I Refused To Be Reincarnated

As Cordelia rejoiced at the future gains, Thorian's eyes narrowed dangerously. Since he intended to conquer his neighbors, offering them a hundred soldiers went against his desires. Yet, Morgane could become a thorn in his foot if he didn't capture or kill her. After all, before her adoption, her treatment was anything but desirable.

Sure she would come one day to avenge herself, he answered, reluctance painted on his face, "I want them alive. If they are dead, I won't give you anything!"

However, Cordelia shook her head and smirked in response, "No matter the result, I want fifty summoned, or I won't spend my resources and soldier's time for your wild goose chase."

After a tense silence, Thorian said through gritted teeth, "Ten."

"forty," retorted the queen.

"Don't push me! Twenty! That's my last offer," Thorian said, his voice sounding guttural as his forehead's veins bulged in fury.

"Twenty it is," answered Cordelia, wondering if she misjudged the fugitives' value. Anyway, she felt the tyrant reaching his limits, about to explode at any moment if she pushed the deal further. Then, she added, aiming to squeeze out information, "You got me all curious about them. What heinous deed did they commit to infuriate you so much?"

With a grimace, Thorian responded, "The crime of lèse majesté. They dared to threaten their king and must pay for it." Of course, he couldn't tell her Morgane has both a potent soul affinity and mana circuits. Thus, he hoped this explanation would quench her curiosity enough.

"I see," muttered the queen pensively before standing from her seat and continuing. "I'll supervise the capture operation. In the meantime, you are free to wander the capital or return to your palace."

Relieved she didn't press him with more questions but angered he had to act so humbly before her, Thorian left after a brief nod.

"In a few years, you'll kneel at my feet," he grumbled, walking to the castle's Gate with bloodshot eyes. Then, he added, "Morgane, oh Morgane, you have no idea how much you'll suffer once I catch you."

***

Simultaneously, the short girl dozed off on her mount, her red hair fluttering wildly behind her as Julius guided the group further north.

However, worry veiled his face despite the distance they crossed as he gazed at the birds following them. "We can't escape with those birds giving our location away," he said, his grip on the leash tightening in frustration.

Frowning, Adam answered, "Mages will surround our position, gradually narrowing usable space until they corner us."

Their situation grew worse. After each passing minute, more birds rallied the first ones, suggesting more mages approaching.

In spite, he materialised and hurled a barrage of spinning arrows to get rid of them. However, this action didn't solve the problem.

'We must find a covered space in which those annoying birds can't follow us,' he thought, his essence pounding against his chest as his mind raced for a solution.

After a brief moment, his stare lit up as an idea popped into his mind. "How far is the border's mountainous area?" He asked the boy, hoping they weren't too far.

"We didn't deviate east much. Three hours away, give or take. Why?" Answered Julius, confused by the question.

"Head west. The Aurora mages will think twice before entering another country without approbation. Even if they do, they won't be able to surround us," said Adam, planning to navigate the complicated terrain of the borders until their pursuers give up. Unfortunately, he knew the horses would doubtlessly die shortly after being pushed so much without water.

As for the birds' problem? He intended to kill them all before finding a cave and digging a tunnel through the mountain. Hopefully, they would lose their tracks after a few kilometers.

Following his trusted big brother's instruction, Julius guided the horses west, astonishing the mages monitoring their posituon after new birds found them.

***

"Did they lose their minds?" Asked an elegantly dressed mage, causing his colleagues to frown.

"On the contrary, they are quite smart for kids," said Cordelia with a smile, her red eyes glowing in understanding. Then, she added, "Find the foolish king. I need him here to continue the pursuit."

After all, no matter the reason, only tension would ensue if she crossed another country's borders with her military forces without their approval. Of course, she could act covertly and never mention it, yet why should she bother? Thorian was here, requesting her aid in the first place.

With how close her troops were to catching them, she doubted he would refuse to let them cross his territory briefly.

***

Half an hour later, Thorian entered the elegant meeting room, his brows twitching in annoyance as he gazed at the lavish table's engravings and everyone seated.

"Why did you call me back? I won't change the terms of our deal," he declared, wishing he could rip the infuriating woman to pieces this instant.

With a playful smirk, Cordelia responded, "They are returning to your kingdom. Let my troops chase them."

"What?! No way!" Exclaimed the king, his eyes enlarging at the outrageous request. The instant someone crossed his borders, he would send his army to eradicate the threat. After all, they were all mages. With mana, they could conveniently destroy a city or cast deadly curses on the lands if left unchecked.

Then, he smirked back, adding, "I'll catch them myself if they are foolish enough to enter my territory." This way, he could cancel his deal and ensure the girl was captured alive.

"Sure, I'll call back my troops, then. Don't return begging after they enter my kingdom again because I'll annihilate any military entering it," answered Cordelia, her eyes narrowed dangerously.

Realising the kids' intention after hearing her snarky threat, Thorian's hands trembled in fury. If they truly switched kingdoms each time, no one would catch them.

"Fine!" He spat, hate dancing in his eyes before bluffing. "I want rights to cross your borders too for this operation's duration. If you refuse, I'll head back."

"Head back, then. You need help to catch them, not me," answered the queen, her smile widening, revealing her white teeth. Truthfully, without his two trusted cousins, she suspected Thorian was dumber than the two kids he tried to catch.

His clenched fists shaking, the Belloria's king curled his lips in an angry grimace before turning. "I won't forget today's happenings," he said, his tone guttural, adding as he stepped away, "Forget about our deal. I'll catch them myself."