Round 21: Return Journey

Soon, the group returned to the guild’s base, which hadn’t changed since Jason and the others left—except for an owl perched on top of the watchtower.
Seeing the group approaching from afar, the snow-white owl flew above them. With a whistle from Alphens, the owl dived down and landed obediently on Alphens’ arm, chirping cheerfully.
“Respected Holy Knight, let’s head straight to the Sleeping Forest. Our kin will be there to greet us…” Alphens rushed up to Jason, who was at the front, and suggested in a friendly yet slightly respectful tone, “We just need to keep going south!”
It seems even the proud night elves know how to show gratitude.
Jason nodded slightly, gave Alphens a friendly but somewhat cold glance, then continued to urge his horse forward.
Milia, who was beside him, waited until the night elf walked away before asking on horseback, “Why have you always been so cold toward those night elves? It doesn’t seem like your usual style…”
Jason turned back. Alphens was whispering something to Kastor, occasionally glancing at the forty-seven others behind them. “The night elves are a rather closed race, and we were once allies in the past. But that doesn’t mean their actions fully align with our beliefs. Of course, this requirement might be a bit harsh, but perhaps you’ll understand soon enough!”
The trees grew denser.
Forty-seven walked slowly at the back of the group—but he always managed to keep up with the night elves’ swift pace. Could it be because of his larger steps?
When the sunlight was almost completely blocked by the towering trees, the night elves seemed much more relaxed. Their eyes, emitting a faint white light, seemed to see better in the dim forest. Though they stepped over tangled roots and vines with almost every step, they never stumbled. In comparison, the two holy knights and the rescued humans struggled greatly—especially Milia’s horse, “Ice and Snow,” which was unaccustomed to the forest paths. Its hooves kept slipping on the moss and fungi, causing it to snort in displeasure. Milia had to patiently stroke its mane and communicate with it as she carefully led it forward.
Although Forty-seven faced the same difficulties, it only made him dig his claws deeper into the soil or trees with each step, completely avoiding the risk of falling.
Alphens swung herself above Forty-seven using a hanging vine—she pushed off a thick ancient tree with her strong legs, released the vine, and landed in a graceful somersault, even more agile than the best gymnasts.
Once inside the forest, all traces of fatigue disappeared from her, as if she had returned to being a fish in the sea.
“Um… Mr. Forty-seven, please allow me to address you that way.” Alphens bowed slightly. Though her skin was a purple-red shade unlike humans’, it didn’t seem strange at all—instead, it had a strange smoothness and beauty to it.

She glanced back at the footprints left by Forty-Seven, stretched out her arms and made several gestures, while a series of complex and obscure syllables came from her mouth. The plants on the ground seemed to receive some command, growing rapidly and spreading out; their roots turned over the soil, covering those footprints, and even changed the distance between the trees. Vines and branches intertwined, completely blocking the path.

“It’s just a precaution,” she explained with a smile, “to prevent those with ill intentions from following us…”

“And to stop us from wandering off, right?” Forty-Seven glanced at Josen, who had just turned away from them. “I suspect these damned mosses are growing so wildly because you keep using magic recklessly.”

“Please don’t say that… We’re merely utilizing the power of nature,” Alphens said, moving between the ancient trees, her figure barely visible. “I’m curious—seems you have some kind of remarkable and powerful lineage… May I ask?”

“Remarkable and powerful?” Forty-Seven broke off a tree branch but didn’t lose his balance, as his other foot was firmly planted on a rock. “Your view seems quite different from some others… I thought elves all believed in nature and kindness?”

“We do believe in nature…” A faint sadness appeared on Alphens’ calm face. “But nature doesn’t distinguish between good and evil. We live in this forest, and it protects us, but does it protect us because we’re kind? The forest also protects those barbaric, bloodthirsty orcs, and even vicious water trolls can dwell in the Dark Forest… Will nature treat us specially just because we’re kind and peaceful?”

Her tone sounded like that of a philosopher. Forty-Seven looked at her strangely. “It seems you’re not satisfied with nature—could you be a hypocrite?”

“No, I think you misunderstand. We breathe fresh air and drink sweet water—all gifts from Mother Nature. How could we not revere her with awe and love?” Alphens felt she was straying from the topic and cleared her throat. “I just don’t pursue extremes fanatically… Since nature treats everyone equally, we should treat equally what it gives us—cherish what helps us, hate what harms us. Isn’t that the way of living in harmony with nature? You saved me, so to me, you’re a friend, right?”

A friend? Forty-Seven didn’t respond, sensing from the night elf’s words a hint that kindness often came with expectations.

“That’s why I won’t hold any prejudice against you. And if possible—”

Alphens stopped mid-sentence. She saw Kast at the front of the group leap like a cat up a large tree and disappear into its dense branches.

A moment later, he jumped down and made a gesture for everyone to hide. “Agus’s scouts!”

The night elves vanished into the shadows of the ancient trees, instantly blending in with the forest.

Alfensla tapped 47, signaling him to crouch: “The forest can hide our tracks. Agus’s scouts don’t dare go too deep into the forest… but their range is expanding!”
Josen and the others also hid, and Bingshu, who had been arguing with Milia, now lay quietly, making no sound at all.
A buzzing mechanical noise came from above the forest—despite the dense foliage, this annoying sound kept approaching and lingering above everyone’s heads.
It was a strangely shaped flying vehicle.
47 had never imagined seeing such a thing in this world. Though that complex device with circular iron rings and four high-speed vibrating wings didn’t seem to conform to aerodynamic principles at all, it was indeed a mechanically constructed flying vehicle—it buzzed as it flew in the air. 47 adjusted his focus and even saw the pilot inside, along with a scout in the seat next to him, wearing what appeared to be a telescope-like device, scanning around. Some devices on the vehicle’s belly stretched and flashed, like camera flashlights.
“Agus’s scouts?” 47 stood up, but Alfensla tapped him, stopping him: “Agus can actually build such things?”
“They only appeared in the past two years. Agus uses these flying vehicles to record the terrain of the sleeping forest, then takes the data back to the mages to create accurate forest maps using predictive magic, making it easier for the army to attack… Stay back! He’ll see us!”
47’s left arm began to transform. The beast-shaped armor split open, revealing a dark cannon barrel—aimed at the Agus flying vehicle above the forest.