Book 16: Chapter 15


    We arrived inside the forest. Honestly speaking, the closer we got to the centre of the forest, the more prominent the eerie feeling grew. It wasnt particrly oppressive, but there was a spooky ambience. It was akin to swimming in water and then suddenly seeing that the blue water was red. It was incorrect to say that the mana didnt belong there. The mana was the one with the problem.


    The magical creatures nearby continued with their lives as per usual, and they werent different to the animals outside the forest by any ounts. They ran when they were supposed to and did whatever else they were supposed to. Herbivores were afraid of us, not due to the eerie mana but due to them sensing bloodlust. In simple terms, if humans came to the area, they would be totally oblivious as to what happened. I, however, could sense it just as Mom could.


    Mom scanned our surroundings with her eyebrows furrowed. She quietly noted, Somethings wrong. If it was a rock, an area of grass or a river that had an issue, it wouldnt have such an immense impact. This is abnormal. Its an abnormal change.


    In other words, an elf is plotting something? Mom, it seems your assumption is correct.


    Mommy Vyvyan lowered her voice: Im not certain, either After all, we havent sighted any traces of an elf doing anything. There are no mes or footprints. Further, soldiers have cordoned this area. Where would they havee from? I even cast a spell here to prevent anyone from entering. The spell I cast is the same one that I cast at the imperial pce. If somebody forcibly trespassed, it would alert the soldiers, but they never reported anything, so nobody should have entered this ce What would they have obtained after entering? Compared to the forests to the South and West, this forest isnt rich, not to mention that it was once attacked


    Thats true We dont know what theyre thinking. This might be a secret ck magic researchb for all we know.


    Mom shook her head: Thats incorrect Son, ck magic has a discerning feature, which is that it takes effect fast and will use a life of some sort as a medium. Think about our journey here. Aside from what we killed, we havent seen any traces of blood or hunts. You and Mommy are dark elves, so were especially sensitive to blood. These creatures carry mana but its clear this mana isnt harmful; therefore, it isnt a harmful spell. To be precise, mm its a strange spell. Its not a spell we use here.


    So, simr to feeding household pets forage when the household pets are actually wild beasts in the wild?


    Mom nodded: Thats a good way to put it. Whatever the case may be, you must be cautious, Son. I dont know what else can happen to the creatures. We need to investigate it. Nevertheless, the good news is that well soon get to the centre of where this is happening. If this really is the deliberate work of someone, well soon have to face them. To be frank, Mommy is starting to feel angry.


    Mom suddenly grinned and rode over next to me. She then checked the forest around us with an irritated look again: I truly cant figure out what happened. If this was a man-made situation, what are they after? If they wanted to harm us, they coulde straight to the imperial capital. In the scenario theycked the courage to do so, they could choose from any small town or vige. Whats the point of choosing this poor location?


    I smiled: I think the one and only reason is that youre not here. Things are different herepared to in humanitysnds. If we were in humanitysnds and somebody wanted to revolt, they would start it within the vicinity of the royal pce. Mommy Elizabeth may be strong, but, unlike you, the people dont revere her to the same degree elves revered you. If dark elves wanted to pull something, Im sure that they wouldnt choose to do it right under your nose. While this ce is poor, if they seed here, you wouldnt even know. Therefore, its naturally the safest ce.


    Mm, thats a reasonable deduction. That means my appearance here has disrupted their n? remarked Mom, with a nod. She then peered at the sky: All the more reason to locate the elf as soon as possible, in that case. Son, frankly, the next full-moon night ising right up, so its best we resolve this by then, right? Else, I dont know what will happen if we absorb too much of these animals mana.


    I nodded: All right.


    Mom turned her head back to face forward. We were deep in the forest. There were no longer many ces where we could ride side-by-side any more. The cluster of trees obstructed Moms vision, too, thereby preventing her from seeing long distances. We could hear the sound of running water next to is. It was most likely from a small creek in the forest.


    We searched for the point of origin of the creek. Mana couldnt be spread at will; a medium was required. Normally speaking, it would be running water, which was why we searched for its origin. If it really started from a small creek, then it surely started from the origin.


    Initially, Mom did her best to not pass up any suspicious traces, but she soon gave up. Mana couldnt enhance an elfs senses. Hence, Mom couldnt see what was going on just looking at the trees. I picked up the canteen hanging from the side and had a drink. Then, I handed it to Mom. With a smile, I asked, Mom, do you want a drink?


    Ah, sure.


    Were mother and son, so we dont have to worry about indirect kisses, do we? Weve already lost count of the number of times weve kissed reasoned Vyvyan. Mom took the canteen and had a drink: This isnt wine!!


    Ah weve finished the wine, so I filled it with just water. Its fine, though, Mom. Its been boiled.


    Mom nced at the canteen, and then she sighed. Hopeless, she said, Whatever, water it is, then. However, weve practically consumed all of our supplies. I never expected this to take us so long. Son, we must make haste.


    I nodded: Uhm.


    I turned to head to the origin of the creek with Mom. However, I neglected something important, and that was that the creek might be the source of berserk mana