Chapter 240: The Pride of the Cursed (3)

She could now walk through the streets openly, proud to be a Heart.

While the two girls continued looking at Serena with admiration, Moon found herself thinking about something else.

As she studied the energetic woman, with her commanding presence and the long scar across her face, she couldn’t help wondering...

’Just how much effort did she put into this? How many hardships did she have to endure... to achieve something like this?’

Moon couldn’t even begin to imagine it.

Serena belonged to the previous generation of hunters, the same generation as Moon’s parents, who had died after being sent to the capital.

In other words, Serena had been living in the Land of Gold for a very long time.

Nearly twenty years.

That was how long it had taken her to bring about this change.

And for that alone, she had earned Moon’s respect.

After the girls had expressed their admiration for Serena, the maids escorted them into another chamber.

Inside was an astonishing collection of dresses and luxurious garments unlike anything they had ever seen before.

Accustomed to wearing practical hunting attire, the girls suddenly found themselves surrounded by an enormous assortment of clothing in every imaginable style and color.

"A-Amazing... All these clothes..."

Alicia looked from one side of the room to the other, unable to keep her eyes on any single dress for long.

Everything was simply too beautiful.

"Lady Serena said you may choose whatever you like from this collection, so please don’t hesitate."

One of the maids spoke respectfully.

The girls’ eyes immediately lit up, and they wasted no time beginning to pick out their favorites.

At that moment, their respect for Serena rose several times over.

Perhaps even more than it had when they witnessed her influence over the capital’s residents.

Meanwhile, the men found themselves standing before an equally impressive collection of luxurious suits and long coats, all made from the finest materials.

"Man... Is all this really necessary?"

Ethan’s reaction was almost identical to Asterion’s.

"Boy... Just surrender. Women can’t be defeated when it comes to things like this."

Asterion’s voice came from somewhere in the distance as Serena continued dragging him along.

The old man already sounded completely resigned to his fate.

"Stop fooling around and try on the clothes I’ve picked for you. I think they’ll suit you, although that missing arm of yours might make things a little difficult."

Serena spoke after quickly selecting several garments.

"And as for you, Kevin... Your current clothes will do just fine. There’s no need for you to change."

Kevin Heart was the only one who had managed to pass Serena’s minimum standards of appearance, thanks to his strict discipline.

Adjusting his monocle, Kevin merely gave a quiet snort in response.

Serena then turned her attention to Ethan and the others, most of whom were struggling to decide what to wear.

With one notable exception.

Verso had been running around the room, trying on practically everything he could get his hands on.

By the time Serena looked his way, he’d somehow managed to pile four pairs of trousers and five coats onto himself.

One of the trousers was even draped over his head.

"Hahahaha!!! I feel hot and luxurious at the same time!!"

"What the hell am I even looking at?"

Serena pressed a hand against her forehead.

The situation was considerably worse than she’d imagined, and she was beginning to realize that she’d made the right decision by staying with the men instead of accompanying the women.

As Verso continued running around, unable to see properly because of the trousers covering his head, Serena casually placed her foot in his path.

Square Dick promptly went sprawling across the floor.

"Stop ruining my clothes, or I’ll turn you into a piece of roasted meat!!"

Serena threatened as sparks of lightning erupted around her.

"Hahaha!! Sorry, sorry! The clothes here are just so beautiful that I couldn’t help myself!"

Verso apologized twice, seemingly unconcerned by her threat.

Serena could only sigh in exasperation.

Verso was insane.

And as if dealing with him weren’t enough, the hunting squads also included Raiden and the orc-like man from the Second Hunting Squad.

Both were exceptionally large and heavily built, making it difficult to find anything that fit them properly.

Chai was the only one who managed to choose suitable clothes almost immediately.

After all, he was practically still a child at fourteen.

Serena quickly selected several outfits for the others, somehow managing to find something suitable for everyone.

Eventually, only Ethan remained.

"Hmmmm... You have a mechanical arm. That’s unusual."

Standing beside him, Serena began assessing his build with her eyes alone, without needing to take any measurements.

"I’m sorry... I’ve made things more difficult for you."

Ethan apologized, but Serena shook her head.

"Not at all. That strange arm of yours just adds a little extra challenge, that’s all."

And just as she’d said, it didn’t take her long to find something that suited Ethan despite his mechanical arm.

"The world needs to see that our clan is inferior to no one, whether on the battlefield or in our appearance..."

Serena spoke as she handed Ethan his suit.

"Today, you’ll meet the Emperor and his bastard children with your heads held high."

She flashed him a toothy grin.

Her easy confidence did much to lighten the atmosphere, making her remarkably comfortable to be around.

"Thank you. I don’t think any of this would have been possible without you."

Ethan thanked her, choosing a diplomatic response.

That only made Serena laugh louder.

"You talk like someone much older than you are, boy. Just enjoy yourself and stop worrying about complicated things."

She gave him a gentle push toward the changing rooms, smiling warmly.

But as Ethan turned away, Serena’s eyes suddenly narrowed.

She had caught a glimpse of the mark on the back of his neck.

’That... Is that the mark of the Bloody Eclipse?’

Serena whispered under her breath, too quietly for anyone to hear.

She was surprised to find a fifth-level curse right in front of her.

And Ethan wasn’t the only one.

’That lunatic has one too...’

She was referring to Verso.

When she’d tripped him earlier, she’d caught a glimpse of the mark on his body as well.

Serena possessed remarkably sharp powers of observation.

"Quite an interesting group we’ve got this time."

A broad smile spread across her face as she began to understand what Asterion had meant by his earlier words.

What she didn’t realize at the time was that this particular group would become the most prominent force in the coming Ordeal.

An Ordeal for which no one was prepared...