The Fierce Sierra

"Is this the place?"

Mo Lini looked at the towering giant tree before her, and the unpleasant memories of climbing trees with Liana flooded her mind.

Mo Lini immediately began searching for a suspended lift. Sure enough, within plain sight, she spotted one.

Mo Lini breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness she wouldn't have to climb a tree this time.

"Let's go, Father. We're going to clear things up with Mother right now... You need to give her a proper apology."

Joli acted very tough, leaving Yorid with no choice but to brace himself and nod.

"Um... Mo Lini, why did we tag along?" Lenna asked in a low voice, hiding behind Mo Lini. "Are we here to watch the drama? That seems a bit inappropriate."

"Of... of course not." Mo Lini coughed lightly. "Right... weren't we attacked by an assassin from the Blood Alliance back there? That assassin might come back... If Mr. Joli isn't around, we'd be in danger. So, for safety's sake, it's better if we stick with them."

"I see. You've thought of everything, Mo Lini," Lenna said, sudden realization dawning on her.

Though Lenna had completely forgotten that when the assassin struck earlier, he had completely ignored the two of them, not even sparing them a single glance.

Mo Lini looked at the storybook in her hands. Having learned from her previous mistakes, she had brought Musen out with her this time. This world was far too dangerous; she didn't dare wander around defenseless ever again.

The group took the suspended lift up into the tree.

"Does Mr. Joli's mother live in a place like this?"

Lenna looked around.

The buildings in this area were all exquisite and elegant. It was clearly a wealthy neighborhood. Lenna's family background was very ordinary, and back then, her parents' biggest dream was to live in a house here.

This was already the territory of the Lais family. Most of the people living here made their living through the Lais family's businesses.

"It's further inside," Joli said, hailing a carriage on the street.

After stepping out of the carriage, the group arrived in front of a manor.

It was rare to find such open ground up in the giant trees. In most cases, a massive branch served as a single street... but the vast area before them seemed no different from the ground below.

Under the influence of nature magic, the branches of several surrounding giant trees converged here, forming a vast, seamless expanse of flat land.

This was the central territory of the Lais family, located at the intersection of several giant trees and situated at a crucial transport hub. The Lais family's ability to flourish was inextricably linked to this prime location.

"So... so big! Are we really going in?"

Lenna's eyes widened. Through the outermost iron fence, which gleamed with a cold light, she could see a wide stone-paved road and a lush garden beside it... and the main house was still a few miles away.

Mo Lini wasn't particularly surprised. Following Sharon and Aina had indeed broadened her horizons.

In her eyes, the manor that Sharon and the others had in Olifendor, while slightly smaller in scale, was in no way inferior to this place.

Building a yard this big... just taking a casual stroll through it would make you break a sweat.

"Who goes there?"

"This is the Lais family manor ahead. No trespassing."

As soon as Joli and the others approached, arrows were aimed at them.

Joli pushed his father to the front.

"It's me." Yorid stepped forward somewhat awkwardly. Those guards had worked here for hundreds of years and knew Yorid from before.

"Ah, it's Lord Yorid."

"You must be here to see the Eldest Miss, right?"

Upon recognizing Yorid, the guards lowered their bows and greeted him with smiles.

Clearly, Yorid had quite a good reputation around here.

In the eyes of these guards, anyone who could tame that mischievous Eldest Miss was truly remarkable... After all, they had all been pranked by Sera to some extent, or at the very least, heard the rumors about her.

"Lord Yorid, everything is fine between you and the Eldest Miss, right?"

"You must be here to take her back this time, right?"

Looking at the expectant gazes of the guards, Yorid finally nodded.

Sera's repeated runaways had cost them quite a bit in docked wages.

"That's wonderful. I'll go inform Patriarch Semon right away."

"Please go on inside. The Eldest Miss will definitely be thrilled to see you."

In truth, Yorid was completely unsure of himself.

He still remembered the disappointment, anger, and disbelief on Sera's face when he suggested they take a cooling-off period.

She must be so disappointed in him. She might even take this opportunity to divorce him... After all, a boring man like him couldn't keep up with her or make her happy.

Joli's unknown whereabouts and his wife's constant blame and scolding had indeed caused the pressure in his heart to build up continuously, ultimately leading him to say those words to Sera.

But he had to face it sooner or later. He owed Sera an explanation, and he owed Joli one too.

He would do everything in his power to win his wife back. Even if it meant casting aside his pride and dropping to his knees to beg, he had to make Sera stay with him.

Yorid took a deep breath.

Finally, in the reception room, he saw that familiar figure once again.

"Sera..." Yorid called her name.

Sera turned around and sprinted toward him, tears welling in the corners of her eyes. Yorid froze slightly and instinctively opened his arms.

Sera completely ignored Yorid and threw herself into Joli's arms.

"Joli! You're safe! You're finally back! I was worried sick about you!" Sera hugged her son tightly. "You haven't changed a bit... Hurry up and tell Mother, where have you been all these years? Did you eat well while you were away? You look like you've lost weight..." Sera clung to Joli's chest, showering him with concern.

"Mo... Mother..." Joli was somewhat at a loss for what to do and shot a pleading look at his father.

"Ahem..." Yorid coughed lightly. "Sera..."

"Yorid!"

However, what greeted Yorid was a fist that grew larger and larger in his vision.

"Bang—"

Sera smashed her fist right into Yorid's face, sending him flying backward to crash into the coffee table.

Lenna: !

Mo Lini: !

Joli: !

No one could have anticipated that things would unfold like this.

Sera didn't let Yorid off the hook. She straddled his chest and mercilessly rained heavy punches down on his face.

There was no touching reunion or warm embrace, only the muffled thuds of flesh meeting flesh with every blow.

"You bastard!"

"How dare you abandon me!"

"How am I not good enough for you?!"

"If you ever dare to leave me again, I'll tear you to pieces!"

"Waaah—Do you know how much I missed you?! You bastard!"

As she kept hitting him, Sera's strength gradually waned, until finally, she just sat on Yorid's chest and burst into loud sobs.