—Beta Z-87, Expedition Team Tent
Everyone was overwhelmed, many of them injured, some of whom had only just finished receiving treatment. Five dragons had been flown away by the Quazetoph to another island not far from them, where about two dozen monsters were able to kill dragons in a horrific and terrifying manner.
A single blow from their beaks at high speed could cause an explosion inside the dragon's head, without making a loud noise because it happened inside. In such terrible conditions, Dan-Wo and Tin-Suo described the disgusting scene as they patrolled and fought to drive them away.
Then Juvacha arrived and called for reinforcements just in time. If it weren't for the three of them, their mounts would have been wiped out by dawn. Margo and Andizo realised that their defences had weakened since they fled from the Heart of Archelion during the Arrow Devil hunt.
Orucl rolled out a large map of the Great Forest of Archelion on the conference table, then pointed out their location in South Archelion. The big Barbarian man warned the others that the monsters in those mountains were quite intelligent in their hunting.
Everyone was looking at the map, which was huge and covered most of their meeting table. There were several routes they could take to reach Delta -258 quickly: the Andova Swamp, Volcano Zquila, and crossing over the Archelion Death Labyrinth.
"There's no choice, is there..." Syanuw sighed resignedly as he looked at the three biomes on the map.
"Whatever happens, it's just—"
(Rumble!)
"Oh, no... it's going to rain, isn't it?"
They immediately began packing up all their equipment and weapons in the exhausting meeting room. At least they were far enough from the last location of the Arrow Devil, at least this time they were safe—no, rather, they were allowed to escape.
Everyone decided to go back to sleep, each entering their own tent. A breeze carrying the scent of wet rain made the air even colder, and the rumbling in the sky signalled rain. Lightning flashed across the sky, in the midst of their slumber.
Juvacha stared pensively at the rumbling night sky, 'If Haku were still alive, would I have ignored the other members of the team?' he muttered. Amidst the heavy rumbling, there was a wavering heart. The boy decided to keep watch in the darkness of the world, so that no one else would be sacrificed.
The sound of footsteps receded from the tent. The journey of 3 nero 3 nights to Delta -258 over 84 måch drained the minds and bodies of each expedition team member. The rustling of the forest leaves made the island feel quite peaceful. Juvacha took a spear and spent the night practising.
Stab after stab he delivered, slashing the horizon, striking, and with every agile movement he released all his emotions to practise in the darkness of the night. His face was red with anger, sadness, and the destruction of every hope he had. Before he went mad from trauma, Juvacha sighed and returned to the tent.
"Captain?"
"Aren't you sleeping, Aina?"
"Not really, I just woke up."
"Do you think we can get home safely?"
"Oh come on, Captain Juvacha... you're worrying too much, you know, that's not good. Haku will be sad there, and besides, we've come this far. At least your team is still alive."
"Life after death, of course. What else?"
"... Yes, maybe you're right. I guess I'm worrying too much. Oh, would you like me to get you some meat bread, Aina?"
"Sure, but not smoked pork, okay?"
"Haha, of course."
Juvacha put his silver spear in one of the storage tents, then headed to the consumption post to prepare breakfast. From the distant eastern horizon, the savothora began to illuminate the world. The young man prepared a bowl of breakfast for the girl, then they ate together in the dark dawn.
"Hey, Captain? You've been gloomy lately, why are you thinking about what's gone? It's not good for your mental health, Captain.'"
"I-I'm not thinking about Haku!"
"Heh~? Who said I was thinking about Haku~? Oh, Captain, it's the same thing~ Besides, if Haku hadn't sent that message, we wouldn't have known your position in the Great Forest of Archelion. Our late Captain of Squad 2, Captain Quzh, wouldn't have stayed silent upon hearing the message right before Haku died."
"How dare you—!"
"Shut— I know this sounds cruel, as if I'm trivialising the death of your late lover or whatever. But remember, Captain of Squad 4, Juvacha Raive... this is an expedition to search for Lord Reygh and the other missing victims. It's not your blind date, Captain. Wake up. And also, I'm still an Eagle Rank while you're a Wolf Rank."
Aina stared intently at Captain of Squad 4. The girl continued her interrupted breakfast, feeling uneasy about the young man. Even though they were not far apart in age, Aina thought far ahead of Juvacha. The girl's hijab fluttered in the morning breeze, and her deep gaze made Juvacha laugh bitterly.
"Haha, this is so funny. I'm not fit to be the captain of this squad, Eastern Girl."
"Oho, lucky you, Captain. Would you like some more chocolate?"
"Ah, don't bother. I'm still full, Aina."
"All right, let's wake up the others. This morning we're leaving via Mount Zquila with the dragon."
—South Archelion, Ronian Grasslands
The Azgyoth group made the Ronian plains rumble, their heavy footsteps shaking the ground. Captain Osyg and his group left early without any problems, the chains of the titans clanking in unison with them.
A small village was visible in the distance, and Osyg gave the order to head for it. Chains clanking, they turned towards the small settlement. One by one, the adventurers unfurled rope ladders to climb down the backs of the furry giants, then unloaded their belongings to settle there.
"Oh dear, oh dear... Gentlemen and ladies, where are you from? It seems you are on an expedition. I apologise if this village is too small for explorers like you. Please forgive the condition of this small village, gentlemen and ladies."
"Ah, don't worry, Old Man. We came from Nazagœlla Canyon on an urgent expedition. I apologise if the mounts we brought are giant furry creatures, it's fine. We will tie them up outside the village, sir."
"Oh dear, oh dear... I'm sorry, young man. But there are terrifying monsters outside the village, Gnau have been roaming around lately. They are usually in the Vâl-amülc Mountains, so it is very surprising for us to see a medium-class monster in a place like this."
"Don't worry, Old Man. Even though they are tame, they can fight. Besides, those monsters wouldn't dare to approach giants like the mounts we are bringing."
"Thank you! Thank you, young man! You are willing to help us!"
Osyg only smiled bitterly at the sight of the small village, where the inhabitants were so innocent and weak. If they trusted strangers so quickly, they might be exploited by robbers or attackers in the future. Everyone unloaded the cargo they had brought from the furry giant, leaving some behind because it was too heavy.
The cool breeze in the village air was refreshing, and the faint roar from the distance was enough to convince anyone that the small village was often attacked by forest monsters. Their vulnerability in the open expanse, especially not far from the forest, made the villagers less vigilant.
"Yuuna, go with one of these villagers to mark each Gnau nest area."
"Um, Captain?"
"Tch, what else?"
"Ehehe, this is my house. I'll take my husband with me~"
"You silly girl! Why didn't you just say this is Olivare Village?! Hurry up and go!"
"Hiek! Okay!"
And, well~ this is my village. With its vast open expanse, it's perfect for farming and livestock, and the residents here are too friendly, which is exactly what I like. The wide-open view doesn't restrict my training.
Hmph, that annoying old man. Why did a bearded man like that become our captain? But what can I do? I headed to my house not far from the village fence. The smell of smoke—my husband must be cooking.
"Darling, I'm home!"
"Yuu, I've told you so many times not to open the door so forcefully. It's pitiful for the children to see that from you; they're lucky they're outside."
"Oh, come on~! Aren't you happy to see your wife come home? Honey, let's go out~"
"Wait, why? And why are you still dressed like that? Did you run away from the expedition?"
"Ugh, you're so annoying! Not yet! It just so happened that my captain was passing through Ronian Plains! I was asked to bring one person to mark the Gnau nest in our village."
"Alright then, here's the stable key. Ride Ozuna so it's faster; I'll get ready first."
"Thanks, darling!"
My steps were light as I skipped happily out of the house towards the backyard. The air was hot inside the barn, and a wyvern growled softly inside. Ugh, I still couldn't get used to seeing those shiny blue-green scales, they were quite scary.
I put the saddle on Ozuna's back. This lizard is quite tame. I don't know what my husband did to this big lizard to make it tame, but it saves us firewood because we don't have to buy charcoal every time we cook. Uh, I'm so excited! When else would I get to cook with dragon breath?
(Grooowl)
"You're not scared of Ozuna anymore, are you, Yuu?"
"Hmph, so you care more about your lizard than your wife?"
"Fine, I'm not going. Go by yourself."
"E-eh?! H-honey, my love, my darling, c-come on! I was just joking! Y-you're not mad at me, are you?"
"..."
'I-I know! I'm sorry, huhuhu. All men are the same~"
"..."
"I-I know, I'm wrong! Come on, my love! Your wife admits she's wrong! Yes, I'm definitely wrong!"
"..."
"Hueeeeh~! I-it's not fair, wh-what about the next 2— no, but 3 children?! C-come on, my love, my darling, my heart's desire! I can't ride a dragon— eh, I-I mean a wyvern! Yes, I don't have a licence or the skills to ride them!"
"Alright, get ready to board."
"E-eh?! I-it's just, um, i-it's just... erm, a-ah?! W-what did I just say to you?! You sly man! You're playing with my feelings again!"
"..."
"Hueeeeh! No, don't! I-I'm a good wife, I'm a good wife! D-don't divorce me, my dear!"
—South Archelion, Vâl-amülc Mountains
"Little Juvacha, you look pale this morning. Are you alright?"
"Ah, uncle. No, nothing. I was just talking to Aina about Haku while patrolling until this morning."
"Calm down, boy. There are plenty of young girls there."
I looked at Captain Juvacha. Perhaps I had been a little excessive at dawn. Even Uncle Andizo, who approached him, responded listlessly, but that didn't matter. As long as the captain thought deeply, he should realise the fatality of his actions. I spurred my dragon mount on, shooting past them.
Hah, even though Captain Juvacha was older than me. In fact, he was like my own younger brother at home, and the sensation of the wind blowing against my body was quite comfortable. I stared at the snow-covered mountain slopes, the green hues of the Yzka forest resembling a painting by my late mother.
A gentle breeze swept through the forest.
Leaves rustled beneath.
The wings of the dragon I rode.
With a low growl, my dragon sensed the presence of another group below. Drake Riders from Captain Torãmo's squad, we swooped down towards them, who were now resting not far from the mountain slopes. I swooped down and landed in front of them, which was quite a relief because most of them were still alive.
"Aina, Exploration Division Squad 2. I mourn the loss of the captain and my friend who stalled for time to save Squad 4."
"Enough pleasantries, Captain Torãmo. What happened to you? You look like undead, some of your armour is melted!"
"It's fine, Aina. We're from Southeast Archelion in the Tvuqcala Swamp region. The toxic gas there is currently active."
"We planned to cross the Andova Jungle Swamp, but since we met you here, how about taking a short break?"