4/4
Swoosh!
After a whistling sound that tore through the air, Eileen let out a startled cry near the swamp. A perfectly aimed arrow had landed just centimeters away from her feet. She immediately redirected her attention away from the black mud swamp and looked around with a mixture of alertness and anger.
Following closely behind, a rapid sound of hooves emerged from the forest behind. The owner of the arrow appeared before them—a centaur.
“What are you still standing there for? Do you want to die being so close to the swamp?” The centaur shouted angrily at Renji and his companions, especially Eileen, who had just been dangerously close to the swamp. He rushed over and retrieved the arrow that had forced Eileen away from the swamp.
“You Fuc…”
Eileen was about to say something, but the centaur interrupted her, saying, “Shut up! It’s too dangerous here. Follow me!”
After finishing his words, the centaur turned and headed into the forest. However, it was evident that he intentionally slowed his pace to allow Renji and his group to keep up.
Whether it was his earlier warning to Eileen or his current intention to lead them away, it was clear that the centaur’s attitude was very different from the other forest-dwelling demi-human they had encountered.
‘Is he from the “Watcher’s” tribe?’
Renji didn’t react unnecessarily and silently led the two people with him to follow the centaur.
And during the journey, Eileen was still disgruntled about the centaur’s arrow, and she continued to express her frustration until Renji gave her a light tap on the head, after which she quieted down. On the other hand, Dragon Lady, who was next to her, glanced at Eileen and continued to remain expressionless. .
In this manner, they quickly passed through the forest, and the outlines of a campsite appeared in the distance.
Daggo, as a “Forest Guardian,” had initially intended to take Renji and his companions to meet someone from his tribe to ensure that they were not polluted by the black mud before allowing them to leave.
However, as they approached the tribal camp, Daggo’s ears twitched, and his face suddenly changed. He no longer paid any attention to Renji and the others, instead immediately breaking into a full gallop and heading straight for the camp.
The reason was that, unbelievably, the Savage Wild Swamp had also appeared around the camp now. What was even more deadly was that, after a wriggling motion from the black mud, strange creatures began to emerge from it.
No, it wouldn’t be accurate to call them creatures. They were in a state of decay, their eyes lifeless, and all that remained was their crimson desire to attack. With each step these monstrosities took, the black mud below them continued to spread.
Many centaur demi-human within the camp were fiercely resisting these black mud monsters, but their defensive line appeared to be crumbling. The swamp’s area continued to expand, gradually encroaching on the camp.
Daggo, filled with anxiety, had already nocked an arrow and pulled it tight, drawing his bowstring with great force. The arrow shot from his bowstring hit one of the black mud monsters squarely in its eye with exceptional precision.
However, in the grand scheme of things, his shot did little to change the situation.
But at that moment, a powerful aura radiated behind him. When Daggo turned in surprise, he saw the human girl who had been playing with the mud by the swamp a moment ago. She had transformed, now wielding a bloody-red greatsword that sent shivers down his spine. Before he could comprehend what was happening, she had already charged forward.
The black mud monsters, which they had considered formidable adversaries, crumbled under the girl’s greatsword. What shocked Daggo even more was that the most terrifying aspect of these black mud monsters, their seemingly endless numbers, suddenly appeared to be working in her favor. Every time she struck down one of the filthy creatures, instead of weakening, her sword seemed to glow even brighter. Initially, she had been taking them down one by one, but as time passed, she could effortlessly cleave through a dozen or more monsters with a single swing.
This “Swamp ” was probably the fastest ending to such an event that Daggo had experienced in his fifteen years of life.
In less than a minute, there was not a single black mud monster left around the camp, and once they lost it’s monsters, the filthy black mud swamp no longer expanded. Strangely, it seemed to retreat underground as if trying to escape from something. After a few breaths, the swamp that had surrounded the camp disappeared entirely.
In the chieftain’s tent of the Thousand Bows tribe, Daggo regarded Renji and his companions with a complex expression, focusing particularly on Eileen, who had just challenged him by lifting her chin.
Despite being a mere human girl, Daggo couldn’t help but suppress his pride and even feel a sense of gratitude. After all, without her intervention, their tribe would have likely suffered greatly to repel the swamp.
However…
Even though they owed a debt of gratitude to their tribe, as soon as Daggo recalled the words of the young human man who had challenged them earlier, their purpose became clear. Daggo shook his head.
“Sorry, we won’t join you because we believe in Her Majesty Empress.”
“What?!” Eileen was the first to react to Daggo’s statement. She couldn’t understand or accept this reason. “Are you all crazy? Even after that heartless Empress treated you like this, you’re still speaking up for her?”
Nova glanced at Eileen and remained expressionless.
Daggo continued, “That’s just the influence of corrupt ministers who have deceived Her Majesty”
“I can’t believe you! What are you all persisting for? The Lizardmen from yesterday at least had some growth potential, but you’ve been on the sidelines fighting these swamp monsters for generations, sacrificing so many, and for what?” Eileen exclaimed, frustration evident in her voice.
Daggo shook his head. “If we don’t intervene, the swamp will expand recklessly, and soon the entire southern territory will be lost.”
Eileen continued, “Don’t you get it? The Dragon Nation oppresses you, treats you like slaves, and yet you’re here defending their borders. Have you ever thought that nobody cares about you?”
Eileen had thought that her words would have a significant impact and make the stubborn demi-human reconsider. However, to her surprise, Daggo pulled out a weathered scroll that seemed to have been passed down through generations and had turned yellow with age.
With great solemnity, Daggo spread it out in front of everyone, revealing a series of drawings inside.
“It’s not that nobody cares about us. At least our ancestors of the Thousand Bows tribe, the great sage Karl, and Emperor Ashen cared about us. They may not be here anymore, but their spirits are still watching over us, casting their gaze upon us. I can feel it.”
“So, protecting the southern territory is the promise we made back then. As long as the Savage Wild Swamp is not eradicated, we will not leave!”
In the scrool, Karl the Grand Sage, the ancestral figures of the Thousand Bows tribe’s centaur lineage, were relatively easy to identify. However, Eileen couldn’t find Emperor Ashen.
It wasn’t until Daggo pointed to the shadow in the scroll, a figure entirely cloaked in a cape.
Eileen: “Hah?”
“This is the ancient Great Emperor? Doesn’t quite match what’s been circulating on the internet.”
Daggo raised an eyebrow and silently repeated to himself several times that this human girl was their savior, suppressing the urge to clench his fists.
However, for the other person present.
The Dragon Lady glanced at the girl.
But this time, she wasn’t expressionless.
“So, as long as the Savage Wild Swamp is gone, you have no reason to stay here, right?”
‘What is she talking about?’ Daggo looked at the female dragonkin who had spoken up, not entirely understanding, but he nodded nonetheless.
And then, in the moments that followed.
“Master Renji, may I request your permission to go and eliminate the source of the swamp with her?”
Nova immediately asked Renji and pointed at Eileen, making it clear that “her” referred to Eileen.
In her final statement, Nova added:
“The Savage Swamp is too dangerous, so you don’t need to come along Master Renji. Let us go together. I assure you I will protect her and ensure her safety at all times.”
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