CHAPTER 72: ELRETH’S UNEASINESS

Meanwhile, in a different location within the pocket world, another part of the ancient forest unfolded before them. Here, the trees towered even higher, their massive trunks spiraling upward like the pillars of a forgotten temple. Gnarled branches twisted and intertwined, forming a dense canopy that blocked out much of the sunlight, casting the forest floor into a perpetual twilight.

The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying foliage, and the prana in this area was even more chaotic, swirling in unpredictable currents that seemed to pulse with life. It crackled with energy, creating a tangible tension in the atmosphere as if the very essence of magic surged through the ancient roots and leaves. Wisps of glowing energy flickered between the trees, illuminating the shadows and adding an ethereal quality to the surroundings.

In this vibrant yet perilous environment stood a formidable team of two. Elreth, with her flaming red hair cascading like a waterfall of fire and striking orange eyes that glimmered with determination, gripped a spear engulfed in flames. At the rear, Lux provided support, his silver hair and eyes shimmering like beacons amidst the chaotic backdrop of the ancient forest. With a steady hand on his staff, he summoned a flurry of arrows made of pure Light, ready to aid his companion.

Surrounded by twenty Red Goblins, their predatory gazes glimmering with hunger, the duo prepared for battle. The goblins snarled and cackled, their twisted forms itching to strike.

"Cover me from the back!" the princess commanded, her voice steady as she stepped forward, her spear raised high. With a swift, graceful motion, she swept the flaming weapon downward, creating a wave of heat that sent the nearest goblins stumbling back.

"Okay!" Lux replied, his focus sharpening as he unleashed a barrage of Light arrows, each one piercing through the air with blinding speed. The arrows struck true, finding their marks in the goblins’ ranks, causing them to shriek in pain as they were knocked off balance.

Swoosh!

Elreth lunged forward, her spear dancing through the air like a fiery comet. With each thrust and sweep, she displayed exceptional skill and control over the Law of Fire. She moved with fluid grace, her body a blur as she evaded the goblins’ frantic attacks. One creature lunged at her with a rusty dagger,

Bam!

But she sidestepped effortlessly, pivoting on her heel to deliver a powerful upward thrust that sent the goblin flying into the air, engulfed in flames.

’’Gyah!"

It was an instant death.

As she continued her assault, Elreth spun, her spear extending outwards in a circular motion that created a wall of fire, forcing the goblins to retreat. The flames flickered and crackled, illuminating the forest with a warm glow. With every movement, she carved a path through the horde, her strikes precise and deadly.

Meanwhile, Lux was not idle. He moved with agility, dodging the wild swings of goblin weapons while maintaining a steady stream of Light arrows. With each shot, he cracked skulls and pierced through the bodies of their foes, the brilliance of his magic illuminating the darkened forest. He leaped to the side, narrowly avoiding a goblin that charged at him, and retaliated with a quick volley of arrows that struck the creature down before it could react.

Elreth, noticing the chaos unfolding around her, called out to Lux, "Aim for the ones trying to flank me!"

"Got it!" he shouted back, adjusting his aim. As Elreth engaged two goblins in front of her, Lux focused his energy, creating a powerful radiant arrow. He released it with precision, the arrow soaring through the air and striking one of the goblins attempting to sneak up from behind, sending it sprawling to the ground.

The battle raged on, the forest echoing with the sounds of their fight. Elreth’s fiery spear became an extension of her will, twirling and thrusting with deadly precision. She swept low, catching another goblin off guard, and with a swift motion, she launched it into the air, where Lux met it with a perfectly timed Light arrow, the creature bursting into a shower of sparks.

As the number of goblins dwindled, Elreth remained unfazed, her fiery mane flowing behind her like a banner of victory. She executed a breathtaking leap, spinning in mid-air before landing gracefully, her spear aimed at the ground. With a powerful thrust, she created a shockwave of fire that surged outward, engulfing several goblins in an explosion of flames.

Lux, sensing the last few goblins were desperate and reckless, directed his arrows with precision, ensuring that no creature could escape. With a combination of Elreth’s fierce spear skills and his radiant magic, they systematically dismantled their foes, leaving no room for error.

Finally, as the last of the Red Goblins fell, the forest fell silent once more. Elreth stood amidst the remnants of their battle, her spear still ablaze, while Lux lowered his staff, a satisfied grin spreading across his face.

"Not bad for a warm-up, huh?" Elreth said, catching her breath, her fiery hair glimmering in the fading light.

"Definitely," Lux replied, chuckling softly.

"But I think we make a pretty good team."

Elreth simply chuckled in response.

With the threat vanquished, the duo exchanged a glance. Ready to venture deeper into the ancient forest, they pressed on, the air still crackling with the remnants of their battle, and the promise of new challenges waiting just ahead.

Even though Elreth appeared calm on the surface, inwardly she was seething. The thought of Khione being with Nero, the very person she wished to make her subordinate, was infuriating. She fumed silently, her mind racing with anger; that girl might have stolen her future ally. A nagging instinct warned her that she was on the verge of losing something important.

To quell her mounting uneasiness, Elreth resolved to unleash her frustration in the most brutal way possible—by slaughtering monsters with ruthless efficiency. The fire within her ignited, and she set her sights on the next challenge, eager to channel her fury into a relentless display of power.

Lux could guess what going through the princess’s mind, he chose not to comment act as if he didn’t notice her restlessness.

’Better not meddle in this!’ he thought.

As Lux and Elreth pressed deeper into the ancient forest, they soon found themselves face-to-face with five more Hobgoblins, their twisted forms ready to pounce. Elreth, still simmering from her earlier frustrations, felt a rush of anticipation at the sight of her new foes.

"I will leave the two at the back to you," she commanded, her voice dripping with confidence as her grip tightened around her flaming spear.

Without waiting for a response, Elreth surged forward, her fiery hair trailing behind her like a comet. She lunged at the first Hobgoblin, catching it off guard with a swift jab of her spear. The flames erupted as the spear pierced its side, and the creature screeched in pain, stumbling back. Elreth was relentless; she danced around her other two opponents with a series of quick, fluid movements, keeping them on the defensive.

"Come on, is that all you’ve got?" she taunted, a wicked grin spreading across her face. With a graceful flick, she spun her spear, creating a fiery arc that singed the air and forced one of the Hobgoblins to leap back.

Meanwhile, Lux took his position, his silver eyes scanning the battlefield. He watched as the two remaining Hobgoblins approached him, brandishing their rusty weapons with wild abandon. He remained calm, his staff raised as he summoned a barrage of Light arrows. With precise aim, he fired at the first goblin, the radiant arrow striking it squarely in the chest and sending it staggering backward.

Elreth, enjoying the thrill of the fight, continued to toy with her three foes, dodging their frantic attacks with ease. She executed a series of spins and flips, her spear weaving through the air as she struck with deadly precision. One Hobgoblin lunged at her from the side, but she sidestepped gracefully, thrusting her spear forward to catch it in the gut. Flames erupted, and the creature let out a horrified scream before collapsing.

"Lux, keep an eye on the other one!" she called out, her laughter echoing through the trees as she dispatched another goblin with a sweeping arc of her spear.

"On it!" Lux replied, focusing on the Hobgoblin that had staggered back from his arrow. He unleashed another volley of Light arrows, each one striking true as he kept the creature at bay. The goblin swung its weapon wildly, but Lux deftly dodged the attack, countering with a quick shot that caught it in the shoulder.

Back with Elreth, the remaining Hobgoblin launched a desperate attack, swinging its weapon with all its might. Elreth, with a smirk, ducked under the wild swing and responded with a brutal upward thrust that ignited the creature in flames. It howled in agony, its form reduced to a smoldering pile before it hit the ground.

With only one Hobgoblin left for Lux to deal with, he moved in with determination. The creature, realizing its fate was sealed, charged at him with a furious roar. Lux stood his ground, summoning a radiant arrow that glowed with intensity. As the Hobgoblin lunged, he released the arrow, sending it hurtling through the air with blinding speed.

Puchi!

The arrow struck the goblin squarely in the chest, and it stumbled back, collapsing to the ground with a soft thud.

As the last creature fell, Elreth turned to Lux, her mood lifting with every monster she killed.

"See? This is what I needed!" she exclaimed, her fiery spirit reignited.