"What? Why is she going as well, Father?" Axue could not control the distortion in her face. It did not make sense to her why the wastrel, Theta, was given the task to accompany the expedition team!

Madam Rea, who was busy sending Theta a death glare, was about to support her daughter's question when General Ronin beat her to it.

General Ronin frowned before he asked Axue in a tone full of dominance. "Are you questioning my decision, Axue? Why don't you lead the expedition team as well?"

Axue's face turned red.

Madam Rea immediately intercepted. It was unfair for Axue to be scolded in front of the elders and the servants when her daughter only asked why a malnourished vixen joined the team!

"Husband, do not be angry at Axue. She is just concerned about the team's glory and progress. Theta is a sickly child. I mean, look at her!" She pointed at the sixteen-year-old girl clad in a thin black dress who was standing a step closer to the servants.

"Glory? What glory? Theta is also my daughter. Why will she bring shame to the expedition time?"

Axue bit the insides of her cheek to stop herself from screaming. Her nails dug into her palms, drawing out blood from her force. She was itching to scratch Theta's face.

"Alright, Axue, Mother. Theta will not be a hindrance since she will be with the cargo to manage them. We will not endanger the team and even her since she will not be fighting on the frontline. More people on our side is good since the competition there will be tight," said Lexin with a matter-of-fact tone.

Lexin, who knew that things were not going well with his mother and sister, interrupted the scene to ease their father's fury. He knew that their father was in a bad mood ever since knowing that all the other five-pillar families were also going to the expedition site even though the place was located inside the Mariyah Clan's territory.

General Ronin could not say no since the king caught wind of the information about the inheritance even when the news about it was blocked by the Mariyah Household tightly.

But sadly their efforts were futile since the greedy fat king still discovered it and eventually coveted it for himself; hence, the pompous king gave the other pillars permission to go there in the name of the king. Either way, it was still the loss of the Mariyah Household and the gain of the other great families.

Madam Rea got the message that came with a warning from her eldest son's eyes so she tugged Axue's pink-colored robe. With a forced smile, she glanced at Theta who remained calm even when the commotion started because of her.

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"Do not worry. I will make sure that Theta is safe and sound while the others are finding the treasures left behind by ancient mages."

"Enough of this! Let us head out before the Karjah Household gains a foothold before us! That will bring shame to our family." General Ronin glared at his sons and the elders. "Remember, this inheritance belongs to us! Accidents tend to happen in this kind of site so you know what you have to do."

Everyone knew what the patriarch of the Mariyah Clan meant. If the outsiders obstruct them from claiming the inheritance, dying by 'accident' would immediately happen to those outsiders.

Theta Mariyah, who walked behind the legitimate children due to Madam Rea's servants blocking the way, secretly grinned. Her violet eyes were full of ridicule. She knew that her father did not get angry because of her contrary to what Axue believed. For her, General Ronin was only finding faults around him to blow some steam since everything was not going his way.

FINE WAR HORSES lined up each for legitimate children alongside General Ronin and his elders. Madam Rea, who was treated by her eldest son greatly, was now standing before a luxurious carriage and was waiting for her husband to finish his speech.

On the other hand, Theta, who was technically a child of the Mariyah Clan's main family, was about to sit inside a worn-down wagon filled with livestock that would be used for consumption.

After all, the road to the location where the inheritance appeared was near the borders of the Amina Kingdom and the Lykus Empire – it was the farthest part and the most barren one among all the Mariyah Clan's territories.

"Where do you think you are going? Squirming like a rat that you are." A threatening voice erupted beside Theta's ear, stopping the latter from her intention to take a seat inside the wagon.

"Third Brother, what brings you here?" As usual, Theta's head was hanging low – unable to meet Chehin's glare. Her voice was meek and her small fingers fidgeted before her.

Even after seeing Theta's situation, the servants of the Mariyah Household around her chose to shift their gazes elsewhere.

With her back still against the renowned tyrant of the Mariyah Household, her red hair was pulled toward him. "Who's your third brother, huh, you bitch!"

"Aah!"

Theta's painful scream was music for Chehin's ears. His sadistic grin grew bigger and his grip around her bun tightened drastically. And so, Chehin pulled her hair which resulted in Theta falling backward – straight onto Chehin's chest.

"Get off me, bitch!" Chehin's voice was filled with disgust. He immediately pushed Theta to the ground as he took a step back. His youthful face was contorted. Chehin stomped his right foot on Theta's left hand as the latter was sprawled on the ground. "Mark my words! If I see you lurking in my way during the expedition, you will die without even knowing the reason why you die!"

Chehin did not wait for Theta to cry. He was too afraid that she would pass her uselessness to him so dashed away from the group of servants.

His face was red with fury from the mere thought that she had touched him so he failed to notice the red substance sprayed around his sleeves and chest.

"Are you alright?" A young servant girl asked Theta but did not dare to give the latter a hand to help her stand up.

With her messy red hair obstructing the view of the servants around her, they did not see the wicked smile on Theta's face as her amethyst eyes dimmed while she watched the silhouette of Chehin.

'The road to the site will be fun!' Theta gave a genuine smile while she sat in the wagon. She could not wait to enter the Valley of Trials and see the face of Chehin being tormented.