CHAPTER 240: CHAPTER 240 THE SEARCH

Addison took a shaky breath. Either way, it was clear, they had to break the barrier. But no matter which path they chose, it meant they would still have to search through the vast forest, either to find the missing material or to locate the core source of the barrier.

Whichever they found first would be their key to getting out. But that also meant there was a chance they’d run into those dark fairies along the way.

"Alright, everyone, group up. Let’s start searching for the missing material," Lance interjected, cutting in before Addison could continue. He could see her mood worsening the more they talked about it, and he didn’t want to push her further.

"Archmage Elric, please write down the materials we need, including their specifications, and draw a sketch so everyone knows exactly what we’re looking for. If we can’t find the material here, then we’ll search for the core source instead."

They didn’t have much of a choice. The sooner they started, the better their chances of avoiding being stuck in this place any longer than necessary.

"Not so fast, young man." Elric reached out to grab Lance’s collar, but since Lance was much taller, he ended up tugging the back of his shirt instead. Unfortunately for Elric, Lance was also a lot stronger, so instead of pulling him back, Elric got dragged forward a few steps.

The scene, which was meant to be serious, ended up looking quite comical. Everyone stared at Elric, a bit dumbfounded.

Clearing his throat and straightening himself up from Lance’s back, Elric muttered, "Ahem... Don’t leave just yet. I’m not finished."

"What do you mean?" Maxwell asked, stepping up behind Addison.

"Like I said, this place is a prison," Elric began, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "And judging by the nature of the barrier, it’s clear that this forest isn’t as simple as it seems. Since it was built to contain dangerous beings, it’s highly likely that the forest is laced with more than just one layer of magic."

"There could be hidden spells or arrays scattered throughout, like loop arrays, for instance. Step into one, and you might find yourself trapped in a space where you keep returning to the same spot, unable to move forward or escape."

He glanced around at the group before continuing, "This kind of enchantment is commonly used in high-security magical prisons. Which means we can’t just send people out blindly to search for the materials or the core source of the barrier; they could end up trapped and never find their way back."

"Then what do you suggest we do?" Zion asked, his brows furrowed and arms crossed. His frustration was getting out of hand, and it was clear he was still struggling to rein in Shura.

"I’ll need to go personally," Elric said, his voice firm as he looked around at the group with utmost seriousness. "The rest of you should stay here with the mages. If anything happens, they can erect a barrier to protect everyone until we either locate the missing materials or find the core source and destroy it."

"Then I’m coming with you," Addison declared without hesitation.

Elric hesitated, clearly concerned, but ultimately gave a small nod. He had already seen Addison shift into her wolf form; he knew she could handle herself. And the moment she volunteered, Zion, Levi, and Maxwell all stepped forward as well. It was clear: wherever Addison went, her three fated mates would follow.

With that kind of protection, Elric no longer needed to worry about her safety. He could focus solely on the mission. Besides, among all the mages present, he was the only one who fully understood the materials they were searching for, and the only one capable of deciphering the intricate barrier surrounding the entire forest.

It was clear to everyone that he was the best man for the job, and none of the other mages tried to stop him.

When Lance heard that Addison was joining the search, he instinctively wanted to go with her. But then he remembered, he was the acting captain of the guards assigned to protect the caravan.

If he left, too, there would be no central figure to keep everyone organized and safe in his absence. Though the thought frustrated him and left him feeling helpless, he knew he had no choice but to stay behind.

"Alright then, we need to move. We don’t have time to waste," Elric said firmly. "Mages, once we leave, raise the barrier, and under no circumstances should anyone step outside it, no matter what happens or what you might see. When I return, I’ll use my own magic to break the barrier, so until then, don’t let it down. Understood?"

His tone was heavy with seriousness and a hint of unspoken warning, as though there was more he wanted to say but chose not to, perhaps to avoid alarming the others. Even Addison gave Elric a curious glance, sensing he knew more about this forest than he was letting on. But now wasn’t the time to press him for answers. They needed to act fast.

Once everyone gave their agreement, Addison and the others departed. The mages quickly got to work constructing the protective barrier. Fortunately, they had brought plenty of magic stones to sustain it for an extended period, ensuring their safety while the others were away.

Addison turned back around and refocused on the path ahead. She walked in silence, flanked by Zion, Maxwell, and Levi, while Elric took the lead. He paused briefly, surveying the dense, eerie forest around them. After a moment of quiet observation, he chose a direction, north.

With a firm grip on his staff, Elric pushed forward, using it to part the tall grass and ward off any snakes or hidden dangers lurking in their path. The air was thick with tension, and every step deeper into the forest seemed to hum with unseen magic.

As they continued deeper into the forest, Elric would occasionally shift their course, sometimes veering off the path, circling an area cautiously, and only then returning to their original direction.

Though he said nothing, Addison and her three mates instinctively understood what was happening. Elric must have sensed danger ahead and was quietly steering them around it.

The unspoken message was clear: whatever lay in their path was too threatening to confront directly, even with Elric’s magic and the presence of two Alphas. Avoidance was their safest option.

But that realization only deepened their unease. If even they couldn’t handle the threat, what else could be lurking in this forest aside from the dark fairies?

After trekking through the eerie forest, Elric finally came to a stop at the edge of a high cliff along the mountainside. It was clear that they would have to climb up to retrieve what he needed. Turning to the group, Elric gave a wry smile, his eyes crinkling with amusement.

"I’m already old bones and not built for strenuous work anymore," he said with a chuckle. "How about one of you young lads climb up there and fetch me the Moon Flower growing along the cliffside?"

As the name suggested, the Moon Flower only bloomed on cliffs where it could absorb the purest essence of moonlight. Imbued with light magic, it was especially effective against dark magic, making it a rare but vital ingredient in Elric’s plan.