There is an unclaimed land that separates the Losea Kingdom and the Chodora Kingdom.

Needless to say, the land is filled with different kinds of beasts as no one regularly hunts them. Aside from that, it is also a perfect place for criminals who need to escape from being hunted.

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The thick forest and natural landscape can be a huge problem to their pursuers…

Of course, the two kingdoms wanted to take the land for themselves in the past decades and it resulted in many skirmishes and assassinations to the important individuals of each kingdom, but it didn't blow up to an all-out war since there is one organization that would benefit from it.

It is the Three-Eyed Imp Cult that needs tons of blood to summon their evil god…

As a matter of fact, there are already a couple of cases where they successfully summoned the Imp and resulted in a massacre of the kingdom's soldiers.

Nevertheless, the elite Arcanists of the two Kingdoms were still skillful enough to kill the Evil God or the Three-Eye Imp that they've summoned after sacrificing thousands of lives.

That is the time the Cult managed to become a major power for a moment until the elites killed the intelligent beast.

However, their remnant forces still remained in the region waiting for the right time to summon their evil god again.

"Leader! There are only ten of us? Are we going to fight them?

"That's right, leader. If they killed all the beasts in this place, they are definitely stronger than us…"

"I agree… There's no way for us to kill ten of those beasts at the same time, but the enemy did it effortlessly. We can't underestimate them, leader…"

The members of the cult gave their thoughts about this incident. They are confident about their skill when they only need to kill the civilians, but they had to think twice if they are targeting high-ranking Arcanists…

They might even find it acceptable to fight against the Hunters but not Arcanists in large number…

"Very well, Berac will call for reinforcements… The three of you will follow their trail…"

"Yes, leader."

The people that were called immediately went to work as they can't let the killers of their precious beasts leave just like that.

They may not be strong individually but if they coordinated with the other teams, they can guarantee that they'll be successful.

"Wait… Berac, you have to request specifically for the elites to take action! The Night Brigade might take notice of us if we move in large numbers…"

"I understand, leader…"

The man called Berac realized what his leader is planning to do, so he immediately agreed.

He then disappeared from the group and mounted a horse that he left not too far from the area…

He's heading deep inside the forest and unafraid of any beasts that could come out at night. It is because this area is territory made by their Cult unknown to the citizens of the kingdom.

They are using the natural beasts in the forest mixed with their domesticated beasts to deter any people from staying for too long around this area.

About an hour had passed before he managed to arrive in their hideout…

In front of him is a huge wall of rock as if he had reached a dead end. However, he only removed his hood and showed the tattoo on his body before a part of the rock split open…

He left the horse just outside and tied its lead rope on a tree.

"I'm back… I have a request from leader Silva…" Berac announced his reason for returning…

He was greeted by a dark figure holding a lamp just at the entrance of their base.

"Let me hear it…" The voice sounded old and scary but the man didn't mind it. They already know each other.

These cultists just sneaked to the kingdom through a series of tunnels they've made for the past decades.

This is why they managed to pass through General Julian's blockade.

If they forcefully enter the Chodora Kingdom, they know that they'll just die a horrible death. This is why their predecessors decided to make a tunnel and enter the kingdom peacefully.

Many years had already passed ever since a few cultists entered the kingdom.

They bid their time and didn't make any rash operations. They acted carefully and made sacrifices to their god without raising any suspicions…

They continued doing this until they managed to create a large network of believers around the kingdom and increased their number by more than a hundred times.

After they gained a stable foundation, they decided to start doing large operations and attacking small towns, villages, and even some Hunters that were mostly staying within the base of operations…

"Mhmm… I suppose Sir Silva is following the culprit of this incident."

"Yes. He also wants to send the elites that we have… We can't send too many low-ranking members like us. He's worried that the Night Brigade would take notice of this."

"The Night Brigade, huh… Aren't they planning to help the Western Border? Sigh~ I'll make a request… Wait here."

The old man holding a lamp said and left without waiting for Berac's answer.

The Night Brigade is an Army Division created by General Julian to hunt the members of their cult.

After revealing their presence within the many parts of the kingdom, the young general created the brigade with only 10 members in it.

Nine of them are third-class Arcanists and the last one was previously a four-star Hunter. A non-Arcanist with a strength comparable to one. The man was even the leader of the brigade.

They heard a lot about the nine Arcanists but the only thing they knew about the Hunter is that he's extremely strong and that he became inactive recently…

They heard that it was because his sword was stuck on a stone or something similar…

Nevertheless, this Brigade is a nightmare for any members of their cult.

This is why they have to be extremely careful in these types of operations where they have to hunt someone strong.

***

Rufus and the others were still on the path going to the next town.

The horses have already taken a rest so they decided to continue their journey… After all, with the help of the new carriage wheel that Chrisome's team made, the horses would have an easier time pulling them.

'Master… How was my technique?'

Rufus suddenly asked. He had been silent all this time as he was worried about the beasts following them. However, after waiting for so long, they didn't find anyone chasing them.

Not even some random evil beasts were attracted by their carriage…

He can only guess that their Null Flower Essence was quite effective.

'Impressive. It doesn't feel like you've only learned the sword for a few months.'

'Hehe… Thank you, Master… I'll work hard.'

'Mhmm… About your Illusory Blade, how are you controlling it?'

Reiji was curious after seeing how well Rufus controlled the illusory blade hovering around him.

'About that… I'm not really in control of it, Master… It would just try to protect the wielder of the sword from any hostiles…'

'Eh? Is that so?'

Reiji pondered for a bit and found it quite acceptable. Controlling it using mental strength would be too much for the young man as well.

It would indeed be better if it's capable of acting on its own.

Time passed and everyone already relaxed after noticing that they are no longer in danger.

However, as they continued their way, Reiji felt something…

His Danger Sense activated and his Arcane Sensitivity detected some presence of Arcana getting closer.

The first ability would allow him to detect any bloodlust pointing in his direction… The latter skill, on the other hand, would let him sense any Arcana within a specific range.

It doesn't matter whether they are Blessed, Cursed, or a normal one, it wouldn't escape with his Arcane Sensitivity.

"We are being followed. Rufus, try to find us a safer place. Everyone, we need to protect the carriage since this is our only mode of transportation…"

"Yes, Master…"

"Mhmm… Don't worry, if they are too strong, I'll be helping you guys."

Rufus smiled after hearing his master's reassurance.

Although they are not in a good position, as long as the Sentient Arcana is with them, they should be able to somehow survive this ambush…

"Master… Who are our enemies this time? I heard that there's a lot of beasts in this area, I didn't think that it would be this troublesome."

Rufus didn't think that some angry monkeys from before would be chasing them until now. Their opponents this time must be another kind of Evil Beasts…

"They're not some beasts, they're humans… I can sense eight people tailing our carriage… Four of them were Arcanists…"

"Wait, perhaps they're soldiers of the Northern Army? I heard that there is strict security here…"

"I don't think so… They wouldn't sneakily follow us if they are from the army…"

"Ahhh... That makes sense, master…"

Rufus scratched his head as he held his Elite Gram Sword closely…

It seems that he would have to kill humans this time. The young man grinned in excitement at the thought of this.