Chapter 279: Mermaids! I Likey! (1/2)

Chapter 279: Mermaids! I Likey!

Dawn approached, signalling that almost a day had passed since the Kingdoms of Eiche and Doa began their concerted assault on Fallen Shadow Valley.

The number of battles atop the vast and open plain of Fallen Shadow Valley had long since dwindled, as did the number of Devil Snake Trees roaming around. But for the arcane teams still present, this current situation where everyone was covering their tracks and setting traps did not bode well. A tense atmosphere descended over the valley.

Erected in the midst the branches of one of the few Devil Snake Trees which remained standing was a tent which seemed large enough to allow five people to rest at the same time.

The colors painted on the outer layer of the tent well matched the branches and leaves around it, camouflaging it well within. Even if it wasn’t still somewhat dark, one wouldn’t be able to see it unless it was right in front of them.

Although the Devil Snake Tree looked fine on the outside, it had indeed already died.

Within the tent, four arcane masters wearing tight leather armor sat in a circle.

From the leather armor they wore, as well as the rest of their attire, these four were not Evil Dragon Followers, but arcane masters of the Kingdom of Doa.

At this current moment, a simple, seemingly hastily drawn, map was spread open on the floor of the tent before them. The map was littered with markings and lines.

“Boss Tranquil Water, the Ghost Claw team is in place. As for the Firestone team, they did see two Evil Dragon Followers, but they should just be passing by.”

A bald, middle aged arcane master with one disfigured eye and a hooked nose broke the silence as he gave a report to a pale skinned and delicate looking male youth beside. Although this young arcane master looked weak, his body exuded an incredibly bloody aura.

Upon hearing the bald arcane master’s report, the young arcane master’s brows twitched. He was about to decisively issue a command when he and the three other arcane masters within the tent simultaneously turned their heads and looked at the entrance.

A petite female arcane master had soundlessly and breathlessly entered their tent. Her hair was tied in a ponytail, and she wore dark red leather armor. Although she was beautiful, her body exuded a frightening coldness and bloody aura.

“Boss Tranquil Water, there are three arcane masters who have entered our targeted area. We have discerned them to be Ayrin, Rinloran, and Stingham of Holy Dawn Academy’s tournament team,” the female arcane master quickly reported in a clear voice. Afterwards, she added, “They should not be aware of our presence.”

“Those three fellows of Holy Dawn Academy? The academy and the Office of Special Affairs are willing to let these three geniuses traverse the battlefield by themselves and enter so deeply into this area?”

“But this is also good. You all have seen them compete… their strength and abilities are all incredibly astonishing. We can let them enter first, and then swoop in after to claim the spoils.”

The young male arcane master who had been called Boss Tranquil Water by everyone around him sniggered as he spoke, “Shauna, your Jade Ghost team shall follow behind us and be responsible for scouting around. See whether or not any other arcane teams or any of Holy Dawn Academy’s elite teachers are around.”

“Jilande, have the Firestone and Ghost Claw teams continue to stand by and wait for my order where they are.”

……

“Rinloran, why didn’t you say anything if you woke up?! Jumping off my back like that, it scared the hell out of me!” Stingham’s face was green as he reprimanded Rinloran.

Currently, Ayrin, Rinloran, and Stingham had arrived before an area covered with countless strangely shaped structures.

The area seemed about as large as the Cororin Town where Ayrin grew up. Even with the morning light filtering down between the buildings, the three couldn’t quite see its center. When they had first seen the scattered structures, they had thought that they had found a ruined manor. But after approaching and looking more closely, they realized that many of the stone arches, walls, and now rusty iron fences were erected without any clear pattern. Rather than a manor, the area now felt more like a park turned graveyard.

“Do the Evil Dragon Followers have no sense of aesthetics? Everything is so ugly,” Rinloran muttered to himself as he ignored Stingham’s shouting.

Rinloran’s eyes were glowing like bright stars as he observed their surroundings. Suddenly, he raised his head and coldly said, “Above us.”

He had only just spoken when a black shadow jumped out from the crown of a tree beside them.

“What is that?!”

Ayrin seemed to have felt something wrong as well as he raised his head and looked at the black shadow falling towards them. It was actually a giant Evil Toutou!

And different from normal Evil Toutou’s, this one’s body was a fiery red.

Whoosh!

An intense arcane energy fluctuation rippled as scorching flames shot towards Ayrin, Stingham, and Rinloran.

“What a large Evil Toutou!” Ayrin exclaimed.

Before the Evil Toutou could even react, its body suddenly lightened as if something had grabbed it.

A loud bang rang out.

The excited Ayrin had jumped above the Evil Toutou, grabbed it, and then savagely slammed into a stone on the ground.

The Evil Toutou let out a miserable cry as the impact stunned it.

“Gurgle gurgle…”

Ayrin’s stomach grumbled.

“So much meat!”

As Ayrin shook the Evil Toutou, and then observed the dense fur and muscle which covered its body, he couldn’t help but feel even more excited as he began to laugh.

“I’m too hungry. Let me eat before we enter.”

“Evil Flaming Eye!”

There was a loud boom as Ayrin’s Evil Flaming Eye turned a nearby tree into a flaming lump of red charcoal.

The Evil Toutou let out several wretched cries as it was spit roasted by Ayrin over the flames.

Although the flames were very strong, Ayrin was already very experienced.

After several moments, the enticing smell of barbecued meat slowly spread across the area.

“So good!” Ayrin shouted in satisfaction as he tore off a piece of juicy meat and devoured it.

“Eh?! You are actually eating it?!”

“You actually barbecued a fire mutant Evil Toutou?”

A cry of disbelief rang over from the distance.