Chapter 240: The Tiger King’s Anger

Chapter 240: Chapter 240: The Tiger King’s Anger

The three of them eventually left the dungeon district and returned to the central part of the dwarven capital.

By then, the news of what had happened earlier had already begun spreading throughout the city.

A group of humans had defeated the son of the Tiger King.

They had fought against dozens of tigerfolk sent to retaliate.

And, most importantly, they had walked away without showing the slightest trace of fear.

Rumors traveled quickly in a city filled with adventurers, merchants, and people from other races. By the time Ares, Selene, and Leon entered a large restaurant near the main street, several people inside were already aware of their identities.

The restaurant was spacious and well maintained, with long wooden tables, stone walls decorated with dwarven craftsmanship, and several large windows overlooking the busy streets outside. Humans, dwarves, elves, beastfolk, and lizardfolk occupied most of the tables, enjoying their meals while talking among themselves.

The moment the three entered, however, the conversations around them gradually became quieter.

Several people turned their heads.

Some whispered among themselves.

Others simply stared.

Ares paid little attention to them and continued walking toward an empty table, while Selene’s expression slowly became irritated.

She glanced toward a group of beastfolk who were watching them from across the room.

"Is it just me, or does every place we visit have someone staring at us?"

She crossed her arms and sighed.

"Master, whenever I see these disgusting creatures staring at us, I feel as though I could burn this entire establishment to the ground."

Leon, who was walking beside her, glanced calmly at the surrounding beastfolk before giving a slight nod.

"I cannot say that I disagree with your sentiment, Selene. Their persistent hostility is becoming rather tiresome, although I would recommend exercising restraint within an establishment where innocent people are merely attempting to enjoy their meals."

Selene looked toward him.

"You agree with me, yet you are the one telling me to restrain myself?"

"Agreement does not necessarily require recklessness."

Selene narrowed her eyes at him for a moment before looking away.

Ares sighed.

"Cut it out, both of you. We came here to eat, not to destroy a building."

Selene immediately relaxed.

"Yes, Master."

Leon gave a respectful nod.

"Of course, Master. Please forgive us."

Selene then smiled faintly.

"We apologize, Master."

Ares shook his head and led them toward the table.

"Just sit down."

The three took their seats.

A dwarf waitress soon approached them with a small notepad in hand and asked for their orders. Ares ordered a simple meal, while Selene chose several dishes that appeared to contain a considerable amount of meat. Leon, meanwhile, selected a meal that was considerably more refined than the others.

Once the waitress had taken their orders, she bowed and returned toward the kitchen.

The restaurant gradually returned to its previous atmosphere, although several people continued watching the three adventurers from a distance.

Ares noticed the gazes but chose not to react.

There was no reason to create another disturbance over something so insignificant.

Several minutes passed before the dwarf waitress returned carrying their meals.

She carefully placed each dish on the table before giving them a polite nod and returning toward the kitchen.

Selene stared at the food for several seconds.

Then her expression changed.

"Master."

Ares looked toward her.

"Someone has poisoned the food."

Leon’s eyes immediately shifted toward the dishes.

Ares calmly examined them for a moment before nodding.

"Yes."

Selene’s expression darkened.

"They must believe that we are merely ordinary adventurers who were fortunate enough to defeat a few powerful monsters. How dare they attempt something like this against our Master?"

Leon placed one hand near his weapon.

"If you permit me, Master, I shall find the culprit and ensure that this insult is dealt with appropriately."

Ares raised one hand.

"Don’t worry about it."

A faint glow surrounded his fingertips.

The magic spread across the table, passing through every dish and removing the foreign substance hidden within the food.

Within seconds, the poison had completely disappeared.

Ares withdrew his hand.

"Let’s eat first. We’ll deal with it later."

Selene smiled.

"As I expected of Master."

Leon gave a quiet nod.

"As always, Master has chosen the most sensible course of action."

Selene picked up her utensils, but before she began eating, her eyes shifted slightly toward one of the tables near the restaurant’s entrance.

A man had been watching them ever since they arrived.

He had attempted to conceal his attention by pretending to eat, but Selene had already noticed him.

She smiled.

"Yes, that man who has been watching us since we entered. Did he truly believe that our senses were insufficient to notice him hiding there?"

Leon followed her gaze.

"I noticed him as well."

Ares remained calm.

"Leave him alone for now."

Selene nodded.

"Understood, Master."

The three finally began eating.

None of them showed any concern about the poison.

None of them appeared bothered by the watching man.

And none of them seemed to notice that the events of the past two days had already attracted attention far beyond the ordinary adventurers of the dwarven capital.

---

Far away from the dwarven capital, within the territory of the Tiger King, the atmosphere inside the royal fortress was considerably less peaceful.

The Tiger King’s son stood before his father once again.

Unlike the previous report, however, there was no arrogance left in his expression.

His face was pale, and his body trembled slightly as he struggled to explain what had happened.

Tireromon sat upon his throne, his golden eyes fixed upon his son.

"What did you say?"

His voice was dangerously quiet.

The young tigerfolk swallowed.

"The woman... she burned them."

Tireromon’s expression hardened.

"Burned whom?"

"All of them."

His son lowered his head.

"The woman used some kind of flame, Father. She burned every warrior who accompanied us until nothing remained. There were no bodies left behind, and not even ashes remained."

Tireromon’s hand slowly tightened around the armrest of his throne.

His claws dug into the stone.

Those warriors had been members of his territory.

They had served him.

And now they were simply gone.

"Those foolish humans."

His voice carried growing anger.

"Where are they now?"

His son immediately answered.

"They are still in the dwarven capital."

Tireromon rose from his throne.

His massive frame cast a long shadow across the hall.

His son gathered enough courage to speak again.

"Father, they continue to mock you. After everything they have done, they are still walking around the city as though nothing happened. Are you truly going to allow them to continue doing as they please?"

Tireromon’s eyes narrowed.

"Of course not."

His voice became colder.

"They have humiliated my son, killed my warriors, and openly challenged the authority of the Tiger King. They must be punished."

Before he could say anything more, a woman’s laughter suddenly echoed through the hall.

"My, my."

Tireromon’s expression immediately darkened.

A woman entered the hall with elegant steps.

She possessed the appearance of a beautiful kitsune, with long, silky golden hair that flowed down her back and several large fox tails swaying gracefully behind her. Her eyes were a vivid crimson, and her features were refined and striking, carrying an elegance that contrasted sharply with the savage atmosphere of the Tiger King’s fortress.

She wore a luxurious crimson-and-white kimono decorated with delicate golden patterns, while a folding fan rested lightly in one hand.

The woman raised the fan to cover the lower half of her face as she laughed softly.

"To think I would have the pleasure of seeing such anger on your face, Tireromon."

Tireromon stared at her.

"What are you doing here, Yunara?"

Yunara lowered her fan slightly, revealing an amused smile.

"Oh, what an unpleasant greeting. I merely came to check on one of my fellow Beast Kings."

Tireromon’s expression remained cold.

’This woman is truly beginning to irritate me.’

He turned away from her.

"If that is all, then leave."

Yunara laughed softly behind her fan.

"My, how impatient you are as always."

She took another step into the hall.

"I heard that several adventurers have recently been mocking you."

Tireromon turned his head toward her.

"Is that the reason you came here?"

"No."

Yunara’s smile remained unchanged.

"I came because I thought you might require some assistance."

Tireromon scoffed.

"Assistance?"

He stepped forward.

"Who exactly do you think you are speaking to? I am Tireromon, the great Tiger King. Do you honestly believe that a few humans are capable of standing against me?"

Yunara’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"I would not underestimate them simply because they are human."

Tireromon frowned.

Yunara continued speaking in the same calm tone.

"I have also heard that another hero has recently been born in the Human Kingdom."

The anger in Tireromon’s expression momentarily shifted into curiosity.

"A hero?"

"Yes."

Yunara opened her fan slightly.

"You know how powerful a human hero can become, do you not?"

Tireromon remained silent.

Yunara continued.

"That is precisely why the higher races have historically attempted to eliminate heroes before they mature enough to become a threat. A hero possessing the right abilities can upset the balance that has existed between the major races for centuries."

A faint smile appeared on her face.

"It would be unwise to assume that humans can never produce someone capable of threatening the established order."

Tireromon gave a dismissive snort.

"Hero or not, such matters are irrelevant to me. I have ruled the tigerfolk for years, and I have defeated countless enemies with my own hands. I will not allow three arrogant adventurers to make me appear weak."

Yunara looked at him for several seconds.

"Then I suppose there is nothing more for me to say."

She turned toward the entrance.

"Good luck, Tireromon."

She paused.

"I have a feeling that you are about to encounter something rather interesting."

Tireromon frowned.

"What?"

Yunara looked over her shoulder.

"Nothing."

She covered her mouth with her fan and laughed softly.

"Perhaps I am simply imagining things."

Without explaining herself any further, Yunara continued walking toward the exit.

Tireromon watched her leave with an irritated expression.

’What exactly is that woman talking about?’

He remained silent for several moments before turning toward his son.

"You can leave now."

His son bowed.

"Yes, Father."

He turned around and left the hall.

Once the doors closed behind him, Tireromon remained standing alone beneath the enormous banners of the Tiger King.

His golden eyes narrowed as he looked toward the distant horizon.

"Tomorrow."

His voice was low and filled with restrained anger.

"We will go to the dwarven capital."