Chapter 6 Confrontation

Scarlett's POV

With powerful assistance secured, those financial reports had become utterly boring.

I put them away, changed into training clothes, and headed to the training grounds. It really was time to practice my swordsmanship.

Of course, it absolutely wasn't because Lucien said he would check my sword skills, but because I urgently needed to move, needed to use intense physical activity to completely clear away all the chaotic thoughts tangled in my mind.

The afternoon sun on the training grounds was particularly scorching, its intense light clearly illuminating the stark opposing factions on either side—the area occupied by my father's old subordinates, where the training equipment showed obvious severe wear, with several important apparatus having rusted metal chains; while on the side controlled by Alexander's trusted allies, a complete set of brand-new premium archery equipment sat quietly in the corner, covered with dust cloths, clearly never actually used by anyone.

I walked straight over and unhesitatingly pulled off the covering cloth, crouching down to carefully check the stability of the base, then began forcefully moving this expensive equipment.

"That equipment was specially reserved for Alpha Carson."

A tall man strode over, arms crossed over his chest, his tone carrying undisguised contempt and provocation, as if my noble Luna title had become worthless trash that could be trampled at will.

The Alpha Carson he mentioned was Alexander's newly cultivated right-hand man.

Apparently, in his mouth, Carson now had higher priority than I did.

I didn't stop my actions, didn't even lift my head: "Which specific day will he be using it? Today, or tomorrow?"

"That's none of your—"

"The equipment procurement budget application for the training grounds last quarter was personally signed and approved by me," I pushed the expensive apparatus entirely into the area occupied by my father's old subordinates, dusting off my hands and standing up calmly.

"The budget documents state clearly: no equipment may be left idle without cause for more than two weeks, or usage rights will be forcibly redistributed. You can go back and carefully review the relevant documents—they bear my official seal as proof."

The man's mouth twitched unnaturally several times, then he switched to a different angle of attack: "A woman coming to the dangerous training grounds to cause trouble will only create more problems if she injures herself."

I slowly turned my body, accepting a sharp longsword respectfully offered by a loyal warrior nearby.

I skillfully tested its weight and balance in my hand, then pointed the gleaming blade directly at him, contemptuously lifting my chin:

"Do you really think you have the skill to defeat me? Then come verify it yourself."

The watching crowd began to gather excitedly.

The arrogant man thought I was merely bluffing, disdainfully accepting a weapon handed to him and casually assuming a battle stance full of openings—

His first strike came fast and vicious.

I agilely sidestepped completely out of the way, my feet stable as rocks without moving an inch, merely turning my waist flexibly to cleverly deflect his fierce attack.

The second strike came from below in an upward sweep.

I calmly retreated half a step, countering with a standard blocking move that sent numbing shock through his grip.

The third strike pressed down from above.

I chose not to meet it head-on, instead shifting left to avoid it, letting his center of gravity follow and lose balance.

I smoothly stepped on his fallen blade while pressing my sharp sword steadily against his throat.

"Surrender now, or shall we continue?"

"I surrender." His voice carried obvious trembling.

Enthusiastic cheers first erupted from my father's loyal old subordinates, then spread like a tide throughout the entire training grounds.

I politely returned the weapon to its owner, calmly surveying the entire field, carefully noting several faces in Alexander's camp who remained silent but showed no real hostility in their eyes—those were the clever ones waiting and watching, wanting to see my next specific moves.

"Starting today," I didn't deliberately raise my voice, but in the dead silence of the vast training grounds, everyone could clearly hear every word, "this sacred training ground will be completely open to everyone equally. Equipment resources will be fairly distributed based strictly on individual actual performance, regardless of bloodline, regardless of recommender status, regardless of whose trusted subordinate you are. Anyone who dares violate these basic rules will receive equally severe punishment, the most serious including permanent exile."

Even louder cheers rose one after another, resounding through the sky.

I picked up a water bottle and slowly took a sip to moisten my throat, staring at the longsword beside me.

Thinking of that man's seemingly random words during the phone call, that precious memory sealed away for seven years suddenly surfaced clearly without any mental preparation.

In the depths of that quiet forest, young me always secretly hid there alone to practice with wooden swords, while the adult Alphas around either cruelly mocked my childishness or completely ignored my existence.

Only Lucien was an exception.

He just happened to pass by, but instead of mockingly laughing like the others, he walked straight over, quietly crouched down, and very seriously and carefully observed my sword grip.

Then he used two slender fingers to gently adjust my thumb position, saying calmly: "Try again, this time will be better."

He accompanied me silently for nearly an hour of precious time, until my posture was truly standard and correct, before he stood up to leave, never saying an unnecessary word or lecture throughout the entire process.

No one knew about this—father didn't know either. I thought Lucien had forgotten, but apparently, he remembered too, just like me.

I put the water bottle back down, suddenly noticing my cheeks felt unnaturally warm.

I mentally scorned this girlish reaction for a second, forcibly suppressing that subtle warmth deep down, then turned to find Coby to arrange more important matters ahead.

Now was not the time to indulge in romantic sentiments.

I had to concentrate all my energy on preparing adequately for the decisive battle to come.