CHAPTER 340: CHAPTER 339: RIPPLES BEFORE THE STORM

Back at the guest compound, the three elves and Lireath couldn’t stop staring at Lumberling, their eyes filled with curiosity and disbelief.

"What did you do with the Duke?" Aurelya finally asked, narrowing her eyes. "How did he suddenly become all friendly with you?"

Lumberling chuckled. "You make it sound like I charmed him or something." He waved his hand casually before adding, "Well, the plan worked. He found out that I’m a martial artist, and after that... I just went along with it and kept the act."

"That easy?" Lireath asked, her brow furrowing in doubt.

"I’m not sure," Lumberling admitted with a shrug. "But I don’t think the Duke was pretending. He told me a lot of things, personal things."

He then shared what Hedric had revealed, his past, the distant Aeryndor Kingdom, the wyvern riders, and the people blessed with draconic bloodlines.

"Aeryndor..." Vaenyra muttered softly, her expression thoughtful. "That’s the first time I’ve heard of such a place." Her lips curved into a faint smile. "Dragons, huh? I want to see them with my own eyes someday." Her tone carried a quiet fire, the kind that spoke of challenge rather than fear.

Lumberling looked at her and couldn’t help but smile. ’She hasn’t changed one bit.’

"I want to see those wyvern riders too," Aurelya said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Just imagine the view from the skies."

Lireath leaned back in her chair, her tone carrying a hint of pity. "So, he’s a man who’s lost everything... and the will to keep going. That’s... kind of sad."

Thessalia crossed her arms. "So, what now? Are we still going to fight him?"

Lumberling gave her a deadpan look. "Don’t say that about my friend."

"Friend?" Thessalia raised a brow. "You can’t be serious."

Lumberling smirked. "Oh, I’m serious. I have a feeling that if I spin him a few more emotional stories, he might just hand me that cultivation method he created."

Lireath blinked, staring at him in disbelief. "You’re evil."

"Efficient," Lumberling corrected, grinning. "Let’s just say we’ll be staying here a little longer. Bluffing him might take time."

.....

The next morning, after finishing their breakfast, they were greeted by noise coming from outside. The sound of armor clanking and men shouting orders echoed through the streets.

From the compound’s balcony, they could see soldiers rushing about, robed figures moving alongside armored men, while siege weapons like catapults and massive crossbows were being positioned along the walls.

Lireath frowned. "What’s going on? Is the city under attack?"

"They’re preparing for battle, that’s for sure," Lumberling said, watching the movement below. "Come on. Let’s go see my friend, maybe he knows what’s happening."

.....

Far from the Duchy of Stonepalm, deep within the thick shadows of the Blackroot Forest, a group of evolved monsters rode together through the uneven trails. The air was damp, filled with the smell of moss and blood.

At the center of the group was Skitz, riding atop Shade, while the captains and vice-captains followed close behind on their horses and massive boars.

"This is getting boring," Skitz muttered, lazily spinning a short blade between his fingers. "Gobo Two, say something funny before I die of boredom."

Before anyone could respond, a rustle came from the trees. Without even looking, Skitz flicked his wrist, sending the blade whistling through the air. A sharp thunk echoed as the weapon buried itself into the skull of a lunging lizardman, killing it instantly.

The others slowed their mounts, scanning the area.

"Why do these pests keep attacking us?" Skarn grumbled, grabbing a lizardman by the throat and crushing its skull with one hand. He tossed the corpse aside like it was nothing. "Can’t they tell we’re stronger?"

"These ones are different," Takkar said, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. "They’re more aggressive than usual... and reckless. It’s like they’ve gone feral, attacking anything that moves."

"Kaeldron, go talk to them!" Gobo2 shouted, smashing his fist into a charging lizardman and sending it flying through the trees. "Aren’t they your kind? Tell them to scram already!"

Kaeldron, who was surrounded by dozens of the reptilian monsters, felt a vein throb on his forehead. ’If it were that easy, I’d have done it already!’ he thought, forcing himself to stay calm. ’Calm down... calm down... If I snap, that thick-headed idiot will beat me up again.’

"Captain Gobo2!" Kaeldron called out, speaking with the polite tone of a junior as he cut down another lizardman. "As you can see, they’re attacking me too! It’s just like your kind, don’t some goblins still attack you too if they belong to a different group?"

"Huh? Of course not!" Gobo2 replied proudly, crossing his arms with a grin. "Because I’m strong."

"This idiot..." Gobo1 muttered, shaking his head.

Not far behind them, Aren rode up on his horse, wiping the blood from his spear. "Skitz, how much longer till we get there? We’ve been on the road forever."

"Probably a few more days," Skitz replied lazily, stretching out as Shade continued walking. "Wake me if something interesting happens."

He leaned back, arms crossed, and shut his eyes, only for them to snap open again a moment later.

A powerful pulse rippled through the air, shaking the forest. For a split second, the world seemed to hold its breath. An overwhelming aura surged from deep within the woods, heavy and ancient... then vanished just as suddenly as it came.

The entire group froze. Even the beasts beneath them went still.

"Did you feel that?" Krivex asked in a low voice, his hand already on his weapon.

Everyone nodded, their faces turning grim.

.....

Back at the goblin village.

The once peaceful settlement was filled with hurried footsteps and the blare of warning horns. The alarm echoed through the forest, sending birds scattering into the sky. Goblins, kobolds, humans, and even tamed beasts stopped what they were doing and began moving in an orderly rush toward the evacuation area.

"Another alarm? This is the third one today!" one goblin grumbled as he carried a child on his back.

"Yeah," another replied, tightening the straps of his crude armor. "Lately, attacks have been getting more frequent. Some days, it’s like the monsters never stop coming."

A young goblin with a bow frowned. "Could it be because Guardian Lunira and the wolf pack aren’t around to scare them off?"

"Don’t be stupid," said an older goblin, slapping him lightly on the head. "Guardian Grokk and his team are still out there hunting. You think the monsters would dare come close if he wasn’t keeping them back?"

Even so, worry filled their voices. The air felt heavier than usual. Something wasn’t right, and deep down, every villager could feel it.