July 22nd, Karn Village.
The weather had turned hot, but being close to the Tove Great Forest, the temperature here was much more pleasant.
Rustle~
The treetops of the dense jungle in the distance swayed gently like green waves, bringing a unique scent of earth and the coolness of leaves from deep within the forest.
Anri casually rolled up her sleeves, a longsword inlaid with blue and white gems hanging at her waist. Carrying wooden buckets in each hand, she walked towards the village square.
On the village path.
Greetings were heard from time to time.
The aunts who used to joke with her now faced her with an indescribable caution and distance.
Perhaps even a little fear.
Anri didn't like this feeling very much and let out a barely perceptible sigh.
In the center of the village square.
The previously weedy, muddy ground had been tidied up, and the surface was covered with a solid, gravel-laid floor.
A wooden stake, buried in the ground, stood upright. On top of it was placed a strangely shaped magic item.
Anri placed a wooden bucket beneath it and reached out to turn the switch on top.
A stream of clear water immediately flowed from the opening of the strange magic item, filling the wooden bucket below.
"So convenient." Anri's eyes lit up.
Before, fetching water was a troublesome task. She had to wake up early to go to the well or to the distant river.
Now, all she had to do was use this magic item to get fresh, clean water, and the temperature was always fixed, regardless of the season.
This magic item was called a "Spring Faucet." It could dispense a fixed amount of water each day and was said to have been invented by a sage of a certain country.
These were not uncommon in large cities. In the Royal Capital, even larger versions of this magic item were used as water sources.
Magic items were extremely expensive.
Anri was wealthy now and could naturally afford it, but this magic item wasn't bought by her, nor by the poor village.
"Drip~ Splash~"
The clear water in the wooden bucket quickly filled up, about to overflow.
Anri quickly reached out and tightened the faucet to prevent waste. She easily lifted the heavy wooden water bucket and placed it aside. Just as she was about to place the other wooden bucket, "Huh? Is that Anri?"
"I heard you only appeared in E-Rantel yesterday, and you're already back in the village." A hearty, bold laugh rang out from the direction of the jungle ahead.
Anri paused, her chestnut-gold hair lifting as she looked up.
It was a woman with an exaggerated physique, even more robust than many strong men.
Once you'd seen her, you probably wouldn't forget her. Besides her, several fully armed companions were behind her.
"The members of Blue Rose."
Anri quickly put down the wooden bucket, straightened her spine, and her normally peaceful eyes sharpened, gaining a determined heroism.
"Ah, wow."
Tia stared intently at Anri, then suddenly raised her hand to her chest, looking excited. "How did you become like this? Your charm has increased so much."
"You were cute when you were soft and weak, but you're even more handsome now. Do you remember me, Anri?"
Facing Tia, who looked so enthusiastic.
Anri couldn't help but take a step back. Of course, she remembered her. To be precise, every member of the Blue Rose left a deep impression on her.
"—Shut up, Tia!"
Lakyus's voice cut in. "Don't cause trouble for others."
As she spoke.
The members of the Blue Rose had already arrived in front of Anri. They all looked at Anri, comparing her to their memories from the Royal Capital.
In less than a year.
The simple, timid girl who used to be unconsciously overlooked had completely transformed, almost like two different people.
Rumor had it.
The Anri before them had personally annihilated the legendary undead Soul-Eating Demon, an event that caused immense sensation. However, most people were simply astonished by the act of "annihilating the Soul-Eating Demon" itself.
Those who truly knew or had seen Anri, like the members of the Blue Rose, found it even more unbelievable, as if an ordinary person had killed a dragon!
"A national treasure of the Holy Kingdom."
Iville Ai stood to the side, her crimson eyes peering through the gaps in her mask at the Holy Sword hanging at Anri's waist. She narrowed her eyes.
"The Pure Sword Dudalceya, one of the Four Holy Swords. The rumors seem to be true."
A few days ago, after parting ways with Lord Dragon King upon their return from the Imperia Kingdom, she rejoined the Blue Rose.
This short period of two months allowed Iville Ai to witness the horrors hidden deep within this world.
Organizations as terrifying as the Abyss Body were annihilated by the one called True Dragon Lord, without even the slightest room for resistance.
Every member of their inner circle was a terrifying undead far stronger than she was!
And the other True Dragon Lord, who had once destroyed the Imperia Kingdom and turned everyone into undead, his strength should be on the same level as the True Dragon Lord she had just met.
In the face of such an existence.
Let alone seeking revenge, she didn't even possess the ability to confront him directly.
"The legacy of the Abyss Body contains magic knowledge that enhances vampire strength, and Lord Dragon King also mentioned having means to increase power."
Iville Ai knew very well that only by becoming stronger could she avenge her Father, Mother, and everyone else.
"According to Lord Dragon King's intention, if I can evolve my vampire class and combine it with Lord Dragon King's methods, I can increase my strength more effectively."
Iville Ai thought silently to herself.
Lakyus and the others from the Blue Rose had also noticed the Pure Sword hanging from Anri's waist long ago.
They were all intelligent people.
They could naturally understand the deeper meaning hidden within Iville Ai's words.
The legendary magic item, the Four Holy Swords, its preciousness and symbolic meaning were enough to instigate wars at the national level.
As the wielder of one of the Four Magic Swords, Lakyus understood this even more clearly.
With merely the feat of eliminating a Soul-Eating Demon.
Even if the Holy Kingdom wanted to express gratitude, they couldn't possibly offer a national treasure on the level of the Four Holy Swords. For someone like Gazef, a talent highly valued by His Majesty.
This was merely obtaining the right to use a few national treasures, not a bestowal; these were two entirely different concepts.
What secrets existed between the three parties: Free Will, the Holy Kingdom, and the Slane Theocracy?
Lakyus's emerald green eyes flashed.
Could it be related to Free Will's stationing in the Abelion Hills?
"I heard from the Village Chief that thanks to all of you from the Blue Rose, the monsters that invaded the village were eliminated, and everyone in the village remained unharmed."
"And this Spring Faucet, such a precious magic item, left in the village for everyone to use."
Anri clasped her hands in front of her abdomen, bowed, and said earnestly:
"Thank you so much!"
"It's nothing, Anri, don't be so formal." Tia flashed to Anri's side and said with a grin.
"Karn Village is the closest village to the Tove Great Forest, and we've been staying here for a while, causing trouble for your villagers."
Lakyus waved his hand with a smile.
"That's not true."
"It is precisely because Captain Lakyus is here that the village did not suffer casualties from the monster unrest in the forest."
Anri straightened up and thanked him again, then her expression turned a bit serious:
"Could you please tell me what exactly happened? I didn't get any definitive information from the Adventurer's Guild."
Anri was no longer the ignorant village girl she once was; after a series of events, she had a vague suspicion.
The "monster unrest" in the Tove Great Forest was likely not as simple as it appeared on the surface.
Upon entering the Kingdom's territory, she learned that the Blue Rose, like their Free Will, had become an Adamantite Rank adventurer team.
For adventurers of this caliber to remain in the Tove Great Forest, there must have been some major issue that couldn't be easily resolved.
Lakyus's expression became a bit more serious, and he exchanged glances with Gaguran and the others.
"Please forgive my presumption."
Lakyus's beautiful emerald green eyes looked at Anri, and he asked expectantly:
"Before I explain, I'd like to know if your Team Leader Tang and the other members of Free Will have returned to the Kingdom together?"
"No, they haven't."
Anri hesitated for a moment, then shook her head.
"Team Leader Tang and Miss Cui Ye are still in the Abelion Hills. I returned to the village on my own this time."
"Is that so?" Lakyus frowned, his bright golden curly hair swaying slightly.
"The current information is still under blockade."
Lakyus gently touched the hilt of his magic sword with his right hand, his emerald green eyes sweeping over Anri's Pure Sword before he spoke.
"Actually, the specifics haven't been fully investigated yet, so even with Free Will's Adamantite Rank status, we can't obtain definitive information from the Adventurer's Guild."
"Gaguran, you explain."
"Yes, Devil Leader."
Gaguran split his lips, revealing his snow-white teeth, then turned to the burly figure walking up from behind and swung his arm.
Bang!
A lifeless Red-eyed Owl Demon was tossed onto the ground.
Anri was a little confused.
"The reason for the 'Monster Uprising' was a disaster triggered by the Evil Secret Society, [Zuranon], killing the three great overlords of the Tove Great Forest."
Gaguran gave Anri a brilliant smile and said in a clear voice:
"As for why [Zuranon] did this, there isn't enough information to analyze it yet."
At this point!
The smile on Gaguran's face gradually disappeared, and his tone became serious: "And this is only the apparent reason for the 'Monster Uprising'."
"Without the control of the three great overlords, the monsters in the Tove Great Forest, even if they caused chaos due to the lack of suppression, wouldn't have lasted this long."
"They could have simply chosen a stronger monster to be the new overlord. In reality, the current 'uprising' is more like a 'loss of control'."
Anri looked confused, not quite understanding: "Loss of control?"
Gaguran nodded heavily.
"Look here." Tia drew the dagger at her waist and stabbed it into the abdomen of the lifeless Red-eyed Owl on the ground, then cut it open.
The next moment.
Anri's pupils dilated slightly, her eyes showing astonishment.
It was seen that.
All the internal organs within the Red-eyed Owl Demon's abdomen had vanished, replaced by a mass of root-like tendrils.
"That's right."
Gaguran wasn't surprised by Anri's astonished expression: "This is the true reason why the monsters in the forest are in constant turmoil."
"You must have seen it too."
Lakyus spoke sternly: "The situation before us is very complex. All the rampaging monsters in the forest are in this state."
"Rather than calling it a monster uprising, it's more like a disaster caused by these tendrils, which have devoured the monsters' internal organs, controlling the monsters."
Currently.
The Adventurer's Guild had dispatched a large number of adventurers to construct a defense line on the outskirts of the Tove Forest to deal with this sudden change.
Anri quickly realized the danger, her gaze immediately falling on the 'Spring Faucet', her expression changing slightly: "The water source?"
"No need to be so nervous, Anri."
Gaguran saw Anri's gaze and guessed her thoughts:
"Although we haven't fully investigated the reason why these out-of-control monsters have tendrils inside them yet."
"But according to current investigations, the water source is fine."
"However, as adventurers, we must always consider various unexpected situations, which is why we specifically purchased this Magic Item."
Anri breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing the explanation, a flicker of understanding in her eyes.
She had heard about this from her mother before.
Everyone in the village thought the adventurers disliked drinking the village's well water, but it seemed that wasn't the case.
"Anri, I wonder if you can contact Team Leader Tang as soon as possible."
Lakyus spoke again. After explaining so much, she naturally wanted to contact Tang, the captain of [Free Will]:
"The current strange situation in the Tove Great Forest requires investigation deep within the forest. If our two Adamantite Rank adventurer teams act together, it will be much safer."
Anri heard this and felt a slight stir, followed by an apologetic expression.
"The Captain is currently unable to get away."
Anri explained first, then quickly added: "But I can help, and Miss Kurushe can also join us."
Kurushe?
Lakyus was slightly puzzled. She didn't recall anyone named Kurushe in [Free Will]. Could she be a newly recruited member?
Screech~ Crackle~
Suddenly.
A faint sound, like dry wood breaking, echoed.
Everyone's attention instantly shifted to the Red-eyed Owl Demon on the ground, whose abdomen had been torn open.
It was seen that.
The seemingly withered and dead tendrils instantly came alive, wriggling like snakes within the Red-eyed Owl's abdomen.
The fur on the monster's exterior was rapidly absorbed and digested by the tendrils, and a vibrant red flower instantly bloomed in its abdomen.
Invisible pollen scattered from the bright red flower.
"Fall back!"
Lakyus immediately shouted.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Everyone quickly moved away from their positions, warily eyeing the blooming red flowers.
"What is this... a new development? We didn't find anything this unusual before." Gaguran said rapidly, looking at the astonishing sight with not much tension on her face.
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