Chapter 139 Tournament Starting
After ensuring the successful distribution of rewards, the Director, exhausted from the day’s chaos and feeling drained of energy, made a firm decision. He concluded that he wouldn’t entertain any further events with this group of guests. Instead of reaping benefits, it felt as though he was being burdened with punishment.
With his decision made, he allowed the participants to have free rein for the remainder of the afternoon, eager for the show to come to an end. Hurriedly, he made his way back to his OB van, dreading the possibility of receiving yet another complaint from the disgruntled men.
After receiving their rewards, Zen and Xavier lugged the ingredients back to Hera’s room, ensuring the meats were securely packed in a large cooler with ice to preserve their freshness. Once they finished organizing everything, the trio enlisted the help of the crew to prepare one of Hera’s reward feasts. They opted for the Emperor feast this time around.
The other participants could only watch with envy, nervously biting their fingernails in frustration, only to recoil in disgust as they remembered that they had touched something unholy with it. The sudden realization left them feeling both repulsed and sour, completely spoiling their appetites.
After savoring their meal and enjoying some much-needed rest, Hera, Xavier, and Zen dedicated their leisure time to training with the horses in preparation for the upcoming tournament on Saturday. Following the tumultuous events of the previous day, the Director refrained from scheduling any further activities or events, leading to a peaceful and uneventful period for the participants. Surprisingly, both Alice and Minerva also underwent a notable transformation, becoming quieter and refraining from causing any unnecessary fuss. Hera nearly forgot they were part of the show altogether until she stumbled upon them quietly dining together on the sixth day. Otherwise, she might have assumed they had quietly departed.
Surprisingly, despite the absence of structured events, many viewers still found Hera’s livestream to be engaging and dynamic. This was attributed to the trio’s resourcefulness and adaptability. Under Zen’s guidance, they not only mastered the art of hunting with bow and arrow but also gleaned invaluable skills in setting traps from the local villagers who frequented the mountain in search of game.
If viewers weren’t in the know, they might mistake Hera’s livestream for a gripping adventure reality show. Adding to the excitement, Hera even showcased her culinary prowess with a meat feast cooking segment on the fifth day to prevent spoilage. With plentiful food at every meal, Hera, Xavier, and Zen all lived like kings and a queen. Meanwhile, envy consumed the others, leading to frustration and resentment. However, after openly targeting Hera and becoming pawns in someone else’s scheme against her, they found themselves estranged from the trio, unable to approach them as before.
After following this routine for a few days, Saturday dawned. The villagers efficiently tackled their pressing tasks early to ensure they could join the rest of the group for the two-hour drive to the tournament venue.
Naturally, Bry’s entire family joined the journey, not only because their horses were competing but also to cheer on Hera and the others. Witnessing Hera, Xavier, and Zen’s unwavering dedication during their training sessions, as they honed their skills and bonded with their horses, had left a profound impression on the villagers. This sentiment was shared by everyone in the community.
Unfortunately, not everyone in the village could attend the tournament due to the essential duties left behind on the ranch and farm. However, the significance of the event couldn’t be understated, especially since it would be broadcast nationwide on television. The equestrian race being a national tournament added to its importance. Originally slated to span three days, their participation in only the race meant they wouldn’t need to stay for the entire duration. Instead, they planned to arrive on the day of their competition to make any necessary adjustments and complete the remaining procedures.