Chapter 946 – Inauguration as a Ranger

She didn’t know how much time had passed. Just as she was considering whether to change locations, an extremely faint rustling sound came from the bushes to her right.

A plump grey-furred rabbit cautiously poked its head out, its long ears swiveling alertly.

It seemed to have sensed something and paused in place for a moment, then began moving carefully along a grassy path toward the first snare trap Mo Lan had set.

Mo Lan’s heart leaped into her throat. Her fingers lightly rested on the bowstring, but she didn’t act immediately, keeping in mind the ranger’s code: prioritize traps, minimize unnecessary chasing and disturbance.

The grey-furred rabbit crept closer to the trap, step by step… and entered the trigger zone!

Whoosh! Snap!

The small bush sprang upward, and the vine snare tightened instantly, catching the grey-furred rabbit precisely by its hind legs and hoisting it off the ground! The rabbit panicked and struggled frantically, but the snare held firm.

Got it!

Mo Lan immediately slid down from the tree and approached with quick but light steps.

The dangling grey-furred rabbit struggled even harder when it saw someone approaching, letting out cries of terror.

Mo Lan didn’t hesitate. Giving prey a final measure of respect and minimizing its suffering as much as possible was also part of the ranger’s code.

She swiftly drew a hunting arrow and, at point-blank range, aimed for the grey-furred rabbit’s vital spot and steadily released the bowstring.

The arrow sank in with precision, and the struggling quickly ceased.

Mo Lan stepped forward, carefully untied the snare, and placed the still-warm body of the grey-furred rabbit on the ground. She drew the dagger from her waist and skillfully skinned the rabbit in one clean piece.

After that, she repeated the process and caught two more grey-furred rabbits.

She carefully rolled up the three soft rabbit pelts and stowed them away, planning to bring them back to make rabbit-fur gloves — more than enough for five pairs.

As for the remaining rabbit meat, she took only a small portion of the most tender cuts as proof of her “harvest” for the ceremony.

The rest she gathered together and placed on a small clearing she had prepared. Then, facing the copse that had granted her this game, she solemnly recited the ranger’s professional oath:

“I hereby swear to become the eyes, ears, and blade of nature. I shall hone my skills, know the woodlands, guard nature, and drive away threats. I respect the lives of my quarry — taking only in season, using only in measure. May my arrows ever point toward danger, and may my footsteps ever shelter the forest shade.”

She then buried the remains of the grey-furred rabbits. Rangers only take what they need from each hunt; the rest is returned to nature as an offering.

As she turned to leave, within the magic network space, the ranger’s professional mark appeared.

The last glow of sunset had not yet fully reddened the horizon when Mo Lan’s figure appeared at the edge of the copse. Her steps were light, and the game hanging from her waist and the soft rabbit pelts rolled up in her hands silently proclaimed her success.

Polly, Celine, and Dominic, who had been waiting eagerly outside the copse since she left, rushed over the moment they spotted her.

“Moira! You’re back so soon? We were just guessing whether you’d make it back today!”

Polly was the first to reach her, visibly relieved to see her return.

“You’re not hurt, are you? Did everything go smoothly?” Celine followed close behind, her concerned gaze sweeping over Mo Lan from head to toe.

Dominic, meanwhile, immediately spotted the rolled pelts and the wrapped rabbit meat, and his eyes lit up at once. “Look at that haul! The traps must have worked! Tell us everything!”

Mo Lan smiled and nodded. “Mm! It went very smoothly. The traps caught three grey-furred rabbits. I processed the game according to the rules and took the oath — I’ve officially become a ranger.”

She held up what was in her hands. “See? The rabbit pelts I promised you, and… tonight’s celebration feast!”

“Wow! That’s wonderful!”

“Moira, you’re amazing!”

“I knew you could do it!”

The three young elves cheered, crowding around Mo Lan and peppering her with questions. Mo Lan eagerly shared some of the small details from the hunt.

“To celebrate my successful inauguration as a ranger, and to thank you all for your help, I’d like to invite you — and Grandma Matil — to my treehouse platform tonight to enjoy this fresh rabbit meat together. What do you say?” Mo Lan proposed.

“Yes, yes!” Polly immediately raised both hands in agreement.

“Mm, I’d love to,” Celine said with a smile and a nod, though she added softly, “It’s just… could I bring some berries and mushrooms wrapped in curl-leaf to grill as well? I… don’t really care for meat.” She smiled a little sheepishly.

“If there’s meat to eat, count me in!” Dominic’s answer was the most straightforward and enthusiastic, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Deep down, he’d actually been harboring a little secret he’d never told any elf — besides loving to run free through the forest, a major reason he’d chosen to become a ranger was that he absolutely adored the sizzle of fat and the mouthwatering aroma when meat was grilled!

The four young elves chatted and laughed their way back to the tribal center, where they found Chieftain Matil beneath the Tree of Life, conferring with several elders.

Upon hearing that Mo Lan had not only returned safely but had also successfully completed the ranger’s inauguration ceremony and was inviting her to celebrate, Matil’s face broke into a gratified smile, and she gladly accepted the invitation.

The sun set, night quietly descended, and the Emerald Forest was bathed in serene moonlight.

On Mo Lan’s treehouse platform, glowing moss and several small fluorite lanterns provided a gentle light.

The main course was rabbit meat prepared by Mo Lan herself.

She cut the tender rabbit meat into small pieces, marinated them with several fragrant, deodorizing wild herbs she had gathered that day along with a pinch of tree salt, then threaded them onto cleaned thin sticks and arranged them over a small stone hearth she had specially built, slowly grilling them over fruitwood charcoal.

During the grilling, she brushed on a layer of raspberry sauce that Polly had gifted her, which carried a distinctive sweet fruity-floral aroma.

The finished rabbit skewers were lightly charred on the outside and tender and juicy within, mingling the fragrance of herbs with the gentle sweetness of raspberry sauce, the aroma wafting through the air.

Mo Lan even gave them a thoroughly elvish name: “Whispers of the Wood Grilled Rabbit.”

Beyond the main course, there was also the fresh berry platter and vegetarian skewers Celine had brought, the little cookies Polly had contributed baked with nuts and honey, and the somewhat richer cream-fruit wine that Dominic had once again generously provided.

Grandma Matil brought a small jar of Hundred Blossom Dew, brewed from a variety of forest flowers and morning dew, for everyone to savor after the meal.

The finished Whispers of the Wood Grilled Rabbit was crispy on the outside and tender within, its savory flavor carrying a hint of fruitwood smoke and the gentle sweetness of raspberry sauce. Celine’s curl-leaf wrapped seasonal vegetables were fresh and refreshing, preserving the ingredients’ natural flavors to the fullest.

Starlight flickered, the evening breeze blew softly, and the aroma of food intertwined with laughter and cheer. The little treehouse platform was filled with joy and merriment.