Exiled Villainess Becomes Ruler (Republished/Edited)

Those Deers Are Weird

Right after breakfast, the group immediately packs up their things and resumes their search for the missing healer.

"Healer Marick!" The seven people continued to call for the healer while scanning the dense forest. Despite their efforts, Healer Marick remained missing.

The sword users—Eve, Jon, Kyle, and Mason—cleared their path by hacking through branches and vines.

"Man... just how big is this forest?" Kyle asked, wiping sweat from his forehead.

"I don't know, Kyle," Eve replied. "But Healer Marick must have ventured deeper into it."

"What are the chances the Honorable Healer is still alive?" Jon asked, his voice betraying his concern.

Melody smacked him lightly on the arm. "Ow!" Jon rubbed the spot where she hit him.

"Jon, you shouldn't think that way! We all need to believe that Healer Marick is still out there!" Melody scolded him.

"I know, but the healer has been missing for weeks!" Jon argued.

"That's the strange part," Zeke chimed in. "Healer Marick usually stays in this forest for a few days to gather medical ingredients and then returns. He knows this forest well. There's no reason he should be lost."

"It could be that... he encountered something," Eve added worriedly. "Would Healer Marick be aware of the forest's dangers?"

"He should be. Everyone was warned to avoid the forest due to its dangerous history, but I guess the healer didn't heed the advice and went in anyway," Jon said.

"So, it seems Healer Marick thought himself untouchable," Eve concluded.

"Do you think..." Melody began, her voice trembling. "Do you think it could be The Eye? Do you think that creature took him?"

At Melody's words, the group froze and fell silent, their breaths visible in the chilly air.

"God, I hope not!" Jon said, shaking his head vehemently.

Eve shivered at the thought of the creature Orion had warned them about. God damn it! I hope that's not the case! We need to find him soon!

Julia suddenly started shaking uncontrollably, catching the Beckett boys' attention.

"Julia, you're shaking!" Mason exclaimed, his concern evident.

"Julia, are you okay?" Kyle asked, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

"This is a bad idea. We shouldn't have come here," Julia said with a frightened expression.

"Like I said, it's too late to turn back now," Eve sighed. Addressing her students, she said, "I know you're all scared, we all are. We need to stick together, so don't wander off, okay? We'll protect each other, so don't worry, Julia." She placed a reassuring hand on Julia's trembling shoulders.

Julia slowly nodded, her shaking subsiding.

Kyle gave Julia a comforting look. "Don't worry, Julia. I'll protect you."

"Let's not dwell on this right now and continue our search. We can't afford to waste another minute," Jon said firmly.

The group fell silent, refocusing on their task of finding the healer.

By midday, the heat was becoming unbearable, prompting the group to take a break.

"Why is this forest so hot?" Kyle complained, wiping his brow. "I'm so thirsty! I need water!"

"Don't worry, I've got bottles of water in my pouch!" Zeke said, reaching into his bag. "Does anyone else need some?"

They all nodded, and Zeke handed out the bottles. The kids eagerly gulped down the clear liquid.