Chapter 52

Chapter 52

"Good evening participants. My name Cesar, High priest of the Ruby kingdom. I'am here today to tell you about the rules of this scavenger hunt. So listen well, I'll only say this once."

High priest? I didnt know the Ruby kingdom had a high priest dad didnt really told me about it.

"As you already now the hunting tournament will be a scavenger hunt, each and everyone of you would have to race to the northern forest where the finish line will be and where we will all be waiting for your safe return---"

Hmm.. race? why do I feel on edge. It sounds to easy to believe.

"---from the southern forest you would have to go to the Sili's Volcano where you will find flags planted inside. You would have to acquire one flag that represent your household, the flag will represent as a key in order for you to pass through the western forest where the lake of the goddess is located, there you will find fifteen pearls , you would have to acquire at least one pearl---"

Fifteen pearl for thirty participants? Its obvious what they want us to do.

They want us to fight for those pearls. Now its getting interesting.

"After getting one pearl, you will go to the East Forest, known for its poisonous plants, from there you will have to find a rare flower that only blooms once every thousand years known as 'bloody flower' after acquiring the bloody flower you may go to the northern forest where the finish line will be."

Ha. Now I know why the hunting tournament last for seven days. We would have to circle the whole forest! Tsk. The Ruby kingdom's forest is the third biggest forest in the whole seven kingdom and I dont even know if seven days is enough for us to finish the task.

"A few reminders, the seven kingdoms will not be held responsible if anything happens to you inside the forest, so sleep with your eyes open wide." The priest added.

I could feel the other participants around me, smirking as they look around.

I already knew that some participants didn't really care about winning but rather they just want to hunt those status that are above them.

"-- a certain pills will be given to you to hide your identity so you may hunt to your hearts content, this pill will change your appearance from your hair, eyes, nose and even physical physique, One pill is enough to last you for a day since the hunting tournament will be seven days long you will receive seven pills one for each day.

If any 'accident' happens that involve you, no one will dare plot a revenge against you after the tournament so it also serve as your safety net, then each of you will be given three wing pills these pills are for your horses which will give them temporary wings, please be advise that each pill only last an hour so use it wisely."

That caught my attention, I didn't know that there were rules like that.

It will be an advantage to me if I could hide my appearance. Further more wings pills? Why would they give us that? For what? There must be a reason why they gave us that pill.

"Any questions?" The priest asked.

No one answered.

"If there's no question then please proceed to that tent over there were you will receive the magic pills." He said pointing at the tent from a distant, a few knight escorted us to the tents inside the tent it was divided into two by a magic barrier.

We can't see what's on the other side, though I don't know if the other side could see us.

"Participants, you will be called one by one to the other side of the barrier to receive your pills. Please stand by."

Without wasting any time they called the participants one by one.

"Prince Kaleb of the kingdom of Musgravite. Please follow me."

I looked at Kaleb and coincidentally he looked at my direction too. He smiled and waved at me, I flinched in surprised.

At the end I waved awkwardly before he turned his back and walked towards the other side of the barrier.

Minutes pass and names were called, one by one the participants were called, unfortunately my name was last on the list so I assume I was going to be called last.

Sure enough everyone was called until the room was almost empty. Now I'm the only one in the room....

"Lady Leonna Viosta." The knight called.

I walked my way to the knight and with his hand he touch the barrier then a small opening appear.

The two of us went inside the barrier which led to the other side of the tent.

The first thing I saw was the seven Emperor sitting on their chair looking at me then the high priest was standing at the corner holding a box.

"Lady Leonna, I hope you didnt get bored waiting."

I remember him, he's the Emperor of the kingdom of Tanzanite.

"No you're highness." I answered plainly.

"Lady Leonna, have you got the chance to meet my son?"

"Yes, Emperor Maximus. Prince Kaleb and I did meet in the assembly hall."

A loud laughing sound then covered the whole tent. Everyone stared at Emperor Maximus.

"Good! HAHAHAHA! That's good!" He said.

"We could smell your intentions from a mile away, Emperor Maximus." Emperor Ace from the kingdom of Jeremjevite said as he roll his eyes.

But Emperor Maximus just shrug his shoulder and didn't pay attention to him.

"Enough, lets not hold the young lady back anymore." Emperor Xinite stated in a bored tone while his head lay lazily on the palm of his hand supporting its weight.

"Emperor Xinite is right, High priest. Please give Leonna her Magic pills." Emperor Vincent stated.

Finally.

"Yes your highness." The high priest stated.

The high priest then walked towards me with a box in his hand.

He looked at me from head to toe as if examining me.

"This is your pills, inside is seven transforming pill and three wing pill for your horse. Take one transforming pill before you go outside."

I nodded in response. He then gave me the box he was holding, I opened the box and inside is seven white square shape pill and three Blue circle shape pill.

Its mesmerizing to be honest, this magic pills look like pure crystal from the way they glow.

I took one white pill from the box, "Dont worry although its a bit big the moment it touches your mouth it will melt." The priest added.

I didn't waste anymore time. I put the white pill on my mouth and sure enough it melted right away.

Just like when I had those cloud candy, although the difference is that this pill so bitter!

I almost threw it up when I tasted the bitterness in my tongue.

Urrgghh. Disgusting.

While I was still focusing on the taste of the pill, I heard gasping around me.

"Oh my....."

"This might be a problem...."

With furrowed eyebrow, i looked at the Emperors, they were all looking at me with wide eyes.

"Is there something wrong?" I asked confused.

"What happened? Why isnt it working?!" Emperor Vincent shouted as he slammed his fist at the arm rest of his chair.

Immdiately I knew what he was talking about. I then grabbed my hair to see if the pills had taken effect.

I gasp inwardly seeing my bright red hair.

[Oh no.]

"What happened why didn't the pill work?" I asked the high priest.

"If I have to guess I would say maybe its because of your blood? Maybe it doesnt work on the Viosta blood, the pills is made for normal people with normal bloodline its not specifically catered to that of unique blood so there is a possibility that the pills don't work on you." The high priest explained.

But why do I feel uneasy? His reaction and explanation is way to calm.....like he was expecting this to happen.

"Ha. This is a problem." Emperor Maximus stated.

I agree if I can't conceal my identity it will be a major disadvantage for me.

If I can't conceal my appearance, I would be the number one target not only to those who hate me but even those who doesn't hate me would take this chance to kill me.

Ha. Now its getting even more complicated.

"Lady Leonna. What do you want to do? If you want to forfeit the tournament we would understand. But we can't delay this hunting tournament another day to create a pill specifically for you." Emperor Finion stated firmly and with hostility.

Seems like he still couldnt get over what happened to his children earlier.

But I hate to admit it, he's right. The tournament will not stop just because of me.

I took a deep breathe and bowed infront of the Emperors.

"I would like to still participate your highnesses." I answered.

"Leonna! You would be in a major disadvantage if you cant conceal your identity." Emperor Vincent said worriedly.

"I understand the risk of my decision your highness, however I still want to participate." I said in an unwavering tone.

"Ha. As expected of you Lady Leonna, you truly are a Viosta." Emperor Vincent answered.

"If that is your decision we will respect it, we truly hope for your safe return my lady." I was surprise at Emperor Sinc's sincerity.

"Thank you." I said and bowed in respect.

"Give lady Leonna the three wing pills." By the order of Emperor Vincent, the high priest gave me the three wing pills.

"Goodbye, Viosta." The high priest said. With furrowed eyebrow, I stared at him.

That 'goodbye' seems to have some double meaning.

Something about him irk me.

Without answering him, I left the tent outside is a couple of knights waiting for me.

They all gasp in shock, "m-my lady, havent you had your magic pill?" One of the knight asked in confusion.

Of course they would be confuse, shock even that I left the tent with the same appearance.

"It didn't work on me." I answered plainly, looks like they got the idea that I didn't really want to explain further after that they quieted down and simply escorted me to the South forest's entrance, where the other contestants would be.

As soon as I arrived, everyone's eyes is on me. But what surprised me is when I saw the other participants, with new appearances.

I couldn't even tell who's who. Its like theyre completely different people.

"Leo--"

I looked to see who it was, its a boy with green hair and yellow eyes.

With furrowed eyebrow I looked at him. [Do I know him?]

Wait... this is not his real appearance, it might have been someone I know.

But who? Prince Jaljiz? Prince Kaleb? Only those two would openly talk to me.

But before he could even finish what he was saying a guy pulled him and drag him away.

"Why didnt her appearance change?"

"Whats happening?"

Questions filled the entire field from different directions. The people where confused and shock.

"PARTICIPANTS GET READY!" One of the knight shouted, after that the crowd's cheer became louder by the second.

The knights escorted us to our position.

We are all facing the south forest as we fall in line vertically. Then the knights brought our horses to us.

The knight that was holding Mighty's reign was having a hard time containing him.

"My lady, is this your horse?" The knight asked struggling to keep Mighty in one place.

"Yes." I answered. As soon as I hrld mighty's reign, he immediately calm down.

"Hey Mighty, are you ready?" I asked my horse as I pat him gently.

As if he understood me and he rub his nose at my face.

I chuckled at Mighty's action. I once again grab his reign and gently hop on his back by stepping on his saddle and lifting my weight.

I looked at my side and the participants were already on their horses ready to go.

I took a deep breathe to calm myself, I knew all too well that the moment I step inside the forest that many will come for me.

The best course of action is to run as far as possible from the other participants, Specially Prince Lionel and the two twins.

No. I need to run from every single one of them. They all have change their appearance, I won't know who's who.

"READY!!!---"

I clenched my hands that was holding mighty's reign. I took one more deep breathe. But no matter how many breathes I take it feels like my heart just won't stop beating so fast.

I Took one last look around me, then one of the participants looked at me.

He smirk at me, I can feel my stomach turning upside down as it clenches from the inside.

The last time I felt like this was when I fist awoken my powers. Its a painful feeling.

Who is he? Is it prince Lionel? Prince Trex?

This is harder than I expected, not knowing what they look like.

Then a sudden chills pass my spine. As the guy who smirk at me mouthed 'you're dead.'

I swallowed my saliva before taking the biggest breathe I ever took in my life, though I'm nervous I feel excited aswell. Maybe because of the adrenaline? Or maybe because I'm about to see them again after three years.

I don't know. But what I do know is nothing will stand in my way from getting to my destination.

"GO!!!"

As soon as the knight yelled the word. I snapped Mighty's reign.

"Go Mighty!" I yelled, Mighty neigh aggressively before running away towards the opposite direction from where the other were.

-

[END OF Chapter]