Chapter 12: Ten days to Lysvarn

The sound of carriage wheels grinding against gravel became a monotonous music that accompanied them for the past few hours since leaving the rabbit kingdom of Lunéstre.

Inside the horse-drawn carriage, lined with dark green velvet, an awkward atmosphere hung like mist. Six seats faced each other, with a small table in the center. The velvet curtains were partly drawn, revealing the dense forest outside that passed by in a blur.

Elysia sat by the window, her eyes blankly staring at the scenery beyond the glass. One hand propped up her chin. A cold aura enveloped her, as though rejecting anyone from entering the world within her thoughts.

In front of her sat the Hero. His fingers tapped on his own knees. His lips curled in stiff hesitation. He stole glances at Elysia several times, only to be met with sharp, killing looks in return.

“Uh… forgive me about yesterday. And...” the Hero finally spoke after exhaling multiple times, looking at Elysia with an awkward expression. “Thank you for deciding to come with us.”

Elysia gave him a fleeting glance before turning back to the dull scenery outside. “Don't get the wrong idea. I have no intention of joining you. I have my own reasons for following you.”

“That’s fine too.” A slightly offended smile tugged at the Hero’s lips. “I will try to respect your decision, Princess. Who knows, maybe this journey will help melt some of the ice between us along the way, besides the personal goals you wish to fulfill.”

Elysia narrowed her eyes, her lips pressing together slightly, as if trying to conceal her dislike for the blue-eyed Hero’s response.

“Um… Lady Elysia,” he called her again, this time with more courage. “It seems… our introduction back at the palace was a bit messy. I haven’t really introduced myself.”

Elysia turned her head slightly. No response.

“I… am Lian Elgard. I'm not a noble, Elgard is the name of the village where I was born. It's up in the mountains near the Wind Spirit Temple. And… well, as you all know, somehow I was chosen by the holy sword to be a Hero.”

There was no reaction from Elysia other than her unreadable, flat stare.

Lian scratched his head though it didn’t itch, then turned to the others. “Ah, and… perhaps we should all reintroduce ourselves. So this journey doesn’t feel like we’re sitting with strangers.”

A red-haired dragonoid raised an eyebrow. “Huh, only now you think of that? You fool.”

“Better late than never, Stella,” replied a long-haired golden elf in a gentle tone, a soft smile gracing her cheeks. She wore a white robe adorned with a church emblem.

“Isn’t this just like when we recruited you a few months ago? I remember you were quite awkward back then.” The elf chuckled softly.

“Ugh.” The girl named Stella turned her reddened face away. “Can we not talk about that, Imaria?”

She leaned back casually. Both her hands rested behind her head. “Name’s Stella Ignvar, dragonoid. I’m no noble, but our race’s surname comes from our birth father’s name. I’m a greatsword wielder. Strong, fast, and very cool.” She pointed her thumb at herself. “Nice to meet you, Snow Princess. You’re really beautiful.”

Elysia snorted softly, almost ignoring her.

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Then, a deep voice came from a massive two-meter-tall man with a muscular build. “Mudryk Elgard,” said the giant man briefly. “Giant race. I was born in the same village as this Idiot.” He pointed at Lian.

Lian laughed awkwardly. Scratched his head again.

Next was the well-endowed elf. She bowed her small head. “Imaria Velwain, from the southern elven lands. A healer. You might’ve heard of me already.”

“The new Saint from the Holy Order, right?” muttered Elysia, raising one eyebrow.

Imaria chuckled softly, a faint blush painted her face. “That’s a little embarrassing. I… don’t fight as well as the others, but I’ll make sure you all stay alive.”

Her gentle eyes lingered on Elysia longer than the others. Her gaze seemed to soften even more when meeting Elysia’s. As if she saw something else within her.

They all looked at Elysia. Broad smiles were drawn on Imaria’s and Stella’s cheeks, as if hoping to hear her introduction.

She sighed softly, then finally spoke. “Elysia Alveria Lunéstre.”

No additions, no friendly embellishments. Her voice was cold and flat. But enough to make the others feel… not even a step closer to her.

Silence returned.

No words escaped their lips. Elysia’s icy demeanor silenced them, leaving no room to speak in her presence.

Lian quickly took the initiative to break the awkwardness. He pulled out a map from a rolled-up scroll. He spread it over the small table. “I wanted to talk about this before we reach the rest town.”

He pointed to the forested area in the northwest of the map. “The Forbidden Forest of Lysvarn. That’s where our target is.”

Stella squinted. “Seriously, we’re going there? You know that’s the forest that ‘devoured’ the entire Guild team from Lysvarn, right?”

“Unfortunately, yes,” Lian replied. “But the Holy Order insists, that place holds an anomaly that could become the seed of a great disaster.”

Imaria added, “Lian’s right.” She took a breath. “Pope Aelvarion II received a report from the guild in that city. There’s a demonic beast that… differs from the usual.”

“If the old man said that, then it must be serious.”

Mudryk, who had been silent, finally spoke. “So… what makes it different? Could it become a disaster?”

“Yes.” Lian’s clumsy expression shifted into a serious face. “That creature… it can talk.”

“Talk?” Elysia finally showed some interest. “Are you sure it’s not just a human in disguise?”

Imaria nodded. “That creature… has the form of a wolf. But it speaks fluently, and even avoids traps. Some say it tries to avoid direct confrontation with people.”

Imaria pulled a document from her robe’s pocket.

“The report says the creature was first sighted around thirteen years ago. But only in the last few years has it gained real attention after devouring one of the city’s strongest party members.”

Imaria looked at everyone with unease. “There’s a chance… it’s not an ordinary beast.”

“You mean…” Elysia held her breath, eyes sharp on Imaria. Her voice deep. “...a demonic beast?”

Sweat trickled slowly from Imaria’s temple. Her expression turned stiff. “Most likely, yes. But we hope it isn’t a demonic beast.”

“Wait, what’s a demonic beast?” Stella tilted her head. “Is it strong? How dangerous is it?”

Mudryk sighed deeply. “How foolish can you be to not know that, you useless lizard.”

“Who are you calling useless?” Stella glared at Mudryk. “Wanna fight, huh? You emotionless statue! Your words can wound any woman’s heart!”

Mudryk stared flatly. One eye squinted. “Oh, then I have nothing to worry about since I never saw a brute like you as a woman.”

“What did you say!?”

Imaria immediately grabbed Stella’s body as she tried to stand with clenched fists. “Enough. Stop it. Stella, Mudryk.”

Both huffed and turned their faces away from each other.

Imaria sighed. “You shouldn’t be arguing over something like this.” She took a breath. “Demonic beasts are monsters that have evolved into demons. Usually, besides having intelligence like ours, they also possess strength capable of wrecking a kingdom.”

Lian nodded. “That’s why we need to eliminate it before it grows stronger and becomes a threat to us all.”

“Yes.” Mudryk responded. “Some say demonic beasts gain intelligence because their souls resonate with sinners who harbor deep hatred. We don’t know when it will rampage and destroy the city.”

Meanwhile, Elysia lowered her head. She clutched tightly the pendant hanging around her neck. Mudryk’s words about “soul resonance” made her jaw tighten.

“Sinner…” she muttered, barely audible even to herself. “I don’t care if the world calls him a sinner.”

Imaria, who sat beside Elysia, caught her murmur. She tilted her head, looking at the bowed Elysia.

“Did you say something, Princess Elysia?”

“Forget it.”

Meanwhile, the cabin grew livelier as Lian discussed their plans ahead. They still had plenty of time, as it would take at least ten more days to reach Lysvarn.