Chapter 12: The Silent Forest

Yulia was as charming as ever, quickly befriending the girl named Alice, and they walked ahead together, studying the fire magic that Alice used for caution. Dante, relieved to momentarily escape Yulia, slipped to the back of the group to rummage through the hunter supplies for something to eat.

The hunter team gradually delved deeper into the Silya Forest, and Dante was quite content trailing behind, savoring the rare moment of peace without Yulia’s incessant pestering, enjoying a beer he bought back at the camp.

“This beer is really good! I should’ve bought a couple more barrels earlier.”

“Do you like it? We brewed it with ghoul blood. It’s our settlement’s specialty!”

“How about I just go back and grab a few more?”

“Then our cart won’t have enough space, Lord Dante.”

“Speaking of which, you’re pretty carefree. Getting drunk in such a dangerous forest could be fatal,” Kaiding remarked, eyeing Dante as he downed another mug.

“You guys are the lucky ones! With a compliant Alice, I usually don’t even have time to grab a drink because of that wicked Yulia. Now I’ve got the soldiers at the fortress calling me ‘Nanny’ openly! No thought for my feelings at all. Should we switch Alice and Yulia around just to see how you feel?” Dante lamented with a voice full of melodramatic flair.

“I heard that, you know, Uncle Dante,” Yulia shouted from the front, a fireball spiraling out of control towards him amidst their magical protection.

“Damn it! Lawrence’s notes clearly state you can’t use magic to attack others…”

“Oh, for others, that’s true. Maybe it’s just because you’re special, Uncle Dante?” Another couple of fireballs zoomed in his direction as she spoke.

“I take it back, Lady Yulia!”

“小悠莉娅, it’s hard to control the flames when you do that,” Alice grumbled to Yulia, her displeasure evident.

“Ah, I’m sorry! What were we talking about again?”

“Using fire magic in the forest,” Alice replied as she adjusted the trajectory of her fireballs, resuming their earlier conversation.

Alice’s magic reserves allowed her to wield fire magic for up to twelve hours a day. Though currently, she utilized it to intimidate the lurking monsters, keeping them at bay, she would switch duties with Reim every six hours to use his spatial detection magic to scout ahead and avoid the forest beasts.

Gradually, the group plunged deeper into the forest, and as Alice passed her watch duty to Reim, the twilight hours brought an increase in the frequency of monster appearances.

“Maern, did you notice? There’s a ghoul approaching from two o’clock,” Reim reported to the strongest hunter, Maern, as he utilized his detection magic.

“This ghoul seems unavoidable. Reim, keep watch for the lurking beasts. Kus, take care of the supplies and provide arrow support. Kaiding, let’s drive it away together!”

With that, Maern darted forward, thrusting his spear at the ghoul, which blocked the attack with its massive arms. However, from behind, Kus shot an arrow directly into the ghoul’s eye, which let out a horrific scream. By that time, Kaiding had rushed to its ankle, disabling one of its legs with his spear.

“Alright! Now this guy can’t chase us anymore. Let’s get moving!”

Thus, Dante’s strength assessment plan proceeded exceedingly well. Over the three days of hasty travel in the forest, he gained ample understanding of the abilities of the five companions.

The hunters undeniably possessed the strength of the finest soldiers in the fortress. When Alice’s magic reserves ran out and her fire magic defenses faltered, they diligently cleared away the potential monster threats around them.

However, Alice’s battle prowess likely surpassed the combined might of the other four. At her young age, she could unleash large-scale fire magic for fourteen continuous hours within barriers against the cold corpses, showcasing both impressive magical reserve and technique.

Additionally, her white hair and crimson eyes emanated an ominous chill, suggesting she was of ghoul descent. Perhaps she was just a child from the tribes near the Als Snow Mountain, lost in the forest. Hopefully, her parents would come looking for her discreetly in the future.

Watching Alice quietly guarding the group with her fire magic, Dante couldn’t help but reminisce about his not-so-pleasant childhood, when he was feared by those around him—until he followed Lawrence to the magical city and finally made his first friend, Blake, in that chaotic, shadowy place.

Well, once I get back, I’ll just adopt Alice legally and have her stay in the fortress. Otherwise, when her parents come to wreak havoc, I’ll be left to clean up the mess. Plus, that will solve Yulia’s playmate dilemma too. I’m a genius!

During the night watch, Dante reminisced while sipping his beer, gazing fondly at the two little girls sleeping closely together.

Soon, the sun rose, and the group set off again. Dante’s spirits were still high, but the hunters appeared increasingly serious.

“Mr. Dante is indeed reliable! As we go deeper into the forest, the frequency of ghouls we encounter is actually decreasing. Let’s hope it’s not just the breeding season arriving early.”

“Don’t worry! With me around, even a thousand ghouls would be no issue!”

“Well then, we can relax,” the hunters chuckled ruefully, ignoring Dante’s unwarranted confidence, and continued to remain vigilant in their watch.

And so, the group moved forward under a cloak of unease, even Dante finally matching the somber atmosphere, putting his beer away. Of course, Yulia, the fearless rookie, remained her cheerful self.

Before long, it was noon, and with Dante’s drunkenness fading, he formally called a halt to the team, stating he needed to briefly part ways with the group.

“Alice-chan, how much longer can your flames keep this place secured?” Dante inquired, looking at Alice.

“I can use it for around eight to nine more hours until my magic runs out,” Alice replied cutely, tilting her head in thought.

“Then keep it going, but remember to watch your magic reserves. Save enough for yourself. Lady Yulia, could you help me set up a defensive barrier around here?” After giving orders to Alice, Dante turned to Yulia.

“No way! Setting up a barrier is too complicated,” Yulia replied, maintaining her annoyingly predictable attitude.

“Whatever you want me to do when we get back, I promise to oblige.”

“Hehe, alright, what exactly do you want me to set up?”

“Just use everything you know, for now, hold off using it. Launch it five minutes after I leave, alright?”

“Got it!”

“Okay then, everyone, stay put and wait for me to return. An old friend of mine is nearby, and I’m just going to say hello,” Dante said, a fierce intent flashing across his face as he turned to the group.

At this moment, the forest fell eerily silent, the unusual stillness radiated potent danger, and the hunters could feel the tension mounting in the air. After giving his final instructions to the two girls, Dante approached the hunters, briefly explained the situation, and then broke off from the team, venturing solo deeper into the forest.