-wraash-

They went deeper into the forest.

Uneven ground, small river, and some cliffs were passed without any problem.

"we are heading to the northeast of the forest sir"

"so?"

Chanotte looked at him.

"this is... the opposite direction from Libhane's soldiers location"

"I see...."

Chanotte thought for a while.

He decided to make their priority right.

"stop!"

-zrrrsh-

The Wapeer braked with its front legs and turned its body.

-krr-

It waited for Chanotte's words.

"my friend said that this is not the right way"

"right way..... where?"

Chanotte scrunched his eyebrows.

"where? of course to where Libhane's soldiers are"

"huh? those humans with steel?"

"...right. This one is my fault"

Chanotte sighed and remembered what happened when they agreed to follow this Wapeer.

"so Roro's place is not in the same direction with the Libhane's soldiers?"

"no.... Roro.. this way.."

"... I see. I'm sorry, but i need to go to where Libhane's soldiers are.. as soon as possible"

Chanotte turned around and ready to leave the place, but the Wapeer said something to him.

"Roro said... human need to hear his words... to stop the ceremony.."

He stopped.

"ceremony?"

That word got his attention.

"if this ceremony is involving Libhane's soldiers, I don't need to hear that"

"i don't understand..."

It tilted its head.

"but... the ceremony is already started.. stop humans with steel... no use..."

"what? what do you mean by that?"

Chanotte looked at Chorin.

"it doesn't make sense, their plan should need more time.."

"Chorin? can you explain to me now?!"

"you're right.. guess i need to tell you now sir"

Chorin sighed and opened his mouth.

"two days ago, when I went with them to this forest... we were ordered by commander to find a place where mana concentrated"

"our world is filled with mana.. what do you mean by that?"

"ah, not any kind of mana sir, we are ordered to search an impure mana"

"a mana mixed with demon shard energy? in this place? in the mainland? are you sure that's what Libhane ordered?"

"honestly, we were also not really sure.. until.."

Chanotte waited.

"until Sir Marleus gave us that magic device"

"what kind of magic..."

SSHRRAAAAAAAA

A very clamorous sound was coming from the Wapeer. it was shrieking while looking toward the sky. This sudden act made them alert.

"what's wrong with this monster?!"

Chorin was ready to use his skill.

"wait! it's focusing on something else, not us"

"but still, sir.."

"BAD... THING.. MUST RUN.."

The blue scales on its back were rising and emitting a bright blue light. All of the muscles was very tense and its claws were also out.

"what's wrong?! what do you mean by bad thing?!"

It looked at Chanotte and approached him.

"no time... must report to Roro..."

"I need to make a decision now.."

Chanotte asked Chorin.

"Chorin, tell me. You've said about their plan need more time or something.. can we really stop them now?"

"..... judge from that monster's reaction.. seems we are too late now"

"I see. Then we only have one option now"

"....as long you will fulfill your promise to me"

"don't worry, I'll go back to the capital with you as I promised"

"krrr"

The Wapeer took a low position and dashed with all of its got. This time, it didn't care if those two humans were following or not.

-dhaar-

Within a split second, it was gone from their sight.

"let's go"

Chorin looked hesitate, yet he knew that he couldn't stop his friend. This was the only thing that he could do for now.

They ran around five minutes until two big rocks appeared in front of them. It totally looked like a gate and there's something near them.

Two pillars standing made from human bodies stacked with sharp wood that was stabbed into the ground.

It was like a welcome sign for the visitor.

"guess this is the place"

Chanotte calmly observed the situation. Meanwhile Chorin couldn't hide his angry expression.

"these monsters..."

"what do you think you're doing Chorin?"

He tried to bring him to his sense.

"sir!! what do you mean?! can't you see that??!"

He pointed at the pillars. The bodies that were stacked there weren't not just human bodies, that were soldiers.... their soldiers.

"I can see that Chorin.. but now it's not the right time for it"

"huh?! not the right time?!! sir! pardon me but..."

Chanotte stared at him.

"what? so you want to go in there and kill them all? is that what you are trying to do?"

-claang-

He threw his shield to the ground and yelled at him.

"OUR SOLDIERS WERE KILLED AND HUMILIATED BY THOSE MONSTERS! SHOULD WE PRETEND TO NOT SEE THAT?!!'

He tried to control his breath. He knew that he couldn't do this, yet the scenery in front of him made it become impossible for him to not react.

".....Chorin, you've already seen what our soldiers did with the elves, right?"

"sir! this and that are totally different..."

Chanotte continued his words.

"you also have seen what our soldiers did in elf kingdom..."

He grabbed Chorin's shoulders and stared at him.

"Libhane's plan will bring harm not only to monsters but also humans.. I need you to help me right now"

He turned around and headed to the two big rocks.

"beside.. now i understand. We, humans, are not always the victim..."

Chorin was silent and looked at the ground. He showed an unsatisfied looks on his face, yet Chanotte didn't care about it and kept moving.

-----( Chapter 165 "Not always a victim" )-----