"Kiii!!!"
{This forest is ruled by the Elven people. I warned you before, but I'll say it again. Elven people despise humans and other monsters they consider evil. Alex will be in danger since he's a half-ogre.}
'I'm well aware.'
"Alex, wake up. We've arrived." Rem said as Roy landed before an endless-looking forest.
"Where are we...?" Alex asked, getting up from Roy's back.
Rem helped him get down. Alex rubbed his eyes tiredly.
"We're in an abnormal forest." Rem claimed.
"Why is it abnormal?" Alex tilted his head to one side slightly.
Roy shifted to his human form.
"Something is surrounding the forest. Sort of like a barrier..." Roy pointed out, trying to touch the invisible barrier.
Instead of getting blocking Roy, the barrier let him in. Roy's hand went through the barrier.
"Hm..." Rem looked at the barrier suspiciously, examining the area around her.
「It's an illusion barrier. I don't know how I know this, but I'm sure there's a tree protecting the whole forest. Anyone who enters the barrier will have a hard time trying to get out.」
'Ah, I see.'
{Elven people are wary of others. They don't trust people easily nor do they like causing trouble. If you can't tell already, you guys will definitely be unwelcomed here. The elves only welcome nature, animals, spirits, and mythical beings.}
'Yes, I can tell. Even if it's an illusion barrier, monsters can still enter.'
"Let's go. Stay at least a meter together with me." Rem ordered, entering the forest with Alex and Roy.
'From what I've read, elves have extremely long lifespans.'
{They can live up to 200 years.}
'I feel like I'm walking towards my own death. Sheesh... How will I deal with the elves?'
{Shouldn't you worry about getting into the elven kingdom first?}
'Well, didn't you show me where it's located? We're walking towards it right now. Don't tell me that the location you put on the map is wrong...?'
{I can never be wrong!}
'Let's wait and see.'
...
After around half an hour of talking their time walking, they arrived at a waterfall.
Alex seemed worn out.
"Do you want to rest?" Rem asked, facing Alex.
"No, I'm strong! I can go on...!" Alex said determinedly.
"If you say so... You know, we're not even halfway there yet." Rem stated.
"I-I guess a little rest can't hurt..." Alex stuttered, feeling defeated and tired.
He thought they were almost there. That was the reason why he acted as if he could continue.
"Sit on this log over here. I didn't give you the jerkies earlier, so here it is." Rem handed Alex some jerkies.
She gave Roy a lot more. Roy savored the jerkies, eating happily.
"I can't believe I almost forgot...!" Alex had a surprised expression on his face.
"At least I didn't forget," Rem exclaimed.
Alex tried a jerkie. When he did, he looked like he was about to cry.
'H-Huh??? Why is he crying???' Rem wondered.
She didn't know what to do since for as long as she remembers, she had never taken care of a kid before.
"This... This tastes just like that...! The things mother would give father whenever he works..." Alex said, sniffing.
'So that's what it was...' Rem stared at Alex.
"Don't cry anymore. You want to avenge your father and other people in the village, don't you?" Rem patted Alex's head.
Alex nodded, wiping away his snot and tears.
"I-I'm not crying! A brave warrior never cries!!!" Alex yelled, clenching his fists.
"Who told you that?" Rem asked, raising one of her brows.
"Of course, father. Fathe would never lie to me!" Alex said loudly.
"O-Oh..." Rem was dumbfounded.
She blinked a few times. Then, she quickly got up from the log she was sitting on.
"We have to leave. Now." Rem demanded, carrying Alex in a princess carry.
"Hey! Put me down!!!" Alex yelled, kicking around.
"They're after us." Rem announced, running towards the elven kingdom.
They were already inside the elven territory, but they're not safe yet. They need to arrive at the elven kingdom and get accepted by them. Not anyone can enter the elven kingdom and leave alive after all.
'Did they use a teleportation scroll...? How did they know we went this way? Urgh...' Rem sighed in frustration.
Roy is following Rem from behind.
'Lawrence... He doesn't give up easily, does he?'