Of Roses... And Blood? Wait What-?

Bud Illis

"What exactly do you mean by that, your highness?" It was Lock who voiced out everyone's thoughts. Being more of a brawl than brains type of character, Lock couldn't catch on what the crown prince was implying. Although judging by the rest of the members' faces, they couldn't understand Alberu either.

The crown prince did not turn to his group to answer, he instead kept his eyes on the forest. If stared long enough, there was a sense of eeriness and danger preventing the group from going further. Choi Han saw the Alberu that was full on guard. Worried for his liege's safety, and thinking that it might be more than simple gut feeling, Choi Han grasped the hilt of his sword, ready to unleash a powerful strike of aura if Alberu comes in contact with any kind of danger.

His stance was no longer relaxed as to what it was before. The swordmaster widened his stance, with his grip tightened on his scabbard. The former princess Rosalyn was also on standby, as she raised up her staff halfway from where it usually is to launch an attack. She was a bit late in responding, but clearly Alberu and Choi Han's uneasiness affected her in more ways than she could've imagined.

Both of them are strong individuals, seeing them like this caused her to be tense, and her usual thought process was disrupted. She bit her lower lips in anxiety. Is it something so strong for the two of them to react this way? Rosalyn knew that it was a dangerous thought to be having. The former princess quickly shook her head to clear out unnecessary anxiety. Her eyes now had a more intense gaze targeted towards the forest. She was quick to build her mental fortress back up. Strong or not, she was ready to protect Alberu in case Choi Han wouldn't be able to. This was evident in the way she held up her other hand in preparation to summon any mana stones if necessary.

While Lock was more impatient in taking necessary action. Deserving of his title as the Wolf King, Lock was able to transform into his berserk state with record's time, and frankly, unleashed an unrestrained roar without giving it a second thought. The terrifying roar unleashed by Wolf King Lock was met with a flock of birds flapping away in disarray. Rosalyn's silent disapproval for Lock's rash actions were left unsaid, though she did give the member of the blue wolf tribe a side eye, implying that she did not like the action Lock chose to take. Your provocation could've caused all beasts in this forest to come running here! Was the implied meaning behind her gaze. Lock genuinely looked apologetic. At that moment, his mask of coolness crumbled.

"Sorry, noona."

Rosalyn sighed. She then looked at flock of birds that were almost completely out of view by now. The former princess' gaze was sharp, as if she had figured out something she missed before this. She didn't have the time to voice out her findings though, as Ron was the one who took the credit. "His highness was right. The forest is way too quiet to be considered as one of the forbidden regions. Regions that are known for being some of the most dangerous in the continents. The regions that guarantees your death and regions that are known to be filled with dangerous traps and in the case of the Forest of Darkness, dangerous beasts. But here, it almost feels... Empty." Ron, as the highly skilled assassin, was able to quickly analyse the situation and provided a brief report of what he had found. The former butler jumped out of the tree in which he had been observing from with a silent landing.

"But that shouldn't be possible. The Forest of Darkness are filled with monsters. Although I did slaughter a lot of them, it shouldn't be met with complete silence." It was Choi Han's turn to give his input on the matter. He had finally understood what Alberu meant. There wasn't any living being at all, much less monsters. Or they are currently in hiding. But from what? Choi Han has no idea. If what he thought was correct... It means that there is another type of predator out there in this forest that might be causing these beasts to keep quiet.