Depressing night

The sky gradually brightened, and the entire camp was bathed in the soft light of dawn.

Despite staying awake through the night, none of the soldiers showed any signs of fatigue.

On the contrary, every face was filled with excitement.

Borne, though disappointed that he hadn't seen Father Raphael in person, still felt the aftermath of the battle.

After their victory, the five priests returned to their respective armies and immediately began directing the soldiers, maintaining order within the ranks.

As the soldiers packed their gear, they eagerly discussed the events of the previous night.

The swift light arrows, the sudden appearance of the ocean, and the sight of the mysterious beasts falling into the Celestoria Mountains were recounted repeatedly among the troops, like stories of legend.

Dalton and Lucius chatted animatedly, reliving every detail of the night.

Lucius waved his arms, vividly describing the astonishing scene he had witnessed from afar.

Borne and Harley walked side by side in the formation, talking about the immense power Father Raphael had displayed and the mysterious beasts.

Harley occasionally sighed.

"The battle last night was earth-shattering. I can't believe we managed to survive it."

Just then, Heywood joined their conversation.

"Honestly, I was already preparing to run."

Harley chuckled at this.

"Don't remind me—I almost did the same. I was really close to chickening out."

Bush nodded in agreement.

"Me too. I honestly thought there was no hope."

Recalling the heart-pounding events of the night, Borne asked, "Did any of you get a clear look at those three magic beasts?"

Harley shook his head.

"Not really. I heard people say they were a vulture, a black bear, and a black panther."

As they continued their discussion, Gommern came over to join in.

"That's right, I heard the same. But with all the chaos last night, it was hard to get a good look."

Heywood nodded, picking up the conversation.

"That vulture was massive. When it flapped its wings, it practically covered half the sky, and its speed was incredible."

Harley added, "The black bear was even more terrifying. It was covered in lightning, and every step it took made the ground feel like it was going to crack open."

Bush chimed in, "As for the black panther, it was hard to see—it moved too fast.

But those red markings on its body were really striking, especially in the dark."

Borne silently nodded, recalling the terrifying scenes from the previous night.

They hadn't just been facing ordinary beasts; these were powerful magic beasts.

Each attack from the magic beasts seemed capable of tearing the earth apart, suffocating anyone nearby.

"Honestly, if Father Raphael hadn't shown up when he did, we'd all be dead by now," Borne said solemnly.

Harley, deep in thought, sighed and said, "Father Raphael's power is truly awe-inspiring, but those magic beasts were terrifying.

I've never faced such strong opponents."

Gommern nodded in agreement.

"Those magic beasts were far from ordinary."

Heywood furrowed his brow and asked quietly, "Were those magic beasts after us, or were they after Father Raphael?"

At that moment, Dillon joined the conversation.

After a moment of thought, he said, "They were probably targeting Father Raphael.

I remember when he flew off, those magic beasts suddenly appeared and seemed in a hurry to chase him."

Borne pondered this, nodding lightly.

"If that's the case, then those magic beasts might have some connection to Father Raphael.

Or perhaps someone is controlling them, using them to go after him."

Harley frowned.

"If that's true, we could be in for even bigger trouble down the road."

The group fell silent, and the air grew tense with a sense of foreboding.

Everyone felt a growing sense of worry about what the future might hold.

They were getting closer to the base of the Celestoria Mountains.

Each soldier's heart was heavy with complex emotions, the scent of battle brewing in the air.

"When the time comes, the real fight will begin," Victor said in a low voice, his tone carrying an unprecedented weight.

The ten soldiers exchanged glances, their faces filled with anxiety.

None of them had ever participated in a large-scale beast extermination mission before, and the thought of the upcoming battle filled them with dread.

Captain Khazik strode over, standing next to them.

His gaze swept over the group, and after a moment of silence, he spoke slowly.

"Orders from above have been given. We must reach the base of the mountain by noon tomorrow. Be fully prepared."

Victor pursed his lips, a hint of doubt in his eyes.

"Captain, can we really do this? These magic beasts are said to be almost impossible to deal with, and our squad…"

Khazik cut him off.

"Victor, I understand your concerns. But no matter how strong the beasts are, we have no way out. Believe in yourselves and trust your teammates."

Soon night fell, and the camp was shrouded in darkness.

The squad quickly ate some dry rations and then lay down on the hay piles.

Despite their physical exhaustion, none of them could truly fall asleep.

The ten of them squeezed into a small tent, which was pitch black inside, the silence only occasionally broken by the sound of the wind outside.

Everyone had their eyes closed, but they all knew that no one was actually sleeping.

The tension of the upcoming battle hung over them like a heavy shadow, pressing down on everyone's minds.

Occasionally, there was a faint sigh, mingled with the sound of shifting clothes, making the silence even more unbearable.

Heywood turned over, trying to find a more comfortable position, but soon gave up, sighing heavily.

"I wonder what tomorrow will bring," he muttered.

No one responded, and the air remained thick with anxiety.

Harley spoke softly, "I never thought I'd be this scared."

Victor's voice broke the silence.

"Sleep. We still have a long way to march tomorrow."

The tent grew quiet again, with only the occasional gust of wind causing the canvas to rustle.

Borne opened his eyes, staring at the top of the tent.

The black night sky felt like it was pressing down on him, his thoughts a tangled mess.

The battle last night, the uncertainty of the future, and the terrifying power of the beasts swirled through his mind.

He tried to calm himself, but his thoughts flitted about like the wind, impossible to settle.

The wind outside gradually grew gentler, the night like an endless abyss, swallowing all his anxieties and fears.

Lying on the hay, he let out a soft sigh.

So many unanswered mysteries still haunted him.

That mysterious tooth—what was its origin?

And that strange child, with his cold eyes and eerie behavior, still lingered in Borne's mind.

After sighing, Borne closed his eyes again.

Though his body was exhausted, his thoughts continued to swirl amidst the confusion of unsolved riddles.

The tent remained steeped in darkness, the wind occasionally passing through, bringing the faint rustling of the canvas.

The hay made a soft rustling sound as each person tossed and turned, unable to truly sleep.

The heavy air was filled with faint sighs, and the oppressive atmosphere made it difficult to breathe.