Chapter 30: The Road to Maria’s Judgment

Maria’s Reckoning.

An ancient method of settling disputes .. first established by one of the greatest hunters in the history of the Heart: Maria Heart.

It was a public duel, witnessed by a vast gathering of the Heart.

Those who entered such a battle fought without restraint.

It ended only in surrender… or death.

Typically, it was a one-on-one confrontation.

But that was never a strict rule.

If the conflict was collective, the battlefield could expand far beyond a single duel.

Many despised this tradition .. for its brutality, its bloodshed. More often than not, one side lay dead before anyone yielded. Rarely did surrender come.

Yet the Uncrowned Emperor, Asterion Heart, favored this method above all others. He was infamous for having participated in more Maria’s Reckonings than anyone in Heart history.

Seventy-one duels.

Seventy-one victories.

Not a single defeat.

He became the undisputed king of the arena .. surpassing even Maria herself, who had created the tradition.

The elders did not favor Asterion’s decision.

But they could not object.

Even setting aside their fear of him, they lacked the authority to deny Ethan if he invoked the ancient rite. The Old Ways commanded respect within the Heart.

The drunken old man turned toward Ethan, smiling.

“You will do it, won’t you, Ethan Heart?”

The matter meant nothing unless Ethan himself demanded the duel.

Without hesitation, Ethan nodded.

“Yes. I will fight for the Hunter’s title.”

“Then it is settled.”

Asterion’s voice sealed the decree.

“Kevin. Prepare the one you’ve chosen.”

Seated at the summit, Kevin Heart exhaled in visible exhaustion.

Dealing with Asterion was more draining than war… more exhausting than the Eternal Night itself.

“Asterion,” Kevin said coldly, irritation clear in his tone, “I hope you understand the consequences of your reckless whims.”

“Because of you, a Heart will die needlessly. We will lose one of our own — not to the curse, not to war — but by staining the ground with his blood at the hands of his brother.”

Kevin was not a cruel man.

Quite the opposite.

He had devoted his entire life to the welfare of the clan. His decision to strip Ethan of the Hunter’s title had not been born of hatred.

He had assessed the situation objectively.

Ethan would have lived safely within Ashvarn, protected by the Bonfire’s grace. The curse would not torment him there.

Ashvarn was the vessel connected to every Bonfire across the world.

Meanwhile, Moon’s squad would receive a qualified replacement.

His decision had been rational.

Correct.

That was what he believed.

But the Uncrowned Emperor’s interference overturned everything.

“You may be a relic we owe much to,” Kevin said as he rose, most of the elders following suit, “but now you are nothing more than a drunken old man who toys with the lives of the next generation. How tragic, Uncrowned Emperor.”

He did not wish to remain another moment.

“Maria’s Reckoning will take place one month from now .. as you requested.”

He passed beside Asterion.

Asterion said nothing. He merely watched.

Then Kevin’s gaze shifted to Ethan.

“Do your best, boy. Most likely… you have only one month left to live.”

With that, Kevin and most of the elders departed.

Only the Third Squad remained .. along with Asterion… and Vanessa, who had not left.

The old forest witch leaned against the platform, fingers interlaced, smiling faintly at Asterion.

“He was right this time. Every word.”

Asterion sighed.

“Not you too, Vanessa.”

Hands tucked into his coat pockets, he approached Ethan.

“Maria’s Reckoning is lawful tradition. I admired the boy’s resolve. So I simply granted him a chance.”

“I wonder about that,” Vanessa replied, narrowing her crimson eyes. “From where I stand, you may have only paved the road to his death.”

Asterion chuckled lightly and turned to Ethan.

“Look at this, Ethan. None of them believe in you. To them, your defeat is inevitable.”

Ethan wasn’t sure whether the old man wanted a response .. or was merely toying with him.

But he spoke anyway.

“It is too early to decide that I will lose.”

His tone deepened.

“The elders know nothing about me. And if they choose to judge a book by its cover…”

He paused.

“…then they will have no one to blame but themselves when what remains of their ashes burns away.”

His boldness sparked faint surprise in the eyes of both Asterion and Vanessa.

But neither saw insult in his words.

The Uncrowned Emperor laughed openly.

“You truly speak your mind without hesitation. Direct. Honest. I like that!”

Asterion patted Ethan’s shoulder a few times before turning back toward Vanessa.

“I hope your magic hasn’t withered like your beauty, Old hag.”

He gestured toward the back of Ethan’s neck.

“Because we’re going to need it.”

He said, gesturing toward the back of Ethan’s neck.

“Suppress his curse. Otherwise, he won’t be able to hunt… nor level up.”

Despite the veiled insult, Vanessa showed no sign of irritation .. proof that she was well accustomed to Asterion’s eccentric temperament. Instead, she scoffed in return.

“I have no intention of fulfilling a request issued by a drunken old man who can’t tell his right from his left,” she said dryly. “But… we’ll see.”

Vanessa turned her gaze toward Ethan’s squad, who were still reeling from everything that had transpired moments ago.

“I’ll do it for the sake of my dear disciple,” she continued, her smile widening slightly.

“But—”

Her crimson eyes narrowed.

“I will suppress the curse for one month only .. until the day of the duel. If Ethan Heart fails to prove his worth and talent, I will not suppress his curse after that. Not even if he wins. Is that clear?”

The question was directed at Ethan.

He nodded without hesitation.

“One month is more than enough, my lady. I promise you a performance your memory will never forget.”

“Ohoho… such big words,” Vanessa chuckled. “Let us hope your actions live up to them. Come to the Ancient Forest tomorrow morning, and you shall have what you desire.”

That settled it.

The Forest Witch had agreed to help.

With their business concluded, both Vanessa and Asterion prepared to leave, intending to give Ethan space with his companions .. whose agitation was evident after witnessing his attempt to take his own life.

But as the two elders spoke quietly to one another, hinting at an old friendship…

Ethan gathered his courage and approached the Uncrowned Emperor once more.

Asterion noticed him immediately and raised an eyebrow.

“What is it now, Ethan Heart?” he asked with a smirk. “Did the pressure make you lose track of where your companions are?”

Ethan shook his head.

“No. I’m exactly where I want to be.”

He smiled faintly, then spoke with resolve.

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