IV. Forest Encounters: Elrufus Dax II

It had been a few minutes already since I and Mae separated from Morgianna and Ricardo. I assessed the situation was still good, the Spirit Cluster must have not noticed yet and was still wandering at the woods. I’ve had Mae used light magic from time to time just to check the surroundings but immediately command her to cancel it.

The lack of Morgianna’s Hearing* ability took a toll on our mobility during that time of the night. I didn’t want to exhaust Mae that much too. She might become an even graver threat if ever the Spirit Cluster were to catch up with us than the creature itself. I still have a lot of goals in life. I can’t afford to die now.

“Mae tell me whenever you feel exhausted and I’m going to transfer some of my mana onto you.”

“I can’t bother you more than this already. I’ll try to manage somehow, so please keep your reserves for the most crucial times.”

With the current situation, Mae is being more determined and reliable. I hope she could give a me a little bit of information that could prove useful. She might not know but at that time, my mind was nearing its limits too. I had been pretty much exhausted and haven’t fully recovered yet the moment Morgianna woke me up and alerted me of the situation. I, too, have tried to hide that with Mae.

“I’ll be honest with you already since we are in this life and death situation.” –I decided to speak up to her.

“What is it? Don’t scare me with those sentences.”

“I’m not in any position to make jokes right now. We’re being targeted by a High-tier creature. And the only one with the ability to defeat is Dax. So if you could do me a favour and let’s try to escape this situation together by finding your Patron already.”

Mae’s expression drastically changed from scared and worried to angry.

“Look, I’ve been wanking my brains too just to provide you useful information, and you’ve shut all those ideas off.”

“Because those ideas are all out of the blue! I don’t think you are even trying!”

“Of all the people, you are the one that asked me to join this silly little idea of yours to find Dax. I’ve told you Irish could’ve done a better job! No that’s wrong! In fact, I’m the one better suited for this job because I know him better than Irish does! And I’ve been trying to help you from the start and you’ve all been shutting me down!”

And we were fighting already. I didn’t noticed that our voices were escalating in volume too. The stress of handling the situation is already getting to our nerves and is clouding our decision making.

“If only you’ve tried to listen to me from the beginning I think we’ve caught up with him already.”

“What was it that you even tried to suggest first? A cabin at the heart of the Gargantua Forest? Do someone even wanted to live in the middle of the woods creeping with mid-tier to high-tier monsters anyways?!”

The situation is already worsening. I just realized that the creature almost caught up with us when I felt a sinister aura a few pans behind me. With our voices the creature might get agitated and attack both of us. That ensures our death, both of us.

“SSSSH!! Enough of this nonsense quarrelling the creature almost caught up with us. We should relocate.”

With the quick assessment, we’ve relocated with a greater distance. Of course the faster we get and the greater distance we travel, the more exhausted we became. I’ve bet on this last spot. We rested there and I tried to utilize Mae’s brain again. But the moment we’ve stopped Mae had barraged me with the questions with answers I didn’t want her to know. Well it was too late already.

“What’s that creature anyways? And why has it been chasing us to the ends of the earth?”

“It’s a Spirit Cluster: element of air. It’s been chasing me, the source of malice. I’ve unleashed a great spell a while ago to calm the panicking crowd remember? It was partly my fault.”

“YOU SON OF AN IDIOT! PARTLY YOUR FAULT?!”

“Hey don’t involve my father with this. I admit it was one of my wrong decisions. That’s why I’ve taken responsibility of finding Dax.”

“And it was okay that you snared me on this suicidal mission?”

“You love Dax.”

“Wha—”

End conversation. I’ve used the most forbidden words. My mind was pretty exhausted already. I needed to take a rest. At that moment I’ve already been remembering the good times when I was just sitting at home, doing nothing. Playing with Morgianna. Practicing magic spells with my father. How I wished I could go back home and just waited for the convoy to arrive.

What did I even tried to accomplish anyways? What awaited me at the Barren Canyons, an old abandoned and forgotten civilization due to the terraform of the previous battles of second generation of Maou and Yuusha? Did I just wanted to soul-search myself?

And there I was, lost on my train of thoughts again. Mae was in so much panic as when we’re being chased by the cluster.

“How did you know?! Did Irish told you?!” –Mae was in denial.

“Did you really think the both of you, Thelesmata Sisters, had hid your feelings well? I don’t know if Irish knows that you know, or you know that Irish knows, or if Dax is even aware, but everybody on that convoy, pretty much knew it.”

“Wha—Wha-wha-wha!!”

“It seems like I just took role of ‘someone to feed you guys with reality’. It was pretty much obvious. I think most of them have just been pampering your high positions due to your calling.”

Mae was so flustered. Of course she would. Everybody who thought everything was going fine from the start then suddenly, someone will have to smash those fantasy of theirs, will obviously get shocked.

“So much for that... pant... How’s it? Have you rested already?”

“Quite a bit, thanks to your stupid topic. Why even bring that up in this situation?”

“Why, perhaps?” –I couldn’t even think of an answer.

“You see, Dax had a complicated situation even before we were tasked of bringing out his potential true potential as the Patron.”

It was true, as I tried to remember what I have studied from the demi-humans. The calling of The Patron* is similar to that of the Maou. From the perks, to the abilities, even the VIP treatment towards the individual that recieved it. But demi-humans manage their resources too directly. They gathered their three most important individuals. If it was us, the demons, we would have assigned three separate teams to manage their growths.

“Dax was a nobody. He’s just a humble son of a beastkin farmer and a human weaver. His descendants we’re quite unknown. We did tried to trace her mother but couldn’t get any records from past her grandmother. Some villagers on the village they live said tha her mother was a descendant of a great, great Archangel from the very first calamity the Twin-moon Divergence*.”

Well that’s new.

I hadn’t gotten to study the full story of the Twin-moon Divergence* since only a very few records have been recorded regarding it. Some records said it was due to a huge scale battle between opposing factions in the heavens. Others said it was a huge attempt to summon beings from the parallel worlds. Those records were not clear so I did not try to dig in further. But I left thinking about the event and continued to listen to Mae.

“Irish and Mae were born from an ellicit relationship of the current head of moonfolk towards a son of a human merchant. Our mother took responsibility of raising us even though everybody from the clan were against it from the start. To the public we were treated the same as the other moonfolks but at the palace we’re treated as outcasts.It was very suffocating.”

“During the times that we’re trying to explore the country, we ended up meeting with Dax when I slipped from a bridge and nearly drown the river.”

“You know you’re really useless.”

“Shut up!! The moment Dax saved me, the fates of us three intertwined. Dax was rewarded by my mother and the royal moonfolk family for formality. After that he was sent back to his home at the country borders. But we’ve both asked our mother if it was possible for both of us to be friends with him. We’re both granted once a month to visit him at his house to play. Dax was not far from our age. He’s also a kid by that time. Their house was near a riverbank. Those years we have been playing deepened our bond, the three of us. It was around three years ago when Irish and I was bestowed with our respective callings, and Dax, not too soon after that. It feels like it really was fate that brought the three of us together.”

“Wait”

“huh?! Don’t startle me like that!”

“Say that a gain, the previous statement.”

“What do you mean? About fate bringing us together?”

“No, even before that...”

At that time Mae have spouted the final piece of the puzzle. How could I miss out such important detail?

“Where did Dax lived?”

“Near a riverbank. What about it?”

At that time a realization came to me. Why did I have that dream? It was all for this, besides it was an omen: a sign that indicated a far more span of events that were about to unfold. Events that will tell how Elrufus Dax, Patron of the Demi-humans, will be the fabled renowned General Orcas.

With the final piece of the puzzle falling in place, I grabbed Mae’s shoulder and shook her out of excitement. Of course this will be our only way out and I have to rely on her one last time. At last she finally became of some use.

“Mae! Wring out your brain one last time please! I need you to find me the nearest river in our location!”

Suddenly:

KABOOM!!

A loud explosion we’re heard above us. There was a falling big branch of the three and I grabbed Mae in attempt to evade it, but there wasn’t enough time. The branch that fell created an impact which bursted behind us. I held Mae’s vulnerable body around mine to protect her. We were thrown towards another tree trunk where my left shoulder hit.

I heard the cracking of my bones. We both fell down on the ground and I groaned afterwards due to the intense pain I felt. My shoulder is probably broken, but It was not the time to think about that. I looked towards the place of the explosion and saw the Spirit Cluster. It have already caught up to us.

“Well shit...” I said as I grinned towards it.

“Are you okay, Lord Maou?!”

“Now’s not the time to be asking questions! We’ll talk while running. I need to run fast.”

“But I’m not sure If i’ll be able to keep up with you. It would be better if you leave me here alone as a bait.”

“No, you will come with me.”

“How—KYAH!!”

I princess-carried Mae.

“You won’t get away with this!! Dax haven’t even carried me like this before!! You sly fox!”

“Tell that to me again once we get out of this situation alive!!”

And I started running towards the forest in attempt to get away.

---

I princess carried Mae. It’s a carry that would put only a little stress with my left shoulder than my right. I don’t know how far the river was, or where it was located, but first, I need to get back on the trail.

“After we get back to the trail I’m pretty sure you’ll try to remember any landmarks, that’s the only way I can think of to meet up with Dax.”

“What are you trying to do?”

“Can’t you see? I’m trying to get away from that thing that’s chasing up on us!”

“Can’t you keep your voice a little down?”

“There’s no point in doing that now!”

Luckily, I’ve found a way back to the trail. I observed the road quickly and saw carriage fresh trails. This road must have been where the convoy passed before.

“Now everything’s according to plan. Could you recognize this place?”

“I’m trying!”

I was panting. My muscles have been aching. The only thing that’s keeping me up that time was my adrenaline. I may had a broken rib or a few dislocated joints due to damage I’ve taken from prior explosion. It was a miracle that I was still able to carry Mae and run through the forest. Mae have kept up with her light magic so I was able to see my path. Either ways, there’s no point in trying to lower our volumes or using magic that could attract nocturnal creatures anymore. We’re already being chased by the Spirit Cluster.

“Mae Militum Thelesmata, I’m nearing my limit.” –I screamed as I ran towards a wherever direction we’re headed. We’re only back to the main road and we didn’t know which way it was back to the campsite nor to the direction did the convoy initially come.

“Let us take a leap of faith then.”

“Wha-What are you talking about???”

“If I remember correctly, the big oak tree a few pans ahead is a landmark. I remembered that Irish and I collected water yesterday. It will be a gradual downhill but you should be able to speed up and run without tumbling. It was a clear trail. It was a stream, but if we follow the up flow we should come up with a bigger part of a river.”

“We’ll be betting on that! Hold on to me, we’ll speed up!”

As we reached the oak tree I saw a narrow trail just like Mae instructed. It was really a downhill. I’m quite amazed that Mae’s memories were still clear. The simplest form of details like that, usually I tend to forget fast. But Mae was different. I thought of it that time as one of her passives granted to her by her calling. I was starting to regret all of those words I’ve said towards her, all those bad impressions I’ve had towards her. I wanted to take them all back, but I just didn’t, not yet.

Not long after dashing hard downhill I could already hear the stream. We’ve finally reached a body of water.

Pant.. Pant... Pant..

“We’re here.” –I said as I tried to catch my breath.

“I don’t see him! I don’t see Dax!” –Mae started panicking again.

“No, it was supposed to be a large enough part of the river.” –I just stated what I saw from my dreams which Mae didn’t knew. She didn’t even wondered.

One more thing I noticed. The Spirit Cluster hadn’t been at our back for a while now. I assumed it was due to the downhill path that we gained enough speed to leave it behind. I called the situation safe again to put Mae down.

“Can you walk?”

“Of course I could! But in any case, are you alright? How’s your shoulder.”

“I think it could heal in a few days. I’ll have Morgianna check on it once we head back camp. But we can’t lay our guards down yet. We need to find Dax. Let’s head upstream.”

“Okay.”

---

We came to a place where the river was wide enough to be compared to that on my dream. It seemed so wide that you might think it was already connecting to a lake. I’m not that concerned to argue whether a lake could fit inside the Gargantua Forest.

At a distance we saw a boy sitting by the riverbank. It was Dax. We both felt relieved when we saw him safe and throwing rocks towards the river. The moon which reflected towards the vast waters of the river is being disturbed as he threw rocks towards the calming waters. I’ve envied him because despite everything we experienced for the past hour he’s just sitting here, taking it easy and doing nothing. In fact I wanted to punch him.

Mae shouted and caught his attention. I tried to look at their touching reunion. Everything we’ve experienced. We finally found him, the cause of all of the hardships we’ve went through this past hour.

But even before Mae took a distance away from me as she approached Dax, I immediately caught up with her and grabbed her hand. It was to save her again from an imminent danger.

And it happened. An explosion a few distance ahead of her path.

“And here I thought you quit chasing after us already. Really can’t let my guard down against a high-tier creature.”

“What is that?!! What have you brought here Fredericus!”

I could hear Dax shouting from the other side. And then I fell to the ground.

“Lord Maou! What happened? Are you okay?! Dax!! Help us!!”

Their voices have been lowering in volume. It seemed that I was about to lose consciousness. I tried to gather the last of my strength to keep holding my stance on the ground. Of course after being hurt, then running a great distance while carrying somebody, anyone would suddenly fell fatigue once their adrenaline leaves their body. That was what I was experiencing at the moment.

“Dax!! We’re in grave danger!! It’s a high-tier Spirit Cluster!! I need you to transcend now and use some of your mana manipulation ability!!” –I shouted the very last of my might.

It was a gamble. A gamble where I bet with the lives of us three. I looked at Dax, it seemed like he understood the gravest of the situation we’re in. If in case he could use it then we’re saved. If not then the situation should have to force the ability out of him.

“I think there was one!” –Mae suddenly spoke.

Dax circled around the spirit cluster fast as its attention was still directed through us. When he finally reached us, he took out his dagger and readied his battle position.

“I’ll try to slow him down, you guys get back to camp for reinforcements.”

SLAP!! –and that slap echoed through the area. Mae slapped the reality towards his face. That should have hurt and made him realize of his naivety.

“YOU IDIOT! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!! THE ENTIRE CONVOY HAD BEEN PANICKING DUE TO YOUR RASH DECISIONS!!”

“I…”

“DON’T GIVE ME THAT SHIT!! BESIDES… BESIDES… sobs… I WAS WORRIED!!!”

Tears were falling from Mae’s angry bright-red face. It was true, she had been worried sick right from the start of Dax’s disappearance. For a God-knows-what reason that Dax tried to wander around the night. A slap might not be enough. He made his girl—his girls worry about him to the point that they could not distinguish right decisions anymore. If I could only still move a part of my body, I would’ve punched the reality to his good-looking face for the Thelesmata sisters and Morgianna too.

“Please, Dax… You don’t have to run away from it… Think of it as your own. It won’t try to consume you or anything… Trust me on this…” –said Mae as she tried to plead for Dax’s cooperation.

“Please, Dax. I’ll explain it in details later if we make it out of here alive.”

No more questions asked.

Dax never chanted, he just said the word. He was like me, a natural born at using spells.

“Transcendence*.”

A light emitted from his body. It was a glow blinding enough for everything to lose their vision for a few seconds. After we regained our visions, I saw Dax, emitting a silver aura. I’m not sure if it was visible for Mae, his form was the same as yesterday when he fought with the mandragoras.

“I could only hold for a few minutes in this form. Now tell me in details, Fredericus, what spell do you need me to use?”

“That creature is a Spirit Cluster, an amalgamation of mana debris that took form in a high-tier creature. And since it is formed entirely by mana, I suppose a mana-manipulation ability would serve lethal to it.”

“I remembered that ability that you we’re practicing months ago.”

“That ability, huh? Don’t blame me if this doesn’t work. Besides, it was initially a supportive ability that bursts the flow of mana of an individual. I don’t know if this will turn out well if used against a creature.”

We had two outcomes:

one, the Spirit Cluster will burst

two, the Spirit Cluster will get a buff, then we die.

It was another gamble, nothing to lose.

“Failing to cast this ability will render me immobile, when that time comes I entrust Mae with you to escape, Fredericus.”

“I really appreciate if you consider my current state. I’m quite immobile too. You have no choice but to completely execute the ability.”

“Well, here it goes.”

Dax looked towards the creature. It was steadily hovering its spot. It seemed to be either observing the living beings in front of it, or it was afraid of the aura Dax’s transcendence were emitting.

“Mana Burst – Type inflow*”

I realy didn’t understood how the spell went but it was a huge success. The Spirit Cluster suddenly shattered, scattering strong winds all throughout the area. Winds strong enough to cause disturbance on the vast river. The gust should be strong enough to even reach the camp. Good thing it was only air element. We might have trouble defending ourselves if it was other element. Still, the gust was strong enough to blow us away, thanks to Dax’s barrier we avoided being thrown away again.

---

Another search party consisting of Ricardo, Morgianna, Irish and three more guards finally arrived at our current location.

Due to immobility and fatigue, both I and Dax were rendered useless and Mae won’t be able to move both of our bodies, so we decided to rest by the riverbank. After seeing us at the riverbank Morgianna rushed towards me crying like a child and embraced me while I was still laying down. I patted her head and promised I won’t do something rash like that ever gain.

Irish, seeing both Mae and Dax with me, safe and sound, started scratching her head and gave a sigh. Mae was so apologetic to her, maybe because the search went on for hours. She explained everything, from the existence of a high-tier creature, to the events that led to Dax using transcendence and defeating it. She didn’t mentioned the cause why it was attracted towards us. She knew how to keep secrets when it comes down to it.

After that, I passed out. I never remember much about our relocation towards the camp but when I woke up it was already morning. There were still pain on my left shoulder but it was bandaged. It seemed not serious. I forced my body to get up. The convoy was already preparing to leave.

Besides me was Morgianna, still asleep, holding my left hand. She must have been the one that took care of me when I was asleep. She must have been tired too so I let her rest for a moment.

I walked towards Irish.

“So, you will move again today, huh?”

“We’re supposed to be, until we reach the demon capital. The only thing that went unexpected was meeting you here. You are the one we are supposed to meet.”

“You’re right.”

“Why are you even travelling towards the Barren Canyons anyways?”

“I needed to search for clues. I’ve been studying the previous wars. I might’ve find something there at the ancient civilization.”

“I bet you will find nothing. Besides, who were to entertain us there if you will be out? It will sure be months before you’re able to come back.”

“Father, I guess. At my current age, I’m just a public figure. I’ll be there when I’m needed, but don’t trust me to tend to every events that is being planned by the demon palace.”

“Sigh… Well, I guess we’ll talk to your father then…”

“I’ll try to be as quick as I can to return. I won’t let your stay be wasted.”

“Then take me as an assurance.”

The sudden one to speak up was Elrufus Dax. Mae and Irish dropped their jaws from what they’ve heard.

“Are you being serious?! You just made a big ruckus last night! You’re creating another one right now.”

“I think it is fine.” –I answered.

“No it’s not! What will we tell the royal demon family once we’ve arrived at the demon capital? The supposed Patron of the Demi-humans is now on an adventure with the Maou towards the barren lands?!” –Irish exclaimed.

“Father have already anticipated our meetup within this forest so I won’t be surprised if he tells you it is fine by him.”

I didn’t knew Dax’s intentions. He might be gauging out my abilities. The demi-humans might wage out a war if ever he rated me negatively. I hope it doesn’t come to that point. So agreeing with his request was my only choice. What happens afterwards, I’ll be leaving to tomorrow’s me. I poroposed another option which would be harder for them to decline.

“I’ll borrow Ricardo with me, while I’ll be lending Morgianna to you. You will be needing an escort of my calibre until you reach the demon capital.”

“My master, I promised your father that I will keep you safe all throughout this journey.” –Morgianna, who was supposed to be sleeping, appeared behind me.

“Whoah! Don’t scare me like that!”

Well, she was pouting again. I was already having a hard time comprehending her actions. She must have wanted to be the one to accompany me towards the end of this mission. She had been really attached to me recently. I was regretting what I have done on that inn that night.

“Morgianna, I’m begging you, please do this for me, I’ll be sure to return to your side again, okay?” –I patted her head like my little sister.

“Okay… As my master instructs me.” –she confirmed with a dejected tone.

“Also, It will be a long time for me and Dax to speak with regards to the matters of your visit towards the capital. I think it will be a win-win situation for both of our sides.”

Irish scratched her head again. I guess she was irritated that things went against her way again. She still agreed at the end.