the beasts that blocked their way. From time to time, Sollel would use her flame to defend, but the attacking was left to Hakken.

They did all that the whole day, and only when the night came did they rest behind two large boulders.

Sollel and Zassia laid their two injured companions on the makeshift bed.

After checking on the two, Grath only needed rest, but Cira was severely injured that Sollel couldn't control her flame from raging inside her. She left the boulder and distanced herself from everyone, and when she was finally alone, a scream filled with rage and agony came out from her mouth. Her flame burst out from her body, exploding all around her.

Zassia and Hakken, who were left in the boulder to look after Grath and Cira, saw the flame explosion, even from afar. They felt the heat of Sollel's flame.

"My lady..."

"Teacher..."

Hakken took a deep breath and looked at Zassia who had tears in her eyes. "Don't worry. She'll be fine. She's a strong woman."

Zassia dried her tears and smiled sadly. "People always say that when a strong woman is hurting, but that's still pain. Even the strongest wall crumbles. People are not an exemption to that however strong they are."

Hakken glanced at Sollel who's still surrounded by her flame. "I don't know what I can do...to lessen the pain she's feeling. She had been enduring her pain all alone. I feel like I'm not needed and that she can handle it on her own."

Zassia smiled at Hakken after realizing something. "You like her, don't you?"

Hakken chuckled while still looking at Sollel. "Is it that obvious?"

Zassia nodded. "Cira told me that they hired you in Ashmire. Well, my teacher is very charming. I don't blame you."

Hakken smiled. "She doesn't like me though."

Zassia blinked at Hakken. "She teases you a lot though."

"What?"

"She teases you a lot," Zassia said it like it should mean something.