Kaijin Fighter: So I Have to Make Monsters, So What?-Chapter 1188: Imperial Hunting Party

[Woo...]

As the phantom zakos touched down on the ground and began to explore the hunting camp, they began to feed information directly back to Zhen Liu.

While the details weren’t as well-defined as when he used the kaijin to look around, it was enough for Zhen Liu to know who these people were, and to get an impression of what kind of person and/or group would construct such an... incredibly ostentatious campsite.

’Hmmm, House Strummata was it?Can’t tell if impressive or disgusted by their set-up.’

When one thinks of a hunting camp, most people tend to think of a... rough and tumble setting.

A tent of some kind that’s sturdy but incredibly mobile, hunters dressed in clothes that made it easy for them to blend into the environment and hide away from wild creatures that may or may not get spooked by their presence otherwise and various traps and tools needed to dismantle their prey once acquired.

The hunting camp created by House Strummata at the shores of the Lake of Six Iguanas though was a touch more...war-like.

There were tents, but they were large, almost building-like ones meant to house mutiple people or tools at once.

’These tents would be fine if they were planning to sit in one spot for the better part of a week, but they would otherwise be obvious targets depending on the local fauna.’

There were hunters, but they were dressed and armed like soldiers, with a distinct unit division amongst them as well.

’A couple of ranged crack shots I could understand, spearmen too, but this unit over is clearly meant armed with axes and shields...why would they need that for a hint?’

And instead of the usual assortment of tools and traps used on practically every hunt since the beginning of time, there were a variety of weapons and expensive aether tools that made it very clear that this hunting party was meant for one particular target.

’Oh...this starting to make a lot more sense now...’

However, there was one thing out of this entire camp that stood out above all else: the center tent.

This chapter is updat𝓮d by freēnovelkiss.com.

’Safe to assume that tent belongs to whomever is running this show...’

The center tent in question was the same size as the shared domicile tents of the soldiers, but was a deep blue color as opposed to eggshell white like the others.

Not only that, but Zhen Liu could practically feel the power radiating out of it.

To be more precise, he could feel three energy signatures through the zako.

’A pair of aether lords and a...King? An Emperor? I can’t get a clear read of this guy...damn.’

Luckily for him though,he wouldn’t have to wait long for such information.

Because as one of the zakos kept watch of the tent, a well-dressed servant had begun to make his way over.

’Of course there’s a butler...’

...

Inside of a luxurious azure tent, that was furnished with items made of rare and valuable materials, a scene of noblesse relaxation was taking place.

"Pawn to E-5."

"A safe move at this time?"

"Perhaps...or perhaps it’s a trap?"

"Hmmm."

Seated at a chess table made from centuries old oak, with pieces made from ivory, ebony wood and gold, was a man and a woman.

The man had dark hair, cold eyes, a manicured mustache and was dressed in a dark blue robe, with the symbol of the Strummata family embroidered on it, and wearing several accessories that were either made of gold, aether rich materials or both. Whether he wore the gold to camouflage the aether treasures or because he was just vain was unclear.

This man was known to the wider world as Gera Strummata, the eldest son of House Strummata.

"Rook to H-7," Gera said as he moved his piece.

"Oh dear, it appears you have me in check, dear friend," the young woman opposite to him commented with feign surprise. "How long have you been waiting to get me into a corner?"

"Longer than you’d think."

"Cute."

Opposite to him was a woman with caramel colored skin, hair as fine as golden silk, green eyes and a general demeanor that gave off the feeling that she thought the whole world was her plaything, all while wrapped in a deep purple dress.

This woman was known as Giobana Dindara, or to use her formal title, Princess Giobana Dindara of the Dindara Dynasty, third in line for the throne of the Erupting Dawn Empire.

"Queen takes rook, and it appears I broke the check."

"Ah, that’s why you moved your pawn earlier."

"What can I say? I know how you play."

These two scions of noble houses were more than friends but less than lovers. As such, the two of them playing games such as chess, or the two of them going on a hunting expedition, was a relatively common occurrence.

Many outside observers speculated that the two would one day marry and unite the two powerful houses, but that was merely gossip.

After all, being the child of royalty usually meant one would be used for political gain moreso than anything else. Regardless, the two scions still enjoyed each other’s company...even if there was a third party observer in the background.

"And now we’re in check again. Excellent," Giobana noted with an annoyed clock of the tongue.

"A proper back and forth makes these games fun, my dear," Gera retorted. "Would you prefer an easy victory?"

"No."

"Pardon me?"

"Hmm?"

As the two continued to play, a servant entered the tent to deliver some light yet necessary news.

"Master Gera. Princess Giobana."

"Yes?"

"What is it?"

"I’ve come to inform you both that lunch has been prepared and was wondering if now would be an appropriate time to serve it."

"What’s on the menu today?"

"Whole Roasted Alligator that has been stuffed with rice, mushrooms and marinated with nineteen different herbs and spices. We even have an accompanying cocktail made with agave liquor, fermented goat’s milk and mango juice."

"Hmmm. Give us about five minutes to wrap this up. Go and prepare our dining sets, would you?"

"As you wish, Master Gera."

With the servant now dismissed, the two scions returned their focus to the game in front of them and began to play in a more decisive yet equally calculative manner.

The sound of chess pieces hitting in the board in a rapid sequence began to fill the room in a manner that made the whole process almost musical.

Eventually though, this concerto of tactics came to an end in the only way that made sense to the duo.

"A stalemate."

"Yes."

"That makes this..."

"256 draws, 109 victories on both sides."

"Annoying...but expected."

"Of course."

With their game now finished, the duo left to go and enjoy their lunch. However, there was one other thing they had to address before doing so.

"Elder Phanra. Will you be joining us for lunch?"

In a corner of the furnished tent, an elderly monk with a long bushy beard and a body as skinny as a twig was sitting on a prayer mat.

A solid thirty seconds passed before the old monk gave his reply.

"Sure."

"In that case, elders first."

With moves as gentle as a falling petal and as careful as a spider walking across its web, the old monk stood up from his prayer mat and walked towards the tent’s exit.

If it wasn’t the sheer aura of this man’s stride, it would be hard to believe that this old monk was one of the most powerful warriors in all of the Erupting Dawn Empire.

Then again, it was hard not to be when they’re a double cultivator.

’Hmmm. It appears that we have some outsider observers...how curious.’

...

’Okay so that guy is probably the owner of the camp, that girl definitely looks like a princess if Jinju Ren and Bellona are anything to go off of,’ Zhen Liu noted. ’So who’s the old...wait a minute, what the fuck?’

Through the eyes and ears of his three zakos, Zhen Liu managed to identify Gera Strummata and Giobana Dindara with ease. But the last guy, an old man that the rank-and-file called Elder Tusk was...throwing him for a loop.

For reasons he wasn’t privy to, Zhen Liu was unable to properly perceive Elder Tusk like everyone else.

"Hey, Lythero, this is gonna sound weird. Can you see that trio that just came out of the big blue tent?"

"Uh...yeah? Looks like a young couple and an old man. What about them?"

"Is the old man blurry, by any chance?"

"No..."

"Hmmm."

The old man, through the zako ’s eyes, was weirdly fuzzy in comparison to the rest of his surroundings, as if he was entirely out of focus with the rest of the world.

Zhen Liu wasn’t entirely sure why this was the case, and he didn’t have Logos and Pathos around to help him out!

’Okay brain, why can’t I perceive him correctly...’