Reunion at Gorge
That soldier was devoured.
Although Tyler couldn't see it, he could almost ascertain this outcome.
Regrettably, due to the distance, Tyler couldn't employ his identification ability to confirm the true form of that dark silhouette.
(Undoubtedly, it was a monster... Ordinary snakes cannot possess such a colossal size...)
(However, if it's not Rock Shadow Demon, then it's different from the stone golems seen in my future death scenes...)
Tyler became somewhat perplexed. Could it be that there are multiple types of monsters in this gorge?
·
Previously, while accompanying the Traveling Merchant Caravan, Tyler had heard from Granny Kasi about knowledge regarding monsters:
The Abyssal Star World is a realm with a high concentration of magical energy. In its environment, any creature has the potential to undergo mutations and become new monsters. The higher the magical energy density in the environment, the greater the likelihood of mutations.
Following a mutation, there is no reproductive isolation between the new monster and its original species. Additionally, there is a 50% chance of giving birth to offspring of the same new monster type after mating with the original species.
Therefore, if left unchecked, the newly mutated monsters would swiftly form communities and pose a threat to surrounding species, including humans.
The Wester Kingdom, situated behind the frontlines between humans and the evilkinds, is a relatively safe and peaceful nation with lower magical energy density. Typically, even if mutated monsters appear, they are promptly exterminated and do not form communities.
What Tyler is currently pondering is whether this Rock Shadow Demon has been present in Sandrift Gorge for so long that it has formed a community. Furthermore, what was its original species before the mutation?
Moreover, if the enormous snake shadow witnessed tonight isn't a Rock Shadow Demon, what could it be?
Tyler urgently realizes that if he doesn't find answers to these questions soon, he will meet his demise due to ignorance.
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〖Prison Star Calendar〗
〖Year 187, May 26〗
〖6:03 AM〗
〖Countdown to Confession Death: 25 days〗
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In the camp of the Gudetown Cavalry, at the break of dawn, the air was filled with the hushed whispers of soldiers.
The soldiers were all discussing the disappearance of another soldier, even though Captain Laidell himself had participated in the night patrol.
Opinions varied among the soldiers, but there was one conclusion that everyone agreed upon: if things continued like this, they would all inexplicably meet their demise in this gorge.
"They're just missing! It doesn't necessarily mean they're dead!"
Laidell shouted loudly, attempting to control the soldiers' discussions, but his face now bore signs of exhaustion, and his words lacked conviction.
Upon hearing his own voice, Laidell realized what it meant to be unable to live up to one's intentions. Now, not only the soldiers, but Laidell himself was on the verge of giving up.
("I never expected that "rumor" to actually be true...")
("The previous times were all fine, so why this time...?")
("If only I had known... I wouldn't have come here for such a paltry sum of money...")
The thought of the military pay he had gone to great lengths to put in his pocket possibly going to waste made Laidell even more anxious.
Just as he was preparing to find an excuse to lead the troops in retreat, the morale of the cavalry collapsed prematurely.
"Thank you for everything these days. We're leaving."
Rhode and the girl from Ira Village, without saying goodbye to Laidell, bid farewell to the soldiers and hurriedly left the camp.
Their departure became the final straw that broke the soldiers' resolve. These soldiers were all new recruits who still desired to stay alive. Now that they saw someone leaving the gorge, how could they resist the urge to follow suit?
"I... I want to survive! I won't go with you to fight those damned monsters!!"
It was unclear which soldier first shouted these words, but then, like a frenzy, all the soldiers began packing their belongings and mounting their horses, fleeing towards the exit of the gorge!
"Stop right there!"
"Anyone who dares to run will be executed on the spot!!"
"Damn it! Can you all hear me?!?!"
No matter how loudly Laidell shouted, it was as if the soldiers were an unstoppable flood. He had no choice but to mount his own horse. He wanted to catch up to the fastest runner and kill him, hoping to deter these new recruits.
Upon witnessing the chaotic situation, Avril immediately grabbed two horses without owners and joined Rhode in riding towards the exit of the gorge, following the soldiers.
For a moment, the gorge was filled with swirling dust, accompanied by the thunderous sound of hooves colliding with the ground.
·
As they ran, Elle suddenly intervened in the mind of Avril.
(Avril, something is wrong. Let me take over!)
With extremely keen observation skills, Elle noticed that the vibrations caused by the galloping horses seemed to trigger a resonance in the mountains. Numerous small rocks were falling from the cliff top, and if this vibration intensified, it might...!
Just as Elle was thinking this, a huge boulder fell from the cliff, instantly killing the soldier at the forefront.
Then, the second, third... countless rocks of various sizes began to fall continuously from the sky. The soldiers hurriedly pulled on the reins and changed direction, but it was impossible to make such a sudden turn in this narrow gorge!
In the chaos, the soldiers started trampling each other, and to make matters worse, the landslide continued...
Even though the demons had not yet launched a real attack, several soldiers had already died inexplicably due to this "man-made" disaster.
Fortunately, Avril was not affected because Elle helped control the horses. However, Rhode wasn't as lucky. He was caught in the middle of the stampeding horses, struggling to extricate himself from the chaos...
"Rhode!"
Suddenly, Captain Laidell swiftly blocked Rhode with his lance.
"If it weren't for you damaging morale, the situation wouldn't have been like this!"
Enraged, Laidell struck Rhode with his lance, knocking him off his horse and into the area still being affected by the landslide!
Seeing Rhode about to be crushed by hooves and falling rocks, Laidell spurred his horse and ran without looking back.
"Everyone, come this way! Those who want to survive, follow my command!"
Seizing the opportunity amidst the disaster, Laidell raised his lance high and regained control over the unit. Under his leadership, the cavalry quickly escaped from the landslide area. However, after this encounter, only eight soldiers remained.
(Tsk... only this few are left... fine, I'll just say they were killed by the landslide.)
Laidell scanned the soldiers and realized that the young girl from Ira Village was not among them.
"Did she die in the landslide...? I wanted to bring her back as a scapegoat. If I had known, I would've spared Rhode's wretched life..."
(I'll have to come up with another plan.)
Laidell circled his horse in place, then raised his lance once more and shouted, "Follow me! We'll exit through the northern passage!"
·
Avril didn't die; she hid in the crevices of the cliff and only came out after the cavalry left.
During the chaos just now, Avril clearly saw how Laidell killed Rhode.
Elle almost went berserk and wanted to kill Laidell to avenge Rhode, but Avril stopped her.
(It's not the right time yet.)
That's what Avril told herself.
(For now, I can only silently follow the cavalry from a distance and wait until we escape from this gorge.)
To restrain her emotions, Avril tightly clenched her fist, and blood even seeped from her grip as her nails pierced her flesh.
Indeed, Avril and Rhode didn't share a romantic love, but they had a bond like brother and sister.
Avril took heavy steps forward, and at that moment, a young man jumped down from the cliff and landed in front of her.
"Avril, it's been a long time."