Chapter 300: Beneath The Scarlet Canopy II

Aelric did not immediately respond to Caelestra’s question. He continued navigating the forest, stepping over exposed roots and occasionally brushing aside the crimson foliage that obstructed their path...

His silence, however, only served to aggravate the group’s growing impatience. After enduring several more minutes of their persistent questioning, the green-eyed youth eventually sighed.

"Like I’ve said, you’ll see."

Before Caelestra could voice another complaint, he raised a hand slightly, as though anticipating her objection.

"Trust me. Wherever I’m taking you will definitely be worth it. And if you feel that you must know something beforehand, just keep in mind that this little stroll will help broaden your horizons and give you a better understanding of the terrain in the Nether Lands."

His explanation was hardly a direct answer, but it nevertheless succeeded in quieting the group, if only temporarily.

Aureleah, however, did not appear particularly satisfied. Her brows narrowed as she regarded the youth.

"Aelric, you speak about broadening our horizons, yet you haven’t even told us anything substantial about what you have in mind."

Her voice remained composed, although there was a faint edge of disapproval beneath it. "I’m not trying to be overly suspicious or distrustful, but I believe we have a right to know where exactly you’re leading us."

Aureleah was not someone who spoke unnecessarily. In fact, she often preferred to observe rather than participate in conversations, allowing others to occupy themselves with arguments while she quietly assessed their surroundings.

Consequently, whenever she chose to voice an opinion, it usually meant that something had finally crossed the threshold of her patience.

Her words also carried a particular weight within the group. Even Regaleon, who was not especially fond of being told what to do, often found himself considering her advice seriously.

This is because Aureleah possessed an instinctive understanding of danger, and her reservations were rarely without reason.

Therefore, the moment she spoke, the change in Aelric’s expression was almost immediate.

The green-eyed youth shook his head and released a weary sigh.

"You know, your persistence is something that wears me out and annoys me at the same time." He glanced at her briefly. "Still, I can’t deny that you have a point. But at the same time, I can’t tell you where we’re going."

His words produced an immediate reaction.

Caelestra’s eyebrows rose, Kaeloris looked increasingly perplexed, and Veyrath’s expression suggested that he was beginning to regret every decision that had brought him to this particular stretch of forest.

Aelric noticed the suspicion spreading across their faces, especially the pronounced frown on Aureleah’s.

"Hold on. It’s not as though I’m deliberately hiding something dangerous from you," he added quickly. "It’s just that the place I’m taking you to is difficult to describe. Besides, trust me. You’ll appreciate this surprise."

Normally, outside the Nether Lands, the word surprise was associated with pleasant discoveries. It might mean an unexpected gift, a celebration, or some delightful revelation that made the recipient forget whatever worries had occupied their thoughts.

Within the Nether Lands, however, the word possessed an entirely different character.

An anticipated encounter could already spell disaster, so an unexpected one was considerably worse. Here, uncertainty was not an amusing inconvenience but a potentially lethal predicament.

A surprise could take the form of a concealed Anima, an ambush by a pack of Netherytes, or some peculiar creature whose existence alone was enough to make seasoned Etheryeans reconsider their career choices.

Consequently, Aelric’s promise failed to inspire the enthusiasm he might have expected.

Instead, the group exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions communicating a collective reluctance that required no words.

Aelric observed their reactions for a moment but he could hardly blame them.

"Surprise?" Veyrath finally repeated, his voice rising slightly. "Uhm... Aelric, you know what? We don’t want your surprise. Just tell us straightforwardly what we’re supposed to be looking for."

The auburn-haired Alchemist swallowed.

The word alone had sent an unpleasant chill crawling down his spine. His imagination, which had never been particularly helpful during moments of danger, had already begun producing a variety of increasingly dreadful possibilities.

For some reason, he could not shake the feeling that a primordial beast had just opened its eyes somewhere in the forest and fixed its attention upon their unfortunate little group.

He glanced towards the surrounding foliage but nothing moved. That, naturally, did absolutely nothing to reassure him.

Aelric looked at Veyrath and pursed his lips, apparently deciding that further explanations would accomplish little. After a brief moment, he shook his head and turned around.

"You know what? If any of you think you can’t continue, why don’t you simply return to the ruined temple?" he said. "I’m sure you’ll be able to find something interesting there."

His tone remained casual, but there was a noticeable trace of irritation beneath it. Clearly, even Aelric had reached the limits of his patience.

The group, however, seemed remarkably gifted at testing those limits. Their persistent questions, objections, and reluctance to trust his judgement had gradually transformed what should have been a straightforward walk into an exhausting exercise in persuasion.

It was an unfortunate talent to possess, particularly when the person they were pestering might be the very individual capable of keeping them alive.

Aelric had evidently decided that he was finished explaining himself.

Without waiting for another response, he resumed walking.

The group exchanged glances once more, their eyes meeting briefly as they communicated through the unspoken language they had gradually developed during their time together.

There was an obvious temptation to challenge Aelric’s suggestion and insist on returning to the ruined temple. After all, they were exhausted, their bodies still carried the strain of the earlier battle, and the prospect of wandering further into an unfamiliar section of the Crimson Forest held little appeal.

Yet, after considering the alternatives, they reached an unspoken agreement.

Returning to the ruined temple was hardly an attractive option.

Aelric had already warned them that several creatures might have detected the energy released by Regaleon’s Soul Essences. Even if those beasts had not arrived yet, there was no guarantee that the ruins would remain unoccupied for much longer.

Indeed, they might already be approaching from different directions, drawn by the disturbances like predators gathering around the scent of blood and the group certainly had no intention of walking back into that predicament.

Between following Aelric towards an unknown destination and returning to a ruined temple that might soon become a hunting ground, the choice was surprisingly straightforward.

At least Aelric was with them.

Although they had yet to discover what awaited them at the end of their journey, they could reasonably assume that he would not lead them somewhere entirely beyond his ability to handle. His experience in the Nether Lands was considerable, and his confidence, irritating as it could be, was rarely baseless.

Besides, whatever dangers might inhabit their destination, it was probably a more favourable prospect than remaining where they had already attracted unwanted attention.

With that consideration settled, the group gradually fell silent and followed after him.

The crimson foliage swayed overhead as the group disappeared deeper beneath the Scarlet Canopy, their footsteps gradually blending with the faint rustling of the forest.

They still had no idea where Aelric was taking them, nor what awaited them at their destination. Nevertheless, they continued forward.

After all, even if the place ahead contained some manner of monstrous creature, it was at least likely to be a considerably safer prospect than the ruined temple they had left behind...