Chapter 182. To the Eastern Great Forest (1)
After finishing his conversation with Tauga about the Eastern Great Forest, Caron's first destination was none other than Akan, the dwarf he had rescued from the plains.
The Oceanwolf Knight Order, the Magic Tower of the empire, and the Pajar Sultanate had all intervened to rescue his comrades, and now, Caron had received the final report on the outcome.
Not that it had ever really been in doubt.
"Thank you! Truly, thank you!" Akan exclaimed.
"There's no need to thank me. We only did what had to be done," Caron said.
Every single dwarf slave had been freed. But that wasn't all.
At Caron's strong insistence, other captives who had been forcibly imprisoned in Noa were also liberated. There had been a brief clash in the process, but the Free City Union would likely stay silent, since two great powers had banded together to strong-arm the weaker ones.
"The Oceanwolf Knight Order will ensure that the rescued dwarves are escorted safely back to their city," Caron said with a reassuring smile, clasping Akan's thick hand.
It was a heartwarming scene on the surface, but Leo, who had been watching from the sidelines, immediately saw through Caron's hidden intentions.
...Poor Akan, Leo thought.
That gleam of greed in Caron's eyes, barely concealed beneath his smile... He was nothing short of a bandit.
Perhaps Caron had noticed Leo's expression, as he suddenly leaned in and whispered in the softest voice, "Don't you want a suit of dwarven armor?"
Leo gasped.
"Smile," Caron murmured.
Leo immediately beamed and turned to Akan and declared with sudden enthusiasm, "Haha! Akan, sir! Our Oceanwolf Knight Order completes every mission at the cost of our very lives. You can count on us!"
The mere mention of dwarven armor had done the trick. Leo Leston, at nineteen years of age, was at the perfect age to crave new gear.
With the first step taken, all that remained was to establish a lasting relationship with the dwarves.
They're a race that values gratitude and grudges alike—this could turn out well, Caron thought.
Perhaps it wouldn't be long before dwarven-made equipment found its way into Azureocean Castle.
Caron thought it would be best to visit the dwarven city himself when he had the time. Business, after all, was best conducted face-to-face.
"So, what do you plan to do now, Akan?" Caron asked.
Akan glanced toward the distance, where his lover, Suya, was speaking with the beastfolk. A faint smile touched his lips as he said, "For now, I'll be staying in Suya's homeland. The beastfolk have offered to escort us to the feline clan."
"Ah, I actually arranged for that," Caron said.
"...I never imagined you would go to such lengths for us. I don't even know how to repay this kindness," Akan said.
"This is natural between friends, isn't it? We're friends now, aren't we?" Caron said with a grin.
"Of course! You protected Suya's and my future. From this moment on, no matter the circumstances, we will stand by your side," Akan declared as he lightly pounded his chest with a fist.
It seemed to be a dwarven gesture. Caron wasn't sure of its exact meaning, but one thing was clear. It was an expression of genuine respect.
Caron nodded in satisfaction and said, "I'll keep in touch."
"Anytime. I'll be waiting," Akan replied.
Friends were always good to have. Especially skilled ones.
Caron shook Akan's hand once more, and with that, their conversation came to an end. Then, Akan turned to walk toward his waiting lover.
"First it was elves, and now it's dwarves," Leo muttered as he watched Akan walk away. "At this rate, you'll end up uniting every race under your banner."
"If that's necessary, then so be it," Caron said.
For the war to come, everyone needed to stand as one.
The Demon King of Slaughter and the Demon King of Sloth were already on the move. The others were likely in similar positions. The tragedy that had unfolded at the heart of the empire fifty years ago could well have been nothing more than a prelude.
A far greater threat was approaching—one that humanity alone could never hope to withstand.
If Caron was to complete his revenge, he had to embrace anyone who could help. Anyone who could serve a purpose.
"But that so-called ancient weapon... Do you think it can really be reconstructed?" Leo asked.
"If it can be recreated, then of course," Caron replied.
"I don't get what's so great about—" Leo began, but was cut off.
"Leo," Caron interrupted.
"What?" Leo responded.
"They say silence is golden. Try reading a book every once in a while instead of chasing after women," Caron said.
"Hey! When have I ever..." Leo trailed off.
Caron had shut Leo up with just a few words.
With things settled with Akan, only one task remained.
"Leo, we're leaving right after lunch," Caron stated.
"To the Eastern Great Forest?" Leo asked.
"Yes," Caron answered.
It was time to set off. They had already spent two weeks here. It was a place he liked well enough, but for now, reaching the Eastern Great Forest took priority.
A war was raging between the elves and the dark elves. This journey, too, would be far from easy.
At the very least, there was one bit of good news—a beastfolk who knew the forest well would be joining them as a guide.
"I found a beastfolk to lead the way. Someone you know pretty well, too," Caron said.
"Well, at least we won't be stumbling around lost like we did in the plains," Leo said.
"We need to wrap this up quickly and make our way to the Holy Kingdom," Caron added.
"...Can't you go to the Holy Kingdom on your own? Caron, my Coming of Age Ceremony is soon," Leo grumbled.
"All the more reason to move faster. We're bound by fate, you know. Didn't you realize?" Caron said.
As they walked, they continued their back-and-forth banter.
Everything that needed to be done here had been handled. Now, all that was left was the journey to the Eastern Great Forest.
***
After finishing all their preparations, Caron and Leo headed toward the eastern entrance of the village of Yurth.
Waiting for them there were Tauga and their new companion for this journey. That companion was none other than Adina.
"Adina has been to the Eastern Great Forest a few times before. And she's not the type to just sit back and take a beating... She'll be a great help," Tauga said as he let out a deep sigh and shook his head.
"Thank you, Dad," Adina said cheerfully.
Unlike her father, she looked absolutely delighted. Ever since returning from Reben, she had been under strict supervision, spending her days under her father's watchful eye. But now, her savior, Caron, had appeared. It was natural for her to be thrilled.
"You packed enough food, right?" Tauga asked.
Caron tapped the ornate pouch hanging from his belt and said, "I brought plenty. Enough to last a year, probably."
"My daughter eats a lot," Tauga said.
"That's fine. I'm sure she'll earn her meals," Caron replied.
"What are you going to do if she doesn't?" Tauga asked.
"In that case... I suppose I'll have to think about it seriously," Caron answered.
"...Just don't leave her behind in the forest," Tauga said.
"Dad! Why would you even say that?" Adina protested.
Caron wondered if this was just the way fathers with daughters acted. Despite the latter's words, he could sense the deep concern Tauga held for Adina.
"If it were up to me, I'd have sent my eldest son instead..." Tauga muttered. "But unfortunately, I don't think that will be possible."
Bataar, Tauga's eldest son, had been the one to escort Caron to this village. He was a warrior of obvious talent, and his abilities were at least at the level of a 7-Star combatant. Without a doubt, he would have been a valuable asset.
But Caron understood why Tauga had chosen not to send him. Bataar was the heir. No father would send his successor into danger.
And if someone as powerful as Tauga, an 8-Star warrior, considered the Eastern Great Forest a perilous place...
This is going to be another tough one, Caron thought. He was certain a grueling journey lay ahead.
"Well then, safe travels," Tauga said, raising a hand in farewell.
Caron turned to him and bowed deeply, then said, "Thank you for all your help."
It had been an unexpected connection. But through this bond, he had gained so much. Between the encounter with the guardian dragon and the refinement of the Ocean Dominance Arts, they were rewards beyond measure.
"I'll make sure to repay this debt," Caron said.
Tauga waved a hand dismissively, as if already tired of the conversation. He said, "You saved my daughter. That's payment enough. Just take good care of her."
"I will," Caron answered.
With that brief exchange, Caron's group set off toward the Eastern Great Forest. It would be a journey on foot. There were horses in Yurth, but they couldn't use them for this trip.
"The moment we entered the forest, the horses would go wild," Adina explained as she strode ahead. "The entire forest is saturated with an evil aura. The dark elves' beasts keep spilling out beyond the borders."
"I think we're going to need a proper explanation about these dark elves," Caron said.
"...They're complicated," Adina muttered, her expression darkening slightly before she explained, "They first started appearing about six months ago. At first, there were only a handful, but lately, their numbers have been growing at an alarming rate."
"They're expanding their forces?" Caron asked.
"...According to rumors, elves who succumb to dark mana become dark elves," Adina answered.
There were also beings who had fallen to dark mana in the Southern Great Forest, the nagas. Caron wondered what the difference was between the nagas and the dark elves.
"It's simple. The difference is whether the World Tree protected them or not," Guillotine explained.
"Were there dark elves in the past too?" Caron asked.
"Yeah. If elves are cut off from the World Tree and get tainted by dark mana, they turn into dark elves," Guillotine answered.
"But I heard there was a sapling of the World Tree in the Eastern Great Forest," Caron said.
"The main tree is dying. Do you think a mere sapling would be in good shape? Elves who aren't under the protection of the World Tree... Well, they're just easy prey for the dark elves. Like that beastfolk woman said, it's a perfect opportunity for them to expand their forces," Guillotine explained.
"They're like a plague," Caron muttered. By now, he didn't even bother hiding the fact that he was talking to Guillotine.
"I don't know the exact situation inside the forest," Adina said bitterly. "But I do know that even the proud elves have been asking for help."
"That bad, huh?" Caron said as he recalled the elves he had met in the Southern Great Forest.
He held no ill will toward them. It was only natural for elves to despise humans, given their history. But once they became friends, they showed remarkable kindness and consideration. Caron assumed that the elves of the Eastern Great Forest were probably no different.
And more importantly...
"There's a chance this is connected to the Demon Kings."
If elves corrupted by dark mana had begun appearing here, then there was a high possibility that the Demon Kings were involved.
"How much longer until we reach the Eastern Great Forest, Adina?" Caron asked.
Adina pointed off into the distance and replied, "About six hours from here."
"Are we camping in the forest?" Caron asked.
"Most likely," Adina replied.
At that, Caron let out a small sigh and shook his head, then said, "There go all the good days."
They had to spend the night on a battlefield between elves and dark elves, a place crawling with demonic monsters.
"...Actually, this is great," Caron said.
To him, it was the ideal opportunity. A chance to properly test the refinement in his mana techniques. And an even better chance to replenish his empty mana core.
"Let's decide the night watch shifts while we walk," Caron said.
"Good idea. How about drawing lots to keep it fair?" Leo suggested.
"We're going to decide by arm wrestling," Caron said.
"Hey!" Leo shouted.
"Hmm, I actually like that idea, Caron," Adina chimed in. "I'm confident in my arm wrestling skills."
As they chatted back and forth, the three of them pressed on toward the Eastern Great Forest.
***
Six hours later, they arrived at the entrance of the Eastern Great Forest.
Caron let out a dry chuckle as he stared at a corpse hanging from a tree near the entrance, remarking, "Now that's one hell of a welcome."
The bodies looked as if their throats had been torn out by beasts. And without a doubt, they were elves. There could be few things more shocking to visitors than this grotesque sight.
After taking a moment to examine the corpses, Caron glanced at his companions and said, "You'd all better brace yourselves."
"Caron, between those trees..." Leo's voice was tense.
"I know. I see them too," Caron replied.
The towering trees stretched high above, their dense foliage blocking out what little light remained as the sun began to set. Darkness spread throughout the forest.
And in that darkness, countless pairs of yellow eyes gleamed. The aura of dark mana they exuded stung against the group's skin.
"What an enthusiastic greeting. I like it," Caron murmured, a sharp grin tugging at his lips as he drew Guillotine.
"Leo," he said.
"What?" Leo replied.
"If you don't outperform Adina, you're on cooking duty from now on. Got it?" Caron said.
"...You were gonna make me do it anyway," Leo grumbled.
"Well, you are good at cooking. What I'm trying to say is, just be ready," Caron said.
Taking a deep breath, he exhaled slowly. His gaze locked onto the demonic monsters lurking ahead, and he muttered under his breath, "Compared to this place, the Southern Great Forest was a paradise."
And with that, they stepped into hell.