“Why are you doing this…I have done nothing to you or your people.”

“No…but someone did…and blood will be met with blood.”

“You know…you know my Clan will not allow you to live…it’s…it’s not too late to stop.”

“An Infernal begging for their life? Never thought I’d see the day.”

“Begging? No…this is a warning…millions will die. Is that what you really want?”

“Millions of Infernals will die. You are correct there. You have talked enough, your feet have finally grown back, which means it’s feeding time.”

“AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!”

- The death that sparked a Multiversal War between The Igalarian Swarm and the Infernals.

I honestly didn’t know what else to call this thing. It was honestly just an oversize rabbit. We saw a few of them running around the forest. These large rabbits are about the size of a dog. They were really weird to look at.

They didn’t have any abilities like the Electric Horn Wolf or the Sunspot Deer whose antlers got really hot at the tips. No, they were just really big rabbits. Well apart from the fact they were about as strong as someone in the 3rd Cycle of Body Tempering then yeah, they were just big rabbits.

Now I have no genuine experience with gutting, skinning, and draining an animal but Frian did. So, after he gave essentially gave me a live lesson on how to do all of that, we quickly made a fire which was simple enough and cut the rabbit up in pieces to cook.

“So, tell me again how school worked for you, and how you were able to reach the peak of Qi Refinement at your age.”

“Yes Patriarch. In the territory we lived in, school was mandatory from 5 until the age of 15 and everyone took the same classes. We were taught how to read, write, fight, survive, and various other things like math or history. They don’t teach cultivation in school, but instead we were taught by our parents and Elder Zal.”

“Hm, so are all kids your age around your level? And if you have to stay till 15, how were you and your brother allowed to leave.”

“I’m not sure about either Patriarch. I only know of the kids in school or those who lived close by, and there was a large variety among their cultivations, and I believe my parents or maybe Elder Zal did something.”

“I see…and does that mean not everyone works super hard to get higher in their cultivation?”

“…I’m not sure Patriarch. I’m sorry.”

“Ah don’t apologize it’s okay if you don’t know. That kind of answers my question anyway.”

We sat in silence for a while after that.

Just eating the rabbit.

Ah. It’s good.

It could definitely use some seasoning, but it’s good.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Though…if it’s this good without seasoning, then I can already see a few commissions for the rabbit popping up in the Adventures Guild. Just gotta make sure they aren’t overhunted.

Anway, we’ve rested here enough.

“Do you need to sleep?”

“No Patriarch.”

We cleaned up the area then continued to walk through the forest but there wasn’t much else to see. And although I didn’t tell Richard when exactly I’d be back, I didn’t plan on being gone for a significant time either. There will be time for that later.

Nothing else really bothered us as we traversed the forest in the darkness of night. Well, a few purple owl-looking birds kept following us, but they weren’t bothering us, so we paid them no mind.

Eventually the end of the forest was in sight and once we made it out, I paused my steps.

We were back to just seeing grass and open land for the most part, and there were a few groups of trees that were too small to be called a forest, but the real star of the show was the lake and the river it was connected to. There was a massive lake more than just a few miles away I think and in the distance behind it I could see mountains that seemed to be covered in lush greenery. It was dark but I could see a lot clearer in the dark than I could a few months ago. The lake was connected to a river the ran from the north and all the way down to the south.

Anyway, all of that was nice, but there was something else I saw.

Smoke.

Coming from the other side of the lake towards the right, or I guess the north? I could see smoke.

Hm.

I couldn’t quite see the camp or fire, or whatever was emitting the smoke as it was obscured by trees, but there was definitely smoke.

What to do, what to do.

If they are humans, then that could go a few different ways, but if it was hostile race of monsters intelligent enough to start fires like Goblins for example that could be an issue in and of itself.

Alright.

I have already been away for a day; this is good enough.

No need to press the issue and risk running into something I’m not ready for. I won’t forget having the to fight that Goblin in the Tutorial. The one who likely would’ve killed me and everyone with me if I wasn’t an Infernal.

I scouted the forest closest to us, discovered the rich taste of Great Rabbits, and found a source of fresh water, along with signs of an intelligent species. I’d say that’s good enough for an initial scouting trip.

I’ll pass this information on to Richard and let him handle it from there.

Maybe I should make him a Prime Minister or something.

Though that doesn’t sound quite right.

We’ll figure it out.

“Frian, lets go back.”

“Yes Patriarch.”

We immediately turned around and headed back towards the City. It was still dark outside, and the purple owl-like birds still kept following us as we traversed the forest. Should I just name it a Purple Owl? Or maybe that’s too lazy…Well I don’t have to name everything. Great Rabbit was bad enough. Someone else can take care of the purple owls.

Anyway, we weren’t really in a rush, so it took us a couple hours to exit the forest and to be able to see the City Walls.

I can get used to coming home to this view.

Moving on, both Frian and I made it into the City mostly without interference, as the guards at the gate did greet us. Not that we were trying to hide in the first place.

As we walked in, heading in the direction of the City Lord Mansion, I noticed the quietness of the City. There was hardly anyone moving about for the most part. This continued until we reached the streets that signified, we reached the market and shop area of the city.

There were quite a few people moving about, and apart from a few hushed conversations and the sounds of people moving and carrying items from one place to another it was still generally quiet.

I looked on for a bit, then continued on my way.

I wondered why they were up so late but I’m sure Richard will inform me in the morning.

Anyway, we eventually made it back to the City Lord Mansion only to find Lirian waiting just outside the door.

“Welcome back Patriarch.”

“Thank you, but did you not sleep?”

“I was cultivating Patriarch.”

I see…well Frian was still ready to go so I guess it’s expected that Lirian would be too.

“I see…did anything happen while I was gone?”

“A few things Patriarch. Though Richard asked me to leave a report he wrote on your desk; it should contain the major things that happened today.”

A whole report?

I didn’t even think of asking for something like that.

“Alright thank you for taking care of things while I was gone. Frian make sure to tell your brother about everything we saw and did.”

“Understood Patriarch.”

Both of them went off to one of their rooms, and I went to the office.

On my desk was a three-page report…

Ah man.