The natural geographical conditions of Harbor City are truly exceptional.
To the south, it relies on the sea for its livelihood, and to the east, it takes from the mountains what it needs.
However, the latter is only a small part—locals get tired of eating fish all the time, so they occasionally buy some mountain delicacies to try.
Besides, the mountains are rather dangerous, so the prices are higher.
“Is everyone here? I’ll be taking you all along this trip.”
The hunter uncle counted the pearl oysters, put them into his bag, slung his hunting bow over his shoulder, and prepared to set out.
This time, he was taking seven or eight people up the mountain for an adventure, hunting some wild game on the side, earning double the money in one trip.
“We’re all here, right? There shouldn’t be anyone else left.”
Someone in the expedition team said.
The hunter uncle turned his head to look back, catching sight of the pretty pink-haired girl with her slender white legs exposed beneath a thin shirt and shorts.
He frowned, “The mountain forest is full of danger. You should wear more layers.”
“It’s fine, we know magic.”
Vina hugged Ella’s arm.
“Especially her—she’s amazing~”
With those words, the ill-intentioned gazes in the team immediately withdrew.
Knowing magic didn’t necessarily make you powerful, but it definitely meant you were of high status.
Seeing this, the hunter didn’t insist any further.
Just to emphasize safety, he added, “Still, be careful. You might not know this, but aside from poisonous bugs and fierce beasts, there are also traces of the Demon Army deep in these woods.”
Hearing this, the expedition team was greatly shocked.
“The Demon Army?”
“Yes, but don’t worry too much. The Demon Race has set up camp on the other side of the mountain range and only moves around there. As long as you follow me and don’t wander off, you won’t run into them.”
Ella’s breathing became a little uneven.
Her guess was right—at least one General had obeyed her orders.
After the upheaval at the Demon King’s Castle, he had led his troops to the border region, building up strength and waiting for Demon King Aio to return like a bolt of lightning.
And now, once they crossed this mountain, they would hear her story.
With the hunter’s warning, the expedition team was no longer as relaxed as before. Everyone stayed closer together to avoid getting separated.
Someone plucked up the courage to chat, “Brother, how come the Demon Army is in these mountains?”
“I don’t know either. They suddenly showed up recently—never happened before.”
The hunter touched the bow on his back.
“But the Demon Race is cunning. If they act strangely, there must be a plot. Better to be careful.”
At that moment, an older member of the team sighed.
“Back when I was young, the Demon Race wasn’t like this. They were naturally brave and fierce, straightforward—if they wanted to fight somewhere, they’d just go. None of these tricks. But ever since that Aio fellow became Demon King, the Demon Race has been full of schemes!”
Ella couldn’t help herself. She straightened her back in pride.
Yes, that’s right. I did that. Impressive, huh?
Vina walked up and nudged her, whispering, “Tone it down! Don’t you think you’re attracting enough attention already?”
Everyone’s staring at you—how are you going to sneak away later?
So Ella calmed down, falling to the rear of the team to avoid the people behind her staring at her legs.
You can’t keep turning around to look, right? You’d hurt your neck.
Finally, after reaching the upper part of the mountainside, the hunter stopped and called for everyone to rest.
Those who wanted to enjoy the view or pick some fruit could go now.
He was going hunting, too.
“Two people, give me a hand.”
He waved to a couple of strong young men in the team.
“Let’s go catch some rabbits. We’ll roast them for lunch.”
The expedition team loosened up, everyone doing their own thing.
Some followed the hunter to hunt, while the rest sat down to rest.
Someone noticed that the pretty girl with the long, white legs had disappeared, but didn’t care much—just assumed the noble magic user lady had gone off to play somewhere.
At this moment, Ella was sprinting wildly toward the other side of the mountain, moving fast, soon crossing the ridge.
“You go, I’ll stay here to cover you.”
Vina stood in place, maintaining the Magical Anchor Point. With that in place, Ella wouldn’t get lost on her way back.
Closer, closer—she could even see the outline of the encampment in the forest from afar.
Suddenly, Ella felt a pang of homesickness.
It had been nearly three months—a whole season was about to pass.
Time had not stopped; the world kept turning.
Clip-clop—a messy sound approached. Several men wielding broadswords burst from the bushes, spotting her at a glance and immediately charging over.
Although they looked no different from humans, Ella recognized them instantly.
The Demon Race’s powerful physiques made their armored forms clearly larger than the young men of the Human Race.
Just look at their nimble movements, their athletic prowess, their energy and bravery—these were the fine young men of my Demon Race!
Charging straight at me, they must have recognized my aura.
That’s what Ella thought—until she heard the rough voices of the Demon Tribe Soldiers—
“What a beautiful woman!”
“Hurry, grab her! We’ll be heroes today!”
“Charge!!”
What the…
Undead Souls tripped the Demon Tribe Soldiers, and White Bone burst from the ground, grabbing their limbs and pinning them so they couldn’t move.
The bizarre scene stunned the burly men.
“You, you, who are you?”
Ella couldn’t be bothered to answer and kept walking toward the encampment.
Along the way, she encountered more Demon Tribe Soldiers.
Without exception, they all charged at her upon seeing her.
Some simply wanted to charge; others were trying to protect the encampment—after all, this was a military stronghold.
How could they just let a strange woman approach?
Ella treated them all the same, subduing them without mercy.
The White Bone that sprang from the earth spared no one—once it grabbed their feet, it was as good as being shackled.
Just like that, she kept walking forward.
When she was only a few dozen paces from the main gate, the commander of this Demon Army finally appeared—a giant of a man, well over two meters tall, with a pair of rhinoceros horns on his forehead.
The Rhinoceros-horned General, General Yanpo.
His massive foot stomped the ground, shaking the earth.
His ox-like eyes stared warily at the girl.
“Who are you?”
Ella said nothing, just reached out her hand.
A White Bone Sword appeared in her small palm.
General Yanpo’s eyes widened instantly.
“The Necromantic Sword? Y-you—who are you really…”
“Iron Ox,” Ella called him, glancing up at the encampment, her tone calm.
“Emergency Protocol Four. Password: ‘Secure Personnel and Territory.’ You’ve done well.”
“It’s really you!”
General Yanpo’s eyes turned red with emotion, tears welling up.
His massive body crashed to its knees with a thud, and he opened his mouth, full of feeling, ready to shout.
“Shh.”
Ella raised a finger.
“Not here.”
General Yanpo swallowed back all the words he wanted to say, his face turning red from holding back, even tears squeezing out.
After a long moment, he managed to lower his voice and say:
“You’ve finally returned!”
For a moment, Ella couldn’t help but feel moved.
Yes, children, I’m back.