The Necromancer's Servant

After walking through the forest for a while, they were nearing the location of the elven barrier marked on the map.

According to Esis, one function of the elven barrier was to alert the elves to intruders in the forest, with the primary purpose being to automatically prevent anyone from approaching the elves' dwelling places. However, he had not mentioned exactly how the barrier stopped people or what methods it used, perhaps because he had never tested it himself.

"I feel like something's not right," Old Bill muttered nervously, glancing around like an old rat being watched by a cat. Ever since entering the forest, he had been acting this way, growing more paranoid the deeper they went. Yet, he lacked the courage to turn back. Though their journey had been brief, the temper of Hilika had already left a deep impression on everyone's minds.

"Shut up. You've said that ninety-nine times already. I swear, if I hear it again, I'll break your old bones," Hilton snapped, glaring at Old Bill, veins bulging on his forehead, and his eyes filled with anger.

"I bet before you get a chance to act, I'll splatter your brain all over," Old Bill, who had looked as pathetic as a mouse, now suddenly became just as vicious in return.

Suddenly, a larger-than-usual bird, a stringed flute bird, burst from the branches. Both Hilton and Old Bill, who had been glaring at each other, jumped in fright, looking like two rabbits. The others were similarly startled to varying degrees.

This wasn't the first time this had happened. The forest was full of life, and various animals would occasionally flash by. The peaceful, serene environment was now filled with a strange tension. Even though none of them were rookies in battle, the prolonged tension had taken a psychological toll. Despite carefully observing their surroundings, they could find nothing unusual, yet the air was thick with an odd, unsettling feeling. It was as if someone, somewhere, was watching them. This constant state of anxiety had pushed Hilton and Old Bill to the brink of mental exhaustion.

"Relax," said a man named Saunders, the leader of the group, who was the only one who still appeared calm. His face was still as expressionless as ever, but his voice was flat and casual. He glanced at the others and asked, "Are you all afraid of dying?"

"Of course we're afraid of dying!" Hilton grumbled, sheathing his sword.

"Then, trust me," Saunders said in a matter-of-fact tone, "As long as you listen to me, you won't die."

His statement was odd. It wasn't necessarily strange, but the way he said it made it seem as though there was something more behind it. Before anyone could respond, he continued with another strange remark: "Why don't we chat for a bit?"

"Chat?" Everyone froze for a moment. This didn't seem like the right time or place for casual conversation, but something about the situation was pushing them toward hysteria.

Saunders suddenly stopped walking, turned to face them, and said, "To be clear, I might have many big deals to handle in the future. I hold all of you in high regard. If you're willing, you can follow me from now on. Feel free to tell me what you want or what your goals are. I'd also like to know more about your backgrounds."

Hilton, Druid, and Old Bill exchanged uncertain looks. Even Jessica, the woman in black who had been following Saunders, was staring at him in surprise.

"Thanks for the offer, boss," Hilton hesitated, then said, "But once this job is done, I think everyone here can retire and enjoy the rest of their lives. Let's focus on getting this job done first."

"Well then, let me tell you something," Saunders said, his tone indifferent, "This job has absolutely no hope of success."

"What?" "How could that be?" "What do you mean?" Hilton and the others were stunned, and Jessica's surprised expression made it clear that she, too, had no idea what he was talking about.

Saunders continued, "The elves in the Turaleone Forest number in the tens of thousands, and among them are over a hundred mages. There are also over a hundred unicorns. Do you really think that with just four hundred thieves and the few of us, we can take over a city that the elves have managed for hundreds of years?"

"What? But Hilika said it was just a small village!" someone asked.

"Well, I'm telling you it's not. Do you believe him or do you believe me?" Saunders didn't argue further but stared directly at his companions.

After a strange silence, Old Bill sighed and said, "I trust that my life only comes once."

"But… didn't they swear that they'd thoroughly scouted the place, and that it really only had a few hundred people?" Hilton remained unconvinced. The reward for this mission was enough to tempt anyone to take risks.

"I'll ask you one last time: Do you believe him or me?" Saunders' face remained lifeless, his voice carrying a heavy, ominous tone, coupled with his strength. He exuded an aura that made it clear he was not someone to be reckoned with.

"I think he's right," Druid finally spoke up. He had been quietly following the group, appearing like just another follower. "The elves have been here for hundreds of years, and even when the Kingdom of Alrasia was expanding, they didn't target them. Considering the elves' long lifespan, it doesn't make sense for the population to have dwindled in the last few hundred years, as Hilika claimed."

At this point, even Hilton stopped arguing. If it was indeed true, then their group of invaders was doomed. A hundred elven mages were a terrifying prospect. Given the elves' longevity, their mastery of magic would undoubtedly be far from beginner level. Though it was said that very few elves practiced high-level offensive elemental magic due to their faith and culture, a hundred mages were not to be underestimated. Moreover, the elves had over ten thousand archers, any of whom could serve as instructors in human armies.

To deal with this kind of situation, unless one of the three scrolls in Esis' possession is a legendary forbidden spell scroll. However, there are no more than three such scrolls in the entire continent, and they are almost as mythical as dragons. If Esis had such a treasure, he wouldn't need to be a thief. Moreover, with his mere advanced mage level, he probably wouldn't be able to use such a powerful magical artifact.

The man seemed unsatisfied and continued, "Nigen once sent troops in an attempt to cross the Turaleone Forest straight to Alrasia, but even he couldn't get past the elves. It's just that the elves didn't make a big deal out of it, so these battles weren't widely known. Otherwise, do you think they set up such a massive magical barrier just to guard against humans?"

"How do you know... all of this?" Old Bill squinted his rat-like eyes and stared at the man. "And since you know this, why did you still join our group?"

"How do I know it…, you don't need to know for now," the man said with a sly smile, which seemed both strange and mysterious to the others. "If you still doubt me, just keep walking and you'll understand when you see it with your own eyes."

"If that's the case, why should we even go in? Are we walking to our deaths?" Hilton, angry and agitated, drew his fist sword as if he wanted to stab someone, but found there was no one he dared to attack. So he just started waving it around. "Damn it! Why didn't you say this earlier? Why say it now, is this some kind of joke?"

The man calmly replied, "That's why I told you earlier to follow me and trust me. The rewards should not disappoint you."

The others fell silent. They had walked here with heavy weapons, only to hear this unexpected news, which caused their nerves to tighten and loosen, and their minds to be unable to process it. Only the druid Anderson asked, "So what do you want us to do?"

The man said, "Since we can't beat the elves, why not turn around and help them deal with those thieves instead? Besides... there may be other enemies."

"What? This... seems too unprincipled." Hilton scratched his head, and the others were also stunned.

"I agree. I'll help you," Anderson almost immediately agreed. "As long as you can help me ask the elves for a few things I need."

Hilton thought for a moment and reluctantly nodded. Although he wasn't the sharpest, after so many years of experience, he could still read the situation. The man had clearly stated his purpose and showed that he was aligned with the elves. Though he didn't understand how someone like him could have connections with the elves, in this situation, not joining would be like asking for trouble.

Old Bill thought for a while and then nodded with a dejected expression. "Alright, this seems like the best chance we have. We won't be turned into pincushions by the elves, and at least we won't return empty-handed." The old man, who looked like a rat, wasn't just for show; he could clearly see the stakes. Moreover, following someone with real power might indeed bring many benefits.

They continued deeper into the forest, and along the way, the man began asking about each person's background and experiences. The tension and wariness gradually disappeared as they spoke, and they slowly arrived at the edge of the elven barrier.

"Why don't you ask about my background? Don't you want to know what I want in return for helping you?" the woman in black, Jessica, suddenly asked the man.

The man's expression remained cold, and he didn't respond. He had asked Hilton, the druid Anderson, and old Bill about their situations, but he hadn't asked Jessica. Hilton and the others didn't find it odd, as they assumed these two had already been working together for a long time, and such a comment now surprised them.

"Is it because we've been together, and you think I'm automatically on your side?" The black-clad woman's words were blunt and calm. "You'd better not think that way. Sex is sex, and business is business. They are two different things. I've been with a lot of people, and I've killed more than ten of them."

The man fell silent for a while, scratching his head. This gesture, common for a young man, suddenly made him seem much less mysterious and deep. He sighed and said, "You didn't mention it before, and I didn't ask... If you want to say something now, go ahead... but let's leave it for later."

At this point, the elven barrier finally came into view.

In the sunset, the elves had carved warnings in the common human language onto the trees, but over the years, these carvings had healed into scars on the bark. Even someone like Hilton, who didn't understand magic, could feel the slight difference in the air ahead. Old Bill and Anderson both gasped, realizing they could sense a magical barrier extending infinitely, perfectly integrated with the surrounding trees, plants, and even the vibrant air.

"This is truly an artful piece of magical architecture. I would love to learn from these elves," Old Bill's rat-like eyes gleamed, and Anderson, the druid, seemed equally impressed.

The man hesitated before the magical barrier and finally took out the magic scroll. He wasn't sure of the consequences of forcibly entering the magical barrier, so he decided to use the scroll first and explain things to the elves later.

The scroll opened. A burst of magical flame erupted from the man's hand, burning fiercely as it scorched the magical barrier ahead. Two trees immediately caught fire in the magic flames.

"Is this really how you break the barrier?" Old Bill stared, dumbfounded. It wasn't just him; the others realized this was indeed a fire-based magic wall spell, a standard fire magic scroll, though it looked a little different on the outside.

"That bastard dared to deceive us," the man suddenly yelled.

As if his shout commanded it, a strange whistling sound echoed through the forest, as hundreds of arrows tore through the air with a sharp shriek. At the same time, the light ahead twisted, and hundreds of elven archers seemed to materialize out of the air, drawing and releasing their arrows.

Anyone who hadn't witnessed it firsthand could never imagine what it was like to have hundreds of arrows simultaneously flying at five people from different directions. Although it happened in an instant, the arrows almost formed a wall in the air, their feathers not even touching each other. Every single one aimed directly at the five's eyes, throats, or hearts—these arrows could kill them hundreds of times over.

Hilton and Jessica immediately sensed the attack and retreated swiftly, narrowly avoiding being turned into pincushions. The druid, though not in his transformed state, displayed remarkable agility, rolling to the side.

Old Bill, however, was far too old to move that quickly. Fortunately, the others were still able to act. The man leaped in front of him, using his body to shield him from the arrows.

Over a hundred arrows struck the man's body simultaneously, but a faint glow radiated from him, and the arrows made a sound like raindrops hitting banana leaves before falling harmlessly to the ground. Not a single hair on him was harmed.

"Fighting Spirit?" Hilton, who had barely managed to dodge, couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. No wonder this guy was now their leader.

But this imposing leader, who had just blocked hundreds of arrows with his flesh, raised his hand and shouted, "Stop! We're here to surrender."