The Phantom Eagle Clan's young chief's strategy, Gana's doubts

"Why is it so noisy outside? What happened?"

Late at night, inside the Phantom Eagle Clan chief's cave, Gana frowned at the clamor outside as she read a magic tome by lamplight. Just as she was about to summon the guards stationed outside the cave and ask what was going on—

A series of wingbeats sounded, and then she saw Third Elder Engqi rush inside, panic written all over her face.

As though she had just escaped some unspeakable danger, Engqi looked terrified and horrified. She had not even had time to wipe the blood from her body and looked utterly wretched. Why was Engqi in such a state?

Had something gone wrong with tonight's hunt?

Wait, why haven't I seen Famu? Even if the hunt failed, she should have returned with Engqi to report! Realizing something was wrong, Gana suddenly felt a powerful sense of foreboding. Her expression turned grave as she immediately asked:

"Engqi, where is Famu? Why didn't she come back with you?"

"C-Chief, Her Highness Famu... Her Highness Famu died in battle."

"What?!"

The instant she heard those words, Gana's vision darkened, and her head spun.

She had never imagined that the daughter who had been wheedling and cuddling in her arms just hours ago could die in battle so soon. But after little more than ten seconds, she recovered and turned a grim gaze on Engqi, who knelt before her, too afraid to raise her head. She spoke each word distinctly. "Tell me what happened. Everything. Do not hide a single detail!"

Twenty minutes later, after listening to Engqi's report inside the chief's cave, Gana showed no anger at all. Instead, her face was unnaturally calm, like a pool of stagnant water. But anyone who looked closely at her eyes would have found them brimming