Chapter 219


    Over forty thousand souls marched into the forest, their footsteps startling birds into flight and


    beasts into retreat, yet their presence drew forth the ravenous Magi-Monster.


    A pride of Smoke Panthers was the first to set their sights on them, appearing and disappearing


    within the damp and dim underbrush like flickering mes. Swift as the wind, their blood-red eyes


    pierced through the foliage, greedily fixating on the thronging masses.


    Hundreds of White Skull Baboons swarmed in, scrambling across the towering tree canopies over a


    hundred meters high, chattering and observing the procession below. These Magi-Monsters were


    more ferocious than the wildest direwolves, and to fall into their grasp meant being devoured down


    to the very bone.


    The guards were on high alert, patrolling around the edges of the group. Their energies were


    unleashed and primed for battle.


    The townsfolk, numbering over forty thousand, suppressed their fear and bravely followed the


    procession. They traversed rugged hills, hacked away at dense branches, and cleared the thorny


    underbrush to forge a pathway.


    vin led at the forefront; his brow furrowed, ever vignt for the Magi-Monsters that lurked within


    the woods.


    This was the forest''s edge, without the presence of particrly powerful Magi-Monster species.


    However, the true feary in the swarming groups of these creatures. With their overwhelming


    numbers, should theyunch an assault, the guard detail would struggle to protect everyone.


    Lucan was also tense, not expecting to attract such a number of Magi-Monsters so soon.


    Fortunately, they had yet to encounter any mercenaries.


    The procession was vast, and despite everyone''s best efforts, their pace was slow. By noon, they


    had only covered thirty miles, drawing the attention of thousands of Magi-Monsters, including the


    predatory birds. The creatures saw this multitude of humanity as nothing more than a feast.


    "The Magi-Monsters are increasing in number!" the guard detail warned, their anxiety palpable.


    "Halt the procession. Gather together,"manded vin with a raised hand.


    The guards bellowed orders, and the great mass of people gradually came to a stop before


    assembling as directed.


    vin issued a newmand, "Leave four hundred to guard, and the rest join forces with The


    Silent de. After a moment''s preparation, we strike as one. y as many as we can!"


    The guards quickly reorganized, with four hundred spreading out around the crowd. Lucan and


    others were divided into five groups, each positioned differently, ready to strike. The Silent de


    troops hidden within the forest received their orders, quietly advancing towards the Magi-Monster


    hordes.


    Though the Magi-Monsters were numerous, they were independent groups and quite scattered.


    Upon seeing the procession stop, they also halted within the woods, warily watching.


    A group of Obsidian Pythons could not hold back any longer, slithering out from the underbrush


    towards the people. They were nearly two meters in length, thick-bodied withrge, tough scales


    likeyers of resilient armor.


    "The time is now!! Attack!" Lucan shouted. The four hundred-strong detail surged forward like


    arrows from a bow, charging into the Magi-Monster masses, while The Silent de revealed


    themselves and began their deadly assault.


    The once-peaceful forest erupted into chaos as dazzling Combat Magic unfolded a tapestry of


    death over the Magi-Monster ranks. Caught off guard, the Magi-Monsters scattered in retreat.


    The fierce cullingsted for a short while, destroying swathes of woond and ying over seven


    hundred Magi-Monsters. The nearby Magi-Monsters had been duly subdued.


    After a brief respite, the procession resumed its march. Few Magi-Monsters followed, instead vying


    for the carcasses left by the guard detail.


    As night fell, the perimeter was once again teeming with Magi-Monsters. At vin''smand,


    another ughter unfolded. The ruthless killing not only drove the other Magi-Monsters away but


    also provided them with sustenance. With food readily avable, there was no need to risk hunting


    humans.


    By midnight, the forty thousand were exhausted, nearly at their limit. Then, a scout from the guard


    detail returned with news. "My lord! Just two hundred meters ahead, and we''ll be out of Cloudveil


    Woods."


    "Find a safe and spacious area to set up camp." vin breathed a sigh of relief, thankful to have


    made it through the ordeal.


    With their hearts eased, Lucan and the others spread the good tidings. Leaving the forest was just


    the first step; now, they needed to set up camp and prepare for the arrival of the second wave of the


    procession.


    Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g


    One of the ancient cities affiliated with Cobalt Strike and less than three hundred miles from


    Stormcast, Golden Scorch was situated on the western edge of Cloudveil Woods, an imposing


    fortress city built amidst a cluster of mountains.


    In the days of yore, Stormcast and Golden Scorch were the mightiest of the five ancient cities. But


    as Stormcast declined, Golden Scorch naturally rose to prominence, even weing many of the


    refugees and mighty warriors who fled from Stormcast. Now, whether it was the strength of the City


    Lord''s manor or the town''s flourishing prosperity, Golden Scorch far outshone the other ancient


    cities, and the treasures it tributed to Cobalt Strike were beyond count.