Chapter 387: Aurora in the Forest of Garms.

Chapter 387: Aurora in the Forest of Garms.

Shine!

Ive encountered and fought enough onnikais already to know what to do here. While not all were connected to Ilsaphone, the Goddess of Death, a good portion of onnikais were weak to holy attacks. In addition, the place we teleported to was where Saori was supposed to bethe Belzac forestmeaning these wolf-like spirits could only belong to one being.

Bright, glaring light shone from my fingertips, forcing the onnikai wolves back. With the spell still active, I snapped my fingers and created a spark to ignite some white flames, before using it to create a small firewall to separate our two groups.

[I am Hestia Atsuko Kargryxmor! I have come to meet with my friend Saori Segawa, the current [Belzacs Successor]!] I announced for everybody to hear, including the owner of that telepathic voice.

[] As the onnikai wolves began to cower, the voice remained silent. It wasnt answering me, but it also wasnt accusing us of being intruders either. [ I see. The dragon who invaded my realm.]

Huh? I tilted my head. What do you mean with invade? I was born here.

[False.] That growly, old man voice rebuked resolutely. [Your egg landed here, dragon whelp. You are no more a denizen of this forest than a migrating bird. Your place here is questionable. Furthermore, you are not supposed to be in my rest area, nor were you allowed to bring your allies with you! This insolence as expected of an outsider!]

I snapped my head back to Tasianna, Ellaine, and Grimnir, all of whom were considered intruders by Belzac. Not to mention, the portal was still open, so any of the students would follow us through any moment now. Was this actually about to turn into a fight?

Not only could I vaguely feel an aura coming from the tunnel where the onnikais appeared from, but with [Mana Eyes], I even confirmed a strong concentration of mana at the end of it. It was nowhere close as strong as mine, meaning I could defeat them in a mana endurance. Not to mention, I had long lost my severe weakness to dark elemental attacks, so I wasnt even scared of Belzac or his tricks.

Guys! I called out to my party.

Already on it, lass! Just give us the go, Grimnir stated as his new armor activated, shining bright blue before the sound of moving cogs began to fill out the eerie silence of the cave. The widgets of his blasthammer began to move, letting out some steam as if to say it was ready for a fight.

Tasianna and Ellaine had also gotten ready, with the former already preparing her catalyst and the latter cladding her entire body with her exosuit. They readied their weapons, intending to fight back against this wolf tyrant.

[You trespass in my home. You bare your weapons and fangs at me! Worst! Grrrrrm!] I heard him taking a loud sniff. [That stink! Do you think I will forget that stink?! You dare free her and bring that fellbeast into my home?!]

Fellbeast?

[You dare bring her to mock me?! Me? Belzac, the Harbinger of Grim?! That demonic stink! I will never forget it, and you dare BRING HER TO MY HOME AND GRAVE?! Dragon whelp! Humans! Dwarf! Elf! YOU ARE ALL THE SAME IN EVERY AGE! KLEAHATMA, I SMELL YOU!]

Grouuuuuuuuuh!

Shit! Hes coming!

My eyes instantly noticed the concentrated mana explode in size, gathering the mana from the surroundings to suddenly form itself into something I couldnt really describe. Regardless, it wasnt as if I had the time to think. This newly formed creature was crawling with elongated arms towards us, before, finally, my white flames shone a light on its form.

Before us stalked a skeleton of a wolf attached to a small pool of black slime, only able to move with those weird, longer-than-its-spine arms. Weird thing was, it wasnt an actual skeleton but it looked more like solidified slime. Was this Belzac himself manifested, or was this just a golem of his?

Nevertheless, he was attacking!

Rajah!

[Yes, Master!] With that confirmation call, [Dark Tendril]s shot out from the shadow cast by my fire, grabbing the limbs of the skeletal wolf as it charged forward.

[Pack member?!] Belzac shouted in surprise during this ambush, almost letting the skeleton fall onto the ground.

With an opportunity created, Grimnir jumped before me and turned his blasthammer into its gun form. Instead of a manablast or its flamethrower, his weapon shot out a blast of steam at the onnikais and the skeleton, pushing them back through the force instead of hurting them. Without any skin, the blazing hot steam was more like crowd control.

[GET! OUT! OF! MY! HOME!]

It felt like one of my veins just popped! Then dont attack us before we can, you castle doctrine abuser!

Grrrrraaaaah! Belzacs golem thing roared out again, forcing Tasianna, Ellaine, and me to actually conclude this might be a potential battle we couldnt avoid.

Rajahs and Grimnirs moves were to prevent a battle, since I knew we werent enemies. However, if Belzac really wanted a fight, then he would get it! I did not come here let him run over me, if he didnt want to help me diffuse the situation!

[Begone!] Black magic circles began to appear around the skeleton golem as well as above and under us. It was a fight, then!

[Stop!] A female voice suddenly called out.

Due to this sudden telepathic message, my head snapped to the left, towards another tunnel entrance, as I detected three signals coming towards us. Noticing my momentary lapse of attention, Belzac shot out what looked like [Dark Bolt]s, prompting me to snap my head back to him and raise my aflamed arm.

Yet, I didnt need to spray any flames out or use [Sanctuary] to defend us. Instead, from the left tunnel, a sudden wave of black-purple slime stormed right out of it, blocking the dark spells before it retreated from the white flame wall. The purple fluids squirmed for a moment before it grew in size, turning itself into a plush dog?

What? The four of us blurted out at this unexpected sight. What was this comical thing inside the den of a dead wolf?!

[Slime, get out of my way!] Belzac shouted, only for the dog plush to slightly turn fluid again, moving forward to block the skeleton wolf from coming any closer. [Slime!]

Slime?Ñøv€l-B1n was the first platform to present this chapter.

Shoyi! Instead of me, Tasianna managed to shout out its name first, causing the melting-looking dog plush to turn its head and form its bead-like eyes into happy half-crescents.

Damn! The slime really grew in size the last time we met! Is it supposed to still clean our latrines at that size? Grimnir crackled a bit after he said that, raising his hammer up and down as if to cheer for it. Nice one, Shoyi. Youve grown stronger!

The giant purple plush dog quivered in excitement, confirming this really was our toilet-cleaning slime. The weird liquid sounds it made felt slightly disgusting to hear with all the squishing noises. Even with that and my dislike for slimes, in general, I still couldnt help but feel happy to see it again.

Not only did it help us, it was even pushing Belzac and agitating him further. It was good to see Shoyi in his evolved form, but it was even better to see he was still an ally as always.

If Shoyi was here, then that meant the others couldnt be far away!

[Mom!] Rajah suddenly jumped out of the shadow as a signal rushed at us, revealing itself to be an elephant-sized, green-black leopard. My black-white horse-sized tiger cub pounced at the leopard, licking her with full affection as the other reciprocated in kind.

[Rajah!] The female voice from before appeared in my head again. It belonged to Varya!

Varya! I called out to her; the pressure inside me dissipated with her appearance. With wide arms and wings, I joined the mother and son duo, hugging before it as best I could, despite the huge size difference. You evolved as well! C? No, no, B!

[Mistress!] Varya gave me a big lick against my face, drenching me in her spit. [Its been too long!]

Just like her son, Varya had evolved twice since our party split up during the Elyonda events. Once only the size of a normal virigress, she was now double of Rajahs size with a muscular body. Her fur around her legs and tail were hardened to the point they felt like metal, and sharp enough to cut things, including me if she hadnt intentionally softened them up before I hugged her.

It sounded exactly like Rajahs rank B evolution descriptionsVayra, Rajahs mother, had evolved into a rank B vircaguga.

[What is this?!] I could still hear Belzacs voice. [Step away from her, vircacuga! She brought an enemy into our ho]

[Ancestor, stop.]

Gruk! My body snapped as I felt a freezing shiver running down my spine, forcing my body back into combat mode. I stopped hugging the virigress pair and stood back up, warily looking for the origin of that voice.

What the?! I was slackjawed; that womans voice caused such a weird reaction from my body. I didnt just feel agitated, but a sense of fear was welling up as an old memory resurfaced from my mind.

Uno and the others are currently traveling to the swamps. Belzac ordered me to consolidate my role as the alpha predator. Since we left, a ton of monsters have spawned, and a good portion of them have taken territory. I am cleaning things up.

[The dragon is a threat. She threatens your role!] Belzac suddenly interjected, trying to frame me as somebody evil in Saoris eyes.

Ancestor, shut it! Without a single hesitation, Saori shouted to defend me. I do not need you directing every action of mine. I know you ordered my mother to entrust me to Hestia, so will you not keep quiet and let us speak?

However, grumpy grandad wolf couldnt care a bit. [She has done her duty. Fulfilled our wishes. She must now leave like any other outsider. You are still weaker than her, she threatens your rule as the alpha!]

Yeah, threaten my friends goal. Are you serious? I scoffed at how scared he was of me, making me feel embarrassed at how intimidated I was of him. You should be lucky I didnt bring my sister with me, or my mother! Or my wyvern guards.

Saori clapped her hands, smirking at the silenced voice. Ha! Speaking of your sister, you should introduce me to her eventually. It feels like somebody else had to handle your antics in my stead, and I want to hear it all from your sister. Oh, ahem, and I hope Melloxtressa is also doing well.

I nodded. Mom had been sleeping pretty well, to the point she was sleep talking. A lot. Since I hadnt moved her out of my bed yet, outside of when my maids had to change bed sheets, I knew her condition pretty well. Still, there was no sign she would wake up anytime soon.

In any case, with the less annoying topics out of the way, Saori and Asaka explained to us the grimgarians were threatening to invade the forest. They had found scouts and even an attempt to make a forward camp through their logging attempts. It was likely another fight would soon begin.

Then let me help you, I suggested.

Us, too, Sensei! Kyouya joined in with Tatsuya in tow. We have to sit out of the Event Quest anyways, so we have a ton of time to kill. Daichi, Haruka-chan, and even Tamae-chan are around to help. Well, with the planning, at least.

However, Saori shook her head. There will not be a fight. The army is far too large for our small group. Instead, I am planning on using their slaves against them to deal them a bigger blow to them.

Saoris plans were inspired by something called the Haitian Revolution, which I honestly had never heard about. She was planning on freeing more of the beastmen slaves over there, inciting conflict by having the beastmen flee into Caedhulen territory with the grimgarians warship.

This would seriously reduce the grimgarians development potential, which would forcefully curb their aggressive tendencies, even forcing them to recall some of their troops overseas. This would help the affected countries from fighting back, potentially even calling for help from stronger countries like Artorias or the Empire. Her intention was to stop the invasion.

But that wont stop them from attacking you, Misaki pointed out. They are followers of Kronnaz, right? They will only take this as an even worse slight. With more troops recalled, they would only have you as their target.

Which is okay, Asaka replied. The big bad wolf told us it didnt matter if we lost the Belzac forest or not, we could always reconquer it when we were stronger. All that mattered is that Segawa survives with her shadow pack and manages to master her training.

So when you meant the clean up, you meant you are hunting the monsters in the forest? Haruka figured it out, causing Saori to nod.

I have gained a good amount of levels after everything happened, but there are more monsters around to hunt. If the grimgarians want revenge, then let them. I will leave an empty forest for them to own; an empty forest with endless respawning monsters. Saori then turned silent, letting out a silent sigh as she looked away. She then returned her eyes to us. As such, Asaka and I cannot leave the forest. We will not join the Event Quest.

We were shocked, but before we could complain, Asaka raised her hand.

It isnt just cause of the grimgarians and our plan. I mean, I would rather go with you than stay with this nagging hag.

Oooh, and here I thought we were building up a rapport, Asaka. You wound me. Saori smirked, looking mischievously towards the uneasy Asaka.

Shut it, you Whatever. The point is, the wolf gave us a Quest to prevent us from leaving this place entirely. Or, to be precise, he had asked Ilsaphone to send us a Divine Quest to learn what he wants to teach Segawa.

Yes, and it will unlock our unique Jobs for us.

We all widened our eyes when she said that.

As such, we will stay here and handle things for you on this front. Get stronger and then we will attack the Prince of Envy together! Hestia, could I ask you a favor and have the Ankoran King send a message to Caedhul for us? To potentially await beastmen slaves?

I frowned as I heard Saori say all of this, feeling very conflicted on what to say. I nodded to her request but my tensed face couldnt relax, urging me to speak my mind.

Saori are you sure? This All of this has nothing to do with your dream. Why are you staying in a single location; in a cave inside the Belzac forest at that! What about traversing the world with me! Watching me perform as an idol? Why W-why I kept stuttering, as I realized I was being a bit too pushy here. Why are you doing all of this? This shouldnt make you happy, or?

Saori showed slight shock when I said all of that, letting her eyes wander as everybody turned quiet. She rubbed her hand against her right eye, frowning like an annoyed kid as looked at the table.

Things Things just never work the way you want it all to work. I do not really know either. Maybe I have just changed? She shrugged. Like I changed personally by being around you. I do not think I would have done something this absurd without you showing me there was more than just being a coward. Too careful about everything.

Sensei The students knew Saori just as well as I did. In fact, they even knew her past self on Earth, so they should understand what Saori was doing here.

Instead of pursuing her own dreams and wants, she was once again forced to adapt to her new situation out of necessity. She had to become a teacher back on Earth instead of a historian due to money issues, and she even turned into a chef and seamstress to make money for our group, instead of pursuing her more intellectual pursuits.

At least, before, she could wander the world with us, seeing new sights and meeting new people, but now she was stuck inside this cave. For what? For training? Why couldnt she visit us more often? Why was Belzac restricting her? It felt insane. She was placing our happiness before hers, just like what she did on Earth.

I dont want to lecture any of you, but, sometimes, an adult just has to do what is necessary. She shrugged once again, thinking nothing of it.

You can do more than that, thought, lass, Grimnir reprimanded her. I know balddarg aint always good, and sometimes you just dont have a choice, but dont look at it too bleakly. If I had, I would have never joined Aurora.

Tatsuya nodded. Sensei, were not just your students anymore. We are adults. Ask us for help, too.

You should take your own advice, Saori I frowned, finding it sad to see her like this. Lean on me, too, alright? We wont push you about the grimgarians, but call for help, alright?

Hehe. Saori smiled, but Asaka didnt look too convinced of her changed mood. Do not forget your situation is just as hard, or even harder, Hestia. Politics and your role as a party leader; you have grown well into it. Do not worry, once I am done here, I will get some fresh air. In fact, we still do not have information on our enemies in Aureolis, right?

We were planning on sending some Sarlenzia spies over, Tasianna answered before frowning. Please, dont tell me, Miss Saori

The fenrir suddenly gave a wolfish grin. I was planning on testing Belzacs tricks and magics on somebody. Also, it would be fun to travel through Artorias again, if you ask me. Right, Asaka?

Leave me out of it. The moment were done here, Im going back to Haru-chan. She wrapped an arm around her best friend.

Saori just shrugged. Then, I will just travel the country with my mother.

My eyes widened when she said that, reminding me how she had wanted to do it with her human mother. I nodded, accepting Saori's decision at the end of the day.

We have a date in Aureolis, alright? My statement naturally caused the others to question why I was giving up so easily, but I told everybody we werent her parents. Ill kick her ass if she intends to stay here. In fact, I will kick Belzacs stinky, skeleton out of his grave if he forces her to stay here.

[You insolent little ] I could hear his growling and grinding teeth.

I smirked. The point is, the intervention can wait until she breaks her promise. We wont be able to persuade her when her mind is settled on this plan.

Thank you, she thanked me.

I nodded before standing up to stretch.

The easy part is over.

Ellaine? I turned around to our blue-haired noble.

She nodded and raised her hand where her spell rings were. She then turned towards the direction of Belzacs position. Lord Belzac, I wish to ask you about KleaHatma.

[Grrrr The filth.]

Once mortal enemies, Belzac was probably one of the few mortals who was still alive to speak about the Archdemon of Lust, KleaHatma. Now, he would speak with her contractor.