The Swordswoman’s Revenge Story after Rebirth

Chapter 427: She Must Go

Oliver pulled Sadie aside near the haystack and asked urgently, “Sadie, tell me—what’s the solution?”

Sadie sighed, her expression tinged with helplessness. “Oliver, even if I tell you, it’s of little use. This solution… it’s really something only Isolde can handle.”

“How do you mean?” Oliver was taken aback.

Sadie looked at him gravely. “Natasha’s condition is already critical. She’s running on fumes; there’s no way to fully cure her. The only thing left is to extend her life. But it’s a dangerous solution, and only Isolde can undertake it.”

Oliver’s anxiety flared. “Just tell me what the solution is.”

Sadie hesitated before speaking. “Let me be clear first: this method is extremely dangerous. If you think about it, you should decide whether or not to tell Isolde. You know Venton Mount, right? There’s a man there named Ruben Grant. He keeps a nest of snakes, one of which is a Crimson Serpent—a red snake he’s raised with rare medicinal herbs. If we can get two drops of its blood, it could serve as the catalyst to save Natasha.”

“Ruben?” Oliver furrowed his brow. He knew the man. Ruben was obsessed with three things: martial arts, women, and food. But he had three distinct rules: no debts of gratitude, no reason, and he never spoke to men. So, Sadie’s insistence that only Isolde could approach him made perfect sense.

“But handling Ruben isn’t the most dangerous part. Everyone has a weakness, even him,” Oliver said, his suspicion growing.

“You’re right,” Sadie continued. “The Crimson Serpent is venomous. Once bitten, not even a deity could save you. Ruben himself can’t even cure the venom. So even if you manage to get past Ruben, you may not even get the blood. Whether you tell Isolde or not is up to you.”

“I understand,” Oliver said, his voice tight with concern.

Sadie watched him, her face showing the weight of the decision. “The reason I’ve hesitated to mention this is because it really is a life-for-a-life situation.”

Oliver’s voice grew more desperate. “Just tell me, Sadie, what can we do?”

“If you plan to save Natasha, you must not go to Venton Mount yourself. Ruben won’t meet with men. If you anger him, even if Isolde wants to take the risk, she won’t have the chance,” Sadie warned.

Oliver nodded. “I know.”

Oliver knew Ruben well. He’d crossed paths with him before, during an investigation by the Southern Watch. Ruben’s martial arts were at least on par with his own, and he was a man of principle. They had fought twice, with no clear winner, and in the end, Ruben had set fire to the mountain to force the Southern Watch to retreat. Going back to Venton Mount would only lead to more chaos. Ruben would block the road again, and there would be no way to negotiate.

Oliver met her gaze with a determined look. “I can’t keep this from Isolde.”

Sadie was taken aback. “You can’t tell her! This is a death sentence.”

“Natasha is too important to Isolde. If I don’t tell her, she’ll never forgive me. She’ll never live in peace if Natasha dies. And she will never rest until she knows there’s a chance. If Isolde decides to go, I’ll support her, no matter what.”

Sadie smiled, her expression softening. “I never expected you to be so open. This is good.”

Oliver’s voice grew serious. “Isolde and I have been through a lot together. Death holds no fear for us. What we fear is not being able to keep the ones we love close. Family means everything to us.”

“Alright, since you’ve said it, I have no reason to stop you. Let’s go and talk to her,” Sadie said.

“Okay,” Oliver replied.

Inside, when they told everyone, the response was immediate and unanimous opposition, especially Garrett, who immediately refused, saying, “I know exactly what kind of person Ruben is. He’s someone we cannot deal with. The Crimson Serpent is incredibly dangerous. Only Ruben, who raised it, should be anywhere near it. And trying to get its blood could cost Natasha her life.”

“That’s right, we can’t go,” Kolton added sternly. “Geoffrey and Prunella have only one daughter. If anything happens to her, the Sharp family will never be able to explain it to the ancestors. It’s too risky—if anyone should go, it should be a man from the Sharp family.”

“Men can’t go,” Sadie reiterated. “Ruben despises men after what happened with the Southern Watch. If we’re to save Natasha, we must remember that. We can’t let him see a man coming, or everything is off the table.”

“Can we try anyway?” Kolton asked, hesitation in his voice.

“No,” Sadie said firmly. “If it was possible, I would have suggested it earlier. Victoria also knows about this. She specifically told me not to tell Isolde because it’s too dangerous. I’m breaking her wishes just by telling you.”

Oliver’s gaze shifted to Sadie. “Does Victoria know Ruben personally?”

“I don’t know, but even if she does, she wouldn’t intervene. Not all matters are hers to handle.”

Oliver nodded. “Understood.”

He looked past Sadie and locked eyes with Isolde. Her expression was resolute.

“I’m going,” she said firmly. “No one can stop me.”

Oliver stepped toward her, his face softening with concern. “I know you’re going, but promise me, above all else, you’ll put your safety first.”

Kolton immediately objected. “No, you cannot go!”

Everyone protested, trying to talk her out of it. Garrett even issued a stern ultimatum. “If you go, I will sever all ties with you.”

Isolde ignored them all and turned to leave.

“Oliver, stop her!” Garrett ordered urgently.

“Yes,” Oliver said, and without hesitation, he followed her.

The couple walked swiftly toward the door.

“Southern Watch has the map of Venton Mount. I’ll grab it when we get back. I’ve had dealings with Ruben before. We’ll talk on the way,” Oliver said.

“Alright,” Isolde said, grateful that he was always there to support her.

“Don’t worry about Natasha for now. Sadie will handle things. Just remember, take it slow. Don’t rush. Ruben’s not someone to take lightly, and the Crimson Serpent is just as dangerous.”

As they stepped outside, they saddled their horses and rode off down the mountain together.

Back at Montlins Manor, everyone waited for Isolde and Oliver to return. When they didn’t, they sent Jessica to check. She rushed out, but there was no sign of them. She quickly returned to report to Garrett.

Garrett, now frantic, turned to Kolton and his grandsons. “Hurry, go down the mountain and stop them. I was a fool to trust Oliver. I told him to stop her, but instead, he’s gone with her.”

Kolton and his sons quickly mounted their horses and set off after them.

However, Oliver and Isolde had already anticipated the pursuit. They had taken a shortcut, galloping ahead, and there was no way Kolton and the others could catch up.