Our Family Has Fallen-Chapter 720 - 424: Bastia_1

In the forest, a gray rabbit was nibbling on the tender green grass. Suddenly, it seemed to sense some movement and halted, its ears perked alertly to catch any sound from the surrounding area, ready to dart into the thicket at any moment. But there was no response for quite some time. Just as it turned its head back to its grass...

BANG!

A gunshot tore through the tranquillity of the forest at dawn. Almost at the same instant, the gray rabbit kicked up its legs, attempting to flee. However, its movement was abruptly halted by the bullet's force, sending it flipping onto the ground beside it.

Only then did the distant bushes rustle openly, and a person emerged.

She was dressed in an elegant, teal-blue hunting outfit: a wide-brimmed soft hat suited for the outdoors, adorned with a Copper badge and black feathers, and a short, thick shawl draped over her shoulders. In her hand was a Long-barreled Flintlock Gun. Its craftsmanship signaled it was no ordinary piece but a fine product of a gunsmith's handiwork. Under the hat was a delicate and beautiful face, and the slightly tailored hunting attire further accentuated her nimble and vigorous physique.

Surprisingly, the figure in hunting garb, musket in hand, was not a man, but a woman?

This wasn't a matter of discrimination. Rather, in this era, those who could afford such hunting equipment were rarely commoners. And young ladies of such status typically preferred attending all sorts of balls and social gatherings rather than dealing with animals in the forest. But practical details like her tied-up trouser legs and the red hair tucked into her hat indicated she was no mere poser. Furthermore, the shawl, damp with morning dew, suggested she had been lying in wait for her prey for quite some time. And of course, there was more direct evidence: the gray rabbit, shot cleanly through the body and killed instantly.

The hunter picked up the rabbit, quickly field-dressed it, then tied it to her waist before continuing deeper into the forest.

When the sun was high overhead, the hunter's figure finally emerged from the forest. Three gray rabbits and a Wood Rat, the latter as plump as the rabbits, were now tied to her waist.

By the roadside, a carriage bearing an aristocratic crest was already parked. An elderly man, clearly having waited for some time, was the first to speak.

"Miss, it seems you have had a good haul today!"

"Average. I wandered around all morning and didn't even see a deer, only these small things," the hunter replied, patting the day's haul at her waist. Although she said this, the smile on her face clearly showed her pride.

"Let's go back; I'm boiling," the hunter said. She hung her game on the outside of the carriage. Upon entering the carriage, she immediately took off her hat, untying her long red hair and letting it fall. She muttered to herself, "Autumn is better; that's when the game is plump and prime. It's a shame Father won't let me hunt in the Mountains."

"The Master is also looking out for your safety, Miss. Even I would worry if you went alone. If you went with everyone else..." the coachman chimed in agreeably as the carriage began to roll forward.

"Tch! Bringing along those burdens is worse than not going at all. They can't even handle a bow, let alone a musket. Moreover, going out with a large group is farcical—and what's worse, those women actually wear skirts! Is this a hunt or a picnic?" Before the coachman could finish, the hunter cut him off with a look of disdain, not bothering to mask her contempt.

Hearing this, the coachman could only offer a wry, helpless smile. Only his Miss would treat the Nobility's games as a genuine hunt.

Only nobles could associate with other nobles, and their hunting trips were essentially social events, a game with networking elements. It was more about men competing and displaying their strength at the forefront. Meanwhile, the young ladies and other women of status would relax at the main camp, leisurely sipping afternoon tea, enjoying pastries, and relishing the service of their attendants. At best, some might change into hunting attire and ride a horse for a couple of circuits, attracting the admiration of fervent admirers.

But it was exceedingly rare for someone like his Miss to dive headfirst into the wilderness for an earnest hunt. Indeed, her approach had led to embarrassing situations in the past.

Once, invited to a hunting event, she took it seriously and went straight into the forest. When she couldn't be found, the others thought she was lost, which terrified them. She was Baron Lawrence's only daughter; if anything happened to her, no one could bear the responsibility. Everyone searched for half a day but found nothing. They were about to return to organize a larger force, even considering sending out armed men, when, to everyone's surprise, she returned to camp on her own, carrying her prey.

Although it had been a false alarm, it left everyone somewhat at a loss. It was as if she were focused on her career while everyone else was indulging in romance; it made her stick out like a sore thumb.

Once this story got out, Baron Lawrence probably felt his daughter had embarrassed him, and he certainly restricted her hunting range afterward. She was forbidden to go near the Mountains and was only allowed to hunt within the Baron's Domain.

Afterward, few dared to invite her on actual hunts, though she did receive invitations to some organized game events. However, she had no interest in the sort of games where vast areas were enclosed, and then rabbits, foxes, or even wild boars were released for hounds to chase.

Gradually, she grew distant from her peers. To put it another way, she was ostracized by other young nobles. Many even ridiculed her, though due to Baron Lawrence's status, they dared not do so openly.

The carriage soon entered a human settlement—a town that served as the heart of the Baron's Domain. At the core of the town stood a castle, surrounded by a circle of stone walls that marked the division between the inner and outer areas.