Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 463

Chapter 463

The Louisa Forest, now infamous for mysterious disappearances, was once a safe and peaceful place. The most dangerous creature was just a wolf, and small monsters were nonexistent. Because disappearances began so suddenly in such a benign location, no one initially took them seriously. However, when search parties also started vanishing, the situation was finally recognized as serious.

Initially, investigations focused on the possibility of monster migration or the emergence of a demonic beast. However, no such traces were found. Search teams, regardless of size, failed to return.

Rumors spread that the forest was ‘eating’ people. Eventually, no one dared to investigate, and the case became a mystery. The Louisa Forest, peaceful for millennia, became known as the ‘forest that eats people’ in just a few months.

“Here it is. I think we’ve arrived.”

It was noon, with a thick drizzle falling. After various modes of transport, we finally reached the Louisa Forest, a ten-day journey from our dawn departure.

Tension was palpable among the group, who breathed shallowly. The forest, filled with huge broad-leaved trees, was vibrantly green yet eerily atmospheric. Perhaps it was the dampness, or the stark warning sign at the entrance.

“‘Absolutely do not enter. We are not responsible even if you never return.’ A short and brutal warning.”

Della read the words with a stiff face. Below the sign was a small tombstone, adorned with bouquets and ribbons—mourning tokens for those lost forever. The sheer number of flowers highlighted the tragedy swallowed by this forest, indicating a high number of missing people.

“You said there were over fifty people, right?”

“Exactly fifty-six. They left no belongings or traces.”

“I wonder what’s going on inside… It looks like an ordinary forest from the outside.”

Caw―

A sorrowful cry accompanied the sound of flapping wings. Startled, Chris clung to my side.

“What do you think, El? Do you feel anything?”

“Hmm, not yet.”

I looked around and shook my head. Perhaps because we were still at the entrance, the surrounding energy felt normal. My assessment brought a complex mix of relief and anxiety to the group’s faces.

“Let’s go inside for now.”

Gulp. Someone swallowed hard. Everyone already looked tense, but at that moment, they exchanged glances, their shaking pupils revealing their nervousness. I shrugged.

“I could go alone, you know.”

“That’s not happening! What are you saying, El? We’re a guild. We can’t let you take on the risk alone.”

“That’s right! We die together, we live together!”

No need to go that far. It might be better alone—definitely better. But seeing their determination, I couldn’t say it. I nodded awkwardly, and they glared at the forest with burning eyes, yet no one stepped forward.

“Haha, why am I so nervous?”

“Why are you already talking weak? Don’t shrink back! We can do it!”

“Simon, take a deep breath. Your face is completely blue.”

“But ghosts are unsettling!”

“It’s okay! It might just be a normal demonic beast.”

“It’s not okay! Demonic beasts aren’t normal!”

The meaningless bickering continued, a clear attempt to relieve tension. I left them to it, and fortunately, their expressions were better when they started walking.

“Everyone, keep up.”

They looked like chicks following behind. If Ellyuen or Trowel were here, they would laugh. But the two Spirit Kings weren’t with us. Realizing the emptiness, I smiled bitterly.

The Seik Empire, formed by unifying eight countries, was the largest on the continent. Emperor Raviols, proud of his conquests, even structured his rule around the conquest period. He rewarded those who surrendered quickly and penalized those who resisted longer.

The west resisted the longest, becoming the least developed of the four regions surrounding the capital, remaining backward even after four centuries. Trains were infrequent and localized, and well-maintained roads were scarce, forcing most to walk. It was a long journey.

The commission fee reflected these circumstances, with variations even within the Hunter Association. This was why few accepted the western branch’s support request; the journey was difficult, and the reward was meager. It was a token gesture, but the Jinheon Guild had already helped by sending a preliminary investigation team.

News of our acceptance spread quickly, met with open mockery. Expecting no support, I ignored the comments. My main concern was the Spirit Kings’ reaction. I had rashly committed to a month-or-two schedule without consulting them.

“Hmm, okay, have a good trip.”

Trowel readily nodded, surprising me.

“Huh? Have a good trip?”

“You said you were going. Don’t skip basic training, even when you’re away. I’ll check later, so don’t be lazy.”

“No, that’s not what I meant… Aren’t you coming, Trowel?”

He usually left me alone on small requests, but I expected him on a long-term one. Was he angry about my unilateral decision? Perhaps sensing my disappointment, Trowel smiled with a troubled expression. His answer was unexpected.

“Well, neither Elquines nor I can go.”

“Huh? Elquines too?”

Ellyuen looked puzzled. His opinion hadn’t been considered. Then, his eyes turned cold.

“Elquines?”

“…I will visit the main territory.”

“Huh? Suddenly?”

“It may take a while. Until I return, behave and don’t cause trouble.”

He disappeared before I could ask, leaving me dumbfounded. Trowel chuckled.

“See? I was right.”

“…What’s going on?”

“The Fire Territory must have been restored.”

“…Huh?”

“Ifrit never gives up. He has no learning ability.”

That assessment reminded me of the past. Ifrit had attacked the Water Territory again.

“But why isn’t Trowel…?”

“Ah, similar reason. I was misunderstood as well.”

“Misunderstood?”

“Thanks to a certain promise, I’ve been with Elquines a lot lately. They think I’ve become close to him and need to be kept in check.”

“…Did Ifrit attack the Earth Territory too?”

“Just a light prank compared to the Water Territory. But I need to restore it myself.”

Ifrit had declared war on the two Spirit Kings, attacking the Earth Territory first.

‘Seriously, what kind of personality is that…’ War again after restoration? Wouldn’t they lie low after being defeated?

I understood why Ellyuen treated Ifrit like a child. Compared to this Ifrit, the grumbling of the newborn Fire Spirit King would seem insignificant. He’s really not ordinary.

“Heeeeeek!”

A scream startled me. Two arms grabbed my neck from behind.

“Mo, move, El! That just moved!”

“Ugh! Chris! I can’t breathe! Let go and then talk!”

“The tree just moved!”

“I know, so let go!”

Chris, panicked, tightened his grip. I had to do a shoulder throw, slamming him to the ground. He blinked blankly, regaining his senses.

“I told you to let go.”

“…El, you’re so heartless.”

“Shut up.”

I’d ignore whining, but his actions were affecting others.

“What was that? What came out?”

The group, surprised by Chris, looked around fearfully. “But the branch moved,” Chris complained when I glared at him. I sighed.

“It’s just a squirrel.”

“Really? Really?”

“I’m telling you, it is.”

The squirrel on the branch embarrassed them, and their gazes turned cold towards Chris, who cleared his throat and confessed.

“Sorry. I really hate ghosts.”

“…Yes, it seems so.”

He carried purification flour. It was rare to see someone calm before a first-class demonic beast but terrified by a shaking branch. I felt scammed. But the others weren’t much different.

“Dear guild members? If you keep holding on, we can’t move forward.”

“Ah, sorry.”

The hands loosened. I sighed.

‘I should have come alone.’

Belated regret stabbed me. If I knew they’d be this scared, I’d have left them. At least they were just following at the entrance, but now they clung to me. It was getting worse. Why did they boast about sharing life and death? The spirit was commendable, but it was annoying. Did Ellyuen or Trowel feel this way about me? I felt sad.

‘But Ellyuen said, ‘I will visit the main territory,’ right?’

And it might take a while. In the past, he just left. Was this development? Had I become meaningful to him? At least I gave him the idea of returning.

“Hey, El, do you still not feel anything?”

I suppressed a twitch at Chris’s cautious voice. Similar sights kept appearing. I couldn’t concentrate and got lost in thought. Feeling remorseful, I looked around.

“No, not really.”

“Hmm, haven’t we been here a while? I’m more anxious because nothing has happened. Could it be because it’s daytime?”

“No, the time shouldn’t matter.”

It was unsettling. Wasn’t it too uneventful?

It had been two hours since we entered. We had walked without a break, coming quite deep. The drizzle had stopped, and the weather was sunny. Yet, I found nothing strange.

The stronger the thought, the more it affects reality. If the situation was serious enough for disappearances, it must be stronger than usual. I expected the thought to have taken over the forest. But it was too ordinary. If not a thought, there should be another power, but I felt nothing.

‘Is there really nothing? Then what about the missing people?’

Could I be missing something?

A bad feeling came over me. It was unlikely, but I couldn’t jump to conclusions. I wasn’t an ordinary human, but my senses were less than when I was a Spirit King. If a high-ranking god was involved, I might not find it.

Just then, bubbles popped up in the sky—a signal that the Naias group, spread out for reconnaissance, was returning. I separated the clinging group, and Naias appeared from the burst bubbles.

―We’re here!

―We went far, far away as you asked!

Their bright faces eased the tension.

“Good, you did well. Thank you. How was it? Did you see anything?”

Even with reconnaissance, Naias couldn’t go as far as Sylph. They were just looking around the vicinity in more detail, so I didn’t expect much. But an answer came readily.

―There are humans.

“Huh? Humans?”

―Some strange humans.

―They’re huddled together.

…There are people in this forest?