Half a day since leaving Selestata Castle.

  The expedition party had passed through the western outer gate and was now traversing the outskirts of Karanos.

  The heat seeped into their bodies. Horses steadily moved forward through dust and wind.

  The sound of hooves striking the ground echoed around them. Hot sunlight beat down upon steel armor, and mouths felt parched with dust.

  Knights leading the way, horses pulling carts at the rear, and heavily loaded supplies formed a long procession. The sounds of metal, creaking leather, and heavy breathing reached the ears of the expedition members.

  When they left the town, people had cheered and sent them off. Hopeful voices had resonated in the sky. Their voices had spread through the early morning air.

  Their departure appeared as hope to save not just Karanos, but also the world beyond.

  "Expedition members, stay strong. You are our hope."

  "Please rid this world of the Dominator. Ensure such misfortune never happens again."

  At the earnest prayers of the townspeople, the faces of the expedition members momentarily hardened.

  Their shoulders grew heavier, and their necks tensed. They affirmed their resolve with just eye contact between them.

  But they continued their journey in silence.

  As they completely left the capital Karanos behind, the town gradually faded from view. And ahead, a vast plain unfolded before them. Green grass swayed in the wind. The sound of wind brushing through grass blades could be heard.

  "If we go a little south from here, we should be able to see Greenwood Village where I live. It should be somewhere near those big trees over in that direction."

  Bow Dolehr spoke to Hallis and Elina who were riding ahead, appearing increasingly comfortable with them.

  He seemed to be missing his homeland. His fingertip trembled slightly as he pointed toward the horizon.

  "Really? How wonderful it would have been if I had grown up in a place with such green trees and grass. The area around Westdark Castle where I lived was wasteland, with dust blowing every day."

  Elina smiled briefly, but now she had left that place for another purpose, living a different life.

  A glimpse of longing passed through her eyes.

  "Elina, you're heading back to your homeland now. Aren't you happy that you'll get to meet your parents?"

  At Hallis's question, Elina hesitated momentarily.

  Her fingers tightly gripped the horse's reins, then released them. Her lips trembled subtly, and her pupils shook briefly.

  Then she exhaled deeply.

  She wasn't yet ready to speak about the story contained in that breath.

  As time passed, the expedition party gradually grew tired.

  The hot sun had heated their skin. Sweat seeped inside their armor, and they could taste salt on their lips.

  Several hours since leaving town, the road stretched endlessly before them.

  Expedition Commander Lord Petriert's voice resonated from the front. His voice remained firm despite the fatigue.

  "Listen everyone. We will reach the edge of the plains where the Great Forest begins before evening falls. We will camp there, so please hold on a little longer."

  Despite the commander's words, their bodies were already reaching their limits.

  Legs felt heavy, and throats were dry. Lungs burned in the hot air.

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  Yet all expedition members responded loudly with "Yes!" They endured with the hope of reaching their destination by evening.

  "Elina, I suppose the handsome Lord Valiant is up front? I can't seem to see him at all."

  Hallis asked playfully. Her eyes seemed to be testing something.

  "Yes. He's probably traveling with the other knights at the front."

  Elina turned her head and answered Hallis briefly. Her voice was calm, but the corner of her mouth trembled slightly. She seemed disappointed.

  Seeing this, Hallis nodded and couldn't continue the conversation. An awkward silence fell between them. Only the sound of horse hooves filled that silence.

  As time passed, the sun gradually tilted, and evening shadows stretched long.

  The sky gradually turned orange, and the earth reflected its color, shining golden.

  The outlines of the massive trees of the Great Forest began to appear. Cool moisture from the forest reached their cheeks on the wind.

  "Now we don't have far to go. As soon as we reach the forest, we'll prepare for camping, so please hold on a little longer."

  The commander's voice remained energetic and clear. Along with him, the expedition members rallied their strength. Life returned once more to eyes soaked with fatigue.

  Their pace quickened, and the sound of hooves created a rhythm: "CLIPPITY-CLOP, CLIPPITY-CLOP."

  The clear sound of armor clashing, the dull sound of feet treading on soil, and the sound of heavy breathing all blended together.

  And now, they were finally ready to cross the threshold of the Great Forest.

  The forest drew ever closer.

  ##############

  The Great Forest.

  A massive forest lying between the Litrian Empire's capital Karanos and the Westdark domain, which no one could traverse carelessly.

  It was so vast that even riding on horseback all day would barely get one through. The forest was endlessly deep.

  In the past, when the paths through the forest weren't properly maintained, it was a place with a tragic history where countless people had lost their way and perished.

  As they approached the edge of the forest and the outlines of the trees became clearer, sudden commotion arose from the rear of the expedition. Tense shouts were heard.

  "Look, something is flying toward us from behind!"

  "A bird? It seems too large to be a bird..."

  As alarmed voices continued, Elina quickly looked back. Her heart raced, and her mouth went dry. Her fingertips trembled faintly.

  The approaching figure became increasingly distinct.

  The black shape cutting through the red evening sky evoked an ominous premonition.

  Not as large as a dragon, but it had a big, muscular body covered densely with scales.

  Sharp spines like horns and fangs were visible, and its eyes were like those of a predator seeking prey.

  With each flap of its wings, the sound of disturbed air could be heard.

  "Drake!"

  Professor Patricia's voice resonated strongly. That single word froze everyone.

  "Hurry to the Great Forest! The drake cannot enter the forest. We must hurry!"

  Immediately, the expedition rushed toward the forest. Horses trembled in fear, and the formation became disorganized.

  But the carts and the knights escorting them moved much slower. The heavy loads held them back.

  The drake, sensing their weakness, pursued them with flapping wings.

  The sound of those wings slicing through the sky made every hair on their bodies stand on end.

  The sharp wing sound drew closer. A massive shadow fell over the expedition members.

  Suddenly, the enormous drake rose and opened its mouth.

  "KRAAAANG!"

  With a roar, a pillar of fire erupted. The surroundings instantly became hot.

  The smell of sulfur stung their noses, and their skin felt scorched.

  The fire pillar flew precisely toward some carts and Holy Knights at the rear of the expedition. Fire rained down from the sky.

  "AAAARGH!"

  The carts and Holy Knights engulfed in flames, screaming, instantly turned to ashes.

  The smell of burning flesh mingled with that of burning wood.

  Terror seized everyone as they witnessed the death of their comrades.

  "The carts... the knights... Professor Patricia, we need to buy time so everyone can escape!"

  Elina shouted desperately. Her voice was sharp. She gripped her staff tightly.

  "Elina, I'll hold it here! You go to the forest!"

  Professor Patricia shouted as she quickly pushed Elina away. Her gaze was resolute. She showed a strength not seen before.

  The drake circled around, then approached again.

  The massive shadow fell once more. Darkness fell wherever the shadow passed.

  "KRAAAAROAR!"

  With a second roar, the drake launched another pillar of fire. A sound like thunder pounded their ears. Heat enveloped the earth.

  "Spirit of the earth made of light. Grant me strength! Lumen Terra!!"

  Professor Patricia raised her staff high and cast a powerful spell.

  The tip of her staff shone with golden light. The energy of the earth gathered to her.

  Vibrations were felt underfoot.

  At that moment, the ground rose to form a massive earthen wall. The pillar of fire collided with the wall with an explosive sound, and the flames were barely blocked. Hot clumps of earth scattered in all directions. Hot heat struck their faces. The unique smell of burning earth stung their noses.

  "Ah, this is bad... if only there was water, I could use ice magic..."

  Elina looked around with a worried expression. But not a drop of water could be found on the dry plains.

  Cold sweat ran down her back, and her fingers tightened on her staff.

  At that moment, Hallis suddenly raised her staff and shouted. She looked frightened yet determined.

  "Lightning Bolt!"

  Lightning formed at the tip of her staff and flew toward the drake.

  A blue light flashed with the sound of air being torn. The smell of burning spread around.

  When the lightning struck, everything momentarily grew quiet.

  The lightning struck the drake's scales and flashed, but the drake, after shaking briefly, rose again.

  Its eyes glowed redder. The ground vibrated with its angry cry.

  "Ugh... we just made it angrier."

  Hallis whipped her horse and rode on. Consternation showed on her face. Their speed increased as the distance to the massive forest shortened. But despite this, the carts and some knights were still lagging behind. Even on downhill slopes, the carts couldn't gain speed due to their heavy loads. The wheels rattled over stones.

  The expedition disappeared into the forest one by one, but the carts and lagging knights were still in danger.

  The drake spread its wings again and approached them. Its shadow grew larger, and the surroundings darkened.

  "We need to buy time until those knights reach the forest."

  WHOOSH.

  Suddenly, an arrow flew toward the drake, piercing one of its eyes precisely. The sound of the arrow penetrating flesh could be heard.

  "KRAAAAA..."

  The drake fell with the arrow lodged in its eye.

  Its heavy body created a dust cloud as it crashed down.

  "Good, got it! First the creature, now the drake."

  At that moment, the voice of Bow Dolehr, who had shot the arrow from deep within the giant forest, was heard. He spoke with joy.

  Bow Dolehr quietly prepared another arrow, moving silently in the tree. His hand movements were skilled.

  "The drake is coming back."

  The drake broke free from confusion and rose again.

  Dark red blood flowed from one eye, but its anger seemed to have grown.

  It cried sharply, flapping its wings. Blood from its broken eye sprayed in the air.

  "Fourth squad, aim your bows!"

  At the sharp command of the fourth squad leader, part of the Holy Knights immediately drew their bows.

  The sound of bowstrings being drawn was heard simultaneously. Everyone held their breath, and arms holding bows trembled.

  "Fire!"

  Arrows showered with the squad leader's shout. The sound of arrows cutting through air was heard.

  But most hit the hard scales and fell to the ground. Only a few arrows struck the drake's body, but it didn't seem to care at all. The arrows broke helplessly. It was like throwing eggs at a rock.

  The drake shook briefly, then rose again.

  Its gaze from the sky was even more threatening.

  "Prepare arrows before the drake returns!"

  The Holy Knights drew their bows again, but everyone knew this attack was futile. Frustration washed over them, and hands holding bows trembled.

  At that moment, a black figure moved quickly from the edge of the giant forest.