Chapter 522

Chapter 522

The forest was so steeped in darkness that not even the chirp of insects carried through.

Clip-clop— Clip-clop—

The quiet wasn’t just in the woods—it clung to the group making their way down a narrow path. Not only Ian, who was naturally taciturn, but Thesaya hadn’t spoken a word.

You both should probably dismount."

The one to break the long silence was the beastfolk walking beside Thesaya’s horse, striped fur glinting faintly under the dim light.

They were the group’s new guide, Idris.

"Why, Spotty?" Thesaya asked, readily pulling the reins to a stop. Her face, as she looked back at Idris, had already regained its usual composure.

"We must enter the forest from here," Idris replied, looking at her and Ian in turn.

Thesaya slid smoothly down from her saddle, narrowing her eyes. "And if we do that, we’re not walking into an ambush full of your friends, right?"

"Kidding. Relax. You’re fun to tease, Spotty. So easy to rile up," Thesaya cut Idris off and tossed the reins to him with a mischievous smile on her lips.

"I fail to see the humor," Idris said, his brow furrowing slightly. He turned to Ian, who was dismounting after her, and reached out his hand.

"It’s fine. I can just lead it myself." Ian shook his head and slung the reins he was holding over his shoulder.

It was purely a matter of efficiency. The forest was a chaotic jumble of trees and overgrown grass. There were likely other obstacles that would hinder their progress as well. No matter how strong a beastfolk warrior he was, it was clear he wouldn't be able to make good speed leading two horses.

"Yes. Understood," Idris replied and led the horse into the forest.

Thesaya, with her hands clasped behind her neck over her hood, and Ian, with the reins over his shoulder, followed him.

So she’s decided not to ask about Charlotte’s condition.

Ian’s gaze flicked to Thesaya briefly before he looked away.

He couldn't tell if she had realized it might be better not to know once her head had cooled, or if, like him, she had already guessed her condition. Since she was surprisingly smart, the latter seemed more likely.

"It seems you two came out further than usual. Since you're altering the course so far in," Thesaya said casually.

Idris nodded. "Yes. There was a lightning strike nearby. An ominous one."

His tone was just as courteous as when he addressed Ian. The fact that Thesaya was a fairy seemed to matter little now.

"Patrolling unstable outer zones is the job for young warriors like me."

A strange smile hung on Thesaya’s lips as she looked at the back of Idris’s head. "Aha, really? How unfortunate. If not for that, you wouldn’t have been caught like this."

"It is rather a relief. If you had encountered other warriors, they would have lost their lives to the Dragon Slayer."

"Optimistic of you. Though they all might just have had their deaths postponed for a little while."

Idris’s shoulders tensed slightly.

Without erasing the fairy-like smile on her lips, Thesaya said, "How many days will it take to reach El Karam?"

"We should be able to arrive within four days."

"Then within three days—"

"Start worrying about speed tomorrow," Ian cut in.

As Thesaya turned to him with a twitch of her brow, he said, "We’ve gone on long enough. We need to stop and rest. You do, and so do the horses. So…"

Ian met the eyes of Idris, who was looking back at him, and continued, "Secure a place to camp first, Idris."

"Yes, Dragon Slayer." Idris immediately nodded and walked, looking around.

"Are you sure this is okay, Ian? The other Spotty said the tribe’s only half a day away. Kitties itching to die might start following us as early as tomorrow evening. I don’t want to be late meeting our Kitty," said Thesaya, then smacked her lips.

"Well…" Ian snorted nonchalantly and took in the forest's darkness. "If that Nehat fellow truly cares for their tribe, I doubt they’d do something so foolish. If what I said is true, they’ll know that however many they send, they’ll all die."

"Aha. Right. Kitties care about their tribe. And even if they don’t believe it, they’ll want to confirm it for themselves. You didn’t say that just to butcher the whole lot of them—you only had one in mind. Isn’t that right?" Thesaya nodded slowly, a chill smile curving her lips.

"I said it because I thought it would make things easier, but it wasn’t an empty threat," Ian replied without even looking at her.

The reason he’d sent such a provocative message wasn’t just out of anger, as already mentioned. Of course, if the beastfolks came after them against his expectations, he intended to wipe them out. Charlotte was the only beastfolk he cared about.

He could slaughter as many of the other beastfolk as needed—and if they gave plenty of experience points, all the better. Of course, he also fully intended to kill Nehat as he had announced. It wasn't just for Charlotte's revenge.

No matter how I think about it, that guy seems to be one of the Southern DLC bosses.

In the game, it was Nehat who drove the beastfolks to full corruption. Maybe, just as they intended, they might even have twisted the fairies’ schemes to his advantage and claimed even greater power.

After that, a war with the fairies was inevitable. The Empire would have been far too entangled in its troubles to bother with anything happening in the South.

There was no need to wait until then.

You should kill a boss when you can. Preferably, in an easier way.

This was, in fact, the biggest reason he had mentioned Inaskurgl.

If Nehat was as much of a beastfolk as Ian thought, they would definitely try to kill Ian themselves. And that would be a far quicker and easier way to settle things than cutting down countless beastfolk and piling their corpses into a mountain.

"This way," said Idris.

From beyond the darkness, a glowing orange light was looking back at Ian.

He was holding aside a patch of rather tall and lush undergrowth. Beyond it, a fairly thick and tall tree trunk was visible. Between the roots that rose from the ground like blood vessels, a small, pit-like space had formed.

"I don’t think I’m a fairy. I hate damp places. And bugs," Thesaya murmured as she passed through the undergrowth and approached it.

"Not something I’d expect from an elder fairy," Ian said, brushing by her with a faint smirk.

Snort…

They released the warhorses as soon as they entered the undergrowth.

Letting out a tired snort, Ian’s horse slumped to the ground. The same went for Thesaya’s warhorse, which Idris had been leading.

"There's no need for a campfire," Ian added flatly.

"Understood," Idris, who had come inside, replied as he let go of the undergrowth he had been holding back.

The stalks of grass that sprang back up moderately obscured the surroundings.

Ian eased himself against a slanted tree root, settling in as if to lie down. It wasn’t exactly comfortable, but not so bad that he couldn’t sleep. Besides, with his level-four Meditation skill, he could probably doze off on the back of a galloping horse if he felt like it.

"You two should sleep. I will stand watch," said Idris, who was squatting with his back to the undergrowth.

Thesaya took off her clock, spread it out, then curled up on it and smiled. "A perfect time to ambush us or run away."

Idris’s eyes narrowed. "I would not do such a shameful thing. We beastfolk—"

"I’m saying go ahead if you’re going to. I think playing tag here would be fun. And punishing you, too, of course."

She’s really itching to spill blood.

Seeing Thesaya reveal her fairy nature without the slightest restraint, Ian finally let out a low, dry laugh. She was putting on a brave face, but it was clear she hadn’t fully let go of her anger toward the beastfolk.

"Nehat’s plan—you heard it, right?" Ian asked, closing his eyes as if he didn’t notice.

Thesaya replied, "I heard. Do you think someone who has joined hands with the Council of Elders is in league with him?"

"Well, maybe the Round Table wants the beastfolk and fairies to go to war," said Ian.

Thesaya whipped her head around to look up at him. "By instigating both sides, you mean? Yes, that could be it. No, they’re more than capable of it. They only see races other than humans as tools to be used."

It was only natural. She had suffered horrors at the hands of the Round Table. The vampires might have been the ones to inflict the pain, but the true culprits were them.

"That’s one more reason for you to kill that damn kitty, Ian. You can ruin their plans," said Thesaya finally.

Nodding readily, Ian added, "I suppose so. Though the connection within the Council of Elders will remain."

"Do you want me to look into it?"

"I’m telling you to be careful. We don’t know who’s connected to them."

"I’m saying it because I think I could find out if I tried. I’m the youngest elder, you know."

"It’s fine…"

Aren’t you just the one who wants to do it?

After a moment of silence, he finally said, "If you’re thinking of doing anything foolish, stop right there."

No answer came. Ian frowned slightly, then lifted his head and opened his eyes. A dry smile tugged at his lips when he saw why—Thesaya was already asleep. Although she hid it well, Thesaya was clearly exhausted.

And she was talking about three days…

Ian, who had been shaking his head, suddenly stopped. He had spotted a pair of orange eyes staring at him from beyond the darkness.

As Idris, whose eyes met his, flinched, Ian said, "You got something to say?"

"No, sir," Idris muttered, averting his gaze.

While inwardly guessing the reason he had been staring, Ian leaned his head back again and closed his eyes.

"Wake me if you get tired. I’ll switch with you."

***

Thump...

At the low thrum that stirred within him, Ian’s eyes flew open. The bead of chaos essence went still, as if it had never stirred at all.

Dawn was already creeping in, casting a pale glow over the forest. Ian’s gaze briefly lingered on a centipede-like insect crawling past his face and the moss-covered tree trunk beside him before he finally sat up.

"You are awake," said Idris.

He was slumped against the undergrowth in the same spot, the same posture Ian had last seen before he fell asleep. Clearly, he’d stayed up the entire night, eyes open the whole time.

"It’s great to be young," Ian murmured.

He rose to his feet and stretched, his gaze drifting to the forest beyond the undergrowth. It was still dim, though far brighter than the depths of night. Trees crowded every inch of the view, an unbroken wall of green.

The lukewarm, humid air was thick with the scent of grass and damp earth.

"What, is everyone up?" Thesaya rose groggily. In one smooth motion, she slung her cloak over her shoulder and, stifling a long yawn, added, "Then let’s get moving."

At least wipe the sleep from your eyes first.

Muttering that inwardly, Ian started walking without complaint. Idris quickly got to his feet as well and pulled at the warhorse’s reins.

Snort….

The horse struggled to rise, letting out a weary breath. Clearly, its rest hadn’t been enough—but there was no helping that. Ian tugged hard on the reins, forcing the staggering beast upright, and pushed through the undergrowth behind Idris.

"Eat as you go, Ian."

Thesaya, who had rummaged through the bag attached to her saddle, turned to Ian and held out her hand, unfolding a large, tightly wrapped leaf. Inside were plenty of light brown bread pieces.

It was a fairy hardtack, generously coated with honey. The preserved food, along with dried fruit and jerky, was among their packed supplies.

"Kitty, you eat too."

As Ian took a few pieces, Thesaya darted over to Idris and offered the same.

The beastfolk’s eyes narrowed slightly at her. "I do not believe that is something I can eat."

"I know. But eat it anyway."

"Okay."

His hatred for pointy-ears is going to get worse…

Chewing a piece of hardtack, Ian glanced at Idris again. Even while grabbing the bread, the beastfolk was using his free arm to shove aside the thick undergrowth barring their path.

"You can draw your sword. Don’t worry about what I’ll think," Ian said.

Idris looked back at him.

Ian shrugged, bit off another piece, and added, "We’ll move faster that way, won’t we?"

"Yes."

Idris, who had tossed the hardtack into his mouth, drew his sword from his waist in a single motion. It was a fang sword, with a wide, long blade and a sharp point protruding forward at the end. Of course, it didn't look as sharp and sturdy as the one Charlotte used.

Swish—

But it had no problem cutting through the undergrowth blocking their path. Idris swung relentlessly, chewing with a bitter look, and when a stubborn tangle resisted a single strike, he pulled back and tore it apart with the fang at the blade’s end.

So that wasn’t just for gutting things.

Ian accepted a water pouch from Thesaya and took a swig.

The effect was immediate. The group moved through the jungle faster and more comfortably.

Rumble!

The sky behind them flashed, followed by a deep roll of thunder.

Thesaya tilted her head back, glancing at the low, brooding clouds, and gave a faint smile. "It seems a bolt of madness has struck somewhere in the jungle again."

"Well, maybe someone just got angry," murmured Ian, looking up at the sky.

Thesaya whipped her head toward him, as if she’d instantly grasped the meaning hidden in his words.

However, Ian continued walking without another word.

He was inwardly mulling over the resonance of the essence bead that had woken him from his sleep. It might have been responding to Nehat’s chaos. After all, the bead of chaos essence he carried still bore traces of Inaskurgl’s power—of Kruxica’s chaos itself.

"So, how did you kill it?" asked Thesaya. She had been staring at him.

When Ian looked back, she whispered with a smile on her lips, "The archdemon, Inaskurgl, I mean."

Idris’s ears, who had been forging ahead, clearing the undergrowth, instantly pricked up. It was likely a question he had wanted to ask all along but hadn't dared to.