"This isn't good. The weather is poor, and she doesn't have many supplies with her," Lord Fredrick noted. "I'm afraid she won't last long in the wilderness."
"Can you shut up?" Shirley snapped. She did not appreciate his commentary.
"I apologize."
"Looking at the situation, Nassandra is either headed back to Firecast, or the Mordrigan Peaks," Benedict said. "She must be moving fast, because we can't find any traces of her."
"Elizabeth, can you ask Elder Unvo to help? We need his sight now," Freon begged. He was anxious and worried. He was barely able to stay calm.
"I can," she answered solemnly. Initially, she did not want to involve the Featherwind Sect, because this was an internal problem. As an outsider, Elder Unvo should not be interfering. He was only here to help with the treasure-hunting. That was their agreement. However, at this point, they were out of ideas. They needed to find Nassandra as soon as possible!
"You don't have to call me. I'm already here," the bird sent his voice into her ears.
"Can you find Ten Dawn Nassandra for us? She's the young fourteen year old girl that was with us. We believe she went towards the Mordrigan Peaks or Firecast." There was no immediate response, which made her grit her teeth. "I promise to compensate your sect later!"
"Hehe. Very well, I will try."
Whoosh! Winds blew overhead, as everyone looked up. In the darkness, Elder Unvo flapped his wings, sending his mighty figure high into the sky. There were thick dark clouds tonight, shrouding the moon completely. Snow fluttered down, as the storm grew in intensity. This was what Freon and the others was worried about. Given Nassandra's limited supplies and the severe weather, she would not fare well. Visibility reduced, as Elder Unvo climbed. It was getting harder to see ahead without moonlight. A normal person would only see pure blackness. They would quickly lose their sense of direction. Fortunately, Elder Unvo was a Perception Realm Expert with Martial Energy. Add onto that, his excellent eyesight as a bird, he could pierce through the darkness and see the world in its entirety. His Martial Perception scanned through the landscape with unimaginable detail! He swept through the village looking for clues and when that failed, he flew towards the Mordrigan Peaks. He would search on the way!
Meanwhile, Nassandra was headed to the mountains like Elizabeth suspected. She was not travelling on foot, since that would have been too slow. She would have been caught long ago. Rather than walking, she was casting a spell to boost her speed. Although her speed was slightly inferior to Benedict's Moon Flash, she had a headstart, so Benedict and Freon could not catch up. Naturally, she did not have the nimbleness or perception to traverse a forest at high speeds. Speed was a double-edged sword. Too fast, and it would be uncontrollable. Freon was such an example, having slashed his forehead on a tree branch. Nassandra could easily hurt herself if she hit something. And out here in the woods, with no one to help her, it could lead to her death! She was not seeking death. This act of hers was planned before she left.
A thin river cut between the village and the mountains. It was not a straight line. Instead, it was diagonal as it wove through the forest. The total distance was three times greater than a direct route to the mountains. Moreover, this river was not flat. It would occasionally go down, twist, and turn in odd ways. Some animals would also make it their home, discouraging anything from approaching. This meant it was prohibitively difficult for people to sail its waters or walk its shores. Unless that person was Nassandra. She specialized in wind-type spells, and some water and ice-type spells. Using a simple spell to summon a wind current, she froze the river surface underneath her as she skated across. She was mindful of boulders and cliffs. Her proficiency rapidly grew. Before long, she could comfortably do it. The mountains were getting closer.
In the air, Elder Unvo flew. Investigation was one of the five core aspects of a combat system alongside attack, defense, mobility, and recovery. It was also arguably the most important one! As the saying goes, know yourself and know your enemy, and you would be undefeated! The greatest power was knowledge. When the enemy was weak and when they were strong. Where they were hiding and how many there were. When to attack and when to retreat. This information was essential in battle. Without it, the person would turn blind. They would not respond in time. Death would become a certainty! Combat strength was more than attacking or defending.
And it was not just in battle where investigation methods shined. Like now, when Elizabeth and her friends were searching for Nassandra. They did not have a proper investigation method. Their searching ability was heavily limited to their perceptions. This was inefficient. Martial and Magic Perceptions were, by default, very primitive. They did not have any flexibility. For example, the perceptions could be likened standard produced swords. Every soldier would get the same sword. There were no differences between them. It was rigid, fixed. The soldiers would need to adapt to their weapons to use them proficiently. And even then, they might never unleash their full potential. That was because some people preferred spears, maces, or even bows. It could not fit everyone! However, by using an investigation method, they could choose any weapon they please. They could exhibit more of their power! And above that, by personally creating their own methods, they could create something that completely suited them. They would exhibit one hundred percent of their power! This was the profundity of a combat system.
Thinking this, Elder Unvo used his investigation methods. Color Becomes One! In an instant, the snowy darkness vanished, blending into nothing. The ground did the same, as did the trees, rocks, and mountains. But one color did not fade. It rapidly brightened to a blinding sun! This investigation technique removed all colors from his vision and strengthened one color to the apex. The snowstorm and dark sky could not block his sight! He looked briefly and was disappointed. He chose the color of 'fire' and found nothing. Nassandra was not using a torch, so this was expected.
Heart Linking Wind! Next, he used his hearing to focus on the 'heartbeat' of everything around him. All living beings had a heartbeat, the speed of which varied from animal to animal. It was easy to isolate in the sea of noise. In his mind, he could visualize the strength, size, and distance of every creature within his radius. There were birds resting on treetops, deer hiding in burrows, and wolves lurking the forest floor. He could even sense squirrels, rabbits, or smaller animals. Of course, he could not sense tinier things, things underground, or dead things. Still, it provided him with a vast map of the surroundings. He filtered through for a 'human' heartbeat and failed once again. Nassandra was too far to be sensed.
Elder Unvo tried a bit more but eventually quit. This was not too surprising. He definitely had a comprehensive combat system with the Featherwind Sect's long history and his high status as an elder. His investigation methods were even superior to the Sword King and Protector Avin, much less Elizabeth and her friends. The problem was that his strength had declined from his peak, and he could not utilize all his methods. Not to mention, he travelled in a straight line to the mountains, whereas Nassandra went in a roundabout way. Their paths did not meet. And most importantly, he did not care enough to try harder! Nassandra was Elizabeth's friend, not his. He would not work himself to the bone for her. This much effort was enough. He turned around and flew back.
"You couldn't find her?" Elizabeth's face was ugly.
He shrugged, or the equivalent for a bird. "I tried my best."
His casual tone made Elizabeth seethe with anger. She really doubted he tried his best, but she could not question or force him. This was already beyond their agreement. Swallowing this anger, she announced her decision. "We'll make a trip to the Mordrigan Peaks first. It's very likely we'll find her there. Once we find her, we'll leave. The hunt is cancelled." Nobody disagreed. She nodded. "We'll use the horses then since they're faster in the forest. Lord Fredrick, you can stay here. As for the rest…" Her friends were definitely coming, but what about Yuna, Lady Kalasena, or those junior Arcane Knights? What would they do?