"Would you like to hunt so more, young master? The pup found two more small groups like this."
They were still in the small clearing, and Theo was watching his mantis first slurping at the sli's dead, watery body and then munching on the core with ferocity.
"No, Clara. I think this is it for today. I need to do so research before I can be perfectly sure about things," Theo stated, making Clara nod in appreciation.
"We can be back before the sun sets if we leave now. I will call back the pup, young master."
The Silverfang Direwolf pup took so ti to return, and they waited patiently. Clara kept clicking her tongue every minute, and Theo didn't understand why. After a few minutes, when the pup finally arrived, he figured it out.
Its mouth was dripping wet, as if it had been biting or drinking from the sli's body.
They started moving back, with the pup leading the way. In ten minutes, they were back at the carriage, where the stag was asleep on the ground beside it.
As they approached, both the boar and the pup transford into light particles and entered Clara's head again.
The road back ho was peaceful, and when Theo reached the Barony, everything was still empty. A smile ford on his face as he realized that nobody had even noticed he was gone.
He went straight to his room for the day to rest. It had been his first big and exhausting day, and in Theo's eyes, it had been both fruitful and exciting.
anwhile…
In a large study room within the Barony, a man in black butler attire stood before a massive table covered in files and docunts.
A burly man clad in golden armor sat at the table, scribbling on paper.
"Master, ninth son Theo rrick was out of the Barony since the morning and has just returned," Alfred reported, his eyes closed. He was an elderly man, his face lined with wrinkles, yet his well-grood appearance made him seem younger than he was.
"Going to the forest is the bare minimum for a rrick, Alfred. As long as his attendant was with him, everything is fine."
"Young master Theo has contracted a beast, master," Alfred spoke again.
This ti, the Baron stopped writing and looked up.
His expression flickered between confidence and hesitation before he nodded for Alfred to continue.
"It's an Iron Mantis, young master. He contracted it two days ago in his insect room—which he calls a 'terrarium.' Since then, he has leveled it up to 2 using Grey Rats, master."
The atmosphere in the room shifted. A heavy silence fell.
Alfred was fine.
But the guards outside started to feel the suffocating pressure.
"The Iron Mantis was able to kill two Moss Slis today with its fragile body. They also encountered a doctor from the town's infirmary."
"Stop, Alfred. That is enough." The Baron's voice was ice-cold.
One could see the emotions on his face, yet there was a contrast between frustration and concern.
"I want to et my daring son today, Alfred. Bring him to ."
The Baron returned to writing, the oppressive pressure in the room unchanged.
Alfred bowed, and in the next second, he had vanished, leaving the Baron alone.
"Just what have you done, my youngest child…"
anwhile, in Theo's Room…
Theo was already resting in his room.
The Iron Mantis was now inside the large terrarium, safe from harm.
The spider and scorpion were already locked away in their respective containers, allowing Theo to rest peacefully.
All the walking and fighting had taken a toll on his small body.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
Theo quickly sat up with a jerk, his eyes narrowing at the door.
"…Co in."
CREAKKK
The door opened, and Alfred stepped inside, his eyes closed as always.
"My apologies for disturbing you, young master Theo."
"No problem. Tell what you'd like, old man Alfred."
"Young master Theo, I have already told you, please do not address so formally. I am but a lowly servant who can simply be called Alfred."
Alfred opened his eyes, a warm smile on his face.
Theo smiled back, yet he knew that the Head Butler of the Barony never visited without reason.
There was always sothing important.
"Young master Theo, your father has summoned you imdiately. It is an urgent matter."
Theo's heart sank for a mont, but he quickly regained his composure.
Alfred noticed and smiled again—proud of the boy's iron will.
"…I will co right away, old man Alfred. Is there anything I should know beforehand?" Theo asked, swallowing hard.
"Nothing much… just…" Alfred spoke slowly.
"Please bring your Iron Mantis with you."
'!!'
Theo's heartbeat stopped for a few seconds.
When it resud, it pounded against his skull.
'How does he know?! I just ca back a mont ago… Was it Clara? No, it can't be—she's preparing my bath right now… I shouldn't suspect her… not yet…'
Theo quickly put on his shoes and began walking with Alfred toward the Baron's office.
"I will notify your attendant to co after preparing your bath, young master Theo."
Theo glanced at Alfred, then chuckled softly.
"Nothing escapes your notice, huh…?"
"Unfortunately not."
After a few minutes of walking, they finally arrived at the massive doors once again.
Theo took a deep breath, filling his lungs, steadying himself.
When Alfred opened the doors, Theo could almost feel the piercing pressure inside the room.
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