ＣＨＡＰＴＥＲ ２： ＡＣＴ ＩＶ
𝑩𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔

In the bustling street of Gundana City, famous for its Central Bazaar, people from different towns and cities often visit to buy exquisite artifacts and treasures.

The air buzzes with excitement as vendors call out to passersby, showcasing their dazzling wares, foods, and clothing—each piece holding a story, each corner bursting with the vibrant pulse of culture.

Ancient India inspired the architectural design of this city. It explains why men in this city wear modernized indo-western outfits, while women wear long dresses that cover their arms and ankles paired with fabric wrapped around the waist with one end covering the shoulder—called a saree.

"Your orders, madams," the attendant beamed as he served the food.

Umangat ang tingin ni Coeur sa dalawang lalaking kasama niya. She pressed her lips together, fighting the urge to laugh at them. She gracefully poured herself tea and drank it without breaking eye contact with them.

"Don't look at me like that, Deus. A refined lady will never look at someone with content in their eyes," she teased, gaining another uneasy grunt from him.

Bahagya itong natawa. That's right, she had them dress like a woman in disguise. Subalit kahit natatabunan ng belo ang mukha ng mga ito't mata lang ang nakikita ay halata pa rin niya ang disgusto sa mga ito lalong-lalo na si Deus.

"Look at Rune, he's a natural." Napabaling ng tingin ang mga ito kay Rune na mapilantik na ginagalaw ang nga daliri upang uminom ng mainit na tsaa.

Of course, he's a natural—he was an assassin, and going undercover is normal. Unlike Deus, who looks utterly ridiculous. Kung makita mo nga lang ito maglakad ay aakalain mong babaeng siga sa kanto.

"Lady General, please, this is embarrassing. How am I supposed to pee in the toilet wearing a dress?" Imbis pakinggan ang pakiusap nito ay tinampal niya lang ang kamay ng binata.

"Address me as a lady. Ears are everywhere, Diana." Parang nasusukang napaiwas ng tingin si Deus. Wala na itong nagawa kun'di ang humalukipkip na lang sa isang tabi—rethinking if he made the right choice of following her.

Nararapat ay si Rune lang ang kasama ng heneral, subalit nakumbinsi siya ni Ishu na sumama sa kadahilanang kailangan may umatabay sa kanya patungong kapital. He was fine at first because he wanted a vacation, but he instantly regrets it when the general commanded them to abandon the carriage and dress as a commoner.

In a worst case scenario, talagang pinagbihis niya pa itong mga babae. Nawa'y wala lang talagang makakilala sa kanya kun'di ay baka magpalamon na siya sa lupa dahil sa kahihiyan.

"Hey, have you heard the news?" Their attention shifted to a middle-aged man who just entered the tavern.

"A group of merchants were raided on the outskirts of the city. You're running a trading business. You should avoid that route," suhestyon pa nito.

"Thieves?" He shakes his head.

"More like a group of bandits than thieves. I heard they were looking for someone. They were ransacking every carriage that passed along the way." Mabilis pa sa las kwatrong napatingin sa dalaga si Rune at Deus.

So, that's the reason why she abandoned the carriage. She knows people will be after her.

"How bold! They were confident because the outskirts were too far from the city, and the nearest county took a twenty-five-minute ride by horse!"

"Also, look at this!" May inabot itong piraso ng papel sa mga kasamahan niya.

A painting of a fat woman wearing a heavy metal battle suit was on the paper. Her face was almost unrecognizable because of her double chin and pimpled cheeks.

"The Beast of the Wilderness, General Coeur Van Saussure?" Bumunghalit ng tawa ang mga ito, samantalang napalunok naman ng laway si Deus at Theo nang mapansin ang paghigpit ng hawak ni Coeur sa tasa.

"Is she even worthy of being called a woman with such an ugly face?" Mapanghusga pa nitong turan.

So? Kapag pangit hindi na babae?

A+ for the effort, though. Whoever spread these portraits of her must've spent much gold to ruin her reputation. Gundana City is miles away from the capital, yet they have already managed to circulate it.

Well, she expected it. Nobody wants her to return to the capital because her return will be the bane of their existence.

"Luckily, the third prince will marry her—or else, the next generation of the royal family will be doomed." Sa pagkakataong ito ay pasinghal na ngumiti ang dalaga.

As if I wanted to marry that rascal! Mas mabuti pang makipagdigma na lang kesa matali sa baliw na yun!

"A bastard born from a lowly maid and an ugly fat beast who only knows to swing a sword instead of being an obedient woman worthy of breeding." Parang may pumitik na ugat sa ulo ni Deus at Rune. Akmang tatayo na ang mga ito nang hawakan ng dalaga ang kanilang braso.

Despite the insults she received from them, she surprisingly looks calm. That's what they thought.

"Women like her are those untamed and ambitious—thinking they can be our equal. Why can't they remain pretty and submissively serve their husband's needs? We do all the labor. They must return it." Coeur intentionally let the teacup fall from the table. The sound of the glass breaking made everyone shift their attention toward her.

As they turned their heads, they were astounded to see how alluring she was in her clothes. She was the epitome of beauty and grace—until she opened her mouth to speak.

"You mean to say your mother was no more than a breeding whore?" Napasinghap naman ang mga ito dahil sa naging tanong niya. Those group of men who slandered her have their mouths gaped open. A pretty face with a foul mouth, so unheard of.

"Pardon?"

"An obedient woman worthy of breeding. Are you admitting the fact that you're born from loveless parents who see marriage as a mere breeding contract?" She stood up, walking slowly as she observed their reaction. They flinched like a salt infected their wounds.

"You dare talk to my mother like that? Who do you—"

"You speak so low of women, but you're defending your mother now?" She snickered before continuing. "She must be disappointed thinking it'll be best for you if your father busted you in the sheets. Son of a bitch." Naniningkit matang napalingon ang dalaga sa gawi ni Deus at Rune.

Those fierce eyes made them realize she may have become weak, but her words were still sharp as a sword—cutting through everyone's idiotic ideals. "Let's leave!" Nang tumalikod ito ay tumayo ang isang lalaki na mukhang hindi matanggap ang pang-iinsulto niya.

He was about to raise his hand against her when Rune swiftly moved, swaying the ends of his dress before grabbing his left wrist to stop him. "A gentleman must never raise his hands on a lady unless he's a scoundrel," he whispered in a soft female voice.

Coeur picked up the painting with her unrecognizable face on the floor. Kung pwede niya lang sana itong ipakain sa mismong nag guhit nito ay ginawa niya na. Nevertheless, she felt the thrill.

Even if her journey to the capital is dangerous, she will make sure to return with a wide smile on her lips.

The Beast of the Wilderness will become the Goddess of the Wilderness no one could refute.