Chapter 874

Chapter 874: Forest Encounter

The next day.

Lolan Hill brought Lotte to the forest near the town. There were many demonic beasts appearing here, and there were numerous tasks that needed handling.

“The lord has issued many tasks, and we have come from other places,” she explained.

Beside them were several other adventurers, some young and some older, wearing various armors and wielding lances, curved swords, and crossbows.

Since their targets were close by, they chatted while traveling through the forest.

“Is this Miss Mesia’s younger sister?” asked a few of them, recognizing Lolan Hill but meeting Lotte for the first time.

“No, but I’m taking care of her as a favor from a friend,” Lolan Hill replied. Despite her youthful appearance, the other adventurers who had seen her strength didn’t find it strange.

“Haha, then she must be quite capable,” they laughed, continuing forward.

There were no paths in the forest, so they left marks on trees every now and then to avoid getting lost when returning.

“According to custom, one should hire a local guide when entering the mountains.”

“Unfortunately, there are too many adventurers nowadays, and good guides have already been hired. Others fear getting involved in the hunt for demonic beasts and don’t want to come out,” they explained. Lotte curiously looked at the cross mark carved on the tree trunk.

“I still haven’t learned your name,” said a young man who seemed very interested in Lotte.

“My name is Lotte,” she answered simply.

“What a beautiful name. My name is…” he introduced himself, but Lotte seemed not to be listening.

As a lady from a duchess family, she was accustomed to flattery and admiration. She didn’t take his interest seriously.

However, because she was with Lolan Hill, Lotte didn’t want to make things awkward.

They continued forward, occasionally chatting until a ranger in the group stopped and squatted beside a tree.

“Wait.”

He parted the grass and examined a pile of droppings, then stood up.

“That demonic beast should be nearby,” he said, taking off his short bow and preparing for battle.

“Has it come so soon?” the young man lamented, wishing he could get to know Lotte better.

Although Lolan Hill was more beautiful, he knew he couldn’t pursue such a talented swordswoman, so he turned his attention to Lotte.

After discussing briefly, they began moving cautiously. Lolan Hill led Lotte away, as their task wasn’t here. They would also avoid the area where the other group was hunting.

After leaving, they headed towards the other side of the hill.

The forest here was denser, with moss-covered ground and slightly humid air, suggesting there was water nearby.

Because it was rarely visited, the underbrush was thick, and they had to use their swords to clear the path. After a while, they heard the sound of water splashing ahead.

Could it be a waterfall? Lolan Hill wondered, stopping to listen to faint voices coming from behind the waterfall.

“Have you found it?” the voice was weak, almost indistinguishable, but only Lolan Hill could hear it.

“Not yet, but we can confirm it’s somewhere in this forest,” came the reply.

“Baron Moroz occasionally comes out at night and disappears in this area.”

“Is there a tunnel or ruins?” someone asked.

“It seems so, but our surveillance team only reached Sequence 3, with average concealment ability, and didn’t dare approach too closely.”

“Though Baron Moroz isn’t particularly strong himself, he possesses a family heirloom that can sense life around him. This is why his family often avoids assassination attempts in noble conflicts.”

“And the weaker the population density, the better the effect of this artifact.”

“Indeed, a family with centuries of history must have substantial resources, but we also have ample intelligence.”

“We’ll wait a bit longer. The organization will send elite reinforcements, and then we can secure the area.”

“Too bad, if our previous operation hadn’t failed, we would have known what treasure was given to Baron Moroz. It was crafted by an alchemy master and escorted by the ‘White Bee’ organization until we received news near the Dragon Wing Province.”

They discussed further before parting ways. Once the voices faded, Lolan Hill and Lotte stepped out.

“What happened?” Lotte asked curiously.

“Nothing much, just overheard some secrets,” the young woman thought about the assassins they encountered, forming some ideas but still uncertain due to lack of information.

She would talk to Miss Sarlin later; she might know about the ‘Fire-eye Warbler’ organization.

Shaking off her thoughts, Lolan Hill led Lotte forward, using the jagged rocks on the cliff wall to climb upstream to the waterfall. Finally, they saw a lush green jungle.

A troop of baboons lived here. Usually, nothing happened, but recently, a few had mutated or advanced into extraordinary demonic beasts, guarding the water source and causing trouble for the locals cutting wood in the mountains. Hence, Lolan Hill and Lotte were sent to handle the situation.

Seeing strangers, a few aggressive baboons roared and jumped down, picking up rocks from the river and throwing them fiercely.

Zoosh—

The young woman easily dodged, while Lotte raised her sword, slicing through the flying debris. Her sword style was not light and agile but more like military tactics, sharp and decisive.

Perhaps this was the tradition of the Basca family, valuing military strategy. Even girls like Lotte were greatly influenced by this.

“I’ll handle the three on the right, you take care of the two on the left,” Lolan Hill divided the tasks and moved swiftly.

“Understood,” Lotte gripped her black sword, focusing intently on the two gray-furred baboons. Her long sword slashed down, creating a sharp whistling sound.

The cold blade pierced through tough skin and dense flesh, severing the baboon’s bones, causing it to roar in pain. Its thick arm swung down like a hammer.

Another fierce clash, the black sword sliced through the incoming palm, sparks flying and blood splattering.

Blood splashed onto her face, but Lotte blinked not, stepping forward to topple the steel baboon aside, using it as cover to dodge another attack.

After expending magic power, the young girl panted, picking up her sword again. The blade glowed with intense heat, sweeping fiercely, a fiery orange blade slicing through, decapitating the charging baboon.

With both baboons dead, Lotte sat down, panting.

“It’s done,” she breathed, turning to check on Lolan Hill’s situation.

“Quite fast,” she observed.

On the other side, Lolan Hill held her longsword in one hand, swinging it lightly in the air before sheathing it and walking back. Behind her, the baboons lay quietly by the river.

(End of Chapter)