East Road Quest

Chapter 93: The Captain of the Oak Thorn Forest Guard

Ruby was always ready for battle, checking the positions of the elves.

“I am Viewren, the captain of the western Oak Thorn Forest Guard.”

Jade and Sapp strained their eyes, trying to glimpse the elves through the fog. But even to Ruby’s eyes, they appeared only as faint silhouettes, so it was hopeless for the two of them.

Their appearance was slightly different from the tree elves like Sage. Despite being male, he was shorter than Sage, with ears that drooped sideways. His skin was also closer to brown.

Ruby had never encountered this race during her past visits to Elforest.

Merrald greeted them with a low stance, his figure barely visible through the darkness and fog.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Merrald from the Dark Forest.”

“The honor is mine. The ever-watchful eye of the Dark Forest, the guardian of Elforest. If you show yourself fully, we will lower our guard.”

“My appearance might shift your stance from defensive to offensive.”

“If you are as my predecessor Dune described, you would be a black-furred orc. To insist that an elf in appearance is a sentinel, would be a falsehood deserving of punishment.”

Merrald hesitated briefly before stepping forward. Next to him, Viewren looked almost childlike.

Viewren seemed momentarily overwhelmed but was the first to extend his hand, and Merrald gently grasped the elf captain’s small hand for a brief handshake.

“It’s regrettable to meet at such a time. Had it been another, we could have shared a longer conversation in more comfortable surroundings.”

Viewren spoke with a tense voice.

“Where has the western captain Dune gone that you have taken his place?”

“Dune was killed by Watercon a year ago. I am his successor.”

“May Dune find peace in the forest.”

“May the forest’s tranquility watch over him.”

They nodded briefly to each other. The unseen elf soldiers in the forest also bowed their heads in unison.

“Dune is not the only soldier who has died.”

Viewren’s low tone was heavy, swallowed by the dense fog.

“The captains of the east and south have also returned to the forest’s embrace, and hundreds of soldiers have accompanied them. Our forces are now too depleted to even consider rescuing the kidnapped children.”

“Kidnapped? They are taking children? For what purpose?”

Merrald asked quickly.

“The purpose is unknown.”

“Is it the doing of this Watercon?”

“Watercon and the Komoras he leads.”

Sorrow filled Viewren’s voice.

“We have asked for forces from all over to rescue the children, but all have been refused. Without a way to kill the Komoras, it’s difficult to commit forces…

“Though late, I will help.”

Merrald declared.

Viewren looked off into the distance, singing a song so faint it was almost imperceptible.

“The sentinel’s oath to the forest is kept in the forest’s name. Those who harm the forest shall fear, and those who protect it shall be praised.”

Viewren looked up at Merrald again.

“Captain Dune said before he died, if something happened to him, to seek out the sentinel. But I could not leave my post to go.”

“Even if you had come, I might not have been able to help. The number of Komoras in the Dark Forest was too great, and I could not leave either.”

“Has that situation been resolved?”

“It has been resolved.”

Merrald replied curtly.

“Does that mean you killed the Komoras? What magic did you use?”

Viewren, who had been speaking quietly, asked excitedly.

“It’s both magic and not.”

“If you tell me the method, we will join you.”

“That is a part you cannot help with. It’s not that I don’t trust you, but if the Komoras catch on to this method, they might move first. So, it’s better for you to act as if you haven’t met me today.”

Ruby thought Merrald’s refusal to help was the right response.

‘Maybe it’s just an excuse because the other elves are a nuisance.’

Viewren sighed deeply.

“So it’s true that the sentinel always moves alone, as Captain Dune said.”

“It’s a long-standing policy that can’t be helped. Especially in this case.”

“But for tonight…

Viewren glanced in the direction of Jade, Sapp, and Ruby.

“There is a reason I have companions now. I ask that you do not inquire.”

“Understood. I will step back after sharing only what might be of help to you.”

Viewren pointed beyond the forest.

“Watercon and the Komora forces he leads were all found near the swampy lake. There may be no Cauking, but there are plenty of other monstrous creatures with terrifying power.”

“Tell me.”

“The first is Paz.”

Ruby listened carefully to the name.

“Among us, he is called a water-controlling mage. Because of this one mage, we cannot attack even though we know the ruins are their stronghold. It’s not that we underestimate the sentinel’s power, but if you’re thinking of entering the swamp ruins, it would be wise to bring the sage, Sage.”

“Who is the second one?”

“We do not know his name, but we call him ‘Black Axe.’ He takes the form of a cow with spotted patterns, and when he swings his axe, he unleashes a terrifying power that is beyond words. Beware of the axe he carries; it has the absurd might to crumble city walls. It’s as if some ancient, formidable magic is at work… Our mages have tried to decipher the special enchantment on the ‘Black Axe’s weapon, but to no avail.”

Jade had to sift through Buren’s description, filtering out the fear and exaggeration.

Recalling old memories, Ruby could have shattered the elves’ walls with her bare fists. Some city walls were as formidable as those created by the angels, daunting enough to deter even the bravest—though it could vary.

“Understood. Anything else?”

“There are a few special Komora organizations among them. One consists of Komoras shaped like fish, and another is made up of living skeletons. It seems each group has its own leader, but we have yet to learn their names.”

Merrald, like Jade, seemed to think that no further information was necessary, merely nodding without asking more.

Buren continued.

“The damage in Torosimo is more severe than ours. They’ve lost more children, and more elves have returned to the embrace of the forest. Unintentionally, they might possess more information. If you need someone familiar with the geography of the place, seek out Prince Naster of Torosimo.”

“Seeking out someone who doesn’t know me will only invite misunderstandings.”

“Prince Naster is aware that you are an orc. Both he and I have heard countless tales of you from Dune. You can expect a friendly reception.”

“Idle gossip has been spread, then.”

Merrald muttered as if resenting Dune.

“Even if I cannot accompany you, isn’t there something I can do to help?”

Buren asked.

“In about three days, assemble a team of the fastest soldiers and search for the ancient swamp ruins. If, after three days, Watercones or Komoras are still seen lurking around, it means I have failed. Warn the cities. And if possible, seek out Sage of the Dark Forest and inform him of my failure.”

“I’ve always wanted to meet Sage. But please, don’t make me the bearer of such news.”

Merrald nodded, and Buren disappeared into the mist as quietly as he had arrived.

Jade, who had been silently listening to their conversation, asked.

“Is he gone?”

Merrald slowly returned to where the group was.

“Not yet.”

Merrald crouched beside Jade, attuning his ears to the sounds of the forest.

Ruby pointed behind them with her thumb.

“Do you hear it too? Those guys, they don’t fully trust our presence. They’re discussing whether to attach a tracker to us.”

“That’s likely. Most, including Buren, have never seen an orc before. Buren knows because of Dune, but the other elves must be bewildered…”

Merrald trailed off.

“Why are you, an orc, in the Dark Forest?” Ruby asked.

Jade was more surprised than Merrald.

“Ruby, how can you ask such a question…”

“Is this also considered impolite by your standards?”

Ruby inquired, to which Jade shook her head.

“No, I was just amazed at how casually you could ask.”

Jade looked up at Merrald, expecting an answer.

Merrald replied coldly.

“It’s none of your business. Once this is over, you won’t see me again, so don’t bother with idle curiosity.”

“It wasn’t that serious of a question, but you’re quite secretive.”

Ruby grumbled discontentedly.

Jade, on the other hand, seemed pleased.

“That’s enough confirmation for me. Everyone has a past they’d rather not speak of.”

“Do you have one too?”

Ruby asked.

“Me too. You too. Saph too. We all do.”

Jade concluded.

“Hmph, guarding in a forest inhabited only by elves is not as intense a past as an orc’s.”

At Ruby’s words, Merrald scoffed.

“Forget it, Ruby. There’s no grand tale like you’re hoping for. I came to talk about why Cowking is treated as if it doesn’t exist, but it seems unnecessary now.”

“What? Are you upset?”

Ruby asked.

“No, I’ve just realized there’s no need for discussion. Buffalord confessed the existence and location of Cowking in a soul state. So it’s almost certain that Cowking is in the swamp ruins. Yet Buren spoke as if he knew nothing about it.”

“Maybe it’s because Cowking has never ventured outside?”

“You, with your extensive combat experience, would understand quickly, but ‘kings’ are always eager to put their names forward. Their apparent absence might be part of their strategy.”

“What kind of strategy?”

Ruby inquired.

Jade understood first and explained.

Cauking, whether by his own command or Rhinod’s loyalty, had the Komoras sing his praises. And the end of such adoration always leads to becoming a deity itself.

Jade nodded emphatically.

“Does Cauking want to appear as a transcendent being to the elves?”

“Whether it’s mere greed or a strategic choice, we’ll have to wait and see. Both humans and elves fear an intangible entity more than a tangible one. If Vuren reacted that way, the other elves’ fear must be even greater.”

“Then I just need to bring Cauking down to reality.”

Ruby muttered to herself as if in a soliloquy.

“How can that be achieved?”

Jade inquired.

“Just kill him. What could be more definitive than death?”

Ruby responded succinctly.

Emerald climbed atop a protruding large tree root and gazed into the darkness.

“Everyone, sleep. I’ll wake you in the morning.”

Ruby, too, surveyed the trees, looking for a suitable one to ascend as she returned to her watchful stance.

Jade spoke in a weary voice.

“I wonder when we’ll arrive.”

“We’ll get there tomorrow.”

Ruby assured.

“Huh? How do you know? Are you recalling memories from 500 years ago about the Dark Forest’s terrain?”

Jade questioned.

“No, Coro. It’s the damp smell. Moss, water plants, mud, that sort of thing.”

Ruby flared her nostrils, attempting to gauge the exact distance.

It was then that Saph, who had been quiet, spoke up.

“Speaking of smells, there’s a stench that’s getting stronger.”

“A stench… are you talking about that stench?”

Jade asked.

From the Kuman Plains, Saph had consistently pointed out the source of the stench in the same direction.

Ruby initially thought Saph was detecting the scent of demons. But even after the disappearance of Kraukus and Buffalord, she consistently indicated the direction of the stench.

Upon entering the forest, she momentarily lost the direction but now began to find it again.

Thus, Ruby concluded that the source of the stench was the gates of hell.

Saph, with her special abilities concerning demons, quickly recognizing their weaknesses and names, wouldn’t be surprised to locate the gates of hell by scent.

However, by that logic, Saph should have detected the stench since Kraukus’s gate of hell.

In other words, it was something else.

“Which direction is it now?”

Jade asked.

“The direction Merald is leading us,”

Saph pointed out. It was the direction they had been following, the direction they needed to go, and the direction Ruby smelled the water.

‘Continuously smelling the same scent without becoming nose-blind. What Saph detects isn’t just a smell. It’s more than that.’

Ruby leaped up into the tree, staring in the direction Saph indicated, pondering her words.

Whatever it was, Saph had been tracking the stench from the Kuman Plains to here.

‘She’s pinpointing a specific demon or object.’

Losing direction for a moment only added credibility. Having entered a space filled with demons, the similar scents confused her.

After becoming accustomed to the confusing scents, she narrowed down to the original source.

Ruby couldn’t fathom what Saph was tracking, but considering the distance, it was an unbelievable magic. As far as Ruby knew, no sorcerer in this world could track something over such a long distance for so long.