Chapter 299: Undercover I

Inside the seemingly endless forest, colossal trees towered like ancient pillars beneath a vast emerald canopy that stretched beyond sight.

Countless rays of golden sunlight filtered through the dense leaves above, casting shifting patterns across the moss-covered ground.

The air was cool and rich with the scent of earth, wildflowers, and ancient wood, while faint glowing motes drifted quietly between the trees like wandering spirits.

Every corner of the forest felt alive, as though the land itself was silently watching all who stepped within it.

The Midas caravan was currently divided into four groups, the individual squads that made up the present Sanguine Order.

Equilla moved at the front under Marzana’s lead.

From time to time, she would gently place her hand against the trunks of the ancient trees and close her eyes in silence.

As an elf, even with the so-called Chaos Physique, she still understood how to listen to the atmosphere and sense the emotions carried within the flora itself.

Thus, she took it upon herself to scout the path ahead, ensuring they would not walk into an ambush.

’Despite the bad memories... this is still my home, after all...’

Marzana thought with a bittersweet smile as she flawlessly led the caravan around, looking like she knew this forest like the palm of her hand.

And that was not an exaggeration.

As she pulled her soft hands away from the trunk of the tree, she had just ’felt’, she made some hand signs without looking back.

Behind her, the Gotun and Vanta squads, led by Lesfera and Vanessa, as well as the main squad, which was currently being led by Aurelia, had a knowing look on their faces as they proceeded to travel without breaking their formation.

In the main squad, Auryn and Patti also had cautious expressions on their faces.

Although they looked quite young, their experiences, especially the ones in the Sanctuary of Gold, were not to be underestimated.

Moreover, they had not slacked off since they had been freed.

Instead, they worked even harder to ’catch up’ due to the time they had lost in the incident.

Of course, the current formation they were in right now was to protect the main squad, particularly the two Midas siblings, from danger in all directions.

Finally, the squad holding the rear position in the caravan was none other than the Exemplar squad led by Zild.

The four aspiring knights kept themselves on high alert to ensure that they would be ready if ever any attacks came from behind.

After the conversation with the so-called ’Trunk’, the caravan decided to resume their disguise as merchants and escorts from the Midas Merchant Organization.

So far, other than meeting some elf personnel, they had not really come across anyone who seemed suspicious.

Thus, after some pleasantries, they hurriedly departed for the village assigned to them through the letter under the guise of collecting a rare herb.

Just as they all maintained caution inwardly...

Aurelia broke the silence as she deliberately spoke out loud, "How far are we from the Xerxes Village?"

"Only about ten minutes of walking left, Madam," Marzana replied without missing a beat.

In an instant, everyone else in the caravan visibly loosened up.

Some began talking with each other loudly, while some began looking all over the place.

However, despite their seemingly careless actions, they all had the same thought in mind.

’Someone’s observing us...’

That was right.

Aurelia’s seemingly simple question had, in fact, been a signal from the start.

***

While the caravan was doing its own thing...

Numerous silhouettes could be vaguely seen above the colossal ancient trees that crowded the Fores of Eternity.

Even though the sun was still in the sky, their figures seemed vague and blurry.

It looked like light itself was avoiding them.

One of the figures snickered, their eyes hovering on the group of people below the branches they were standing on.

"I didn’t expect to see Marzana here."

"Right? To think that someone from the royal lineage would be disgraced into being an escort for a human...."

"Truly laughable!"

"Our decision was right. The elves are truly heading toward their downfall."

"Yes. Purification is needed. I’m sure that the Great Mother Tree is aware of this as well."

"We are going to be the pioneers of a new era."

"Those lowly elves who have forsaken their pride and honor to work with humans are now worse than vermin!"

"No, those impure beings do not even deserve to be called elves!"

...

The figures hiding within the canopy of the trees chimed in one right after another.

However, despite their loud voices, no sound could be heard from their location at all.

***

A few minutes soon passed by...

"We’re here."

Marzana announced with a calm expression.

However, despite her calmness, her eyes were filled with unknown ripples.

Aurelia spoke while patting the elven girl’s shoulder, "Alright. Guide us to the village chief. After all, we still need to communicate with them if we were to collect herbs in this area."

"Understood." Marzana nodded as she approached the guards near the village entrance.

Her unique black hair and eyes immediately caught the attention of everyone at the village entrance.

Back in the caravan, Killian watched the situation with a strange expression.

Patti noticed this from the side and said, "Is something the matter?"

"No... It’s just that..." Killian shook his head.

Patti looked in the direction where he was looking and smiled, "You noticed, huh?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know this, right? That elves are gifted. They possess tremendous talent in mana. And as if that wasn’t enough, they also have long lives spanning thousands of years."

Hearing his voice, Killian nodded absentmindedly, "Yes, but... Don’t they have difficulty reproducing?"

"Yes..."

Patti gave him a knowing look as he turned his gaze towards the village ahead of them, "The reproduction rate of elves isn’t like that of humans. Sure, they were gifted in all aspects. However, they have a hard time reproducing. That’s why pure-blooded elves have become one in a dime."

"But how come this village has..." Killian did not even get to finish his words as Patti whispered beside his ear with utmost carefulness, "They’re half-elves."