The Ogre Strength Fairy and the Eldest 'Son'
Chapter 191 - Looking Over, Looking Up To, Looking Forward, Looking Out

Chapter 191: Chapter 191 - Looking Over, Looking Up To, Looking Forward, Looking Out

The afternoon sun blazed across the transformed competition grounds as Elua stood atop the easternmost regional tower. The climb had been exhilarating, as she hadn’t done something like it in this life. The landmark she stood on formed the outermost points of the actual area that events would occur in, as well as being part of an event itself.

Her illusions kept her hidden during that and while she observed the bustling ’temporary’ city below. Merchant stalls and training areas sprawled on the outside of the cordoned area between the three towers. Canvas walls further out separated the provisional housing, dividing different Guild and family sections of tents and pavilions.

The Yecine area lay closer to the westernmost tower, sitting close to their region’s edifice. The black banners and tarpaulin were stark against the more colorful sea of tents throughout the rest of the grounds.

Her mint gaze lingered in that direction. Qatrand trained her family’s form in the open. At the center of their section were several older members joining in. Even at this distance and in the group of raven-haired cultivators, she could pick out that familiar form by sight alone.

The disciplined stance. The tendrils of spirit matching her movement. The fragment in her husband-wife stirred with ’longing’... and that aspect of Qat momentarily surged up in her direction. Of course, they didn’t go very far.

But the reaction pulled the Yecine’s gaze toward the tower for a few seconds before a return of the feeling pinged within Elua. Her fortress didn’t linger and marshalled her focus back to her practice.

’Three days until it all begins. The bed of mine feels colder already, knowing I could sneak into hers.’

It had been another week apart for the newlyweds since the night under the tree. Time spent at this venue, doing the minimum of what the Coiled Serpent had requested and the maximum for her own schemes. The brunette’s attention reluctantly shifted to a gap in the patrol routes near the storage areas.

She had ’marked’ that particular weakness in her last report, albeit in a way that wouldn’t draw attention to her own expertise. The Void Defense Society’s security teams *should* have adjusted their rotations by now.

’I suppose I’ll have to find another way to subtly point it out again. Not that they’ll listen~’

Groups of cultivators from different regions practiced in their designated areas. Their approaches for living and passing time in this place varied widely. Some treated it like a grand exhibition and performed ’flashy’ techniques for the mortal crowds gathering. Others maintained tight battle formations to drill for the war with grim determination.

The weight of the coming Descent colored every preparation differently.

Unfamiliar heraldry caught Elua’s eye as a retinue approached underneath her position. Their choice of clothing and ostentatious bearing certainly pegged them as aristocrats. The reincarnator noted how the lead figure studied the defensive formations with particular interest.

’A seeker from outside the continent drawn by rumors of advanced sigil work, no doubt. Good. I hope they watch the entire competition and see my beloved at her best.’

The illusionist forced her attention back to her official duties. The ritual arrays she had helped modify hummed efficiently with power. Her spiritual sense also appraised the threads of essence weaving between the towers.

Her hidden adjustments would serve their purpose if the time came... for any competition emergency.

’If they aren’t needed, it’s just as well. They can be modified to fit the town my love will certainly own here.’

Circling high overhead of the administrative pavilion, her Whispering Skydancer provided another set of eyes on the grounds. The bird had grown quite adept at maintaining appearances while gathering information. It performed a lazy spiral while watching the instructed areas.

Activity near one drew its notice as staff members hurried to address some new concern. The bird tucked its wings and darted her way, causing the heiress to sigh. As much as she wished to remain here watching her husband-wife in ’secret’, her own ’duty’ called.

It was time to return to her role as the helpful young Guild prodigy, offering just enough insight to be useful without raising suspicion beyond her status as heiress of an affluent family.

’I really wonder if she’s expecting me to just pop up in the night. Maybe I should go and sneak a kiss sooner?’

The environment would theoretically limit their time together, but it would also make a stolen moment all the more entertaining. A mischievous grin spread as she stepped off the top of the tower. The ancient cultivator reached out with her hand and tugged at the essence of the wall with part of her own field’s weight to slow her ’fall’.

---

The rhythmic clatter of the train filled the compartment as it sped toward the eventual stop at the eastern plains. Nohre watched the landscape pass by with her face pressed against the window.

Close beside the braided-haired orphan, Fusand fidgeted with a stack of tile-cards ever since their game was over. His sandy hair fell into his eyes as he tapped one of them against his green stained wrist.

Sitting across from them, Zyris and Meyran exchanged a glance. The older cultivators had seen their fair share of tournaments and trials, but the orphans’ nervous excitement was infectious.

"I heard Corde hez Iralev once froze an entire pond during a duel. They also say her sword moves faster than the mortal eye can follow."

The woman smoothed her dress and spoke with eyes sparkling like a teenager. Her husband chuckled, knowing she had ’promised’ to keep her fan comments to a minimum until they saw the Frozen Duskblade in person.

"Don’t believe every story you hear. Mortals are prone to exaggeration over cultivator matters."

The boy looked up at them from his fidgeting and caught the man’s eyes.

"Do you think we’ll actually see Elua there? She’s been so busy lately..."

Nohre turned from the window so quickly that her dark braids swung.

"Of course we will. She wouldn’t have sent a letter saying she would make time if she couldn’t."

Her green eyes almost glared at him, though the softness in her voice proved the look was more defensive than angry. A good disciple should be faithful - and if anyone asked about doubts she might have over bothering their master, she would lie!

"I’m sure your friend will make a showing if she said she would. The Goltbred name isn’t for nothing. Remember to stay focused on your cultivation journey and try not to get caught up in any drama."

Meyran advised just before the train whistle sounded. It signaled their approach to the station. The pair of orphans practically vibrated with anticipation as they gathered their belongings... and so did Zyris.

As they stepped onto the platform, the sheer scale of the venue struck them. Colorful tents and pavilions stretched as far as the eye could see, punctuated by three identical towering structures adorned with fluttering banners that represented the three regions.

"Stay close. It’s easy to get lost in a crowd like this."

The Talcres wife placed a hand on Fusand’s shoulder as her husband did the same for Nohre. They navigated through the throngs, following the flow of attendees toward the designated camping areas. As they neared the Goltbred’s designated section, they caught sight of the Yecine pavilions in the near distance.

The young pair both wondered to themselves if their master’s husband was there now. The teenage girl in particular wondered which camp Elua was going to sleep in - her parents or her marriage partner’s? It also made her realize again that the boy beside her would be quite close for the coming weeks.

’We already sleep only rooms apart at the orphanage, why is it making my cheeks warm?!’

Ondua and Yatrel greeted them as they entered the Goltbred camp. Onya was asleep in the reddish-blonde’s arms, even amid all the noise and chaos of the venue. The patriarch clapped the sandy haired teen on the back, his eyes crinkling with kindness.

"Welcome. My daughter will be happy to hear you’ve arrived."

Fusand ducked his head shyly while Nohre beamed at the validation. It paid to be optimistic! They settled their things into their tents and the orphans couldn’t help but stand shoulder to shoulder and scan the nearby crowd for a glimpse of their favorite mentor.

"Do you think she knows we’re here?"

The boy whispered and the girl grinned.

"It’s Master. She probably knew we were here before we did."

As if summoned by her words, an illusionist stepped behind them and into their tent. Her mint eyes were creased with mischief as she looked at everything they brought before stepping close to them and beginning to whisper.

"Well, well. I left you alone for a few weeks and you’ve already forgotten not to call me that in public."

The pair of orphans leapt to their feet, dozens of questions tumbling from their lips after a few choice curses. Elua raised a hand and waved it to silence them..

"One at a time! We have plenty of time to catch up. I’m not needed anywhere until later this evening."

There was laughter in her voice as she spoke, both for their reaction and thinking of what she was ’needed’ for. The notes she started passing with the Skydancer to her beloved had been a good idea! She settled onto a cushion of theirs before her expression turned serious.

"Now, tell me everything. I want to hear about your progress in your voices rather than those notes you left in my little home. Then we can talk about what you need to look out for from people while you are here."

Her subtle words and final tone should have dimmed the mood of anyone normal. It was clearly a reminder that beneath the pageantry and excitement, currents of politics swirled. The two disciples’ excitement was clearly only furthered by that hot flicker of apprehension!

’Is it my fault, or were they already like this?’