CHAPTER 514: TRAVEL AND NON-TRAVEL TRAVEL CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE CAPTURE (PART 1)_3

During this season, only the cold air blowing down from the northern Ridge Mountains can rage, and last night’s frost is its handiwork. Yet those shadows moved forward against the wind. In the Anriel Continent, there are no birds preparing to "winter" in the ice and snow, and the mage thought for a moment, roughly guessing the origin of those things.

"It can only be migrating Druids or scouts sent by the Mage Association." He muttered in his heart, "I hope they’re not coming for me."

By noon, those shadows had disappeared. However, Lynch always felt that something was still around, monitoring his actions. Meanwhile, the beastmen seemed to be pushed back into the fortress by the frost, and the roads were unusually quiet and peaceful, without anyone disturbing Lynch and his group’s progress. On the tenth day since leaving the destroyed village, after difficultly crossing the central high hills, they reached the banks of the Holy Furnace River.

"We can’t cross like this." Morgan looked at the wide river and the dismantled only bridge: "We would be swept downstream! We must find a boat or another bridge to get across."

"It must be the beastmen’s doing!" Macken looked at the shattered wooden stakes: "All around here, there are beastmen’s footprints."

"I think this river isn’t very deep." Lynch said as he observed the water, "I have a way to get everyone across, and we should hurry. I hear the beastmen’s shouts from afar."

"Which direction? How many?" Zilvra listened around but found nothing: "Lynch, are you too tired and having hallucinations?"

"No, I also smell a foul odor." Morgan said while taking out a hammer, "Whenever this happens, I feel a strange smell running into my nostrils, especially affecting my mood for drinking. Those beastmen must be nearby."

"Are you going to fight here?" Lynch said: "Be careful not to be forced into the river. We should cross the water first and shake off those nuisances. If they dare to follow us, we’ll teach them a lesson on the other side!"

Knight Macken looked at the wagon and then estimated the river’s width: "Lynch, we can’t wade through it! You don’t intend for everyone to fly across and leave the wagon behind, do you?"

"No! The center of the river is very deep, but except for that, it can be waded across, at most up to the thighs or Morgan’s waist. But sitting in the wagon won’t get anyone wet." Lynch replied: "I just need to build a bridge over the deepest part to get us all across."

Finding no alternative, they did as the mage instructed. After casting a Wall of Force, they crossed steadily in amazement, with only the horses and the wagon splashed a bit, but everyone else’s clothes stayed dry. Dwarf Morgan clung tightly to the wagon until they were fully ashore before letting go.

"Morgan, I won’t let you drown or choke on water." Lynch said: "I’m not Anna."

"By the stones! I do not wish to be surrounded by water!" Morgan’s face was pale: "Every time that happens, bad luck descends."

They hadn’t traveled far along the riverside when they spotted a group of beastmen passing by. Possibly having just raided a village, these guys carried plenty of spoils, with enough cattle and sheep to feed them meat all winter. Lynch hurled three fireballs at them, launching an attack from a distance.

"Back in Moon Harbor City, Mage Kuziman also cast spells from a great distance to strike enemies." Knight Macken said: "But by then, I had already been deceived by him, losing clear thinking."

"Alright knight, let’s continue our journey, as there are many hardships ahead, leaving no time to look back." Lynch returned to the carriage while the beastmen across the river howled in the flames: "No matter what, those guys lost their spoils and left plenty of corpses behind; our work is enough."

At first, on this side of the river, they could still find traces of beastmen. The trampled grass and some fire pits were left by the beastmen. However, they also spotted some relatively small and shallow footprints always surrounding the beastmen’s outskirts. After walking for half a day, both types of footprints vanished.

"If our group had a ranger, it would be great." Lynch looked away from the surrounding land, expressing regret: "Otherwise, we could gather much information from the land, at least knowing who our enemies are."

"I don’t think there are any enemies here. The closer we get to the Dormant Forest, the safer we are." Knight Macken said: "There are powerful guardians there that won’t allow beastmen or such creatures to defile that land. Only the good and unmalicious beings can walk safely in the area surrounded by the Holy Furnace River."

"You keep mentioning powerful good guardians, so what exactly are they?" Lynch curiously asked: "Even the records from the Mage Association do not mention anything there."

"Actually, I am not sure what exactly they are." Macken answered: "It’s just some senior paladins said that there exists a force of supreme goodness there, and only the most pious and glorious knights can approach that area. There’s even a saying that it is the gate to Light God Pate’s Heavenly Palace."

"Sweet Sugar Mountain?" Soka pondered, looking outside the carriage with some longing: "If there’s indeed such a road, then you’re welcome to visit my home! My parents would also be very welcoming to you all!"

"Perhaps it’s a passage to other worlds, but we’d better stay away from there." Lynch frowned: "For some reason, I always feel this place exudes a strange atmosphere, making me shiver. It’s like returning to the dark Underworld. Since our goal is not to explore the center of the Dormant Forest, let’s bypass it from the edge."

Zilvra did not comment, but her brow also furrowed. "The Dark Elf bloodline might be rejected by that forest, but I didn’t expect Lynch to feel the same." Zilvra thought to herself: "Could he already be affected?"

Knight Macken also had doubts about Lynch’s reaction but did not mention it. The group continued north, leaving all doubts behind. They didn’t get close to the Holy Furnace River, nor did they approach the Dormant Forest too near, as both could cause stress for the team members. Only when they needed to replenish water and food did they venture to the river, trying to catch some plump fish. Fortunately, the Holy Furnace River showed no signs of being tainted by beastmen, still sweet and tasty, albeit slightly cold.

Although Knight Macken kept talking about the legends of the golden forest, the silent mage had a greater influence. Lynch spent the entire day focusing on crafting the third and most challenging part of the demon statue, the head. The clanging sounds accompanied the horse hooves throughout their journey. On the fourth evening after crossing the river, Lynch suddenly lifted his head, staring intently at the shadow of the Dormant Forest in his view without speaking a word.

"Macken, are you sure there are only the purest knights inside?" Lynch said: "I hope you’re right, but it looks like it’s time for me to take action." He chanted a spell, and the Undead Magic Bead began to emit black smoke.