Chapter 299: Beneath The Scarlet Canopy

Leaving the ruined temple behind, the group stepped beneath the dense canopy of the Crimson Forest. The atmosphere changed almost immediately, as the enclosed darkness of the ancient structure gave way to the strange scarlet haze stretching across the surrounding landscape.

However, this particular section of the Scarlet Canopy was markedly different from the one in which they had taken refuge for an entire week.

Crimson foliage crowded the path ahead, its interwoven branches forming an irregular ceiling that filtered the ambient light into shifting shades of scarlet and burgundy. The leaves varied considerably in shape and size, ranging from slender, blade-like fronds to broad, fan-shaped growths whose surfaces possessed a faint, waxy sheen.

Some were almost translucent along their edges, allowing narrow threads of vermilion illumination to pass through, while others appeared so dark that they seemed to have absorbed every trace of light that touched them.

The forest floor was equally distinctive. Thick roots twisted through the reddish soil, disappearing beneath carpets of fallen scarlet leaves that cracked softly beneath the group’s boots. Here and there, clusters of peculiar fungi clung to decaying trunks, their pale caps contrasting sharply with the surrounding vegetation.

Delicate tendrils hung from the branches overhead, swaying whenever an occasional breeze travelled through the forest and releasing a faint fragrance reminiscent of damp earth and crushed herbs.

The scenery was familiar, yet strangely unfamiliar at the same time.

If the group had to guess, they would attribute the difference to the fact that this section of the forest occupied a higher elevation. Its vegetation appeared more luxuriant, its colours more vivid, and its overall appearance almost otherworldly.

Perhaps this was what the Scarlet Canopy truly looked like, explaining why its features differed so noticeably from the section they had previously inhabited.

After all, Aelric had explained that their former shelter was situated near the outer edge of the Crimson Forest. If that was indeed the case, then the territory they were currently traversing might represent a considerably deeper portion of the woodland, where the environment had developed under different conditions.

Unfortunately, its beauty did little to diminish the unsettling atmosphere.

The Crimson Forest possessed the peculiar ability to make even an otherwise peaceful stroll feel like an invitation to disaster. Every rustle among the foliage invited suspicion, while every unfamiliar sound seemed capable of concealing something with teeth large enough to make an unfortunate meal of them.

The forest was not particularly loud, yet its silence never felt entirely peaceful. Somewhere beyond their field of vision, creatures moved through the undergrowth, their presence betrayed by occasional disturbances that vanished before anyone could properly investigate them.

Aureleah remained particularly attentive, her silver eyes sweeping across the surrounding vegetation with the practised vigilance of an assassin.

Valmyr had manifested his Broadsword once more, resting the weapon across his shoulders while keeping his fingers firmly wrapped around its hilt.

Vaelorin periodically glanced towards the trees whenever the wind stirred the foliage overhead, his Fiery Staff ready to unleash a torrent of flames at a moment’s notice.

Regaleon had also manifested his Halberd. Its gleaming edge reflected the cold crimson illumination filtering through the canopy, making the weapon resemble a crescent of blood-red moonlight.

Even Sylveris had become noticeably more attentive. Her twin ivory fangs remained firmly clasped in her hands, and her gaze moved between the surrounding trees with the alertness of a young predator learning to recognise the presence of its own.

Although she was still poorly equipped to contend with the sort of Anima or Netheryte that could potentially ambush them, she was no longer the inexperienced girl who had accompanied them into the Nether Lands.

She had courage, and more importantly, she was beginning to understand how to apply it.

The battle against the Ratchyrs had done more than make her a useful member of the group; it had also strengthened her confidence.

She had witnessed the brutality of the Nether Lands firsthand and survived an encounter that would have overwhelmed someone with considerably less determination.

That experience had changed her, even if only slightly.

Kaeloris, meanwhile, had refrained from manifesting his Lantern. Ordinarily, the Soul Essence would have been useful in illuminating their surroundings, allowing the group to navigate the forest without relying entirely on the dim scarlet light filtering through the canopy.

However, Regaleon had cautioned him against doing so.

Following Kaeloris’s breakthrough as a Rank One Etheryean, his Lantern had improved considerably. Previously, its illumination could cover an area of approximately a hundred metres, but its effective range had now doubled.

While this represented a substantial improvement, it also meant that manifesting it would produce a conspicuous beacon visible across a considerable portion of the forest.

And Regaleon had no intention of announcing their presence to every creature capable of noticing it.

Besides, their physical enhancements had already improved their eyesight considerably. They could distinguish the shapes of nearby trees, identify obstacles along the path, and perceive movements that ordinary humans would have missed entirely. So there was little reason to illuminate their surroundings when doing so might attract unwanted attention.

Aelric, in the meantime, navigated the forest with remarkable familiarity. He stepped over exposed roots and slipped between thorny bushes without the slightest hesitation, rarely pausing to examine his surroundings.

On several occasions, he changed direction without explanation, leading them away from narrow passages that appeared perfectly serviceable to everyone else.

His movements suggested that he already knew where he was going. Unfortunately, he seemed to have neglected the small matter of informing the cohort.

After several minutes of constant walking, their patience finally began to wear thin. Eventually, Kaeloris was the first to break the silence.

"Aelric, where exactly are we going?"

The bespectacled scholar adjusted his spectacles, his expression betraying the growing irritation beneath his usual composure. Honestly, he could hardly remember the last time they had walked such a considerable distance without knowing their destination.

As a matter of fact, this particular experience had occurred only once before, when Regaleon had led them towards the Sauryeans’ Breeding Nest. Back then, they had at least possessed a general understanding of their objective, even if the journey itself had been far from straightforward.

Now, however, they were once again following someone who appeared to regard providing directions as an unnecessary courtesy.

Aelric continued walking as though he had not heard the question.

Kaeloris frowned. He was just about to repeat himself, perhaps with a little more emphasis this time, when the green-eyed youth finally responded.

"You’ll see."

And that was all. He did not slow down, turn around, or offer even the slightest clarification.

"We’ll see?" Caelestra repeated, raising an eyebrow.

She exchanged a brief glance with Regaleon before directing her attention towards Aelric’s retreating figure.

"No offence, Aelric, but we’ve been walking for several minutes now, and we haven’t encountered anything particularly remarkable. Are you certain that whatever you intend to show us is important enough to justify leading us on this wild goose chase?"

Her objection was hardly unreasonable.

The environment they were traversing was unfamiliar, and unlike their previous shelter, this section of the Crimson Forest offered no obvious landmarks or safe routes.

They were surrounded by dense vegetation, uncertain paths, and creatures whose whereabouts remained unknown. Under such circumstances, blindly following someone without knowing their destination was hardly a reassuring prospect.

Caelestra disliked being a nuisance by repeatedly pressing Aelric for answers, particularly when he had already demonstrated that he preferred keeping his discoveries to himself.

Nevertheless, there was only so much patience one could expect from a group that had spent an exhausting day fighting monsters.

And considering that Aelric apparently had no intention of explaining himself, she felt someone had to remind him that the rest of them were not particularly fond of wandering through a dangerous forest without knowing why...