Approaching Babaru's lifeless body, Dominic nudged it with his foot, flipping her so her face was exposed. He had initially thought the intruder's small frame seemed unusual, and now he clicked his tongue.
The revealed face belonged to an old crone, her wrinkles deep and numerous.
"Sending a frail old woman as an assassin… what were they thinking?" Dominic muttered.
Michael smiled slightly and replied calmly, "Don't underestimate her. She was the grand shaman of the Rock Bear Tribe."
Startled, Dominic recoiled, wiping the sole of his boot against the floor as if cleansing himself of something foul. His expression now showed a mix of shock, fear, and disgust.
"A shaman of the steppes? And from a major tribe like the Rock Bears? Such a figure is considered sacred—what on earth was she thinking, coming here in person?"
"She sought vengeance for her only remaining granddaughter, whom I killed during the last expedition," Michael explained.
Recalling the battle between Michael and the Rock Bear Tribe, Dominic nodded. If this was for the sake of avenging her sole blood relative, such a daring infiltration made sense.
"Even so, it was a reckless endeavor. Shamans aren't meant to operate . Regardless, this has earned you a great achievement. Killing the grand shaman of one of the five great tribes is no small feat."
Dominic's face lit up with pride. His son truly was a harbinger of fortune, achieving monumental feats without even stepping onto the battlefield.
"Indeed," Michael said. "But she likely never imagined her life would end so miserably in this place. Her lack of real combat experience as a shaman was evident."
Inexperience aside, the fact remained that the deceased was a grand shaman. Dominic shook his head as he glanced at Babaru's lifeless form once more.
"No time to dwell on this. I'll report your accomplishment immediately. You must be exhausted, so go rest in the quarters the prince arranged for you. I'll handle the paperwork. By the way, what kind of beast was captured?"
Michael thought of the Siren, which Miaomiao and Marcus were currently guarding. With both of them keeping watch, the Grade 2 beast wouldn't dare make a move.
"Miaomiao says it's a Grade 2 Siren. Its powers are sealed, and it's been thoroughly subdued, so it might prove useful later," Michael replied.
Dominic nodded, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. "That's excellent. A Grade 2 beast... if we can utilize it on the battlefield, that will be another significant contribution."
"Let's focus on interrogating the Siren for now," Michael suggested cautiously. "For the moment, just report the death of the grand shaman. There's still much we need to uncover."
"Understood. You've done exceptionally well, and most importantly, I'm grateful you survived such an attack," Dominic said warmly.
Michael offered a faint smile in response to his father's kind words.
As Dominic, still buoyant, ascended the stairs toward his quarters, Michael sighed deeply. The fatigue from his battle with Babaru coursed through his body.
All he wanted now was rest.
The bedroom prepared by Crown Prince Randolph was comfortable. Michael awoke from a deep sleep on a bed far softer than his previous one, finally feeling somewhat restored. Stretching slowly, he still felt the lingering fatigue throughout his body. After his grueling battle with the massive bear, there wasn't a part of him that didn't ache. The tension from the ordeal hadn't fully dissipated either.
Beside his bed, Miaomiao and Marcus were fast asleep, while Michael could sense Esper lingering in the shadows. A faint smile appeared on his face. It seemed the previous day's attack had unsettled them all.
As Michael quietly got up, Miaomiao stirred, rubbing her sleepy eyes before sitting up.
"[I was busy interrogating the Siren yesterday… no, I mean, questioning it thoroughly,]" Miaomiao reported. "[The intruder and the Siren were indeed from the Rock Bear Tribe. The old woman's name was Babaru, and she was the grand shaman of the entire tribe.]"
That much Michael had already suspected. He even knew her name.
"Thank you, Miaomiao. Did you learn anything else?"
Encouraged by Michael's praise, Miaomiao's tail began to twitch with excitement. Marcus, meanwhile, had woken partially and was watching their exchange with one eye half-open.
"[The Rock Bear Tribe didn't send her to assassinate you—it was Babaru acting on her own. The Siren was a beast bound to Babaru's family for generations, but it claims it wants to pledge itself to you now.]"
"Really?" Michael's eyes narrowed.
A Grade 2 beast like a Siren pledging allegiance to him seemed too convenient. Was there an ulterior motive?
"Does it show any signs of harboring thoughts of revenge or anything similar?"
Miaomiao's eyes sparkled as she answered, "[The Siren species are not particularly aggressive or battle-hardened. They're a mysterious kind, living in deep seas, and their voices are imbued with magic, which is why they rank as Grade 2 beasts. It says it was captured by humans and forced into servitude. Now that Babaru's direct bloodline is severed, the binding contract is gone, and it's free. It seems trustworthy.]"
Michael nodded but remained cautious.
"What's your opinion? Could this be a trap?"
Miaomiao shrugged nonchalantly. "[It doesn't seem that way. I tested it, and it isn't lying. Besides, given the nature of the Siren species, it can't return to its kin. If it forms a new contract with a suitable master, it should be manageable.]"
Michael's expression grew contemplative.
The first potential candidate for the Siren's contract that came to mind was his father. A Siren would be a useful companion, capable of serving as a guard or even transportation.
"Take good care of it for now. Let's observe it a bit longer before deciding."
Miaomiao nodded and lay back down. She understood Michael's caution, considering the Siren had been an enemy just a day ago. If he had taken the situation lightly, it would have been more concerning. Marcus, too, yawned and closed his eyes again.
Michael's thoughts turned to the ability he had acquired the day before. It was related to weather manipulation. Although there were limitations on the range and duration, it could be an incredibly powerful asset on the battlefield. He could slow enemy advances, ease troop movements, or even aid in ambushes.
As he pondered the possibilities, someone cleared their throat outside the door. Michael's gaze shifted to the sound.