Chapter 78: Something To Worry About... (1/2)
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Somewhere in the eastern parts of Darknar forest, laid a massive barren patch of land that was void of life, both plants and animals avoided the space. Although birds would occasionally fly through the air, no monster would normally be found anywhere close to this place. There were several of these types of places in this section of the forest and although it wasn't perfect, it was still considered a safe zone.
Covering an area of around 1200 meter radius, was cracked rocky earth that emanated a low level of heat that was hardly felt however, it was enough to keep a person relatively warm during the winter but got even hotter in summer. As the snowflakes fell on this patch of cracked land they slowly evaporated due to the constant heat the ground emitted
While this was a safe zone, it also came with its form of danger, especially in the summer. It was indeed lucky for the group stationed here that the season was currently winter. At present, four petite figures could be seen seated around a campfire although, with the heat from the ground, there was no real reason for the campfire, they simply did it based on their daily habit.
They sat relatively closer to one another practically shoulder to shoulder as one of them waved their arms weirdly in the air as they operated a floating crystal mirror. The mirror showed a scene from the Darknar forest, it was a scene showing a group of gray Trolls and goblin riders, marching east towards the demon king's castle.
The group sat around a campfire consisted of all female demi-humans, two of which had pale red skin tones and a pair of black horns protruding from the top of their heads. The other two had relatively normal skin tones but they both had thin long tails that extended from below their waist.
They also had curved goat-like horns protruding from the side of their heads. The two ogresses had a pair of red and white crossbows by their sides while one of the lesser demons had a pair of short swords on their waist and the other, had no visible weapons.
The female lesser demon with the short sword sat in-between the three as she manipulated the crystal mirror in front of her. They kept tabs on the troll army for a while as they progressed slowly down the forest trail. Things had been quite busy in the forest over the last week or so, not only had they not notice the Death of the Ancient Rykir, but they've been unable to keep up with the drastic changes that had occurred during this short period.
Not to mention that blast of Negative energy that almost killed them. If they weren't geared with items that resisted negative effects due to them having to cut through the western parts of the Darknar forest - the undead king's territory, to return home. They would've died that day.
There was also the fact that they had sensed a disturbance in the forest earlier today, however, whatever it was had been able to hide from them a little too well. There was something big going on right now and they needed to get in front of it.
”Oi Ava, what exactly are those trolls doing? Last time I checked, shouldn't they be based in the west?” One of the female ogresses asked the lesser demon operating the mirror.
She had long curly red hair, the same colored eyes, and her features could be considered pretty but her appearance had a wild side to it. She had a red crossbow by her side and wore leather armor with few metals lining it.
The ogress next to her had very short black hair, blue eyes, and a calmer appearance, although it really couldn't be considered as gentle. She also wore leather armor lines with orichalcum and a white crossbow laid by her side. She also spoke to the lesser demon called Ava.
”Fiala's right, even if they were expanding due to the disappearance of the Rykir, they still shouldn't be this far out east.”
”Yes, you're right Lilou, but it doesn't look like they're here to expand their territory it looks more like they're searching for something. Those two leading the groups seem to be a new breed of gray Trolls, did you see the bottle the one with the sword pulled out several times now? I think they're using that to track something.”
The girl known as Ava answered them as she tried to make sense of the situation. She had slightly greenish-black, hair that had been tied in a bun and also green eyes. Her skin was a little tanned but it still retained its original color.
”What could they be tracking?” Asked the last lesser demon in the group. ”She had long dark brown hair that went all the way to her waist and was quite a beauty. Her blue eyes sparkled like the sea and she wore a long raven black mages robe
”I have no idea Mia, I also haven't seen that type of bottle before.” Mia nodded her head and the group went back to watching the crystal screen.
After watching the trolls move around for a few hours, something finally happened. They were attacked by a few unknown assailants. The event to follow was a little strange and as a result, the trolls had been forced to split up without their consent.
”What the— who the hell are they?”
”How would I know!”
”This is getting out of hand shouldn't we call the boss.”
”I would if I could, the boss left to report the Ancient Rykir's death to the family, I'm not even sure when she'll be back.” Said Ava, however...
”Speak my name and I'll magically appear.”
A slightly rambunctious voice suddenly came from behind the four girls who had been so focused on the crystal monitor, that they hadn't noticed a female figure silently approach them and stretched her head in between the girls to take a look at what had them so distracted.
”Oh hey, boss... BOSS!”
”Wow, reduce your volume.”
The girls shrieked from being startled and the cloaked lady placed her fingers in her ears cutely as she tried to protect her hearing from that high-pitched scream.
”Why are you so surprised, I told y'all I'll be back today didn't I?”
”...”