Four months ago.
Dalaran Forest.
Under the spring rain stood a group of people in silver armor, and in the center of the group was a thirteen-year-old teenager in a gold-trimmed robe with a shimmering dark moon in the center.
Prince Rand and his guards.
And just at that moment, one of the warriors in silver armor nearby approached the prince and reported:
— My prince, your sister's group is already outpacing us by 50 heads.
— Melissa in her repertoire. She has enlisted the help of the great knight Harrison, ventured into the forest before the start of the hunt, and now boasts leadership. She still dreams of earning praise from father by any means necessary, but it's easier to make a stone cry than to squeeze a couple of kind words out of him.
None of the guards reacted to his words. After all, whatever they said would either displease the prince, the princess, or even the emperor himself. And even the fact that neither the princess nor his majesty were nearby did not convince them in the least. Rumor has it in the empire that even trees have ears. Therefore, they wisely chose to remain silent.
— But it's okay, we still have a chance. She may have acquired brute strength, but I have a trump card. Isn't that right, Mr. Galik?
— Of course, my prince. I will lead you along the most sinister trails of the Dalaran Forest, ones that no living soul knows about... At least among humans.
Today was already the second day of the Great Hunt, proclaimed by the emperor.
In the Dalaran Forest, there is a huge number of powerful spiritual beasts, and their rapid reproduction poses a threat to the state. If left unchecked, and their numbers not controlled, the empire would be shaken every few years by real hordes of spiritual beasts, crushing everything in their path, from villages to even small towns. In the past, this was indeed the case until various measures were introduced by the emperor to avoid such occurrences in the future. One of these measures is the Great Hunt, which is usually held once every few years. With its help, the forest population, which poses the main danger to neighboring regions, is reduced, and hunting beasts is an excellent way to train the young generation of the empire. All major sects of the state, powerful clans, outstanding army veterans, and, of course, the imperial family take part in the hunt. For many, the opportunity to participate is a great honor. But for Prince Rand, it was more of a burdensome obligation.
The hunt is opened by the young generation, cultivators up to twenty-five years old. For the first three days, they compete to defeat the greatest number of the most powerful spiritual beasts. Usually, a first-stage first-level beast is valued at one head, a first stage ninth-level beast at nine heads, and a beast that has reached the second stage is valued at a minimum of twenty heads. Some particularly dangerous species are valued outside this system. For example, two years ago, a purple toad was caught, capable of poisoning the area for tens of kilometers for many years, being just a beast that had barely reached the second stage. And it was valued at three hundred heads.
Then, after the end of the competition for the young, the older generation enters the game.
"As a prince of the Dark Moon empire, I am obligated, if not to win this competition, then at least to make it into the top ten."
Beast hunting is conducted in small groups of up to five people. Although no one forbids hunting alone, few engage in such foolishness.
In Rand's group, there were three powerful knights who had reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, selected from his father's best order, as well as one of the empire's best hunters, who knew the Dalaran Forest like the back of his hand – Mr. Galik.
And of course, his protector, guarding him since childhood, the mighty warrior of the Core Formation stage, the great knight Lark. Although he cannot directly participate in the competition due to his venerable age, he can offer advice, enriched by years of experience, and is also allowed to protect the prince in critical moments, which is important because it allows Rand to take greater risks without too much concern for his safety.
"My prince, we are faced with a choice. We can go north, deep into the forest, where I know several good hunting grounds, but there is a problem with this option. In the depths of the forest, there are many extremely dangerous beasts with mighty cultivation," Hunter Galik added, looking at the knights in gleaming armor. "Our group will surely be able to deal with them, but we will be significantly slowed down. Another option is to go east, where there are a huge number of relatively weak crimson wolves, whose packs number in the hundreds. Or west, as far as I know, there should be a migration of bloody horses happening there, they are not too strong either. In this case, the cultivation of the beasts will be significantly lower, but we will be able to kill them much faster. Which option do you prefer, my prince?" Mr. Galik asked.
Rand, surveying his four companions before answering the hunter's question, glanced at the elderly knight:
"Lark, what do you think?"
"My lord, for you to go east or west would be akin to child's play. Neither beneficial nor enjoyable. In my view, there is only one option here."
"Did you hear that, Mr. Galik? My old knight believes that all the other options are too simple and designed for pampered princes," at these words, the expression on the hunter's face became quite frightened. Even in his worst nightmare, he did not think that his rather neutral words could be interpreted in such a way.
"I didn't mean..." the hunter tried to object, but the prince's raised hand made him fall silent.
"So let's go deep into the forest, hoping that the beasts there will not disappoint me," the prince continued his speech.
Trying not to show that he had just had a near-heart attack, the hunter hastily replied:
"Of course, as you wish, my prince. Please follow me then."