On the outskirts of Northern Elnira, the Green Forest was situated, which was also the location where Russell, together with his companions, including the Elves, had subdued the Vampire Soldiers during their first mission after officially becoming a rcenary group.
This forest was outstretched at least more than a thousand kiloters across and was nad Green Forest by the Elven Queen upon their arrival in this world after the Ergence, but what they didn't anticipate, even though the Earth was stretched and reached seven tis its original diater Pre-Ergence, because of the Constellation [Earth's Mirror Image], was that the Vampire Race was warped on the North of the Green Forest, making their archenemies to be practically their neighbors regardless of the massive Green Forest that's acting as a stretched border, circling the Vampire Lands, Elnira Kingdom, Vulcan Kingdom, and the Orion Continent.
If one could see the Green Forest and the enclosed territories from the atmosphere of the world, it would shape like the arc of the horseshoe.
In addition, as ti went by, adjusting to this new world, the Elves also discovered the existence of the Vulcan Kingdom on the Northeast of the Elnira Kingdom, and the Orion Continent, housed by the Human Race, due far East. This made the Queen establish a connection with these two races, but since she barely knew of the existence called Humans and Dwarves, the Elven Queen didn't fully show their trust and beca cautious as well.
After that, even though so information could be shared with each party involved, the Elven Queen didn't speak of the Vampires' existence and left the two races to remain ignorant. But since the Green Forest was vast, the Elven Race couldn't maintain everything the forest could offer – wild animals, healthy fruits and vegetables, alchemical ingredients, fertile lands, and many more.
Due to this reason, the Vampires managed to camp and build a 'fortress' just near the border of the Elnira Kingdom, specifically of the North, West, and South.
"This place contains riches or resources beyond the necessary."
Thessalia whispered in a solemn manner as they marched toward the nearest fortress handled by the Vampire Commander, Seskel that was killed and whose soul was sent to the Witch of Dreams just to be a plaything in the World of Nightmare.
"It must be heaven for an Alchemist."
Russell said in a casual manner. At this mont, the newly appointed Elven Commander, Thessalia, and the leader of the Umbra rcenary were walking side by side, leading everyone from the front.
Behind the two of them, Samantha, Freya, and the other Umbra rcenary mbers followed suit. On the other hand, Lusha, Iefyr, Kerym, and at least more than a hundred Elven Soldiers were spread out, leaping from one tree to another without making a sound as if they were one with the wind.
So of them went on reconnaissance to determine potential threats because, due to the ti that had passed, it would make sense if the higher-ups from the Vampire Race had learned of the death of one of the Vampire Commanders assigned to leading nurous soldiers and scouts to observe the movents of the Elves and to learn of possible geographical advantage in the Northern Elnira. Apart from the advance party, there were Elven Soldiers staying far behind to intercept a possible ambush from the Vampires they failed to notice since so of them were sly and good at concealing themselves.
And to be certain in this mission of preemptive attack, the knowledge that Vampires couldn't curse the Crimson Goddess as it was considered a taboo was discussed with everyone. After that, each Elven Soldier spoke of the death of the Crimson Goddess to check if there was a similar case of the previous commander, Tafor, who died and whose body was utilized by the Vampire Commander.
In other words, hoping for the death of the Crimson Goddess beca the way to identify any possible infiltrator or spy.
"...Speaking of Alchemist, so of our academies are specialized in that matter since we're lovers of nature and surrounded by it our entire life.
"...Also, the so-called Student Exchange between our races is now in effect. I wonder if there are students from the humanities side that want to learn Alchemy in one of our academies."
Thessalia said, looking ahead on the greeny and sowhat murky road, but they weren't letting their guard down even though a group of Elven Soldiers was scouting ahead. Based on the estimated distance of the nearest fortress managed by vampires, it should take them at least twenty to thirty minutes of being on foot.
"...Well, there are many opportunities, but I believe migration will be established soon. When that happens, I'm certain that many will seek other opportunities and will live in a foreign country."
The events containing the simple tourism, the El-Vul-Or Tournant, and the Student Exchange were just the beginning of solidifying bonds and trust between the three races. What would follow was the Migration of Races, with consideration of anti-racial law or non-discrimination rule that would protect a Human that would study or live in either the Elnira or Vulcan Kingdoms. That aside, it would be the sa case for an Elf or Dwarf that would settle in the Orion Continent.
Thessalia fell silent. She pondered Russell's words about settling in one of the human territories, which the Human Race referred to as 'country' – a term that didn't exist in the vocabulary of the Elven Race before the Ergence. All they had learned before was about 'kingdoms' and 'lands.'
As Thessalia didn't say anything, Russell added in a casual manner, which caused the ones from the back to unintentionally process his words.
"In this year or the next, hybrid species will be born."
"...What do you an-"
Almost at the sa ti that Thessalia asked instinctively, she understood the aning behind Russell's words.
"..."
Her mouth zipped and her mind seed to freeze for a mont.
After four to five seconds, composing herself, she nodded at his words.
"...It will be evidence that race doesn't matter when it cos to feeling that 'certain' emotion, right?"
Russell smiled with subtlety at her words and just nodded as a thought surfaced in his mind.
'Love, huh... It's easy to feel and claim that affection for soone, but it's extrely hard to maintain.'
As the trust between the Humans, Elves, and Dwarves, it would be inevitable, especially after the Migration of Races transpired, that the considered strongest "positive" emotion that mankind possessed would take root between two individuals belonging to different races.
***
After twenty to twenty-five minutes since they left the border of the Northern Elnira, which was entrusted to be guarded by another Elven Commander candidate, together with thousands of soldiers, Thessalia, Russell, and their companions arrived at least a hundred to a hundred and fifty ters away from the nearest fortress.
The surrounding area was flattened as it was remodeled for a base to be built in the said area. In addition, the surrounding trees were exuding a chilling aura, and so of the branches, leaves, or the tree itself looked rotten.
With his profound vision, Russell thoroughly scanned the surroundings afar. After scrutinizing the surroundings, he saw the 'expected' scenery to be screened in his deep blue eyes.
There were at least twenty Vampire Soldiers guarding just the dilapidated-looking towering gate, which could an three things:
Firstly, after learning about the death of the Vampire Commander, Seskel, so higher-ups that were responsible in this area sent another Vampire Commander to deal with the problem.
This posed the question if the vampires were expecting an attack from the Humans and Elves, with the aid of Dwarven technology.
Secondly, there were twenty Vampire Soldiers guarding the entrance of the fortress because of the massive manpower that the fortress housed.
This could pose a problem in terms of quantity, and the vampires weren't to be estimated either so it would also affect the quality of the overall fighting power at this mont.
And lastly, it would an the usual routine of the Vampire Soldiers in this area. In other words, even if Seskel, the Vampire Commander, was alive, the number of vampires at the entrance would still be the sa.
However, after considering the odds, Russell mostly considered either the first or second guess, and both were almost equally troubleso.
"...Hmm, there's around twenty or more just at the entrance."
Russell turned his head, addressing Thessalia, as well as the others on the back.
The latter was silent for so ti before she spoke about the advance party who went ahead and communicated just now through telepathy after eting the effective range.
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