Chapter 19

The imperial hunt, without question the highlight of the Southern Kingdom’s summer banquet, had begun. Renowned hunters from every noble family gathered in a vast forest on one of the imperial estates. The clearing at the forest entrance was packed with colorful, peaked tents, loud with festival clamor. The excitement kept building. Soon, a cannon blast echoed through the woods, signaling the start of the hunt. On the first day of the hunt, Karsa went hunting with his imperial guards. He did not want to hunt with nobles who kept trying to worm their way in. The weather was muggy and sweltering, and sweat poured off him. Karsa usually enjoyed hunting in the heat, but today, for some reason, none