Chapter 28
The Archdruid observed through the eyes of several insects that over four hundred adventurers had gathered at the foot of the volcano. Hmm, not bad. This was nearly half the guild’s registered members.
Remember, a hunter’s tracking skill is only precise within fifty meters. Meanwhile, his disciple disguised as a butcher—now in human form—was blending into the crowd. The adventurers would never suspect a thing!
His disciple Hamiel had just been ambushed by something unknown, so the Archdruid had to be extra cautious. He controlled small flying insects swaying in the wind. Through one insect’s eyes, he saw Anya, transformed into a cat, rushing toward the adventurers’ gathering.
Huh? Was she going to leak his secret plan? Why didn’t the Undying Harold stop her?
Absolutely not!
The Archdruid spoke to the wind through the insects—and the wind swiftly agreed. A hurricane erupted from the ground, sweeping Anya away to parts unknown.
“Alas, poor child. I had such high hopes for her. Why betray nature?”
Enough, enough. The Archdruid trudged through the thick snow, continuing his climb toward the crater.
Observing the adventurers below and healing Hamiel had cost him time. Especially healing Hamiel—the opponent’s methods were not just dark but vicious. Even draining the life force of nearby plants failed to save him.
Losing a companion pained him deeply!
“Huh?” The snow beneath his feet warned him of approaching figures—he turned to see a black-clad, black-haired boy accompanied by three girls, who had already caught up to him!
“Adventurers?”
“You must be the Archdruid?”
“...” Without a word, the Archdruid pulled a small sapling from his pocket. He pressed his lips to it and whispered. Strange roots sprouted beneath Naya and the others’ feet, like sea monster tentacles, instantly entangling them—
“Huh? Huh? Huh? What is this thing?? Tentacles??” The instant the roots touched Aile’s body, she felt nauseous, instantly breaking down like someone terrified of cockroaches with one crawling on them.
The Archdruid watched impassively as they struggled.
“You must have come to stop me, swayed by Anya. Too bad—I won’t let you succeed.” He reached out to the sky. A giant eagle circling nearby answered his call, swooping down to grab his wrist and carry him toward the crater.
“No—! I can’t stand it—!” Aile struggled as a silvery hand tore through the roots, freeing her.
The next second, Leon slashed through his own roots, baffled by her reaction. “Why waste one of your three daily uses on these roots? If you’d waited, I could have saved you.”
“I couldn’t wait a second! These things are disgusting like tentacles!”
“So Aile is afraid of tentacles.” Leon went to Naya first, cutting her roots free.
“Thank you, Leon. These roots hurt.” Naya rubbed a welt on her wrist, gazing at him warmly.
Ruri watched silently.
“You’re next.” Leon walked over to Ruri.
“Th-thank you...” Ruri stammered, unsure what to say. “Um, did Ruri’s magic help at all?”
“Of course.” Leon glanced thoughtfully at the crater. “That guy doesn’t talk much, but he’s tough to deal with.”
If the volcano really erupted, it’d be disastrous. They had to stop him—
They hadn’t taken a few steps when the crater spewed thick white smoke, then erupted.
Roaring lava surged down in an instant—
How desperate the unsuspecting adventurers below must be!!!
“Sigh, we’re too late after all.” Leon sighed.
“No—not yet!” Aile declared confidently, arms crossed. Even in this desperate moment, she radiated a heroic, righteous aura.
“Naya, please cast Shield of Light on me.”
“Huh...? What are you planning?”
The light of Shield of Light enveloped Aile.
Everything ready, Aile drew a silvery sword from under the shield and threw it to Leon.
What is this???
“Mystic Silver Sword!?”
“The reward from before! The reward!” Aile said vaguely. “Anyway—you deal with the Archdruid. I’ll save the people!”
With that, she slid down the steep slope—
To be continued.
