Chapter 1607 Chapter 1428: Incursio and the Fox Empress
Late autumn.
With the emerald cloak of summer long gone, the towering peaks wore a new crimson dress. Incursio, her footsteps crunching on the fiery carpet of fallen maple leaves, felt the vast crimson embrace the landscape. Though the once vibrant prairie prepared to fade from the scene, the leaves painted the ground like stage curtains, holding back the inevitable curtain call. Stillness reigned, as if waiting for a grand finale, a testament to nature's enduring cycle.
A sweet, nutty aroma of chestnuts filled the air, whetting the appetite.
"All things grow and mature in their own time, young Incursio," Kuina's mother remarked, gazing at the captivating scene as she walked beside her daughter. A gentle breeze stirred the leaves, sending them cascading down from the branches in a brief, silent storm. The forest floor was soon awash in red, a fleeting dance of color before the leaves settled peacefully. Time seemed to melt into reality, enveloping the world in a dreamlike haze.
"I feared these young ones might not see another autumn," she continued, her voice filled with emotion. "The harsh winds, relentless rains, unexpected hail, and scorching sun... it tested them all. Yet, nature's laws prevail. These fragile seedlings, having weathered the fiercest storms, now reveal their resilience. A sapling, born in spring, endures the sun's warmth, the cleansing autumn winds, and finally, the harsh winter's grasp. But I have faith they will emerge stronger."
Turning to Incursio with a gentle smile, she added, "Young Incursio, thanks to your efforts, these nascent saplings have the chance to flourish. You possess the heart of a true gardener."
"Your Highness, it was a pleasure," Incursio replied, her arms outstretched. Raising her head, she followed the Empress's gaze towards the clear blue sky. It was harvest season in both the Drexian and Foxian empires. Though Avalon's starlit autumn nights held a charm of their own, Incursio found herself captivated by the Empress's appreciation for the simple beauty - the crimson foliage, the gurgling stream, and the vast golden wheat fields stretching beneath them. It was a revelation, she realized. For the first time, she felt a sense of tranquility, a newfound appreciation for simply observing the magic of nature unfold, enhanced by the delicious taste of freshly roasted, pure green chestnuts.
Incursio might not have subscribed to the art of modesty, but she genuinely reveled in the act of nurturing the land. Tending to the delicate blooms and fostering their growth ignited a quiet spark of joy within her. Nevertheless, the prospect of becoming a dedicated gardener held little allure. Her spirit, one that thrived on calculated risks and audacious maneuvers, chafed at the rigid constraints and meticulous adherence to principles that governed the world of horticulture. The fear of an inadvertent error, a misstep born not from malice but from her inherent nature, potentially causing irreparable harm, made the gardener's path a non-starter. Her talents, she knew, lay elsewhere, in pursuits that better accommodated her unique temperament and unwavering spirit.
"I'm sure you didn't invite me here to only admire the view, right, Your Highness?"
Suddenly, Incursio declared.
She had to admit that the view was indeed magnificent. The chestnuts were delicious too.
But that was the end of it. It was time to talk business.
Upon sensing the meaning behind Incursio's words, Kuina's chuckled and extended her arm. Along with her movement, the fallen leaves and dust above the stone table and chairs glided off the surface cleanly. Then, a maid silently carried a tray with piping hot red tea, placing them on the table respectfully. Incursio took the opposite seat from her, narrowing her eyes at her.
"Young Incursio, take a look at this vast, golden wheat field. Even though it faced disasters, it continues to welcome the harvest season. But even so, we need to be careful. After all, apart from the often changing weather, poisonous bugs and wild animals are also eyeing the crops. They can't wait to taste and gorge on them to ensure they can get through winter. This is the natural behavior of all living creatures, isn't it?"
"Of course, that is why we need to take precautionary measures. The livestock that the farmers raised painstakingly aren't meant to be fed to the pack of wolves and a faithful sheepdog is the guarantee of a shepherd's life…" Incursio said and came to a pause. Then, she gazed at the chuckling Kuina's who, upon sensing her gaze, crossed her arms and squinted.
"That's right, Young Incursio. But of course, the pack of sly wolves will not launch their attacks on a herd of sheep. Instead, they will hide in the shadow patiently, stare at the sheep that was left out of the herd, and pounce altogether… In the darkness, they are more capable than anyone else because they are the most outstanding hunters."
''Oh?"
Incursio twitched her brows. However, she wasn't too surprised because she was used to Kuina's mother cryptic way of talking to express her standpoint and transmit information.
"What you meant is…"
"According to intelligence, it seems like the Chaos Organization intends to attack you."
"Oh? Is that so?"
She finally understand why she was called here. While the organization coming after her wasn't something unexpected as she had turned her back on them. She wasn't expecting the fox empress to have this sort of information, it could only means her intelligence network was so outstanding for them to acquire such information something most of the superpowers couldn't achieve. Till this day the whereabout of the organization headquarters remained unknown, therefore acquiring information was harder but not impossible, the proof is this.
"Thanks for your reminder, Your Highness. It seems like I need to prepare gifts for my possible uninvited guests. I'll give them a huge blow, so huge it will hurt. Don't worry, you won't be disappointed.'' Incursio declared, hinting at the same time that she was aware of the empress's intention for sharing this information.
''Fufufu! I'm counting on you, young Incursio.'' The Fox empress smiled. She was a cunning like the fox she's. She was using her like a tool to deal a heavy blow to the chaos organization. She wasn't hurt by this, she would have down the same thing if she was in her shoes. Still, she wasn't someone to take a hit without striking back.
''Ah! Recently I'm having quite a headache.'' Incursio suddenly mumbled causing the fox empress to raise an eyebrow. For some reason the empress felt something wasn't right, as if for the first time since the beginning of this meeting she was about to lose the initiative, her instinct honed through the countless she lived for was telling her this, still she opened her mouth and asked.
'There is no way I'm losing the initiative here. She is just a brat, a former enemy, now ally I can use like I used her to clean up the empire.'
Incursio smiled but didn't immediately talk, she took a sip of her tea before elegantly put it down. Crossing her legs she began.
''You see, I have that one friend who got pregnant and this could lead to a major disaster in her family if the matters is not handled well. After all it was not supposed to happen so quickly and she was new in the harem-"
''Cough! Cough!" The empress spat the tea she was drinking, forcing Incursio to stop talking.
"How did you find out? It wasn't supposed to be noticeable yet," the empress questioned, her frustration evident. She had expected to have another year or two before anyone discovered Kuina's pregnancy. The fact that Incursio had uncovered the secret so soon unsettled her greatly. Determined to uncover the truth, the empress exerted pressure on Incursio, causing the tea cups to shatter and the air to grow hot with tension.
Despite facing the empress's intense scrutiny, Incursio remained calm. Her expression remained unchanged, but her next words shattered the uneasy atmosphere between them.
"Your highness, please relax. If you continue to exert pressure, I will interpret it as a sign of hostility and cease to be polite," Incursio warned.
A chilling wave washed over the empress, sending shivers down her spine and making her scalp tingle with apprehension. She realized that she was no match for Incursio. Her previous misconception of superiority shattered as she recalled how arrogantly she had treated this formidable individual.
Gulp!
The empress swallowed nervously, her back drenched in sweat as she hastily excused herself.
"I apologize for losing my composure," she muttered, hoping to regain some semblance of control.
"Don't worry, I understand your frustration. However, I can't guarantee that I'll remain polite if you continue to push me," Incursio replied with a smile. It was a clear threat, but the empress could only smile in return, knowing that she was no match for the young girl who had yet to experience a fraction of her own life.
Still, even if she was afraid at the moment and knew she was no match for the little white haired girl she must know.
''How did you discovered this?"
"I discovered the signs of a new life growing inside her," Incursio explained casually, shrugging her shoulders. The empress frowned, realizing that she had been outsmarted.
"I see," the empress responded, sighing heavily as she understood the implications of Incursio's words.
"I understand your desire to keep this pregnancy hidden, especially considering the unique fox pregnancy cycle that can last for years. However, I would advise against it," Incursio added.
Curiosity gnawed at the empress. How much did Incursio truly know? But before she could voice her question, Incursio dropped another bombshell.
"I'm certain that others are already aware of something. It's a woman's intuition, you see. Before things spiral out of control, I suggest you inform them and discuss the situation together. It would be better and cause less trouble," Incursio advised, turning to leave.
The empress watched her go, her mind racing with possibilities and the weight of her secret pressing heavily upon her. She knew that Incursio's words held wisdom, and she would have to face the consequences of her actions sooner rather than later.
The empress heaved another sigh. From now on she must never underestimate this little girl, not only her, the others as well.
''I guess, I should have a long discussion with my daughter once she's back before talking to the rest.'' the empress decided to follow Incursio's advice, everything's for her daughter's happiness.
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