Chapter 17: Ep 4 — The Shadows IV

Not a single light flickered in Nabashi Forest, as even the moon and stars seemed reluctant to illuminate the eerie atmosphere that enveloped the air.

Despite this, three individuals boldly ventured, effortlessly navigating the forest as if it were their own backyard.

"Are you sure we're on the right path, Heishu?" Carla asked, lifting Reki, who was deeply asleep and snoring comfortably on her shoulder.

Heishu shot Carla a mischievous grin. "Oi, yah, why? Are you afraid I'm playing tricks on you?" With a playful twirl, he came to a stop before her.

The woman knitted her fine brows, suspecting that this person might have actually done that. If so, they would surely be dead at the hands of their Lord's brother, Leonard, and the captain of the Frost Knights.

It had already been a day since Nazari, Elijah, and Khyne went missing. Carla remembered the moment when Elijah and Khyne fought; she sensed a strong magical power collapsing. She had simply left them be, as youngsters normally fight to let off some steam. Besides, she was curious about who would emerge victorious between them.

Unexpectedly, those two vanished along with Nazari. Carla watched in shock as the knight Reki attempted to grab them, but it was too late.

Just then, Heishu, who was also observing them, appeared, inspecting the runes on the ground and assessing the remaining mana. "Oh no, they're in such a dangerous place. I wonder how they're faring. Hmmm," he chuckled lightly before adding, "I'm thrilled to find out what will happen if the Frost captain discovers this." Heishu stated, giving Carla's shoulder a strong pat.

Carla quickly realized that this sneaky person was issuing a warning. They needed to act immediately, or it would be too late. Entrusted by the Frost Knight captain—her friend—with the task of looking after his little brother, Elijah, and his guest, Khyne, Carla knew the urgency of the situation. Despite Elijah's strength, he was still a kid lacking experience. With determination, Carla seized Heishu by the hair and Reki by the cloak, forcefully dragging them towards the teleportation station.

While Reki didn't mind, Heishu let out a deep sigh. Despite their reluctance, neither of them complained and instead found some enjoyment in the ride. They resemble sacks of potatoes being dragged along by Carla.

As they arrived at the Guimbhal teleportation station, a hub of advanced technology, the assigned personnel quickly activated the gate. Positioned at the center, it was surrounded by intricate runes and a spiral of pulsating energy. As the three of them approached, the gate hummed with power and lit up, ready to transport them to their chosen destination.

Before stepping through, Carla halted and turned to her lieutenant. "Heishu, please send word to the silver knight's vice captain. Inform them that the young master is currently in Nabishi Forest and must be rescued immediately."

"Alright, but could you please stop grabbing my hair every time you're in a rush?" Heishu complained, reaching for his wand. Instantly, tiny jade-colored butterflies emerged and disappeared as soon as he whispered his command.

Meanwhile, Reki scratched his head helplessly, well aware that their Lord and his younger brother would be furious if anything happened to the young master. "This is quite troublesome," he muttered.

Currently, the three of them wandered through Nabishi Forest, searching for any signs of the three youngsters. They couldn't shake off the feeling that something was amiss. Despite spending an entire day there, it seemed like they were walking in circles. Moreover, they hadn't encountered a single monster in a forest known to be filled with them.

Carla found it increasingly strange that she had doubted Heishu several times and that they had been bickering again and again. This time, she pulled the man's hair without hesitation; its long length made it easier for her to grab. "Make sure your insects know what they're doing, or else I might burn them—and you—from here and now," she threatened.

"Heh, how scary—!" Heishu began but was abruptly cut off when, out of nowhere, a mysterious bluish ball of lights suddenly lit up, alerting both of them. It was as if ghostly apparitions were appearing and disappearing, leaving behind a trail that seemed to intentionally invite them.

The tiny butterflies that served as their guide and provided them with a bit of light also vanished, as if consumed by darkness. The two felt a chill, sensing a tremendous aura ahead of them.

Without hesitation, Carla threw the baggage in her arms to find out what monster lay ahead. Reki, who had been treated like a log, strangely slammed against an invisible wall in the air.

The poor knight was dropped to the ground, waking up disoriented and unaware of what had happened.

Ignoring the knight, Carla mumbled, "A barrier."

"Oh, that makes sense. That's why it's hard for me to find their traces," Heishu added.

When Carla attempted to touch it, she felt as if a force of air were preventing her hand from moving forward. Even with exertion, it was to no avail. However, when the bluish fire appeared again, Carla almost stumbled to the ground, taking several steps forward before regaining her balance.

"Nice timing."

Reki immediately unsheathed his swords and took a defensive stance as a foreign voice reached their ears. They looked up instantly.

An enormous being floated in the air. 'A Black Fenrir!' They thought simultaneously as their bodies tensed up. The monster simply landed on the ground in front of them.

"Oh, I'm out of here," Heishu declared instantly as he stepped back several times.

"What do you mean?!" Carla shouted, turning back.

"I'm not built for brawling, so you two handle it," he shamelessly smiled as he leapt backward, leaving them behind.

"That rascal!"

Carla's blood pressure surged as her lieutenant cowardly fled. If she could, she would have prepared Heishu's grave and willingly buried him herself. However, her attention was abruptly drawn back to the Black Fenrir, which commanded, "You. Play with my master for a bit."

The surroundings suddenly lit up, with bluish fire encircling the entire area like an arena. It was then that she noticed that everything around them seemed to vanish. The trees, the grass, and even the ground appeared dried up, as if devoid of mana. Traces of battles that had occurred here were unmistakable.

She couldn't help but wonder what kind of maniac had fought a Black Fenrir, leaving the ground deformed and creating a hole of unknown depth.

Reki immediately pulled Carla to the side, narrowly avoiding a ball of black flame hurtling toward them. "What was that?" Carla gasped, the attack so swift that she hadn't even noticed it.

Their attention was quickly drawn to the figure responsible for the attack. It was a kid, standing solemnly on the back of the Fenrir. His hand emitted a wavering black flame, while his intense gaze bore down on them.

"That kid is dangerous," Reki muttered as he helped Carla to her feet.

"I know," Carla replied, slipping on her gauntlet. Encountering an SSS-rank monster, considered a natural calamity, was already unfortunate, but she felt an even greater threat emanating from the kid.

She clenched her hand tightly, checking the gauntlet, realizing it would be difficult to escape or survive with just the two of them. Carla hoped that if Heishu was in his right mind, he wouldn't bring the Silver Knights here. Otherwise, they would all die.

Their top priority was to find their young master and the two youngsters with him. 

Their own lives didn't matter.