Except for a few important locations, their route for the past two or three days, along with the environment, has been marked out.
Initially, she thought some details were just random scribbles by Gauss, but when she linked the information on the map with their experiences over these days, it nearly matched perfectly.
"Talent... what a talent." Gauss chuckled.
"Alright." Ying nodded.
She didn’t continue to inquire.
Just like the other three, who didn’t question her ability when she vanished into the shadows.
It was a silent understanding within the team not to overly probe into what the others weren’t willing to discuss.
After a brief discussion about the afternoon’s route, everyone began eating lunch.
Today’s main course was white bread bought from the Forest Crown Town bakery, paired with pepper-preserved dried meat, though it wasn’t from Gauss’s past supplies, just some purchased jerky.
Both the earliest frog jerky and the subsequent frost snake jerky had long been consumed.
Apart from bread and meat, there were nuts, oats, honey, and cheese.
Aaliyah took out wild fruits and vegetables she collected along the way.
Various foods spread on the mat, looking abundant and varied.
Bringing smiles back to the faces of those who traveled through the morning.
Even if no fire is used to cook during the mission, nutritional balance is crucial.
Good food not only boosts morale but also provides energy, alleviating physical fatigue.
With a full stomach, they have the strength and energy; their bodies have the power to swing swords, draw bows, and channel magic power to cast spells, enabling them to continue their day’s adventure.
Broadly speaking, food, as part of logistics, greatly influences adventurers’ status, thereby affecting the success rate of the mission.
After lunch and once energy was restored, the team continued their journey.
In the afternoon, the team turned in another new direction.
They walked for about an hour.
Just as Gauss’s team traversed a woodland hanging with massive vines, the surrounding air seemed to ripple slightly.
"Something seems off." Gauss signaled his teammates to be on alert.
Looking up at the surroundings, they had unknowingly ventured into a woodland space where trees were obviously denser.
The canopy formed by the trees blocked the sky.
Only sporadic beams of light filtered down through the gaps in the foliage, creating flickering spots of light on the ground.
A strange mixture of floral scents filled the air.
Compared to other trees before, the surrounding ones seemed more ancient and lush.
Upon closer inspection, numerous intricately designed small houses were built among the thick branches of these ancient trees.
These houses were constructed using natural hollow tree holes, entwined vines, and polished wood, with roofs covered in leaves or growing green moss, some even adorned with glowing mushrooms or swaying wildflowers.
Tiny rope bridges and wooden ladders connected these tree houses, forming a scattered but well-ordered aerial village.
On the ground under the trees, there grew an unusually lush and soft grassy field like a green velvet carpet, covered in bizarre flowers emitting faint light and cute wild fungi.
Some exquisitely carved small stone or wooden statues scattered at the edge of the open space, seemingly some kind of totem or boundary monument.
The only issue was that this village, whether the buildings or the rope bridges, appeared very miniature relative to the team.
"This is..." Aaliyah’s eyes widened, captivated by the peaceful and beautiful sight before her.
"Is it a fairy village?" Serdur softly said.
Almost as Serdur’s words fell, small heads suddenly popped out from among the tree houses, behind the flowers, and even within the mushroom clusters on the ground.
These miniature creatures, about the size of a human palm, had transparent, glowingly colored insect-like wings and pointed ears. They wore "clothes" woven from petals, leaves, and tiny vines, holding tiny spears or small bows seemingly made from thorns or hard wood.
Dozens, perhaps even hundreds, pairs of eyes stared intently from all directions at these four unexpected guests, gazing with curious yet cautious big eyes.
"It seems we are surrounded." Aaliyah whispered.
A fairy with wings shimmering dazzling gold-green appeared to be the chief of this village, flapping transparent wings, flew to the four companions.
It wore a blue flower as a hat, with unique energy flowing all over.
As it opened its mouth, a series of rapid but beautiful sounds flowed out like music.
"Strange humans, please leave our homeland."
As it issued the warning, countless tiny beings around tightened their grips on the weapons in their hands.
Yet, looking at the majority of them trembling with fear, it was apparent they were terrified of Gauss and the others, who exuded a dangerous aura.
"We mean no harm; we are adventurers who accidentally intruded." Gauss raised his hand and said softly.
Although it was his first encounter with fairy creatures, they are described as benevolent beings in many books.
However, compared to Pick Elf, they possess a martial spirit that drives strangers away from their homes.
In addition, they are capable of assessing the goodness of beings by capturing their heartbeat, judged by their race’s standards.
Gauss indeed harbored no ill intent toward these tiny creatures called "Forest Protectors."