Era of Arcane: The Journey Beyond Worlds

Chapter 27: Growing Apart

The Okada Forest lies in an extremely remote location, and just reaching it took us considerable time. It is a perilous place, rumored to have claimed the lives of many mercenaries who ventured there in pursuit of high-level magical beasts. Without adequate strength, one should never set foot in such a place.

The beasts in the Okada Forest are mostly rare magical creatures of considerable power, possessing strong magical and physical defenses. Most are at least Level Five. Despite its dangers, the forest holds undeniable allure, with its abundance of rare herbs and fruits. It would be a missed opportunity to ignore such precious resources.

In the past, I had gathered a batch of Yiqi fruit in another forest, peeling off the outer layer and selling it to those in need, earning a considerable profit. Thus, if we were to obtain any valuable fruit, an auction could easily be arranged. Over the past year, I've saved up quite a bit, and though Ao offered to give me the money he'd earned, I refused. After all, he's grown up now and should have some money of his own, lest people accuse me of mistreating him.

Reflecting on the past year, Ao has progressed to the rank of a Weapon Master. For someone his age, reaching such a level is remarkable, and even Hadrian was full of praise.

Now, the six of us stood at the edge of the Okada Forest. Inside, it was dim, impossible to see clearly—only by entering could we make any sense of it. Lansius led the way, his tall, slender figure striding confidently ahead, inexplicably reassuring. His blue eyes remained as clear and captivating as ever. Following him was Elrod, who had been frail before but had committed to physical training throughout the past year. Though he still appeared thin, he could now walk long distances without tiring.

I kept my distance from Garmay—he was the kind of person I couldn't quite figure out. If I hadn't kept a close eye on him, I might have overlooked him altogether. He had a knack for concealing his presence, often blending into the background, only to deliver a lethal strike at the right moment. A dangerous talent, indeed.

Standing at the forest's edge, shadows dappled across the undergrowth, the dimness within hinted at hidden perils. Though all six of us were strong, we adhered to a "better safe than sorry" mindset, remaining vigilant. The atmosphere was somewhat tense.

"Lisa, do you know roughly where the Cipi might be hiding in this forest?" Digal broke the silence. With his question, the oppressive mood lifted. Digal had a talent for lightening the atmosphere.

"It's probably hiding in some secluded cave," I replied, resting my chin on my hand in thought. "But this is a huge forest, and there are bound to be many caves. It will be difficult to locate. Perhaps we could try luring it out. Though, if we're unlucky, we might end up attracting other beasts instead."

Elrod glanced at Lansius, silently seeking his approval. Despite the risks, it was our best option.

Lansius nodded. "Even if it's dangerous, we must try. When has the Desolation Mercenary Company ever feared danger? It's better than searching cave by cave."

"Then it's decided—we'll lure the Cipi out," I said, scanning our surroundings. "The Cipi is fond of Guanwei—fruits with vibrant colors, a pleasing aroma, and growing in clusters at high altitudes. Their red skin and subtle fragrance are irresistible to water-aligned beasts."

Digal smacked his right fist into his open left palm, realization dawning on his face. "So, we need to gather some Guanwei?"

I nodded and looked at Lansius, who considered for a moment and then agreed. "Let's move and gather the Guanwei."

Elrod gave a gentle smile. "With Lisa here, we just need to follow orders."

I nudged Elrod. "Enough with the flattery. Let's hurry. If we wait till nightfall, it'll be even more dangerous in the forest."

The six of us moved as a group, Ao trailing behind me, as silent as Garmay. His behavior struck me as odd, so I asked, "What's wrong, Ao?"

"Nothing," he replied, pausing briefly before adding with concern, "If things get dangerous, please stay behind me, my lady."

I nodded and patted his shoulder. "Don't worry, Ao. As long as we avoid encroaching on the beasts' territory, we shouldn't be in much danger."

Ao nodded but stayed alert. Since getting lost in the forest once, he had grown more cautious, always positioning himself to protect me. Whenever we went on missions, he was ever vigilant—it seemed my having him as a guard was a waste of his potential.

We traveled quietly, careful not to disturb other beasts' territories. Any minor magical beasts we encountered, we bypassed. There was no time to waste on unrelated threats. Our movements were subdued, to avoid startling the creatures of the forest. I turned to glance at Ao, giving him a meaningful look.

Ao nodded. He understood me more deeply than anyone else—even better than I understood myself sometimes. My gesture was to acknowledge the human presence I sensed, a person a few kilometers away. It was curious—this forest was perilous enough for a group, let alone one person alone. Had Ao sensed it too? Whether we should intervene remained a question.

Perhaps we'd see what Lansius and the others thought once they noticed.

After two kilometers, Lansius halted and turned to me. "Lisa, did you sense someone nearby?"

Elrod also looked toward me. I nodded. "There is someone—nearby, not far from here."

"Alone?" Lansius frowned. "Being alone in Okada Forest is dangerous. Let's go see."

No one opposed the idea, so we proceeded in the direction of the unknown figure.