Chapter 397
Noticing that Idir had abruptly stopped, Nina asked contextually, “What’s wrong p>
Idir’s expression turned cold. “Nina, she’s up ahead p>
“She?” Nina clued in instantly. “Do you mean p>
“Yes. The female in the red outfit standing in the very front row by the gate—that is my mother, Weena.” Idir’s tone was entirely detached, devoid of any warmth or emotion.
Nina followed his gaze and spotted a striking female dressed in an exquisite, vibrant red beast-hide dress. She was slender, graceful, and exceptionally beautiful.
She turned back to Idir. “Do you still want to go over there p>
Idir thought about it for a moment before gently shaking his head. “Nina, would it be alright if you and Odian go ahead without me? I think it’s better if I keep my distance so she doesn’t recognize me.” A trace of self-deprecation flashed across his face. “Though, I don’t even know if she would recognize me anymore p>
It was best for him not to compromise his identity right now, lest it disrupt Nina’s plans. As for this mother of his, he no longer had any desire to see her. He wouldn’t seek revenge against her, out of respect for the fact that she had given him life and raised him. Yet, he could never bring himself to forgive her either. His only wish now was that they would never cross paths again for the rest of their days.
As for avenging his father, he would exact that debt from the actual beastmen who had slaughtered him.
“Don’t worry about it. Just find a spot nearby and wait for us,” Nina said gently.
“Mm.” Idir scanned their surroundings and pointed to what looked like a small, abandoned hut nearby. “I’ll wait for you guys over there p>
Nina nodded, then proceeded toward the witch doctor’s estate alongside Odian.
Leaning against the doorframe of the shack, Idir kept his eyes fixed entirely on Nina, never casting so much as a single glance back toward Weena.
Nina and Odian joined the back of the line outside the witch doctor’s residence.
She took a quick look around and noticed that almost all the patients were cubs and females, while the males present were merely there to accompany them. Most of the ailing females and cubs were clutching their stomachs, leaning weakly against their males, with some even slipping in and out of consciousness.
As Nina observed their symptoms more closely, her expression grew heavy. The complexions of these sick females and cubs looked highly unnatural. She glanced over at the accompanying males, who, for the time being, seemed perfectly fine.
’Little Bun,’ Nina called out to the system in her mind, ’run a diagnostic scan on the physical condition of these beastmen. I want data on the females, the males, and the cubs p>
[Understood, Host p>
Little Bun chirped in response and immediately began scanning the crowd.
Nina edged closer to a cub just ahead of her, subtly releasing her energy to meticulously examine its condition from a distance.
Meanwhile, Weena was queued up quite a bit further ahead in the line.
Clutching her stomach, her face was deathly pale. “What is taking so long? This is excruciating p>
Nuan kept a supportive arm around her waist. “Weena, bear with it just a little longer. There are simply too many sick beastmen seeking the witch doctor today p>
“Bear with it, bear with it! How am I supposed to bear with this kind of agony? I am a noble female, yet I am forced to stand in line like a commoner just to see a witch doctor! Back when I was still the Chieftain’s Consort, the witch doctor would personally come to my quarters the moment I felt a slight ache p>
The look Weena gave Nuan was dripping with resentment. This Nuan was utterly useless; he had failed to secure the title of City Lord, forcing her to queue up alongside these ordinary beastmen.
She couldn’t help but think of Adir. If he were still alive, he would have definitely found a way to spare her from this misery. And Idir… he wouldn’t have let her suffer either p>
She shook her head sharply, forcing the unrealistic thoughts out of her mind. She shouldn’t think about them anymore. They were already p>
Suppressing her emotions, she stared in the direction of the City Lord’s castle. No matter, she thought to herself. Sooner or later, I will reclaim my status as the Chieftain’s Consort.
Nuan, however, was growing irritated by her attitude. “But you aren’t the Chieftain’s Consort anymore. There are far too many sick females and cubs in the city lately, and the witch doctor is completely overwhelmed. How could he possibly make house calls? Besides, the other noble females are all waiting in line just like you p>
He was well aware that Weena held a grudge against him for failing to become the City Lord; this was hardly the first time she had thrown it in his face. But he simply couldn’t best the current Lord in combat—what was he supposed to do about it? It wasn’t as if he hadn’t tried.
While he had tolerated her remarks at first, hearing them constantly was finally beginning to wear on his patience.
“Exactly. Some females actually think they’re still the Chieftain’s Consort, demanding special treatment,” a female standing just ahead of Weena scoffed mockingly.
“Dana, whether I am the Chieftain’s Consort or not is none of your business! Why are you standing there throwing sarcastic jabs?” Weena’s eyes flared with anger.
“Because I can’t stand the sight of you p>
Dana let out a cold snort, then turned her gaze to Nuan. “Nuan, you’d better watch your back. After all, a certain female is notoriously vicious—she didn’t even spare her first mate or her own flesh and blood p>
Adir had truly been blind back then. So many females had adored him, yet he just had to choose such a heartless female, ultimately paying with his life and leaving Idir to suffer the consequences. Dana sighed inwardly.
I wonder how Idir is doing these days p>
Hearing Dana’s sharp words, the surrounding beastmen all shifted their stares to Weena.
Weena’s face flushed instantly, a mix of panic and utter humiliation washing over her features.
She snapped furiously, “Shut your mouth! They were omens of disaster! I only did what I did for the good of the tribe!” She glared at Dana with pure malice. Isn’t she just bitter because I won Adir over back then?
Dana sneered. “You know exactly why you did it p>
Weena bit her lower lip so hard it turned white, her fingertips digging into her palms. The judgmental stares of the surrounding beastmen felt like needles piercing straight into her heart. This was the darkest, most shameful Chapter of her past.
In the quiet dead of night, she had, in fact, felt pangs of regret and guilt. They had been the closest to her, the ones who treated her best in the entire world, yet she had p>
Back then, she had truly been bewitched—and terrified.
Nuan pulled Weena into his protective embrace. “Dana, drop it. Weena didn’t do anything wrong.” He released a heavy wave of aura, sweeping a chilling glare across the crowd, forcing the surrounding beastmen to quickly avert their eyes.
Dana let out a soft, mocking chuckle and looked at Nuan. “I certainly hope you manage to stay alive p>
Clutching her stomach, Weena buried her face in Nuan’s chest, refusing to look up again. Dana shot her one last glance, turned back around, and fell silent.
Standing near the shack, Idir couldn’t help but feel a sharp pang of hurt in his chest upon hearing Weena’s defensive words. But as his eyes drifted to Nina, a sense of relief washed over him. At the very least, he still had Nina.
The commotion up ahead had caught Nina’s attention earlier, prompting her to take a closer look at Dana. This female actually spoke up for Idir and his father.
Shifting her focus back to the task at hand, she continued checking the physical condition of the cub in front of her. As her diagnosis ran deeper, her brow furrowed heavily. Once she finished her assessment, she subtly channeled her healing ability to grant the cub some relief. To ensure her findings were accurate, she quietly repeated the process on several other beastmen nearby.
After a long wait, it was finally Weena’s turn. Supported by Nuan, she stood up to walk through the gates. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of something.
She whipped her head around to look, but there was nothing there. A wave of doubt hit her. Did my eyes play tricks on me? Why did it feel like I just saw a highly familiar figure? She scanned the area once more, but the space remained empty. Frowning, she finally stepped into the witch doctor’s courtyard.
Having examined a few more beastmen and carefully observed the rest of the patients, Nina felt quite certain about her conclusions. Once Little Bun finished running its system scan, she signaled Odian that it was time to leave.
“Nina, are we all set?” Odian asked.
“Yes, let’s head back first. We’ll talk there,” Nina replied.
With that, they rejoined Idir. Seeing Nina return, a soft smile graced Idir’s lips. “Nina, did you find what you were looking for p>
Nina took his hand. “I did. Let’s head back p>
Idir squeezed her hand tightly, walking alongside her. But they had only gone a short distance when a voice suddenly called out from behind them:
“Idir, is that you p>