As soon as it stopped, a werewolf hurriedly ran over to report what it had smelled.
Although a dragon's nose is more sensitive than a werewolf's, Xi Ye hadn't encountered any humans since leaving the lair. As a result, he couldn't discern the scent in the air, which belonged to humans.
"Is this the scent of humans?" Xi Ye sniffed carefully.
"Yes, Your Majesty Xi Ye. I have encountered humans before during my time with the werewolf tribe, and this is unmistakably their scent. There is still a lingering trace in the air, indicating that they left not long ago," the werewolf confirmed.
The werewolf nodded, recalling the taste of following the tribe in the past. His mouth couldn't help but water at the thought.
"I can also smell it, Your Majesty Xi Ye. There are three distinct scents and the scent of blood," another werewolf added.
If there was a scent of blood, it meant that one of the three humans was injured.
"Humans, huh? How long do you think it will take to catch up to them?" Xi Ye's interest was piqued.
With only three individuals, even with his current injuries, he was confident that they would be no match for him.
"As per our speed, Your Majesty Xi Ye, we can catch up to them in about ten minutes!" the werewolf replied excitedly.
Amused by the idea of encountering humans, Xi Ye decided to let Chris and his group of jackals test the waters first.
"Go, Chris! Follow the werewolves' trail and meet these humans!" Xi Ye commanded.
After what had happened with Nokia, Xi Ye had become exceptionally vigilant. He wouldn't show himself immediately, even if he believed those three humans wouldn't pose a threat.
He had learned that growing up wasn't an easy task, and he couldn't afford any more losses among his already dwindling group of monsters.
…
Not far away,
"Princess Celeste, please stay strong. You are the only hope for our kingdom," one of the guards said.
"Yes, Princess Celeste. You are the sole remaining heir of our kingdom, and only you can restore the glory of the Kingdom of Yalei," another guard added.
Princess Celeste, dressed in a long golden gown and adorned with a jeweled crown, sat on her horse. She wore a belt with sparkling rubies and listened earnestly to her two loyal guards.
Just days ago, the Kingdom of Yalei had been invaded by a hostile kingdom. Thanks to the unwavering loyalty of these two guards, Celeste managed to escape safely and found refuge in a remote wilderness.
However, being in the wild didn't guarantee safety; it often brought forth new dangers. At night, countless pairs of glowing eyes from magical beasts watched them.
"You don't need to thank us, Princess Celeste. It is our duty," one guard, named Kavit, shook his head.
"If we continue on this path, our allies in the Kingdom of Alec and the Kingdom of Fite might be able to offer us assistance," the other guard, Lide, suggested while pointing in a direction not far away on the map.
However, Celeste had reservations. After a few days of traveling, Princess Celeste, once innocent and kind, had undergone a significant transformation. The events had forced her to toughen up and face the harsh reality.
"Even if they are supposed allies, it seems we can no longer rely on the support of the Kingdom of Fite. They have shown no signs of helping us despite the prolonged invasion of the Kingdom of Yalei. We must adjust our goals," Celeste pondered.
Her loyal guards, Lide and Kavit, furrowed their brows, realizing the dire situation they were facing. Without the backing of a strong army, reclaiming the Kingdom of Yalei seemed like an insurmountable challenge.
"I...," Celeste began to speak, but suddenly, there was a commotion nearby.
"Who's there?" Lide and Kavit swiftly drew their sharp blades, their eyes fixed on the rustling grass.
"Look what we have here, humans with tender flesh. It's been a while since we last tasted humans," a pack of upright beasts emerged. They resembled jackals that could stand on two legs, covered in brown fur with jackal-like heads and green eyes.
Saliva dripped from their mouths, exposing their sharp fangs.
"It's a pack of jackals!" Lide exclaimed, taken aback.
Jackals, humanoid creatures of medium size, possessing the ability to speak the Common Language and exhibiting three distinct forms: their original jackal appearance, a human-like form, and the current upright jackal form.
Normally, facing a pack of jackals would be no challenge for Lide and Kavit, as they were skilled royal guards. However, they were already injured from guiding Princess Celeste through their escape, making the situation perilous.
"Your Highness, run! We'll hold them off!" Kavit positioned himself in front of Celeste, shield at the ready.
"No, the Kingdom of Yalei is gone, and the Kingdom of Fite has become a disappointment. Where else can I go? I'm staying with you," Celeste declared firmly.
She was tired, weary of running and hiding. Her original plan was to find a safe kingdom where they could live in anonymity, allowing Lide and Kavit to retire peacefully. But now, with the arrival of the jackals, their prospects seemed more ominous than hopeful.
"Your Highness!" Lide and Kavit exclaimed anxiously, their duty to protect Princess Celeste conflicting with their desire to keep her safe.
"No more talking! Here they come!" Celeste drew her magic wand.
With a fierce howl, the pack of jackals lunged forward, ready to attack.