18 The Mine part 1 (1/2)

It was still morning, but a lot had happened in the forest, which was very peaceful before. Now everything was getting back to normal as Marie and Anne walked towards the mine.

Marie's group had recently been formed in the adventurers' guild of the city Portgreen.

She was a wizard who wanted to live adventures away from her family and traveled to this region. Joining the adventurers guild was very good because she met Anne and they became best friends quickly.

The city of Portgreen is close to the sea, and due to its excellent position is a nice city, which has many non-humans. Anne came from the fox clan to live adventures too, so finding Maire was good for both.

Marie and Anne created a group of adventurers and took a low-ranking mission. It was to clear a mine, which was seen by some travelers, near a clearing.

It all seemed very simple as there should not be very strong creatures in the area. But that region is close to the Light Empire, which was at war.

So the guild staff advised Marie to increase the number of members of her group.

Marie and Anne are stunning beauties, so everyone wanted to join her group even if they were amateurs.

But the girls knew that those guys just wanted to have a chance with them, and it would be unreliable to hang out with people who only think about their bodies and are not really their friends.

But then they met the elven brothers who were very handsome men and would have no problem getting girls.

So when they wanted to join the group, Marie thought it would be okay with them, who were very respectful to them.

Everything was going great, but then all that shit happened. But now Marie and Anne were fine and could check the mine without any problems.

They didn't think there would be any danger there as this area is known to have few resources.

Less than two minutes of walking was enough for Marie and Anne to reach the entrance to the mine, which was about 200 meters away from the clearing.

Anne was a little concerned, looking at the dark entrance to the mine.

”Are we getting in?”

Marie moved her fingers, and the blue light appeared, so she reached for the tip of the staff. The light passed to the staff, which was brilliant now, but it's not attack magic. Marie just wanted a tool to light the way.

”It's gonna be okay. Or do you not trust your partner?”

Anne nodded, and both entered the mine. It was cold and dark; they also heard the sounds of popping and stones rolling as if there is some movement inside the mine.

Anne felt a bad feeling but continued to follow Marie, who illuminated the narrow path.

”Are they wild animals?”

Marie was focused on the sounds; it was low and distant. Still, she found it very strange.

”Maybe some wolves...”

Marie and Anne walked a few more before realizing that there were people inside the mine. The noises grew louder and louder, and some were shouts.

”Damn!”

”Shit animal!”

”It's hurt. Why can't you find it?”

”It's been hurt for days... it won't be able to last much longer.”

”Ahhh... I'm tired of this chase...”

”Find it and the cub so that we can return.”

Marie and Anne heard many voices and knew that a large group was in the depths of the mine.

”Let's go back now!”

They knew it was dangerous to go on without knowing who they were, so they started to come back quickly to leave the cave.

But then two figures left an alternative path that was very close to the girls.

”Oh!? What do we have here?”

”Young Ladies... hehehe”

Marie prepared to argue with them, but when the men came a little closer, the light from her staff illuminated part of their armor.

They wore silver armor with a large yellow sun emblem in the center.

Marie cannot help being afraid.

”Light Empire!”

Although this region is close to the Light Empire, it still belonged to Portgreen, but here were soldiers of the light.

Marie knew that they are not good people and hate non-humans like the people of Portgreen.

She was more afraid for Anne than for her. Light Empire people were known for doing horrible acts to non-humans. Not only that, but they also used their religion to justify cruel actions to anyone.

After seeing the sun on the men's armor, she didn't think for a second before she started to move her fingers to do magic.

”Run, Anne! Call him!”

Anne was terrified when she saw the men running towards her as Marie starts her magic.

She did not want to leave Marie in a dangerous situation. But when Marie screamed, other men started screaming deeper in the mine as they came to see what was going on.

Marie expected Anne would hesitate to leave her, but the situation was pretty bad, so the only way she could think was calling him...

”You have to go! NOW!!!”

The men noticed Maire doing magic and launched attacks with their weapons at her.

But Marie completed her spell as she lifted the staff with both hands and hit the ground.

A great blue light emerged from the staff and created a large ice wall in front of Marie. As the passage in the mine was narrow, this wall covered the entire space preventing the soldiers from passing.

Anne had been friends with Marie long enough to know that this magic needed to be continually channeled to maintain itself. So she made her decision.

”I'll be quick! Just hold on, Marie!”

Anne ran towards the mine entrance while Marie channeled her ice wall.

The ice wall came up very quickly, and the two soldiers were in the middle of their attacks, so they struck their weapons on the ice, making a loud sound that echoed through the mine.

They did not fail to notice the fox-girl who ran away and already considered the two as enemies.

They tried to hit the ice wall with their weapons, but it only made the loud metallic sound without creating any crack or change in the ice.

Then other soldiers who heard the noises came from the depths of the mine.