?Chapter 9: The Journey and the Ambush

  ?The morning of the departure for the royal capital, Eritineos, began with what Ren loathed most in his new life: the "Heartthrob Protocol." Elisa Merist seemed to have a sacred mission to transform him into a noble fashion icon before breakfast was even served. It took sixty minutes of silk adjustments, luggage organizing, and the meticulous choosing of an outfit that was, in her words, "worthy of an encounter with royalty."

  ?"It’s going to be days in a carriage, woman... why all this pomp? If a bandit shows up, I’ll be fighting looking like a wedding cake topper," Ren grumbled in his thoughts as he was finally released for his morning activities.

  ?The following three hours were spent in Ren’s sanctuary: the library. This time, he wasn't alone. Kael and Leon joined him, seeking the comfort of brotherhood before the long journey. To help Leon with his heavy load of economic studies, Ren decided to introduce a "new" concept: the Law of Supply and Demand. He explained the method as if it were something he had deduced by observing his father’s projects in the office, maintaining his child prodigy disguise.

  ?Leon and Kael were flabbergasted. The logic was flawless.

  ?"Ren, you need to talk to Dad about this! It’s revolutionary," Leon exclaimed.

  ?"No, Leon. You use it. Say you thought of it while studying. I prefer to stay with my books," Ren replied, passing the ball to his brother so he could gain favor with the Marquess.

  ?The conversation shifted when Kael mentioned a theoretical discovery: high-level mages with profound knowledge of anatomy would be capable of regenerating lost limbs.

  ?"If they can regenerate organs, Kael... what would the bill for that cure look like? An arm and a leg? Or maybe just a kidney?" Ren threw out the question with the acidic irony of someone who knew the black market of his past life.

  ?The brothers laughed, though Kael was surprised that Ren knew organ trafficking was a real, inhumane practice, mentioned only in obscure books. Kael was brilliant, but his innocence prevented him from suspecting his younger brother’s "readings."

  ?To close the morning, the group headed to the training courtyard. Maya was already waiting for them, holding a wooden sword with a smile that didn't match the "playfulness" of the occasion. The tournament was split: Maya against Kael, and Leon against Ren.

  ?Maya’s combat was terrifying. She moved with a fluidity that hummed of an elite assassin. Her eyes changed; the "actress" gave way to the predator, disarming Kael in less than three minutes.

  ?Then, it was Ren and Leon’s turn. The heir advanced with magnificent technique, but Ren didn't play by the rules of fencing. He studied Leon’s posture and, at the moment of impact, ignored the blades. Ren used his brother’s own forward momentum, grabbed his arm, and applied a perfectly executed Judo throw, slamming Leon to the ground and pointing the wooden tip at his throat.

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  ?"He expected a duel of gentlemen. I delivered a containment combat," Ren thought.

  ?The final duel, Ren against Maya, was the climax. Ren held his sword like a Katana, using the technical aggressiveness of a Brazilian fac?ozeiro (machete fighter). He tried to nullify her guard, parrying the tip of Maya's sword to a 60-degree angle to clear a path for a finishing strike. But Maya simply "broke" the laws of physics. She activated supernatural speed, dodged the blow Ren was certain would connect, and reappeared with her sword at his throat.

  ?"What the hell was that? I was about to take her head off!" Ren thought, genuinely shocked.

  ?Arthur and Iris watched everything from a bench while the family’s head butler served coffee. Arthur looked indignant that Ren had lost to "Iris’s project," while the mama bear hugged her daughter:

  ?"That’s my girl! As beautiful and powerful as your mother. You’ll be the strongest in the family, won't you, princess?"

  ?"Yes, Mommy!" Maya replied with radiant joy. "I’ll protect my brothers and I’ll still break many hearts, Mommy!"

  ?Iris laughed with pride, but the aura emanating from the two of them was so overwhelming that the survival instinct of the family’s men screamed in unison. Marquess Arthur, Leon, Kael, and Ren immediately retreated in search of cover. The movement was choreographed by fear: they all tried to hide behind the head butler, seeking protection in the employee's stoic figure. However, the butler himself, sensing that not even his dignity would save him from that duo, had already dove behind the nearest tree. The result was a comical and desperate single-file line, with the Valerius nobles piled behind a butler who, in turn, was trying to fuse with the tree trunk to avoid being noticed.

  ?The departure for Eritineos occurred shortly after. The caravan was imposing: four carriages and an escort of 80 soldiers. It would be five days and four nights on the road.

  ?On the third day, as they passed near a large village, the scenery changed. Villagers were running in desperation.

  ?"Slave traders! They’re burning everything!" a refugee shouted.

  ?Marquess Arthur, guided by his sense of duty, ordered a rapid advance. He and Iris, being the most powerful combatants, leaped from the carriages and ran ahead to intercept the bandits. The carriages tried to keep up, but the group became dispersed.

  ?That was when the enemy's plan revealed itself.

  ?A violent crack echoed from the rear of the fourth carriage—the one carrying Ren and Leon. The vehicle jolted and came to a grinding halt. Ren jumped out and analyzed the damage: the wheel spoke hadn't broken from wear; it had been shattered by a precision shot.

  ?He looked around and felt a chill down his spine. They were isolated. The Marquess and Iris were too far away. From the other carriages, only 20 soldiers had remained behind with them.

  ?"Leon! This was sabotage. The wheel was sniped!" Ren shouted.

  ?Leon reacted instantly.

  ?"Guards! Guard formation around the carriage! Now!"

  ?Before the order was even completed, the sky was cut by arrows. The first volley was lethal: seven guards fell before even raising their shields. Ren retreated to the back of the carriage with five soldiers, while Leon took the front line with the remaining eight.

  ?From the shadows of the vegetation, the danger emerged. Fifty mercenaries advanced with a silent fury. There were no battle cries or demands for surrender, only the gleam of steel and the green reflection of potions on their belts. Ren ashed his teeth; they had been separated and surrounded.

  ?The snake wasn't just smoking; it was ready for the final strike.