Chapter 89: Anna Sayy Departs

The night was heavy with an oppressive solemnity inside the leader's camp. The flickering flames from the torches cast eerie shadows on the bamboo walls, highlighting the tension in the air.

The leader, a towering figure with scars crisscrossing his body, sat in a large chair draped with tiger skin. His eyes, burning with intensity, were fixed on Jiro, who stood before him, visibly trembling.

The atmosphere was thick with fear and anticipation. The other bandits had been dismissed, leaving Jiro alone to face the leader's wrath.

The silence was almost tangible, broken only by the occasional crackling of the firewood and the distant hoot of an owl.

Jiro, despite his terror, narrated the entire incident, his voice shaking but steady. "We ambushed the Sayy family caravan as planned," he began, "but when we checked the goods, the item was missing. The guards were injured and helpless, unable to defend the cargo. We had no choice but to retreat when the Sayy family's reinforcements arrived."

The leader's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing through Jiro. "And do you think it was Rion who betrayed us?" he asked, his voice low but filled with menace.

Jiro shook his head, sweat glistening on his forehead. "I don't know what went wrong, sir. Our gang members often act for their own profit and lack true unity, but Rion knows the consequences of betrayal."

"He would never dare."

"Not only would you not spare him, but the person in the capital would hunt down his entire lineage. Rion understands this well."

The leader's expression darkened at the mention of the person in the capital. Even his formidable presence seemed diminished in the face of that behemoth.

"The person in the capital," he mused, tapping his fingers rhythmically on the wooden table, "is a force beyond our reckoning. Even I am but an ant before him."

He leaned forward, his eyes boring into Jiro's. "Investigate. Not just Rion, but every detail connected to him and the members who participated in today's raid. I want to know everything. No stone unturned."

Jiro nodded vigorously, his fear evident. "Yes, sir. I will ensure a thorough investigation."

The leader's voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "You have three days, Jiro. If you don't find out what happened to that box, you'd better start preparing to clean your neck."

Jiro's heart pounded in his chest, and sweat poured down his face. "Yes, sir. I understand. I won't let you down."

The leader's eyes flashed with a mixture of anger and impatience. "See that you don't," he said, his tone final. "Now go, and don't return until you have answers."

Jiro bowed deeply, his body shaking. "Thank you, sir. I will get to the bottom of this."

As Jiro turned to leave, the leader's voice stopped him. "And Jiro," he said, "remember, the person in the capital has eyes everywhere. If you fail, it won't just be your neck on the line. It'll be all of ours."

Jiro swallowed hard, his mind racing with the enormity of the task ahead. "Yes, sir. I won't forget."

He left the tent, the heavy flap closing behind him, and the leader leaned back in his chair, lost in thought. The room was silent once more, the air thick with unspoken threats and looming dangers.

The leader's fingers drummed a steady beat on the table, echoing the urgency of the situation. The flames continued to dance on the walls, casting long shadows that seemed to mock the leader's frustration.

Outside, Jiro took a deep breath, steeling himself for the daunting task. He knew failure was not an option, and the shadow of the person in the capital loomed large in his mind. 

The scene shifted from the vibrant forest to a large, imposing mansion painted a somber shade of blue. The mansion stood in stark contrast to its surroundings, its atmosphere dull and oppressive.

The name "Sayy" was inscribed in elegant yet fading letters on a grand plaque at the entrance, a testament to the once-glorious legacy of the family that resided within. The mansion's appearance mirrored the fading grandeur of the Sayy family.

Inside the mansion, an elderly woman sat behind a large wooden desk. Her hair, a light blue that matched the mansion's exterior, was pulled back in a severe bun. She was the grandmother of Anna Sayy, known as the Blue Duchess, Audrey Sayy—a woman quite ruthless during her prime. 

Audrey Sayy held a report in her hand, her eyes narrowing as she read. Anger flickered across her face, and with a swift motion, she crushed the paper in her hand, turning it into dust.

"Come here," she called, her voice resonating with authority.

An old man wearing a black coat and pants, with a long mustache also blue in color, came forward. He wore a black hat that added to his dignified appearance. Bowing hurriedly, he asked, "Why has the matriarch called upon me?"

Audrey's gaze bore into him. "What is the progress of Anna?"

"Fourth limiter," he replied promptly.

A smile crept onto Audrey's lips as she wrote something on a piece of paper. "Send this to her," she instructed, handing the note to him. "Tell her to lead a team to retrieve what belongs to us."

The old man was startled, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Isn't it too early for that girl to try such things? She is still not strong enough."

Audrey's smile remained, but it took on a more philosophical tone. "A hatchling must leave its nest to truly grow," she said. "This task is nothing compared to the burden she will bear in the future."

The old man sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "A pitiful child indeed."

Audrey's eyes softened for a brief moment before hardening again with resolve. "She will become strong through adversity, just as I did."

The old man nodded, accepting her decision. He turned and left the room, his thoughts heavy with concern. Stepping outside, he looked up at the moon, its pale light casting a melancholy glow over the mansion.

He recited softly, "Under the cold moon's watchful eye, a young bird takes its flight. Shadows of the past and future nigh, in darkness finds its light."

His words hung in the air, a sad poem reflecting the heavy burdens and expectations placed upon Anna Sayy. The scene closed, the mansion standing silent and imposing, a monument to both past glories and future challenges.

The moon cast a silvery light on the mansion's grounds as the old man walked slowly, his steps heavy with contemplation.

He paused by a gnarled tree, its branches bare and reaching skyward like skeletal fingers. The mansion loomed behind him, a dark silhouette against the night sky.

Audrey Sayy remained in her study, her thoughts turning inward. The paper she had crushed still lingered in her mind.

The failure of their guards to protect the caravan and the precious item it carried was a significant blow.

She knew Anna was capable, but the path ahead would be fraught with dangers far greater than what she had faced thus far.

The old man, having walked a short distance from the mansion, continued to ponder the future. "The young must face the storm to know their strength," he murmured to himself, his voice barely a whisper.

He thought of Anna, her bright eyes filled with determination, and his heart ached. She was young, perhaps too young, to shoulder such a heavy burden. But the decision had been made, and Audrey's word was law within the Sayy family.

As he stood under the cold moonlight, the old man felt a deep sense of sadness for Anna's future.

He hoped that she would find the strength to overcome the trials ahead and that the legacy of the Sayy family would be upheld through her courage and resilience.

Back in the mansion, Audrey's thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. A servant entered, carrying a tray with a steaming cup of tea.

She accepted it with a nod, her mind already drifting back to her granddaughter and the challenges she would soon face.

Audrey whispered to herself, "This is only the beginning, Anna. Prove yourself, and the world will bow to you."

The servant, sensing the solemnity of the moment, quietly exited the room, leaving Audrey alone with her thoughts.

The night was quiet, save for the distant hoot of an owl and the rustling of leaves in the breeze. The mansion, once vibrant with life and activity, now seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the dawn and the new challenges it would bring.

Anna Sayy, far from the mansion, would soon receive her grandmother's message. She would read it with the same determination that had carried her through her training, ready to face whatever lay ahead.

The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear: the Sayy family's legacy rested on her shoulders, and she would not let it crumble.

The moon continued its journey across the sky, casting a pale light on the mansion and its inhabitants, silent witnesses to the unfolding drama.