Chapter 32: The Tiger’s Welcome

The Secluded Forest lay a short distance from Sirena Castle. Chloe and Xina reached it in under two hours of riding.

Serving as the natural boundary between Pannoria and Avros, the Secluded Forest offered the swiftest passage from one territory to the other, sparing travelers a lengthy detour through Lagaya. Yet, its depths teemed with peril, fierce beasts lurking in every shadow, a path only the most seasoned hunters dared to tread.

Lady Xina recounted how her father, keen to facilitate trade between the count’s territories, had once envisioned a road through the Secluded Forest. A dedicated team had been dispatched for the task, but they had never returned.

“This is it,” Tucker announced.

The hunter Tucker gestured towards the impenetrable forest before them. Lady Xina reined in her horse, and Chloe, seated behind her, leaned forward, eager to glimpse the legendary woods.

True to its name, the Secluded Forest exuded a palpable sense of oppression, its gloomy atmosphere closing in from all directions. A canopy of grey leaves completely obscured the sky, while swaying branches rustled softly, lending the place an air of quiet mystery.

‘Hmm… this looks truly ominous,’ Chloe thought, a shiver running down her spine. The place was utterly unnerving, as if any moment some monstrous creature might spring forth.

“Do not worry, I shall protect both of you ladies,” Xiao Nuoqi declared, puffing out his chest with youthful confidence. He had stepped into Norria’s shoes, now serving as Lady Xina’s chief guard.

Tucker had warned that tigers avoided large groups, necessitating a small, agile team. Though Xiao Nuoqi appeared diminutive, he was, at the very least, the most battle-hardened among the available guards.

“Initially, I sought out the baron who oversees this territory, but he dismissed my pleas, directing me instead to the Count of Pannoria,” Tucker explained respectfully. “To think that you two ladies would personally intervene—my gratitude knows no bounds.”

“Safeguarding the lives of our people is a lord’s sacred duty!” Lady Xina proclaimed, her expression resolute.

Chloe, too, harbored a keen interest in the tiger-taming girl, eager to meet her in person.

Furthermore, Chloe was determined to prevent any casualties during this mission. Should they encounter the tiger, she could, at the very least, serve as a meat shield, knowing she was impervious to death.

“We in Pannoria have at last been blessed with a benevolent lord who cherishes her people as her own,” Tucker choked out, his head bowed as tears welled and fell to the ground.

“Alright, alright, a true man doesn’t shed tears so easily!” Chloe said, patting Tucker’s head. “Now, lead the way!”

Tucker quickly wiped his eyes, then turned to guide the group into the Secluded Forest.

****

Within the Secluded Forest, the landscape mirrored other ancient woodlands. Trees grew wild and unchecked, insects glided through the air, birds circled amongst the branches, and emerald snakes writhed on the forest floor, flicking their crimson tongues with a soft hiss.

Unmarred by human presence, this place had forged its own distinct ecosystem. Such pristine, untouched forests were a rarity, even in Xia Ni’s era.

Tucker, clearly intimately familiar with the forest, expertly led them through the dense undergrowth. He pushed aside obstructing branches, kicked away loose rocks, and scaled small rises. Periodically, he would crouch to examine the tracks of wild beasts, then decisively alter their course.

Under Tucker’s seasoned guidance, they traversed the forest without encountering any ferocious creatures.

“How long have you hunted in these woods?” Chloe found herself asking. Tucker’s movements flowed with effortless grace, as if he were simply navigating his own home.

“Perhaps over ten years,” Tucker replied simply. “For us hunters, unfamiliarity with the terrain means becoming the prey ourselves.”

Chloe nodded, reassured. With Tucker at the helm, this mission promised to be straightforward. Their primary objective was merely to ascertain the girl’s identity; they might not even need to confront the tiger directly.

“Ahead lies the tiger’s hunting ground, everyone,” Tucker warned, his voice hushed. “Hold your breath and follow my lead. Tigers are accustomed to ambushing their prey from the shadows, so we must proceed with extreme caution.”

Tucker hunched low, his footsteps barely disturbing the fallen leaves, as he moved forward. The others silently mimicked his cautious advance.

They continued like this for nearly an hour, yet there was no sign of the tiger. Chloe’s legs were beginning to ache with numbness.

A perplexed expression settled on Tucker’s face. He murmured, “This should be the tiger’s feeding time, shouldn’t it? Why is there no trace of it?”

“Could it have gone out?” Lady Xina wondered aloud.

“Tigers aren’t people, you know…” Chloe muttered, a bead of sweat forming. “They typically remain within their habitat.”

Still, Chloe recalled reading that tigers could remain motionless for hours while ambushing prey. Could the tiger’s true target be…

A rustling sound emanated from the nearby tall grass, sending Chloe’s heart leaping into her throat. Lady Xina instinctively clutched Chloe tightly, while Tucker, poised with his bow, prepared to loose an arrow.

Yet, from the rustling foliage emerged not a beast, but Xiao Nuoqi, slowly approaching the anxious group.

“Why, it’s you!” Chloe exclaimed, her eyes wide with lingering shock as she stared at Xiao Nuoqi.

“I just… needed to relieve myself,” Xiao Nuoqi stammered, his face flushed with embarrassment.

“You could have simply gone anywhere!” Lady Xina retorted, glaring at Xiao Nuoqi with irritation. “You nearly scared me to death!”

“It wouldn’t have been appropriate in front of you two ladies,” Xiao Nuoqi mumbled, his face reddening further.

“Never mind,” Chloe sighed, a wave of relief washing over her. “Just don’t leave the team without permission again.” She had genuinely feared Xiao Nuoqi had been carried off by the tiger.

Tucker lowered his bow, shifting his gaze forward. Chloe’s legs, having reached their limit, gave out, and she sank abruptly to the ground, inadvertently crushing a branch with a sharp *snap*. ‘The tiger is probably asleep anyway,’ she reasoned. ‘A little noise won’t matter.’

Suddenly!

In that precise instant, a blur of yellow and white burst from the tall grass. It charged towards Chloe with lightning speed. Chloe scrambled to her feet, only to see a gaping, blood-stained maw snap shut around her, yanking her clear off the ground.

Tucker whirled around, drawing his bowstring taut, but it was already too late. The tiger, with Chloe clutched in its jaws, had vanished back into the dense undergrowth.

“CHLOE!!!!!!” Lady Xina shrieked, her voice a raw, tearing sound.

“We must pursue it quickly!” Tucker urged. “With Lady Chloe in its mouth, the tiger can’t have gone far.” He prepared to sprint, only to realize Lady Xina was already dozens of meters ahead.

“Let’s go!” Xiao Nuoqi called to Tucker, and together they raced after Lady Xina.

****

Chloe felt a rough, wet sensation on her face. Opening her eyes, she found herself staring at an enormous feline, its tongue freely licking her cheek.

No, not just a big cat. This was undeniably… a tiger! The distinct ‘王’ character etched upon its forehead unequivocally proclaimed its status as the king of the forest.

‘Oh, I’m utterly doomed! I’m going to be the tiger’s next meal!’

“Simon, how many times must I tell you not to attack humans?”

A melodious female voice drifted from nearby. At the sound, the tiger immediately retracted its tongue and moved away from Chloe.

Chloe pushed herself up, witnessing a bizarre scene: the tiger sat docilely beside a beautiful, brown-haired girl. The girl gently stroked the beast’s head, a sight so surreal it made Chloe question if she was truly in the waking world.

“Let me see what you’ve caught, Simon,” the girl cooed. “A little beauty?”

The girl’s azure eyes fixed on Chloe. She licked her lips, her face alight with a strange delight, before breaking into a sweet smile.

“Hello there,” she chimed. “My name is Anna.”