Starting Today I'll Work As A City Lord

The night deepened, with dark clouds drifting across the sky, and midnight was approaching.

"Crack, crack…"

"Rustle, rustle…"

The sound of dry branches snapping underfoot echoed through the forest, as robust figures moved swiftly among the trees, their movements indicating they were well accustomed to the wilderness.

"Stop."

A somewhat alluring voice rang out as Bella emerged from behind the shadows of the trees, arriving at the edge of the forest and gazing at the distant camp illuminated by flickering firelight.

"I don't quite understand why you're carrying out this operation today," Freya said as she stepped out from behind another tree, her tone cool. "Aren't you planning to head to the Honran Lands? What's the purpose of today's action?"

"Heh heh heh… Of course, we're here to steal," Bella replied, her deep brown eyes flashing with a cold gleam. "We don't have enough horses."

As her words settled, several robust figures emerged from the woods behind them—powerful beastkins, each bearing a murderous intent. However, when they looked at Bella and Freya, their expressions were filled with admiration and awe.

They were clad in mismatched armor, some parts made of wood and others of bone, giving them a wild and primitive appearance.

"Really? What place can't be robbed? Why come all this way to raid here?" 

Freya cast a glance at the distant firelight. They were several kilometers away from the target camp, a distance that made it unlikely they would be detected while speaking or walking.

"Indeed, you understand me well," Bella said with a hint of satisfaction. "Aren't you coming with me to the Honran Lands? The human duchies there are currently embroiled in fierce conflicts, each trying to swallow the others to form a new kingdom."

Bella raised her slender arm and made a gripping motion in the air, her voice cold. "This is our chance as beastkins. If we can seize that land and rally the scattered beastkins, we can establish a new Valtoria Beastkin Kingdom."

"You have so few people and such inadequate equipment; success is impossible," Freya replied with indifference. "Bella, as a former duchess, you should be aware of the disparity in strength between the sides."

"I'm well aware of that, which is why I'm here to obtain equipment and warhorses." Bella responded decisively, her deep brown eyes flashing with determination.

"No, you're hesitating. You should know that taking them with you would be equivalent to sending them to their deaths," Freya's tone grew colder. "And once Ayesha finds out, she will definitely come looking for you."

"Pfft… Don't lecture me. Aren't you also busy with that flat-chested woman? You should understand." Bella scoffed.

The beastkins behind them didn't dare to make a sound, afraid of drawing the attention of the two leaders. They knew that if they did, they'd end up with a beating at best and could end up bedridden for days at worst.

"I don't understand." Freya snapped back coldly.

"Hmph. Stubborn as an old mule, even more so than my father." Bella retorted with a cold snort.

She thought of her father, the Grand Duke of the Valtoria Beastkin Kingdom, who had stubbornly refused to leave the icy wastelands, claiming it was his duty to share in the kingdom's fate. 

In retrospect, he was probably buried beneath the ice by now. Bella sometimes wondered if she would ever find a way back to pay her respects. But given the harsh conditions of the ice, she feared she might not survive even a few days. It was a regret—she had never managed to erect a memorial for her father and mother.

"The Duke's actions were a matter of great honor, a hero of Valtoria." Freya said with icy firmness.

"What use is being a hero if you're dead?" Bella's voice was heavy and filled with sorrow.

Freya fell silent, reflecting on her own parents. No one knew much about them; she had been selected for the palace as a child and trained into a formidable knight. Eventually, she had been chosen from among many by the princess.

The beastkins behind them displayed a look of sorrow. Many of them were Bella's vassals, essentially her personal knights. It was because of their loyalty and bravery that Bella felt confident enough to venture into the Honran Lands.

"It's almost midnight." Bella said, glancing up at the night sky where the stars could be used to keep track of time.

"You still haven't explained why you're attacking these human knights." Freya brought up the topic again.

"You caught me," Bella sighed and said softly, "Their target is likely Sedona City. I know the leading noble well enough—he's not a good person."

Freya understood immediately, her gaze flicking to Bella. It seemed that this 'snake woman' still cared deeply about her sister Ayesha, enough to personally intervene to prevent impending danger.

"Whether Lucas of Sedona City can withstand them is another matter, but I suspect it will be very difficult. Those knights come from a count," Bella said with a tone of affection, "I can't take the risk. If anything happens to Ayesha, I'm sure my father's spirit would come to scold me in a dream."

"I suspect there's more to it than that." Freya said with a hint of skepticism. She knew Bella had left the mountain stronghold two days ago but had only now begun the attack.

"Also, it serves as a warning to Lucas. Even though we beastkins have fallen, we can still deal with a few nobles if needed." Bella admitted. She had deliberately delayed the attack to get closer to Sedona City's territory, aiming to kill these knights as a warning to Lucas.

"This is such a hassle. Why not just sneak in and confront the noble directly? Why make it so complicated?" Freya rolled her eyes.

"You don't understand." Bella's deep brown eyes softened briefly. She feared that if she encountered Ayesha, the naive girl would insist on leaving with her.

"After tonight, we'll part ways." Freya said, gripping the hilt of her large sword behind her back.

"Aren't you going to check out Sedona City?" Bella asked in surprise. "It's so close. With your speed, you could reach it in half a day."

"No, I received a tip-off yesterday about a beastkin in Blade City who looks remarkably like the princess. I need to check it out." Freya said with a hint of anticipation in her eyes.

"Blade City? The slave city?" Bella frowned, her expression serious. "That city's military strength shouldn't be underestimated. Besides, you've received similar reports so many times already. It's possible that the flat-chested woman might even be in Sedona City."

"Even a glimmer of hope is worth verifying," Freya's face softened slightly as she spoke gently. "As for Sedona City, I'll go there after I check Blade City. If I don't find anything there, I will head to Sedona City."

"That flat-chested woman has been seen by very few people. It's probably just us who have seen her. Relying on those sparse physical features to find her is like looking for a needle in a haystack." Bella shrugged her shoulders, her tone full of resignation.

"Enough talk. Let's get moving. I still have a journey ahead tonight." Freya said, drawing her sword and stepping towards the distant camp.

"Always in a hurry." 

Bella swayed her hips as she placed her hands on the hilt of her own sword, watching Freya walk away.

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