Paradox: Distorted Reality

Chapter 11: The journey to the Cataclysmic Grove

The entire week flew by in a blur. It all began when we met with a messenger from Astra, sharing our success and arranging to meet up in Luminara. Although I had didn't agree with this plan, I had to accept it for the time being. With that settled, we made preparations to leave, but we still had about six days remaining.

During that time, I took on the task of gathering supplies, including food for the three of us. I also worked on plotting the quickest route to Luminara, which would lead us through the perilous Cataclysmic Grove. It might have been a risky choice, but it was the path with the fewest potential encounters with others, reducing the chances of Demon attacks or arousing suspicion about Layla traveling with us.

To protect Layla from being hunted down due to her previous role as a general for the demon king, I made the difficult decision to stage her death. We accomplished this by causing an explosion in a room she was supposed to be in.

To ensure that no one would spill the truth, Sibyl took the initiative to bribe any potential informants, which, for the most part, proved successful. The remainder of the week was spent assisting Sibyl in her efforts to find a discreet escape route from the capital without attracting attention. She ultimately decided to use a secret passage that had been installed a few years earlier.

As our departure date neared, we had everything in place, but we faced the challenge of leaving the castle without detection. To make Layla appear less suspicious, we dyed her hair white, which surprisingly looked quite natural. Today, we were ready to embark on our journey. We shouldered our backpacks and set out towards the same secret passage that Sibyl intended to use.

Upon reaching the passage's entrance, we exchanged heartfelt goodbyes with Sibyl, knowing that it might be a long while before we saw her again. Sibyl, with a hint of reluctance, said, "Why do you have to leave now? You can stay for another week if you want. But if you insist, I can't keep you here forever." As always, she acted like she didn't want us to go, but she understood our reasons. With one final wave, we set off.

The passage was dimly lit, but surprisingly, it didn't carry any unpleasant odors. It eventually led us to the mouth of a cave near the capital, right next to a river.

Examining the map Sibyl had given me, I turned to Aki and Layla and said, "We need to head west from here. The passage led us to the east of the capital. Let's not waste any time; it's a two-week journey from here." When I think of it, that's the grace period we have before a previous hero might attack us, and that window closed three days ago. I was hoping the attack would occur while Sibyl was still with us, giving us a better chance to handle it, which was a significant reason for my prolonged stay. But Bellona probably understood as much, and she's likely watching for the perfect opportunity to launch a surprise attack.

In fact, as I gazed at the river in front of us, I wouldn't be surprised if she chose this moment to strike. Just as that thought crossed my mind, I heard rustling in the nearby bushes. I realized I should have probably told everyone earlier, but it was too late now.

I turned to Aki and Layla and said, "Here comes an enemy. Don't hesitate to defend yourselves, and don't underestimate them. They could be a significant threat if we make a single misstep." Both of them nodded and readied their weapons, as a mysterious figure emerged from the bushes.

A diminutive figure appeared before us, and when I say small, I mean it quite literally. She barely reached four feet in height, similar to a dwarf, which was somewhat surprising. However, she was unmistakably human, suggesting that her stature might be a result of some unique genetics. In contrast, the last hero we faced was significantly taller. But I recalled that she had mentioned this girl was the hero of explosions, indicating her proficiency with explosion magic. This promised to be a destructive encounter, though our numerical advantage should make it more manageable.