Insect Tamer's Ascension Chapter 451. You aren’t meant for leadership

SMACK!

Merek clutched the left cheek of his face, eyes bulging in disbelief.

Lucien along with the weary Lysara gazed at him in astonishment, as Garrick began to freak out.

"It appears I've been overly forgiving, Young Master Merek," Theo remarked coolly, stretching the hand that had delivered the slap.

"I appreciate your habit of chiming in during decisions and questioning—that's fine. But hurling insults at me? That I won't tolerate."

Merek stood speechless. This boy, younger by at least four years, had slapped him across the face.

"...How dare you strike me...?" he uttered, face twisted in fury and horror.

"Just you wait till we return. I'll make you regret it, Theo Merrick," he snarled, spitting on the ground while glaring fiercely.

Lucien parted his lips to step in, yet Theo seized control of the moment.

"Fine. Now rise and perform your duties properly."

Theo then faced Lysara, who looked somewhat recovered.

He extended his hand, and she grasped it right away, remaining mute.

"Store your wolf in the beast space. We'll mark this spot and return carrying the captured beast," Theo instructed, effortlessly drawing Lysara to her feet.

She attempted to stand firm, but her footing slipped once more. Theo swiftly supported her waist to hold her steady.

Her eyes grew wide upon meeting Theo's, and she quickly averted her gaze.

"We can pause if walking proves difficult, Miss Lysara," he offered.

She shook her head and gently pulled back.

Meanwhile, Merek had already tucked his beast into the beast space. Theo approached Lucien and the reptilian beast.

"That tail could pose problems on the way back, Elder Brother Lucien," Theo noted thoughtfully.

Lucien shot him a look, ready to reply, but held back upon seeing Merek close by.

"My panther can secure the tail until we're back," he suggested.

"Very well." Theo moved to the still-thrashing creature, seizing its jaws firmly before hoisting the front end as Lucien took the rear.

The panther clamped onto the tail once and kept it raised with a solid hold.

Merek observed them managing the beast that almost slew his own, bitterness burning in his stare. His eyes then locked onto Theo, rage bubbling inside. He gritted his teeth hard, sharpening his jawline and enhancing his looks tenfold.

The trip back lasted roughly twenty minutes.

Clara, Elias, Cassian, and Kaelor sprang into action the instant they spotted Theo and Lucien hauling the beast.

Clara and Elias instantly discarded their butchering knives and dashed forward without delay.

Their gazes shifted to the beast, its staring eyes, and then to Theo's grave face.

"Where do we place this one?" Theo voiced aloud.

Kaelor surveyed the surroundings and indicated a spot in the right corner.

Theo nodded shortly with a subtle grin before transporting the beast there and laying it down.

After finishing, a heavy quiet fell upon the group.

All noticed Lysara's fatigue as she panted heavily. Merek's scowl, however, screamed trouble.

"You," Merek barked sharply, voice authoritative. "Locate that exit gate immediately. Stop depending on this fool."

His statement drew puzzled looks from everyone.

Theo exhaled deeply and advanced, but Lucien's hand landed on his shoulder.

He looked back to read Lucien's eyes screaming "NO", prompting a slight smile from Theo.

"Young Master Merek, what makes you distrust me? I've entered a gate before," Theo replied steadily.

As Theo spoke so offhandedly, a vein seemed to throb on Merek's forehead.

"You... I will...!" Merek started, but halted upon catching Theo's smug smile.

It was a smirk suggesting Theo eagerly awaited another reason to strike.

Merek went quiet, spun around, and marched to the hut without further talk.

An uneasy hush blanketed the camp. Even the nearby beast lay motionless, no struggles left.

"Theo, over here," Lucien called, heading into the woods.

Theo observed him briefly, then eyed the rest.

"I'll return shortly, everyone. Then we'll hold a meeting," he assured with a casual smile, acting as if all was normal, before trailing Lucien.

"Did anything go wrong out there?" Kaelor queried Lysara and Garrick standing aside.

_____

Once Lucien deemed them distant enough from camp, he halted and faced his brother, brow furrowed.

"Theo, let me ask plainly: what possessed you to think that was wise?" Lucien demanded, tone stern—a rarity with Theo lately.

Theo locked eyes with him for a few moments before releasing a sigh. "You were right there, Elder Brother. You saw him disrespect me directly."

"I won’t tolerate anything like that when I have been appointed as the leader."

Lucien found himself speechless before his brother, who now displayed such a mature expression on his face.

"He is from a Viscount family. To slap a noble of that stature... I think you have made an enemy for life, Theo..."

Lucien muttered this while scratching the back of his head, as though he could hardly accept what was unfolding right now.

His reliable brother had just struck a noble, and after so long, Lucien sensed for the first time that Theo had truly committed a serious wrong.

"He can try being my enemy all he wants, Elder Brother," Theo responded calmly. "Right now, all I see is the mission and that he refuses to respect the one person he needs to."

Theo’s words only made the scowl on Lucien’s face grow deeper.

"You really aren’t meant for leadership..."