Chapter 227 Green Forest

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 mercenary group.

This forest was outstretched at least more than a thousand kilometers across and was named Green Forest by the Elven Queen upon their arrival in this world after the Emergence, but what they didn't anticipate, even though the Earth was stretched and reached seven times its original diameter Pre-Emergence, 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 time 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 became cautious as well.

After that, even though some 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 moment, the newly appointed Elven Commander, Thessalia, and the leader of the Umbra Mercenary were walking side by side, leading everyone from the front.

Behind the two of them, Samantha, Freya, and the other Umbra Mercenary members 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.

Some of them went on reconnaissance to determine potential threats because, due to the time 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 numerous soldiers and scouts to observe the movements 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 some 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 became the way to identify any possible infiltrator or spy.

"...Speaking of Alchemist, some 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 somewhat 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 Tournament, 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 same 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 Emergence. 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 mean-"

Almost at the same time that Thessalia asked instinctively, she understood the meaning behind Russell's words.

"..."

Her mouth zipped and her mind seemed to freeze for a moment.

After four to five seconds, composing herself, she nodded at his words.

"...It will be evidence that race doesn't matter when it comes 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 someone, but it's extremely 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 meters 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 some 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 mean three things:

Firstly, after learning about the death of the Vampire Commander, Seskel, some 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 moment.

And lastly, it would mean 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 same.

However, after considering the odds, Russell mostly considered either the first or second guess, and both were almost equally troublesome.

"...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 some time before she spoke about the advance party who went ahead and communicated just now through telepathy after meeting the effective range.

<Commander, there's around four hundred to five hundred soldiers inside.>

Thessalia recognized the voice. It was the one who specialized in reconnaissance under her authority as the new commander.

The owner of the voice possessed a Unique Skill: Eye of the Forest, which allowed him to utilize some parts of nature itself to become his eyes. It's the perfect espionage skill in the middle of a vast, greeny forest that would soon turn into a pool of crimson blood.

***

Thessalia then recounted everything one of the Elven scouts had said to Russell and the others.

Upon hearing the words, everyone tensed up, prepared their weapons, and continued to advance toward the fortress that's dyed crimson.

Reaching at least fifty meters away from the entrance and meeting the advance party safely, hiding atop the trees and bushes, it was now Russell's turn to speak.

Under the Elven Queen's orders, Russell Moon possessed an authority similar to the Elven Commander.

Exhaling for a second, he looked back and glanced at everyone – from his younger sister, Freya Moon; to the woman that's acting somewhat possessive, Samantha Hall; the cheerful yet cheeky woman depending on the circumstances, Amelie Rose Merveil; the aloof daughter of a Constellation, Amery Blight, and the man who fell in love with a vampire, Ken Raven, who was also the latest Chaos Companion that he obtained.

Russell then opened his mouth and in a serious manner, the following words entered everyone's ears, causing their hearts to seemingly skip a beat.

<...Stay alive... And don't get hurt too much.>