Chapter 78

They walked in single file.

The entrance to the path was like a sort of arch leading into a gloomy tunnel made by two great trees that leaned together, too old and strangled with ivy hung with lichen to bear more than a few blackened leaves. The path itself was narrow and wound in and out among the trunks. The animal trails they were following twisted through what seemed like an endless ocean of trees.

The one leading the group was none other than the Kingdom’s Princess, known as the Delouria Kingdom’s Goddess of War; Princess Leticia Persil Louridia.

Behind her was a group of over twenty people, most men wearing armors; Knights while a few were Mages who wears large robes and welded wooden staff. Behind the Princess were two people; the identical twins; Celis and Celia while in front of her were two men with incredibly good-looking features, cutting long weeds, brambles, and vines in their path.

“Your Highness, is this really the right way?”

Princess Leticia shook her head with a wry smile.

“There’s no way to know…but according to the map of the Desolate Cave, the eastern region of the forest was inhabitable a long time ago, and that will be our best bet. Although now, it’s nothing but ruins, we might be able to find some clues.”

“And perhaps, we might be able to encounter that boy again,” Celia said, as she followed behind them.

“Hopefully…”

Princess Leticia raised her head and turned towards the deep forest, staring at the dark and gloomy shadows.

This forest really deserves its reputation, that even without the monsters and magical beasts it embraced, the forest itself was a mystery—a horror that seemed to swallow you whole the moment you let your guard down.

The forest is so dense that no one will be able to see deep from even the outside. Though howls and roars of beasts can be heard as it echoes, you can barely see any monsters around. Despite that, every moment you felt as if someone was watching your every action. Waiting, and waiting for you to let your guard down.

Twisted tree trunk with poisonous grass of dark red and blue color is on its shade. The inner part of the forest seems dead with only a little light in it even though it’s still daytime. Soon the light from above was like a little bright hole far behind, and the quiet was so deep that their feet seemed to thump along while all the trees leaned over them and listened.

Creepy is but an understatement.

The air is damp and it smells like rusted iron.

Just like the stories, this is truly a natural fortress that will not forgive anyone who’ll invade it. At the same time, this is also a prison of no return.

The scent of death is everywhere.

Occasionally, a slender beam of sun that had the luck to slip in through some opening in the eave far above, and still more luck in not being caught in the tangled boughs and matted twigs beneath, stabbed down thin and bright before her. It lighted the dim forest much better than before, displaying the carnage that had occurred, along with the stench of blood. She frowned. They needed to leave this as soon as possible. This much scent would surely attract trouble.

There were insects and small beasts in the wood, but they are harmless.

Even still, being watched by them felt as if they were being observed by something, eerily dangerous.

Princess Leticia’s sharp inquisitive eyes got used to seeing things he could catch glimpses of them whisking off the path and scuttling behind tree trunks. There were queer noises too, grunts, scufflings, and hurryings in the undergrowth and among the leaves that lay piled endlessly thick in places on the forest floor; but what made the noises she could not see, increasing the mysteriousness and creepiness of the forest.

It was at this moment—

“Your highness, the grass from afar is unnaturally shaking.”

One of the armored knights beside Princess Leticia points at the horizon and said. If one looks closely, his eyes were similar to that of a feline, with golden-colored cat’s eyes.

“Amazing as always,”

Celia who’s normally unimpressed by anything said with a faint smile.

“It’s a distance I still can’t see.”

Princess Leticia then turned to her guardian, who looked in a different direction in a hazy manner. Looking at the direction of his gaze, there were three figures running from the direction of the forest with fierce expressions. And behind them are three and a half meters of dark objects. Especially, the one dark creatures which immediately caught the Princess's eyes.

Having brown skin that is close to being black, a belly that is stuck out, and a muscular body. It has a boar-like head, holding a large battle axe—an Orc.

There were about a dozen Black Orcs running behind them. Those are usually green or light brown, but as expected of the Desolate Forest, home of terrifying monsters, they are completely different from the Orcs she had seen before.

“An Orc? I assume that it is an Orc subspecies that will appear in an emergency request at once. Among those that even a sighting of just only one would rattle an entire City in panic and anxiety.” Celia said with a wry smile.

“I think it’s similar to an Orc Lord or an Orc General.”

“Whatever the case, they are coming. To arms!!”

Princess Leticia grabbed the hilt of her sword and cried out.

“Kill them immediately; we cannot stop here to fight!”

When she declared the start of the battle, the knights around her immediately pulled out their swords and weapons, while the Mages started chanting spells. Celis, one of the twins step back, and started the lead, displaying why she was known as a Blessed Child of Magic. It was almost in an instant, where her spell was completed.

“Lightning Arrows!” she cried out, and immediately after ten light balls emerged at the top of her raised palm. Those then stretched out and flew to the targets at once.

The light balls are so fast that it appears to stretch out like a line. The fastest lightning magic among the basic spells. The lightning arrow’s power and the number are depended on magic power. A maximum of 10 shots can be fired at the same time. Among the rare Lightning Affinity, it’s one that is commonly seen to be used because it’s fast, destructive, and has a homing-like function.

It has enough power to defeat a Lv2 monster with a single spell with 10 shots. In other words, it can be said that [Lightning Arrow] is good for hunting or sneak attack. But that common sense is a bit doubtful because of the monsters inhabiting the Desolate Forest are much tougher, and stronger than the normal monsters found outside.

Despite this, her talent showed itself as the lightning arrow Celis had fired accurately shot the head and heart of five of the Orcs, leading to their timely demise.

Taking her attack as a signal for battle, the knights including Celia charge right towards the rushing monsters with fierce momentum.

The battle only lasted for a few minutes before it ended. Even though most of the Monsters were higher subspecies, they were immediately exterminated without any problem.

“Clean up the area, and see if there is still anyone living.”

Princess Leticia ordered. However, suddenly, a monster charge right through the side, and her expression darkened. It was a Troll carrying a wide, tower-like shield.

So there is indeed still more?

She felt the presence of her knight behind her, but she raised her hand. She didn’t need any help.

The shield-bearer Troll lifted its shield while charging towards her. This is a Shield Bash. She knows of it as she even knows how to use it. Though, she prefers not having a shield.

Booom!

"Haaaa!"

Her fighting spirit exploded, and the monster momentarily flinched. Then, with but a single kick, the monster’s shield flew up to the sky. The monster was surprised by the weight of her attack, which the monster never anticipated due to how slender, and thin the woman's legs were.

Princess Leticia grinned and then placed her foot on the ground, after her kick posture as planned, and swung her sword to the belly of the monster sideways. There is almost no response. She cut the Troll with body armor like cutting mud. The long sword on her hand, a magical weapon that absorbs magic while casting a magic spell that is equivalent to an advanced wind magician. Thus, the sword’s blade elicited sharp winds like a storm blade.

Blood splattered on the green meadow, and the monster fell down on the ground, cut in half.

“Your highness, are you okay?”

A knight came over and asked. Princess Leticia smiled faintly as he swiped the blade of her sword with a clean cloth and returned to its sheath.

“I’m fine. Anyway, continue checking the area,”

“As you wish!”

Princess Leticia roamed her gaze through the forest.

“Your Highness!!”

Suddenly, an anxious voice rang out from behind her, snapping her out from her reverie.

A metallic screech pierced the air as Princess Leticia immediately drew her sword the moment the voice reached her. A subconscious reaction from danger, and yet it didn’t help much surely for an instant from above, several enormous figures drop around her, separating her from the others.

“Killer Ants!”

One of the knights cried out in astonishment upon seeing the monsters that suddenly appeared.

“Save the Princess! Quick!”

The princess frowned, looking at the monsters. However, there’s no panic in her eyes. And like a true Knight, she calmly made a stance, her blade held in both hands before her.

“Wait!” suddenly, as she and the other knights were about to charge and attack, Celia ran in front.

“Celia!”

Celis and the princess called out in panic.

However, Celia ignored them and stood in front of the Killer Ants. She had recognized these monsters, and although, perhaps they are all similar actually, she still expected, them to be. In fact, only hoping that she was not mistaken.

She stood in front of the horrifying Killer Ants, a few meters distance away, sword in her side, but at an angle where she can easily draw it and defend herself. She stood, with a confident expression, and seeing that the Knights and even the Princess subconsciously stopped, waiting on what she was about to do.

Staring aghast, the princess recalled the story that Celis had said before, seen in her vision as they frantically rush towards to save her. Did she think that these monsters are the same as those that protected the mysterious boy?

The princess thought as she regarded Celia who was standing with a seriousness she had not seen before. But this is dangerous! If she was wrong, she could be seriously in danger!

Celis shared the same worry as she scooted slowly behind her sister, ready to fire the spell that she had already finished chanting. [Delay]- she was exhibiting a special technique among high-level mages that only a few can do without any problem.

Crackle! Crackle!

Golden crackles of lightning sparks hovering around her hand.

"Celia, come back," she called out softly. Her voice was low as if she was afraid of startling the monsters and might attack her sister in shock.

This is not a good idea.

She grits her teeth in worry, however, to her surprise and even to the Princess and the others, the terrible scene they had expected had not occurred.

Killer Ants are savage beasts that would immediately attack their prey without hesitation or fear. They are suicidal beasts that would not cower and would charge right through even if it means their death.

…but they had stopped!

They all stared at Celia, standing in their position, their attention on her, with fangs moving in a threatening manner. But they didn’t make a move or an attack. They just created screeching noises, as if trying to say something or threatening her to back down. However, it obviously failed, as instead of backing down, Celia’s expression beamed when she saw the monster’s reaction.

“…I know you’re here. Why don’t you show yourself?”

She cried out as she looks around the surrounding.

The Princess and the other Knights did as well- curious and doubtful as they roamed their gazes vigilantly at their surroundings.

“We meant no harm…and, what happened before, I think it’s a mistake.”

“… …”

But silence replied her call.

Celia frowned, her brows furrowed in anxiety.

“…we need your help,”

Celia waited for a while, but no response came.

Was she mistaken?

She was about to say something again when suddenly an unexpected answer came.

“Help…hm, that’s unusual,”

A feminine voice appeared from deep in the woods.

A woman’s voice?!

Celia’s eyes widened in surprise and she unconsciously steps back, her hand went into the hilt of her sword in reply. She felt somewhat vigilant on this sudden, unexpected development. She was startled since it was not the voice of the boy she was hoping for, but rather an unfamiliar female voice.

Who is there?

She squinted her eyes, and there she saw, her eyes widened in shock. It was not the one she had expected would appear. It’s a woman, and so beautiful at that.

Light brown skin- the woman that came out from the shadows of a large, old tree possesses beautiful, curly blond hair, which was now pulled back into a ponytail. Her eyes were startling gray, like storm clouds; pretty, but intimidating, too, displaying her feral character.

She was wearing light thin armor on her body, displaying the fact that she was a warrior, with a claymore on her back. Of course, it’s not something difficult to guess, with her quite a big figure for a woman; obviously big bones and those clearly defined big muscles on her arms and abdomen that were not covered by the thin armor she was wearing.

It was obvious that she trained on a regular basis on a warrior routine. And that she fought no less than Celia had been in battles, with that fierce aura she was exuding. And the scars littered on her arms and body.

She exuded an animalistic ferocity that can be felt from those who were always drunk in battle. However, what made Celia and the others almost jump in surprise was the fact that this woman, was clearly not human.

As she made her way to them, with the sway of her hips, the human group was able to see her clearly. Instead of legs, from the waist down, the beautiful, strong-looking woman was serpentine, positively ophidian. Her scales, under the dim light, were deep forest green, with zigzag crimson patterns from hip to tip. Half-human, half-snake- a [Lamian].

“She’s a Lamian!!”

A voice of horror speared throughout the group in an instant, and more swords were drawn.

But to this, the blonde Lamian didn’t seem to care, as she glared at Celia with ashy-gray serpentine eyes- obvious anger and hate clouded her gaze.

“Help?” she repeated with a mocking tone. Her forked tongue flicked past her thin, red-colored lips as she continued, “Care to tell me, what are humans doing in this place for you to even needed help?”

She stops a few meters distance in the group, but Celia was certain that the distance barely gives a safety zone, as the Lamian can easily cover it, in but a single second.

A Lamian…

Celia’s eyes darkened. Even more, Celis and the Princess did as well. They know full well, what horror a Lamian could bring, even if it’s a single enemy. Even the weakest Lamian can bring down a party of humans with an average level of 2. And if this Lamian was a higher ranking subspecies, then more so the danger it gives to their group.

The Princess scooted over and slowly moves towards the twins Celia and Celis. Behind her was the always, vigilant two Knights; A Knight with a handsome face and shoulder-length black hair curled slightly on the ends, while the other had red-dyed hair, bushy and long, passed his shoulder, almost looked similar to a Lion’s mane. His eyes shined golden as he glared at the Lamian with equal animalistic ferocity.

“We, we are looking for a boy…a black-haired boy,”

Celia said, then suddenly she saw the expression of the Lamian darkened even more. Clear anger appeared in her face.

She was startled by the reaction, hence she immediately continued; “We are not an enemy. In fact, he had saved me before, and I want to thank him…if possible,” and fortunately, she did as she had just managed to avoid a death call.

The blonde Lamian’s expression lightened a bit, and a smirking expression appeared on her face; “I know you…you’re the one who had trespassed his Majesty Arfa’s lair. A thief,”

“I’m not a thief!!”

Celia scowled in anger from the sudden unjust accusation.

“But you are. You would have died before if not for Rai—hmmm, in any case, you are already told to leave while you still can, haven’t you? Why are you back now? Do you really not value your life, human?”

“You know him?”

“… …”

Celia took a deep breath and step forward. Hope laced her voice. “I want to see him… I want to offer my gratitude to him personally, for saving my life.”

“That’s all? Well, if it’s that, then I will surely convey it to him myself. Now you can turn around and leave, human. We will overlook this time, but if you stay stubborn, we will make you regret it!”

The blonde Lamian hissed, and then from within the trees surrounding the group, Lamians one after another appear, holding bows and spears aimed at them.

“Leave, humans. This place doesn’t welcome you!”

The blonde Lamian said this with a straight face and cold eyes.

“We came for peace, Lamian. We meant no disturbance,”

At this moment, Princess Leticia took a step forward and said.

“Whether you came for peace or war, is not our concern, human. We ask you nicely for your quiet departure. But if you do otherwise, we would be impolite and do it ourselves!”

The blonde lamina hissed, and the clanking of metals issued as weapons drawn, both on the enemy’s side as well as the human side.

The air stifled in tension.

“We will not leave, as we have our own Quest to complete. As long as we would be left alone, we will not cause any unnecessary conflict and chaos.”

“As always, stubborn and persistent. Humans are arrogant in nature, and they always thought themselves superior, and ruler of every place they stand on,”

Another voice appeared.

The tone was soft and melodic. However, the moment the owner of the voice came out, Princess Leticia and the others reveled in shock.

The creature’s torso and upper body resembled that of a young female, despite being covered in livid, green scales up to her face like the scales of a reptile. From the waist down, however, like other Lamians, it had the lithe and twisting body of a serpent—at least twelve feet in length and coiled like a spring.

Countless horrifying snakes could be seen standing at the top of her head, serving as hair as they wiggled, alive more than any living, and glaring with red, furious eyes. A forked tongue gliding in and out of its mouth, and a face full of horrifying ugliness that seemingly embodies the creatures that came from hell, innately capable of calling out fear and horror in the depths of one’s heart.

Seeing this creature, even Princess Leticia felt the horror and panic surging through her.

She might have never seen such horrifying creature, but she had heard of them in many stories and legends—darkness incarnate they were called, evil embodied—especially those eyes, those glowing blood-red orbs that served as its eyes—were blood dyed pits of evil, sometimes wide with outrage and red with flame, sometimes narrowed, slanted, intense slits promising hellish tortures.

“A Medusa!”