The sun was a warm blanket on their backs as the group trotted along the road. It had been over a week since the Dalawood incident, and the days had been filled with a quiet rhythm of travel. Along the way, they met multiple bandit attacks. The bandits, who were used to preying on weak merchants, were no match for a disciplined army with mages and a prince who could wield a sword with magic. They managed to kill all the bandits, leaving the road clear of such trash for the time being.
At this time, Kellen should have arrived at the Hall of Heroes and reported the incident to the Marshal, while also doing his business. They had also grown stronger because of the intense battle. The soldiers moved with a confidence they didn't have before, their gazes sharp and their steps firm.
After a few more days, the landscape began to change. The open road gave way to a winding path, and the forests on either side became denser and darker. They were arriving at the Verdant Forest. Luceran, who was walking with Borrin and Ian at the front, looked at the forest with a solemn face.
"We're in Verdant Forest," he said, his voice serious. "We are close to the ruined city."
He looked at Borrin, and the commander nodded, already knowing what was coming next.
"Remember what I said before we entered Verdant Forest," Luceran continued, his voice low. "No chopping wood for firewood, no killing animals, no disturbing the ecosystem. Use the rations and the wood we brought along the way. I told you to prepare them for a reason."
Borrin and the soldiers near them nodded. They were curious as to why they couldn't do such a simple thing as chop wood. Luceran only replied by saying, "Or else, you will anger the forest."
When they heard it, their thoughts raced, as if thinking of every possibility that could happen and the meaning of those words. They then prepared everything they needed for their camp, using the wood and rations they had brought along. The night was peaceful and calm. People ate their rations and warmed their bodies near the bonfire. Late at night, people took turns for watch and rest.
The night passed peacefully. The journey continued as usual, despite being slower than before. The vegetation was getting denser, and the trees were getting bigger and taller. The sunlight barely reached the ground, and the air was thick with the smell of wet earth and ancient trees. The forest was so alive that it felt like they were walking through a living being.
As they maneuvered along the forest, a soldier whispered to the one beside him, "I see that tree over there just moved."
"You must be dreaming. How can a tree move?" his friend replied. Though his face contradict his words because he looked unsettling.
"I swear, it just moved its branches," the soldier insisted, his voice trembling. The others who heard them just kept being silent. To be fair, they also felt that something was wrong with the forest. They felt as if they were being watched, and there were 'presences' of life walking with them.
Borrin, who noticed the soldiers' restlessness, approached Luceran. "Your Highness, the soldiers are getting restless. I also feel that we are being watched," he said, his face uneasy.
Luceran then said, "Tell them to calm down and pretend like nothing happened. We are the guests here."
With his order, the people got calmer. But they were still vigilant with their surroundings. The air itself felt heavy, and the silence was more unsettling than any noise. The rustling of the leaves above seemed to whisper warnings, and every shadow seemed to hide a pair of eyes.
A few hours went by, and one of the mages, Vena, suddenly stopped. "I feel a mana presence! There must be something around us!"
As Vena finished her sentence, they spotted a ball of greenish light circling a giant tree in front of them. The tree was taller than a three-story building, its trunk was thick and covered in moss.
Lieutenant Bork, who was standing beside Vena, squinted his eyes. "What the hell is even that?" While his finger pointed at the giant tree in front of them.
The ball of light, as if it had spotted them, suddenly sped up and disappeared into the tree. The tree trembled violently, and its roots sprouted from the ground, looking like giant, grasping claws. Its branches slowly transformed and fused together, forming limbs, and an ent-like face appeared near the crown of the tree. It looked at them, and with a slow, grinding sound, it started walking toward them. The ground trembled with every heavy step it took.
The army was paralyzed with fear. They trembled when they saw the towering tree walk towards them.
Luceran, seeing his army being disorganized and on the verge of panic, yelled at them. "HALT YOUR POSITION! OR YOU WILL BE SEVERELY PUNISHED!"
Fortunately, either because of his disciplined training or his prestige as the prince, the soldiers forced themselves to stay on their feet and do nothing. Their weapons were still in their hands, their bodies were still, but they were shaking.
Luceran, seeing his soldiers calmed down, dismounted his horse and walked slowly to the towering tree who was walking towards them. He was not scared, not at all. He knew what kind of creature this was. He walked with a graceful and confident stride, as if walking to meet an old friend.
When they were only ten meters away, both stopped and looked at one another.
A humming sound could be heard coming from the tree as it looked down toward them. It spoke slowly, its voice like the grinding of stone. "Hmmm… humans… What is your purpose here?"
Luceran replied with a bow and smiled at the towering walking tree.