The Queen Who Fights Back (by Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 73

Chapter 73

“What?” Ivy’s mouth fell open in disbelief, her eyes wide with surprise.

Jacob’s expression mirrored hers, stunned beyond words. “Arthur, are you serious? Your reputation was built on surviving countless injuries. What could she possibly have that matches up to you?”

Ivy nodded firmly, her voice tinged with conviction. “Exactly, Arthur. Look at the knife wounds and bullet scars covering you. Has Nova ever endured anything remotely like that? She doesn’t even belong in the same conversation as you.”

Eric paused thoughtfully for a moment before speaking in a measured tone, “Just be cautious, that’s all.”

Meanwhile, Arthur’s group had already surged far ahead. Daniel, Harvey, and Finley had also set off, disappearing into the distance.

Charles lingered behind, choosing not to join the others.

As Nova, Maxwell, and Hannah were about to begin, Hudson intercepted them.

“Kids, Alfred asked me to give you this,” Hudson said, handing over a small black backpack. “There’s a note inside explaining some of the possible traps you might face during the test, along with tools to help you get through. Take it.”

This was the “help” Alfred had promised—an aid to ensure Nova’s team could succeed in the trial.

Nova shook her head immediately. “No thanks. I’m here to compete fairly, alongside the main family members. Winning by cheating isn’t my way.”

Maxwell gave a polite nod to Hudson. “Thank you for the gesture, but Nova’s right. We’ll rely on our own abilities.”

With that, the three of them moved toward the starting gate at the base of the hill, determined and resolute.

When Hudson returned with the backpack, Alfred’s face drained of color. “They really refused it?”

After confirming the rejection, Alfred’s hope for giving Maxwell an edge through trickery evaporated. His expression twisted into a bitter smile.

“It looks like Maxwell, Hannah, and Nova are destined to lose this test. They simply can’t compete with Arthur. Is this truly the end of my family’s future?”

*****

Blake Manor sprawled across the entire hill, encompassing vast grounds so there was no need to venture beyond its borders.

At the hill’s base stood an open gate, where young members of the main family were steadily entering.

“This must be where the test takes place,” Maxwell said, glancing at his sisters. “Let’s get started.”

Nova stepped inside first.

The interior was dim and shadowy, carved deep within the hill itself. The air was damp and cool, carrying an eerie stillness. Flickering candles dotted the space, casting faint, wavering light that barely pushed back the darkness.

Unlike a commercial escape room, this was a proving ground for selecting the family head—designed to test true strength and the ability to handle real danger. It felt more like an obstacle course meant to challenge every skill.

Each chamber contained a mechanism that served as a stage. Only by passing one could they move on to the next.

Crafted by master engineers from the previous century, these mechanical guardians were programmed to unleash a deadly volley of arrows whenever they detected movement.

“It’s terrifying,” someone explained, catching their breath. “I tested it by throwing stones, and arrows rained down the moment the stones passed through. It must be motion-triggered. Anyone walking through would be killed instantly.”

No wonder everyone was stuck here. Running through a hail of arrows was a risk no one dared take.

“I’m out of here!” a girl cried, turning and fleeing in fear.

Nova narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. She picked up a stone and hurled it into the center of the passage.

Just as described, the moment the stone crossed the threshold, arrows shot down in a deadly rain.

As soon as the stone landed, sensors triggered the dolls to fire in precise, straight lines.

To get through safely, one would have to sprint past each sensor’s detection zone within half a second—before the dolls could release their arrows.

Only one or two people could possibly manage such a feat.

“It takes 0.5 seconds from sensing to shooting,” Nova said quietly, breaking the tense silence. “If we can pass through each trigger zone within 0.4 seconds, we’ll be safe.”

She had instantly calculated the speed of the arrows and the timing needed to avoid them. For her, fixed mechanical traps like this were trivial.

After all, she had survived real gunfire in rainforests, surrounded by enemies wielding automatic rifles. Compared to that, these arrows were nothing.