[Sorry, guys this will be a bit rough!] I wrapped my arm around Saoris waist and had Tasianna grab one of my horns, before using [Air Walk] to jump through the air up to the trees.
Once we reached a branch, I released Saori. We looked down, noticing that the signals arent decreasing at all, in fact, they were increasing at an alarming rate.
Our attention was directed to a [Spiked Horn Doe], one of the more common and appetizing monsters, running past our location. Like Earths deer, these beasts were wary, triggered by even the slightest sounds due to their [Enhanced Auditory Sense], making it hard to close up to them without being detected.
However, from hunting these animals, I also knew that they could turn their heads around while they ran. Interestingly enough, they could keep their heads at a 90 degrees angle even during full acceleration, making them elusive against ambush hunters.
Still, these animals were cowards. Present them a monster that can overpower them easily and they will run away in a panic, ditching this trait of theirs as they tunnel vision into traversing the forest to escape.
We were all under the effects of [Stealth] and [Presence Killer] right now, and it just ran away as if it saw or Saori in our monster form.
At that mont, anotherno, threefoursevent-twelveeighteen ran past us, completely overco by fear.
What is going I was about to say sothing but then more monsters ca running past us.
Hundreds of different animals, ranging from rabbits, boars, squirrels, and even so kobolds using monsters as mounts, shot past us in a frenzy akin to an army of fans chasing after a pop star.
I wish it were an exaggeration but the number of insect-type and bird-type monsters flying past our party caused the tree we were standing on to shake. My [Prediction] overwheld with its annoying beeping, as I had to dodge all the incoming monsters.
Woah! failing to dodge one, I began to lose my balance from being tackled by a monster, but quickly recovered after I dug my sharp tail into the trees body.
Noticing that the storm of flyers wouldnt stop anyti soon, I cast [Sanctuary] around us. The bombardnt of animals was blocked by my barrier, who ramd into it with a thud and then fell into the stream of monsters fleeing on the ground, tramped to never be seen again.
My barrier was perfectly blocking the monsoon, but it unfortunately still consud my Mana and Stamina, while also not granting any experience. Those verdammte monsters on the ground were stealing all my hard work!
[What is even happening here, has anything like this happened to you before, Hestia?] Saori asked since I have been in this forest longer.
However, all I could do was shake my head, [Usually, I would cause this kinda event.]
Shouting with [Draconic Roar] or even burning down the forest has caused chaos to erupt inside the forest on multiple occasions. Normally, I would be the reason, but I never caused sothing at this scale.
Looking a bit further from our location, I was able to confirm that chaos was happening everywhere, right now.
Kraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! suddenly my ears picked up a roar.
[To our left, a massive monsters roar!] Saori shouted through [Telepathy], pointing at the origin of the voice.
From the direction that her finger was directed at, I was reminded that that was where we had our fight yesterday. The place that I burned down!
Kraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
Kraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
Two more roars, different in intensity and tone from the first, further thundered from the location. I could hear the echoing coming from atop the trees, so chances are high that the culprits could either climb well or fly.
But what really creeped out was that the roars sounded so familiar, as if I had heard them before. Yet, they were still different. Their pitch, volu, and tone were all so much more different than the ones I knew. The huskiness and confidence they were emitting in their roars were totally different.
[Those voices are making my body tremble,] Tasianna said, as her shaking hands made my head vibrate due to holding onto my horn.
[Hestia?] once I turned my head to respond to Saoris call, I noticed that she was squinting her eyes with a deep frown, tensing up her ears to track the monsters voices. She then warily asked , [Do you want them to be your source to reach max level?]
I didnt even hesitate, [No, we flee]
[Wakarimashita, Hestia Oujo-sama,] (I understand, Princess Hestia.) Saori briefly said before taking Tasianna from my head and putting her in her dress pocket. [We are moving, Miss Tasianna. Hang on tightly!]
Once Tasianna said Ready!, Saori pulled closer to her, then covered both and Tasianna in a veil of shadows with [Shadow Armant].
[Shadow Armant (Full Body)] inflicted on [Young Spark Inferno Dragon, Hestia Atsuko]
Once she located a shadow to teleport to, she pulled us into her shadow, inviting us to the world of shadows.
Swimming through the ocean of blackness, I heard a voice, [Dont let go, alright, Hestia?]
[As if I would,] tightening my arms around Saoris torso, I closed my eyes and let her do her thing.
I didnt like this place at all. Weirdly, I very much preferred creating my own darkness by closing my eyes, ignoring everything that happened in this world, hoping that it would end soon. This place was neither cold nor warm, it had no flowing wind but I could breathe, I can feel nothing with my skin, but we were moving as if we were swimming through water.
How can a place be this neutral? How it can be this indecisive? What is this place even? Who created it?
Haaaah, there are so many questions for this, what the hell.
Still closing my eyes, light eventually entered through my eyelids and the tumultuous cries of hundreds of voices stimulated my eardrums into action. Even in this turbulent soundwave, a booming roar was echoing through my surroundings, further provoking an explosion of sounds, filled with confusion, panic, and dread.
[Madam Saori, why have you used [Shadow Dash] to transport us into the wave of monsters?!] a high-pitched voice resounded through my mind, instead of entering through my ears.
Prompted by curiosity, I opened my eyes to see sobodys furry feet jumping from one animals back to the other, deftly traversing through this chaotic mass with ease.
Turning my head to the side, I noticed that instead of clutching Saoris waist, I was being held under her left arm. My hands had a solid grip around her forearm, similar to gripping a roller coasters lap bars.
I also made sure that my claws werent penetrating her skin. She probably wouldnt do it but any chance to avoid a scolding is good for .
[I think it would be better to stay among the monsters to hide from them,] Saori responded to Tasiannas question. [My [Enhanced Enemy Sense] is still telling that all three of those monsters are at the sa location.]
[I agree, those roars are provocations and they are inviting to co to them,] I supported Saoris argunt. [It would be safer to not cause a fuss and stay with the mass of fleeing monsters.]
[Princess Hestia, how can you be so sure?] Tasianna popped out of Saoris dress pocket, located around her hips, so our eyes naturally t.
[Call it a dragons intuition or instinct,] I explained to her. [Ive only heard it once in my life, but my body told that these voices belong to wyverns. Either they are here to confirm their companions death, or they already know about it and are here for revenge.]
Shouting What!, Tasianna continued to question when all of this happened, panickily stumbling on her words.
[We had an encounter before we t you, where I killed three of them under the effects of [Battle Frenzy],] I explained this to Tasianna while pointing my finger at myself and Saori. [Back then, they were only C ranks, but I can feel that these ones are much stronger.]
A bit of regret was filling my mind that I killed those wyverns back then, leading stronger ones to appear to hunt us down. Still, I shouldnt feel guilty cause of that.
They ca and pursued . I only did what I had to and acted on self-defense, although I do admit that [Battle Frenzy] did make more belligerent than usual. I bet anybody in my shoes would choose the sa choice, considering the situation.
[Co to think about it, Tasianna,] an idea popped up. [Do you know where those wyverns could have co from, or are they indigenous sowhere in the Belzac forest?]
Tasianna gave it a long thought before answering, [Aha, now I rember! According to a map that I read in my villages library, the forest is protected by the Belzac mountains in the north and west, while travel is blocked by a canyon in the east. South of the Belzac forest lies Avitor Peaks.]
[Avitor Peaks?] I asked.
Tasianna nodded, continuing her explanation, ["Mhmm, its the na for a mountain range filled with griffins, hippogryphs, wyverns, and other flying monsters.]
Griffins and hippogryphs, huh? I wonder if they are exactly like the ones in Earth's myths. At least wyverns are exactly how you would describe them: Dragons with wings as forelegs.
[Among the areas in that mountain range, there is one called Wyvern Peaks,] Tasianna further added. ["The ones here likely originated from there.]
So, what does that an? Back then, why were those wyverns there in that location at that ti? Was it cause they heard my concert and curiously ca over to check who was making all that noise? In other words, it would have been pure coincidence that they found and decided to pursue .
However, I should also consider sothing else. The fact that wyverns were related to dragons, and who is the God of Dragons? Kargryxmor.
Honestly, I have no conclusive evidence for this theory. Neither can I confirm that Kargryxmor could control wyverns nor am I really sure why he did it in the first place. I an, those wyverns wanted to kill and if Kargryxmor was the reason for that, then is my new great-great-great-great-great-whatever-grandpa trying to murder ?
Scheie, what the hell did I do to deserve that? Is he actually angry that I havent talked with him yet? How petty can you be to act like that, you clingy old man?!
If you were to give your phone number or E-Mail, then I would try my best to do it once per week, minimum. I had family in different ti zones back on Earth and Im pretty sure my mory told that I maintained a good relationship with all of them. Maybe you should have researched that before reincarnating or is that beneath a god?!
Then again, I am actively trying to avoid contact so what am I talking about. I guess its a sense of betrayal? Im also badmouthing him due to pure speculation alone. T-Thats exactly what those bitches did to in my past life, so why am I imitating their fucking gossiping?!
Im better than that!
["Tasianna, how far away are we from Avitor Peaks or even the Wyvern Peaks?"] acknowledging that I needed more information, I stopped my train of thoughts to ask her for so more useable facts.
Returning to another long-winded thought session Tasianna tried to rember the details but unfortunately shook her head, ["Uhhh, I'm not too sure about that. I'm sorry, Princess Hestia."]
Before I could speak, Saori jumped at a nearby tree, hooking her legs and right hands claws into it, then looked down at and spoke, [Enough, Hestia. I can already see that you are extensively monologuing with yourselfagain. I do not want to sound too much like a teacher, especially as you are not one of my students, but maybe it would be more practical to share your thoughts with us, instead of keeping it to yourself?]
Oof, she got us, the first of my parallel minds, parallel mind #1, spoke up.
Urgh, she noticed that? Are we that easy to read? parallel mind #2 reflected my embarrassnt of being found out.
Yeah, I guess we are overthinking things, #3 stated. Lets just stop for now.
Even the usually quiet #4 said sothing, Tens minds are better than nine. Lets pick her brain about this topic, later on.
I looked at the rest of my parallel minds, #5 to #8, and saw them nodding and saying 'Yeah, let's calm down first, original mind.'.
Still hanging on the tree, Saori continued speaking, [You are being influenced by the mood. Just look at all the panic, the shouting, the terror in their eyes,] she moved my body, being carried under her left arm, and directed my gaze towards the stampede. [If you are pressured to think then calm yourself down first. Deep breaths, co on, look at and breathe in and out.]
She pulled my body closer to hers and adjusted like a puppet so our eyes would et. Under her gaze, I did exactly what she wanted.
Breathe inand out.
["Good job. The easiest way to refocus and reset your mindset during a test. It works for most students and I believe as an Idol trainee, you should have known about this trick,] she said.
Breathing in once more, I was finally able to feel my heart pounding my chest up and down. Slight lightheadedness overca as my accelerated blood slowed down, returning my emotional and ntal state back to zero.
[Yeahsorry, I got a bit ahead of myself guys,] softening my clutch on Saoris forearm, I showed her that my impatience disappeared.
["All is forgiven. We will talk about it after I find a place that we can rest. It also seems that the wyverns will not follow us, so we have probably escaped their search,"] once she said that, she jumped back into the tsunami of monsters, continuously jumping from one monster to the other, single-mindedly doing what she said she would.
[Amazing, Madam Saori!] Tasianna suddenly cried out. [I apologize for underestimating you. You determined and resolved Princess Hestias problem imdiately. It seems I was the one that was arrogant and ignorant. I shall do my best to improve from now on]
[Ah, thank you, Miss Tasianna, but praising that much will make blush,] looking up, I could see Saori looking a bit troubled about the complints. [You will have no problem with understanding her personality, but you must make sure to adapt a bit to her common sense.]
Tasianna groaned, [Urgh, I believe I know what you an. I will try my best. A good maid should adapt herself to her mistress, not the other way around.]
What are they talking about?
I felt a bit left out from this conversation but Ive also no reason to join in. I stayed silent and instead just closed my eyes, enjoying the bumpy ride of being carried around, limply hanging my legs and tail around.
I think we will make a lot of progress moving towards the north Belzac mountains today, however, who knows where we will end up at. The stampede will probably last for a bit.
What a weird day.
With that, I drifted into sleep, entrusting myself to my two companions.
*******************
While our trio began moving towards the north of the forest, a different group in the south of the Belzac forest was advancing through its canyon.
Compared to Hestias party, the number of mbers in this one far surpassed her by the hundreds, filled with both humanoid and normal monsters.
They were all moving through the canyon, transporting a large caravan. The beasts of burden, monsters tad by this large gathering, pulled wagons filled to the brim with weapons, armor, and barrels filled with rations out of a cave.
This cave laid underneath a large mountain separating the Belzac forest from what was behind it. Fortunately for this group, as they bypassed this precarious mountain range through an underway, they were able to avoid the aerial predators swarming its skies. No matter how massive this gathering of monsters was, they would have been helpless under the constant attacks of Avitor Peaks' flying hunters.
Steadily marching onwards, this army of monsters showed none of the discipline that a normal army should have, yet, they moved onwards despite this unstable harmony.
The humanoid monsters consisting out of the brown-furred kobolds, the blue and green-skinned goblins, and the greyish skinned orcs, rarely ever worked together but today they were walking side by side, united by a single cause and goal.
The bulky orcs clad in heavy tal armor were strutting around, carrying their large halberds and axes around, proudly displaying their strengths and equipnt with pride. Despite their flamboyance, they were diligently guarding the caravan, warily watching for any foreign movents.
Walking ahead and behind the caravan was an assortnt of small kobolds ard with bow and arrows, while others rode on wolf mounts and so drove the carriages forward. Compared to the orcs, the size difference between these two races could be likened to a human adult and human child, where the orcs were the forr and the kobolds were the latter.
A bit taller than the kobolds, the green-skinned goblins were marching in a formation dedicated to guarding the kobold archers and orc warriors, encircling them. Their outfits consisted of a mix-and-match between chainmail, leather armor, and simple linen, however, they all carried spears double their sizes.
Compared to the other two, the goblins were rowdier and harder to control, causing squabbles and fights whenever you left them to their own devices for even a single second. However, none of these troubles lasted for long, as the blue-skinned goblins repeatedly ended each quarrel with haste.
Sitting in the carriages, these goblins wore magically enchanted robes with sturdy chainmail underneath them, carrying around rune-etched staffs. Their faces were adorned with piercings, ritualistic tattoos, and their ears carried bone ornants. If they were not diffusing a fight among their goblin brethren, they were instead organizing the objects in the carriage, making sure that no kobold, goblin, or orc stole anything.
While goblins are naturally belligerent and greedy beings, this was mostly caused by their lack of intelligence. The blue-skinned ones, their shamans and mages, on the other hand, were crafty enough to understand that survival and strength didnt co from causing problemsat least when the gains are too little to risk it.
In front of this massive army rode a chariot, pulled by two monsters resembling oxen. A giant, hulking beast fully equipped in armor fit for the elite warriors of a king sat on it. The creature was an indomitable ogre.
These humanoid monsters had the sa base rank as a troll, but they were nothing compared to them. While trolls had a sturdy body and great regeneration due to their racial skill [Troll Regeneration], ogres were hunks of muscles able to carry and swing weapons that a normal human would never be able to.
This giant of a monster stood up from his chariot and held a hand up. At that mont, every single mber of this army stopped moving, freezing their movents either from admiration or fear.
We have now passed Avitor Peaks hidden underground pathway, the ogre turned around and spoke, his voice thundered, even reaching those at the very tail of this army of hundreds. As you know, we are the first battalion to have co. Our duty is to make contact with our troll allies at the designated spot, deliver the caravan of supplies, and establish the camp for the rest of the army that will co soon. HAVE I MADE MYSELF CLEAR!?
This bellowing command made all kobolds, goblins, and orcs respond. The orcs shouted with all their might YES, SIR!, while the cowardly goblins shakily shouted Y-YEAH!, making sure not to wet themselves. The kobolds, on the other hand, responded using their animalistic voices, roaring GRAAAAAH!, instead of using any of the established languages.
In their own ways, the whole army made sure to respond to the commanding ogres order with resounding strength.
"GOOD! Now, shamans!" he pointed at the congregation of blue-skinned goblins, forcing them all to stand up straight. "Prepare a ritual to honor our ancestor father and mother. We will pray and rest, for now, HAVE I MADE MYSELF CLEAR!"
This ti, every single mber fervently yelled YES! with no hesitation. None of the monsters would show anything but fervor, especially the zealous goblins.
No monster in this army wouldnt know the importance of this event. Besides a much-desired rest, they could also not allow themselves to miss this chance to be a bit closer to their gods.
Prepare yourself to honor our mighty ancestor father, Marsven, the God of Darkness, and our beloved ancestor mother, Edna, the Goddess of Monsters and Fertility, stepping down from his chariot, the massive hulk walked towards his commanding army, even towering the large orcs. Then we will march! We will march towards our glory. For all of you should know that our future battles will be worthy to be etched in history! Our 300 n battalion will be the foundation for our revenge! A war that we will win for our glory! All humans will know our wrath and strength!
Bringing up his massive axe, the ogre was ready to end his speech, FOR THE GLORY OF HIS MAJESTY, THE OGRE KING! FOR THE HONOR OF MARSVEN AND EDNA!
FOR THE GLORY OF HIS MAJESTY, THE OGRE KING! FOR THE HONOR OF MARSVEN AND EDNA!
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