Chapter 315: Unknown threat
"Wait!" Vlad’s command cut through the air like a blade, and instantly, the warriors of the Xaos Kingdom halted. Their eyes sharpened as they scanned their surroundings, energy coiled and ready to strike.
The forces of the Turkin Kingdom were not bound by Vlad’s authority, but King Viserin, sensing the urgency, raised his hand, signaling for his men to stop and remain alert. He knew the young man did not act without reason, and his sharp eyes reflected quiet inquisitiveness as he tried to understand what was happening.
Before Vlad could explain, Jormungandr and Ouroboros exchanged glances, their sharp eyes darkening as their A.I. Chips detected the anomaly. The small yellow cat and the towering demonic werewolf exchanged a somber look, understanding the severity of the situation without needing words.
"Is there an enemy nearby?" Freya approached Vlad, voicing the question on everyone’s mind.
Vlad shook his head, his gaze cutting through the surrounding trees as he spoke in a grim tone. "No, other than vegetation, there’s nothing around us."
Freya, the Royal Guards, and the Turkin soldiers exchanged confused glances. The absence of life was unsettling, but it wasn’t new to them. They had noticed the eerie silence upon entering the forest but didn’t understand the weight of Vlad’s concern.
Unlike the others, Viserin’s mind was sharp enough to grasp the underlying message in Vlad’s words. His eyes narrowed as a sudden realization dawned on him. His voice was steady as he asked, "When you say no life, are you also referring to... insects, larvae, other types of fauna?"
The moment Viserin asked that question, the gravity of the situation became clear. A cold chill swept through the group as they realized the full extent of what Vlad had meant.
Powerful entities could drive away beasts and even Monsters, as those creatures tend to avoid predators far stronger than themselves. However, insects and other small organisms were different—they lacked the intelligence to sense danger and typically responded only to changes in their environment.
The trees around them indicated that the environment was not inhospitable, yet no insects buzzed in the air, no birds sang, and not a single small creature stirred. Something far more sinister was at play if even the smallest forms of life were absent.
Vlad’s nod confirmed their fears, his voice heavy with the weight of his discovery. "Not only is there no life, but there is absolutely no zoobiotic or heterotrophic biomass left in this place."