Chapter 335: Camping and Healing
After an arduous journey, enduring the relentless pursuit of North Kingdom soldiers, Desmond and his group finally reached the outer territory of the beasts. It had been half a month since they began their treacherous escape.
As they entered the beasts' domain, a magnificent sight unfolded before them—a vast jungle with towering trees that seemed to reach halfway to the sky. The meadows, as tall as Desmond himself, engulfed their surroundings, obscuring their vision and creating an air of mystery.
Sunlight struggled to penetrate the dense foliage, casting a soft glow throughout the jungle, as if the world was still awakening in the early hours of dawn. Occasional rays managed to pierce through the leaves, illuminating the landscape and enhancing the natural beauty that surrounded them.
Overwhelmed by the spectacle, Desmond found himself captivated. The towering trees and the unusually large meadows triggered memories deep within him, hinting at a connection to his dragon heritage. His mind swirled with chaotic thoughts as the present blended with fragments of his past.
Meanwhile, the girls stood mesmerized, their eyes widened with wonder as they experienced the awe-inspiring wonders of nature for the very first time.
"Young lady!" Suddenly, Laura's voice broke the spell.
"Sister?!" Desmond turned around to find his sister unconscious, her face pale. Initially, he had assumed she was simply exhausted from their relentless escape, but upon noticing the blood staining Laura's hands, his expression darkened.
Drawing upon his elemental powers, Desmond swiftly acted. The ground beneath them shifted and rose, forming an oval-shaped mound, while ice crystallized along its perimeter, creating a protective barrier in the form of a translucent ice wall that shielded them from above and all directions.
As their defensive fortification took shape, tiny droplets of water sparkled in the air, cascading down like a shimmering mist. The commotion caught the attention of the surrounding beasts, yet their advance was hindered by the imposing five-meter-high barrier.
The beasts, driven by instinct, attempted to charge and breach the sudden obstacle, causing the ground to tremble. However, in the blink of an eye, the raised earth transformed, sprouting metallic scales that reinforced its structure, making it impenetrable and reflecting the sunlight in a dazzling display.
High above, Laura and Annie stood in awe of the unexpected metamorphosis. Exhausted from their relentless pursuit, their weariness momentarily lifted as they gazed upon the transformed landscape.
From their elevated vantage point, where they were halfway up the towering trees, the thick and tall meadows no longer impeded their vision. It revealed a breathtaking panorama, a land seemingly blessed by the very essence of the world.
If one could momentarily disregard the beasts roaming the jungle, this enchanted forest could rival the mythical realms of the elves. Despite the beasts' dominance, glimpses of ordinary creatures such as rabbits and playful squirrels could still be seen, adding a touch of normalcy to the extraordinary setting.
Suddenly, both girls almost forgot their master's condition. The sudden transformation had enchanted them, immersing their senses in the sheer beauty of nature. As their gaze fell upon Desmond and Alice, they stood rooted to the spot, utterly transfixed.
Alice, currently being tended to by her brother, lay on a sumptuous crystalized king bed, basking in the gentle sunlight that filtered through the canopy above. Desmond's tender touch caressed her smooth white hair, and worry etched his features as he carefully removed the chains embedded in her flesh.
At times, a pained expression crossed his face as he witnessed the continuous dripping of blood from her wounds. But occasionally, a gleeful expression would light up his features, akin to a child discovering a cherished toy, when he successfully freed one of the chains.
Now, Annie and Laura understood why the senior maids often remarked about how indulgent their young master was towards his elder sister. In their eyes, the bond they shared appeared more romantic than that of an average couple.
Witnessing their young master's care and concern for Alice, a complex mix of envy and pity swelled within Annie and Laura. They couldn't help but feel envious of Alice, who had such a devoted and protective brother. At the same time, they pitied her because any future suitors would surely pale in comparison to Desmond's unwavering love.
Suddenly, Desmond's expression hardened, and a palpable aura of killing intent emanated from him. Laura and Annie couldn't help but kneel down, their bodies drenched in sweat, as the intensity of his presence overwhelmed them.
"These people are truly vicious," Desmond muttered, his thoughts accompanied by continuous notifications about his trait effects. With each chain he removed, the true extent of the North Kingdom's cruelty became apparent.
These chains not only drained Alice's energy but also caused severe internal damage to her organs. They had pierced her blood vessels, disrupting the normal flow of blood throughout her body. As a result, her body temperature fluctuated, oscillating between shivering and a reddened complexion before quickly reverting back.
Desmond called upon the system to scan Alice's status, seeking more information about her condition.
"System, scan Alice's status."
The system promptly responded, providing him with the requested information.
[Scanning the target..]
[Scan Complete!]
[-Status-
Name: Alice
Gender: Female
Age: 13 years
Race: Human
Class: 0th class Witch
Occupation: None
Unique Energy Real: 2.00/14.70
Strength: 1.1/7.35
Agility: 0.90/8.35
Stamina: 0.51/3.35]
Desmond noted that Alice's stats were gradually improving compared to before. As long as she remained conscious, there was hope for her recovery. He continued to pour out his energy, channeling it into healing spells, determined to save his sister.
"Laura, come here," Desmond called out, his initial panic momentarily causing him to forget that Laura was also a 1st class witch.
"Yes, young master," Laura swiftly rose from her kneeling position and approached, ready to assist her young master in healing Alice. To her astonishment, she noticed the chains that had been embedded in Alice were now lying on the ground.
"Annie, I need you to hunt down a few weaker beasts for our sustenance." Just as Annie was about to inquire about how to descend from their elevated position, the ground beneath her suddenly descended as well, carrying her down to a lower level amidst her startled cry.
"Kya!" she exclaimed, momentarily startled, but soon found herself back amidst the tall meadows, facing the hunting grounds. The hole that had formed to bring her down swiftly sealed itself, preventing her from climbing back up.
"Stay safe and only hunt beasts weaker than yourself," Desmond instructed. His words were barely spoken before the hole closed, securing their position and ensuring their safety.
"Yes, young master," Annie replied, her excitement ignited as she finally had the opportunity to be of assistance. She did not feel abandoned or sacrificed; rather, she burned with determination to fulfill her role and contribute to their survival.
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