Tides of the Times

Sifa entered the dining room, where a servant had already pulled out a chair for him and helped him take his seat.

He nodded to his parents before turning to his younger brother and sister with a smile.

Bison looked at his daughter after speaking. "Belle, I heard from your mother that you've been learning to dance lately?"

The bright, beautiful blonde girl nodded slightly. "I'm learning the Ancient Elven Dance, the most popular dance at court right now."

Bison laughed heartily. "Wonderful. Once you've learned it, I hope to be the first audience member."

Helibel's smile blossomed. "Sure~"

Bison said sentimentally, "Not long ago, a friend serving in the navy told me that our kingdom's navy has acquired an ironclad."

"It's a steel warship capable of overturning an era. With it, pirates will have a much harder time in the future. Incidents like the one Sifa encountered should become much rarer at sea."

"I can feel it. The tides of the times are surging in."

Sifa raised his glass, the red liquid inside swaying gently. He smiled. "Then Father will surely stand at the crest of that tide."

Bison laughed. "Let's hope so."

He raised his glass and clinked it with Sifa's from across the table.

The blonde girl beside them rolled her eyes and muttered, "Bootlicker," then gracefully dabbed her lips with a napkin and stood. "I'm done eating. Enjoy yourselves."

Little Jom across from her jumped up as well. "Me too."

He quickly climbed down from his chair and caught his second sister's hand by the door. "Belle, where's my wooden horse?"

"It'll be delivered tomorrow. But if you want this gift, you have to promise me one thing."

Jom took two steps back, fear written all over his face. "You don't want me to taste-test your pastries again, do you?"

Helibel planted her hands on her hips. "What kind of expression is that? What's wrong with the pastries I make?"

The little boy dashed out like a wisp of smoke. "Even dogs won't eat your pastries! If you want me to taste-test them, I'd rather not have the gift!"

"Jom! Get back here!"

The furious girl chased after him.

A burst of relaxed laughter rang through the dining room.

Seeing that only his parents remained, Sifa cleared his throat. "Father, I'd like to discuss something with you."

Bison cut off a small piece of fried lamb chop from his plate and put it into his mouth. "What is it?"

Sifa glanced apologetically at his mother before speaking. "This afternoon, I went hunting with Leon and the others on Awwabergen Mountain. We encountered a pack of wolves in the mountains."

"Sifa."

Just as he expected, his mother Enilu gave him a reproachful look upon hearing that he had done something so dangerous. "How could you do something so dangerous?"

"I'm sorry."

Sifa knew her reproach came from concern. "But because of that, I discovered some unusual things. First, those wild wolves were larger and more vicious. The hunters had never seen beasts like them before."

"Besides that, we were attacked by something. Please forgive me, but I can't describe it accurately. Although it displayed some human characteristics, I don't think that face could be called human."

Sifa briefly described what he had seen, then said, "Unfortunately, I only drove it away and didn't kill it. I think that dangerous thing might be connected to several bloody cases in town."

"I think the 'murderer' I encountered near Memorial Square a few days ago was very similar to the monster we encountered tonight."

Bison and his wife quickly exchanged a glance. Then he said, "Very good, Sifa. After something like this happened, you came to discuss it with us rather than handling it alone. You did well in that regard."

"As for this matter, I hope you'll stop here. This isn't something a baron's son should be facing, at least not yet."

"Since you suspect that a monster is roaming our town, it should be left to professionals. Tomorrow, I'll visit Kaoxi. They'll handle it properly."

Leave it to the police? Oh, right. I remember every county has a special police unit, a squad made up of Beyonders. Desi County must have one too.

Report this to the police department, then have Chief Kaoxi report it to the county police headquarters, which will send 'professionals' to investigate and deal with it?

Sifa nodded inwardly. It was indeed a good solution, and one befitting the way nobles handled things.

Enilu suggested, "Sifa, go find your sister later and have her draw what the 'murderer' looked like. Your father can take it to Chief Kaoxi tomorrow."

"Belle?"

Sifa frowned slightly. "I'm worried it might frighten her."

Enilu replied with a smile, "Don't worry. She's braver than you imagine. You'll find that out soon enough."

"All right."

After dinner, Sifa came to his sister's room. Faint sobbing could be heard from inside, as if someone were crying.

Sifa curled his fingers and knocked on the door. "Belle, are you there?"

The door opened quickly. A black-haired, blue-eyed girl about Sifa's age stood there, with gentle features and a little baby fat still on her face. She was Helibel's personal maid; Sifa remembered her name was Aria.

"Mr. Sifa." Aria took two steps back. "Miss Belle went to find young master Jom. She hasn't returned yet."

Sifa nodded slightly. "Then I'll wait for her here."

He entered the room and sat on the sofa. Sifa curiously glanced at the maid and noticed that her eyes were red, with tears still not fully wiped from the corners. He wondered what had happened to her.

Aria asked respectfully, "Mr. Sifa, would you like black tea or coffee?"

"Black tea," Sifa answered casually.

The maid soon brought him a cup of black tea, but she seemed distracted. She tripped over the carpet, sending both herself and the cup flying.

"Careful!"

Sifa sprang up from the sofa. With a Hunter's agility, he caught Aria before she fell.

Of course, he had no time to worry about the cup of black tea.

"Are you all right?" Sifa helped her back to her feet.

Before Aria could reply, someone called out, "Sifa, what are you doing here?"

Helibel had returned. Her gaze moved back and forth between Sifa and Aria as she strode over, grabbed her personal maid—who was half a head taller than herself—and pulled her behind her.

"Sifa, what are you trying to do to Aria?"

Believe me, sis, I was just doing a good deed. What bad intentions could I possibly have? Seeing her expression, Sifa knew his sister had misunderstood.

It couldn't be helped. His "reputation" preceded him.

"Miss Belle, I nearly fell just now. Mr. Sifa only helped me up," Aria hurriedly explained.

Helibel glanced at her and gave a soft snort through her nose. "It had better be that."

"What are you here for?" This question was directed at Sifa.

Sifa smiled. "I'd like to ask you for a favor."

"No! I'm busy!" The blonde girl turned her face away and looked aside.

That was a very decisive answer. Sifa had no choice but to bring out his trump card. "Mother sent me. She hopes you can help me draw a picture."

Helibel looked surprised. "Mother? Well, all right. But you have to do something for me."

Sifa hurriedly said, "As long as it doesn't involve taste-testing strange things, I can promise you anything."

"Sifa!"

The room echoed with the indignant cry of the noble girl.

PS: I finally mailed out the contract. The status should probably be changed on Monday.