Chapter 625: Volume 16: Mists and Illusions, - 18: Devastating Blow
Carl Libukneisi was seized by an inexplicable restlessness. In fact, the moment he stepped onto the Greenland Forest Plank Road, he had a foreboding feeling, but under the mockery of Knight Leader Bronin and Chief Magician of the Mage Corps Clarence, Carl was forced to suppress the dread deep within him. This sensation peaked when the magicians and knights decided to venture near the Ice Lake in the heart of the Greenland Forest. Carl was firmly against this noble-style diversion that was unrelated to pressing matters, but his attitude couldn’t change the minds of Bronin and Clarence. Although Bronin didn’t join this adventurous hunt, he had provided seven excellent knights to accompany the magicians. That damn Bronin clearly wanted a slice of the magicians’ adventurous action.
Two days had passed, and there was no word from the magicians and knights, which even started to alarm Bronin. However, Carl couldn’t figure out what could have possibly happened to them. An adventure group of eight high-level magicians and seven knights of considerable skill should be more than capable of handling any exploration. Although Greenland Forest was a paradise for magical beasts, no extraordinary creatures were known to be there, and even if there were, such a powerful group could even face a dragon’s challenge.
Carl dared not slow down the pace of the troop’s march. Everything would have to wait until their arrival at Bruce Fortress. Without the help of the magicians, the Knights regiment was also weakened, and Carl’s internal worries seemed to be turning into reality, step by step.
Komer watched coldly with his arms folded, gazing into the distance. From here, he couldn’t see the soldiers of the Storm Infantry Corps marching in an orderly line, but Komer could feel the pulse of the army. This was the last and best ambush spot. It seemed the leader of the infantry had some level, as he, disregarding fatigue, had adopted a defensive posture along this winding stretch and was taking a segmented approach to pass quickly. Did this guy become suspicious due to the disappearance of the magicians, or was he naturally this cautious? However, this wouldn’t change the outcome of the battle; such unconventional combat couldn’t be countered by mere defense.
Xerob and his comrades were already in position, with Uma’s eyes revealing a bloodthirsty gleam. Vladimir Koff and Solonberg were waiting eagerly for the final strike. Rebry and Mihailovich had successfully stirred the wrath of the Gray Wolf Pack, skillfully guiding the enraged wolves to sprint toward this direction. Everything was ready; the show was about to begin.
Mejernov was in a terrible mood. As a newly-promoted practitioner of Light Magic, he resented being asked to accompany the army while his companions were hunting. He always thought that Clarence was biased against him, but Burqin, the cowardly fellow, didn’t dare to object. It was because of weaklings like him that the leadership of the Homer Magic Team fell into the hands of those outside the Church of Light. However, with no news from his friends for two days, he also became afraid. He even considered suggesting to Bronin and Carl to temporarily retreat from Greenland Forest, though they were only a day’s distance from Bruce Fortress. In Mejernov’s view, only the Busen Plain was the safest place, while Bruce Fortress, located on the edge of the Greenland Forest and adjacent to the desolate Leon, also faced many dangers.
However, neither Bronin nor Carl would accept his suggestion. Mejernov didn’t want to expose his fearfulness, so he could only hope silently that Clarence and Burqin would return sooner. Casting a dubious glance around, Mejernov thought he heard some strange sounds. He looked alertly ahead and then behind. Everything was normal—the long procession of marching troops was tightly maintained, and officers were carefully commanding the rear. Greenland Forest was a paradise for magical beasts, but a marching army of such size would not attract the beasts’ attention.
An intense unease made Mejernov stop in his tracks. Cries as if from ancient depths were captured by his sensitive ears. What was howling? The look of surprise and uncertainty on Mejernov’s face alerted Bronin; in the entire army, there was only one magic practitioner left. Although his most capable assistants had not yet returned, the Knights’ main force was still present, but they were not experts in magic, only commanding some of the crudest and simplest defensive spells. The magician’s expression unsettled him as well.
"What’s wrong, Mr. Mejernov?" Bronin reined in his horse.
"It seems something’s not right. Do you feel it, Mr. Bronin? It’s too quiet around here, no sounds of birds or beasts. Just now I thought I heard a strange howling," Mejernov’s face went somewhat pale. The atmosphere was getting more saturated with magic power—damn it, that was the aura of magical beasts. What kind of beasts were they? Fumbled clumsily for his newly finished magic wand, the inexperienced Mejernov stuttered in alarm, "There are magical beasts around, Mr. Bronin; order your knights to be on guard! Messenger, quickly alert the soldiers to be vigilant!"