Ayla’s mind spun in an instant.
She had only talked to Isadora about her connection to the Evil God this morning when they visited the Seal, and now it was coming from another elder’s mouth.
The time in between was so short—before Elder Leitney set out, the last person he spoke with was probably Isadora.
“It’s me, that’s right… Are you okay?”
All those things could wait.
The most urgent issue now was that the elder looked like he was on the verge of death.
“It’s all right. I was half in the grave already—time for my soul to return to the Forest. Besides, I thank you on their behalf. You made them heroes of the Elf.”
Leitney knew the truth about this Suicide Squad.
They were supposed to die quietly, buried with any secrets they might have known.
But the Human Race girl acted in secret, heavily wounding the Bloodslaughter King, turning the squad’s meaningless assault into a significant feint and cover operation.
They didn’t die in vain.
“We can talk about that later,” Ayla said, looking at the elder with concern.
“If you have anything else to say, tell me quickly, I’m listening.”
Zero glanced at her silently.
Was Ayla coaxing a dying man to spill valuable intel?
How wicked.
Leitney understood the girl’s intent.
He hesitated for a long time, his aged eyes settling on the youthful, energetic face before him—a symbol of the future.
Had it been stopped once already? Maybe she could stop it again.
“Cough, cough, cough!”
Leitney coughed up blood, his eyes shining as he mustered unknown strength to grab the girl’s sleeve, speaking each word clearly.
“Our squad… was to bury a secret… a secret from a thousand years ago. One thousand two hundred years ago, Xisha sacrificed her entire village in an attempt to summon the Evil God, leading to the Meteor Event. But she was sealed afterward, unable to resist the Enforcement Corps, because she failed to complete the Sacrifice. One person survived—her close friend—because she happened to be away that day… so… the Sacrifice wasn’t completed!”
Ayla heard it. She understood.
“One thousand two hundred years ago… and she was friends with Xisha. That means this person is over a thousand years old now, right? Elder? Elder?”
No one answered.
Leitney closed his eyes, lying peacefully on the grass.
“He’s dead,” Zero said.
“Thanks. I wouldn’t have known if you hadn’t said so.”
Ayla straightened up, stretched, and only then realized the sky was growing dark.
As the sunlight faded, the plants in the Forest began to emit a gentle glow, providing eternal light to this vast world.
Besides Meteors from the sky, she couldn’t imagine what else could destroy it.
Out of respect, Ayla and Zero walked some distance away before discussing their plans.
“Can you track the Bloodslaughter King’s location?”
“Yes.”
Zero drew the dagger that had passed through the Nether.
“It will point to the wounded.”
The Silent Watcher spun in her palm like a compass needle, circling a few times before settling on a direction to the north.
“If we can track him, that’s enough. Let’s go back and tell the Elf, and have them send reinforcements tomorrow.”
Ayla crossed her arms, propping up the big mochi, her presence rising.
“I want to find a quiet moment to talk to him—let him die with clarity.”
Zero had no objections.
Kill as you wish—she was just a well-behaved little assassin.
“Let’s head back.”
They returned to the Dragon Hawk’s hiding place, settled in, and took off.
***
The sky had darkened.
Grass and trees in the Forest shimmered with faint light, invisible to outsiders but obvious to the Elves who lived here.
Behind the treehouse, Isadora picked up a basin of dried glowing grass, set it alight, and placed it down, the fire illuminating her emotionless face.
She was here to mourn.
By now, the Brave Warrior Squad should have been wiped out.
It was said that those who lived with secrets suffered most, and only death brought eternal release.
“Elder. Elder Isadora.”
Someone approached from outside.
“The Human Race envoys wish to see you. They say it’s important information.”
Outside the treehouse, the girls gathered, listening as Ayla recounted today’s ‘thrilling’ adventure.
“After leaving the Sealed Land, I saw there was still time, and I couldn’t get the flight out of my mind after last time, so I decided to try again. I rode the Dragon Hawk for a while, and Zero joined me. Not long after takeoff, we saw a squad of Elven Cavalry charging the Demon Tribe Camp—they had located the enemy commander and were launching a decapitation strike.”
The last four words made the girls’ eyes light up.
This was their specialty.
But then Ayla sighed, and her tone changed.
“The cavalry tried their best, but they were outmatched. They failed. But then—something even I didn’t expect—Zero acted.”
“Really?”
Celes, Vina, and Leah all looked at the assassin girl.
She nodded slightly, her pure face silently declaring.
Yes, I did it.
“The Bloodslaughter King was gravely injured and fled using a secret technique. He won’t get far, and his wounds are difficult to heal. If the army pursues tomorrow, victory might be within reach.”
Ayla finished the rest in one breath.
Before the girls could respond, an elder’s voice spoke.
“Is that so? Thanks to you all, on behalf of the Elf, I offer my gratitude.”
“Elder Isadora.”
“Good evening~”
“Good evening to you all.”
They greeted each other.
Isadora turned to Ayla.
“No time to waste. I’ll find Elder Trinia and arrange the main assault tomorrow.”
She didn’t mention asking for help.
This was the Elves’ own Forest defense—they couldn’t expect Human Race envoys to fight.
Celes didn’t bring it up either.
The two groups parted at the treehouse, Isadora going to find the other elders, while the girls returned inside to rest.
On the way, Vina asked,
“How did you two meet today?”
Leah perked up her ears, pretending not to care but listening intently.
“I ran into her on the way to find a Dragon Hawk. Right, Zero?”
“Mm. I was investigating some clues and wandered near the roost.”
Celes nodded calmly.
“The Forest is vast, but there are only so many places we’ve visited. Running into each other isn’t that odd.”
Leah pouted in secret.
How come I never run into good luck like this?
It’s not fair—companions get to enjoy double flights with Ayla, while I had to hand out flyers with a bunch of Elven kids all day.
So boring.
Saintess is jealous to death!
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