Chapter 13 - Tracking

The forest was silent, some periodic sounds of insects became luminous. Moonlight filtered through the leaves of the trees above, causing few rays of light to touch the ground.

Drake could be seen running, taking the path he had taken the day before. His movement speed was quite ordinary, trying to keep himself at a steady pace, conserving his energy in case he needed it.

Along the way, he saw the tracks they left last night. Dozens of trees were cut in half where the silver knight had hurled his sword. Feeling a stab of anger, Drake ignored his feelings and continued running.

Drake often seemed to have been swallowed by darkness, making his presence seem to have become invisible at times. Through the darkness that surrounded the interior of the forest. Drake moved like a shadow, taking a few detours through the trees, he was getting used to moving over unstable terrain.

Some time passed.

In the distance, Drake's vision filled with rays of moonlight, like a light at the end of the tunnel, signaling the end of the dense forest. Taking his last step out of this forest, Drake looked into the distance.

The battlefield was a mess. A huge crater measuring more than 30 meters spread in the center of the battlefield, along with cracks that spread across all grounds.

Bodies and blood littered the ground in all directions, proportionately there were far more goblin bodies than humans. Drake felt hesitant to approach, in a way, he felt that what happened here was his fault, at least part of it.

Walking with slow steps, he approached the mess that was the post battle field. Step by step, the smell of pungent iron intensified, becoming almost nauseating.

Looking around, Drake tried to find Kaesir's body, which he didn't take very much.

There was a body of a man, his body almost completely exposed by his burnt clothes, with his head missing from his neck. There was a spear stuck in the ground next to his body, Kaesir's spear more precisely.

The blood running down the spear was dry. On the tip of his spear was a head, while a crow was sitting on his face, eating what was left of one of his eyes, rendering his inner part exposed.

Approaching the spear, the crow was startled, flapping its wings and flying across the dark sky. Drake made eye contact with the head, which seemed to be looking directly into his eyes.

Drake's expression became distorted, his head lowered, his countenance becoming unfamiliar.

"Sorry"

His body still, Drake looked at the bodies around him. He looked for Frey, but since his group was targeted by the Orc last night, even if he found her, he doubted he would be able to recognize his body.

Turning his head toward the village, he saw that the main gate was broken, its remaining parts charred. Having a glimpse of the inner part of the village, he saw a huge crater, similar to the aftereffects of the fireball that was on the battlefield.

Drake asked if Blackie was alive. He noted that the stable was burnt down, but there were no instances of horses nearby.

Looking around, he looked for something he could use, a weapon or even some cloth.

Fiddling with the body of one of the warriors, Drake removed his dark brown cloak, putting it over his body, making it almost touch the ground for his short stature.

Looking at the variety of weapons lying around on the floor, he pondered which one he should pick up. He didn't find his sword, which had probably been disintegrated along with the Orc. Drake didn't like any particular weapon from the barbarian tribe, there were some sabers, scimitars, spears, but no straight swords.

Giving up looking, he picked up a simple dagger that was lying on the floor, it was very light, with its blade containing something close to 25 centimeters.

Drake walked in a certain direction when his eyes followed the footprints that were on the floor.

Looking in a certain direction, Drake's eyes turned cold.

Without thinking twice, he started to run.

----

In the middle of a dirt road. A caravan of soldiers wearing silver armor could be seen.

They were being led by a person who covered himself with the cloak of his hood. At his side, a huge silver knight was accompanying him on foot.

The silver knight said.

" Sir, we must hurry. After what we've done, it's only a matter of time before the mayor of Viburg finds out "

The hooded figure, with a dismissive tone said.

"Don't worry Dorgran, my uncle won't find out, and even if he does, I have a strong power behind me"

The silver knight named Dorgran felt strange. Deep down he didn't want to attack the Deore village, but because he was in the service of the Viburg army, he was dragged by the mayor's nephew.

Aside from the hooded figure, everyone was on foot. Looking like a form of display of their superiority over the soldiers. His forced display of superiority was slowing their travels, making some of the soldiers uncomfortable, but no one dared to complain.

It was already night, they had been traveling for almost 12 hours, so they would have to rest again. Gripping the horse's reins, the hooded figure shouted.

" Prepare the camp, we will spend the night here today "

All the soldiers behind him stopped and sighed. Finally having some time to rest. Everyone stopped, dropping their bags and weapons to the ground. Some started to light the fire and others went to set up the tents.

Soon, they all entered a relaxed mood, unaware of the possible dangers that could be in their surroundings. They were located at the side of a road on a grassy plain, there were no obstacles or distractions nearby.

Orange light flickered in dancing shadows around the fires. The soldiers were in their moment of rest, allowing themselves to remove parts of their armor. Above the fires, the cauldrons of water began to bubble, raising steam, as something appeared to be cooking.

The hooded figure removed its hood, exposing a young man's face.

He appeared to be young, about 20 years old. His red hair was combed back, contrasting with his beautiful blue eyes, which looked like two glittering jewels in this dark night.

Sitting on a piece of log, he was thinking about what his next moves should be. He tried to force his way to get the mana stone, but a small rat from the Crimson family had interfered with his plans, taking it at the last moment.

Dorgran, the silver knight stopped beside him.

"Young master Kael, don't worry, although it's rare, it's not impossible to find more mana stones" his voice sounded in a respectful tone.

The young red haired Kael, had an irritated expression, his teeth were clenched. He was so close to reaching his goal, just with that mana stone he would be able to advance his rank.

He was a 4-star sorcerer, which would be equivalent to a high-ranking knight. He was above average compared to the average population of the Human Continent, but compared to geniuses like the descendants of the main families, he would be ridiculed.

Kael ignored the silver knight. Making the knight slightly uncomfortable, causing him to back away. Kael was irritated, weakening his senses and perceptions. Being a mage, despite being relaxed, his conscience was spread across the space around him, slightly attentive.

With that, he felt something.

He noticed movements in one direction. Looking in the direction, it must have been at least 20 meters away, but all his eyes met was darkness. Feeling uncomfortable Kael yelled.

"Soldiers, patrol in that direction!"

Three soldiers got up and mumbled, but without complaining, they got up, heading in the direction their Young Master commanded.

The first led with a torch in his hands, they continued to approach, step by step the distance increased, 5 meters, 10 meters, 15 meters, when his steps exceeded 20 meters.

Swosh

The torch in the soldier's hand went out, causing the three soldiers to be engulfed in darkness.

A slight sound was heard, along with the sound of liquid hitting the ground.

"ARRGGHHH!"

A last scream was heard as footsteps approached. Kael and Dorgran prepare for what was to come.

The silver-armored soldier came running back, one of his arms hanging down, the blood draining like a waterfall, looking like he'd been wounded in an artery at the base of his arm.

"WHAT HAPPENED!?" Kael asked in a warning tone.

" IT'S A DEMON! " The soldier screamed, when a dizziness derived from his loss of blood made him fall unconscious.

The remaining soldiers closed in, creating a ring around their young master.

"WHO'S THERE!" shouted Dorgran.

From the darkness, the sound of wind seemed to create an eerie howl, followed by a deafening silence.

step

step

Slow footsteps became audible.

When in the dark.

Two red pupils lit up.