Upon their return to Storm Watch Castle, Jis and his companions enjoyed a much-needed shower, washing away the fatigue from both body and mind.
Lord William ensured they had everything they needed. Notably, their injuries healed instantly when they bathed in a magical potion-filled tub provided by the lord.
As dawn broke, the castle buzzed with life and energy.
The dinner party commenced in the Great Hall, which was aglow with light, laughter, and a sense of renewed hope.
"But why did you venture into the Mithril mine?"
While savoring a perfectly roasted piece of meat, Rylie turned to Brave with a sudden query.
'It was the Imoogi. He had trained for a thousand years but failed to pass the final threshold, and in his frustration, he unleashed his anger on weaker spiritual creatures. Coincidentally, he detected my energy while passing Stormwatch Castle.'
Pseudo Dragon Brave, nibbling on a rare steak, chimed in.
'Hmm~ This taste of slightly cooked blood brings back memories. Ah! And about the Imoogi's invasion, I fled as soon as he attacked and found refuge in the mine. Its maze-like structure made it the perfect hiding place.'
Lord William, observing Brave enjoy his steak with an affectionate gaze, was seated next to the pseudo dragon and interjected.
"We were all taken aback. The Imoogi, having trained for a millennium, is spewing intense flames beyond our control. Thankfully, with Brave acting as a decoy, we suffered less damage."
While perched atop Jis' head and devouring grapes as large as her face, Chichi quivered and added, "It's a serious matter, though. This is the Black Wolf, the one who survived the sea storm. He might just pursue us, surviving even the collapsed mine."
"Oh, are you referring to that zombie wolf?"
At this point, Rylie interjected as Lord William watched Chichi's delicate grape-eating.
"Yes, exactly. But your way of speaking just took an odd turn. Tee hee hee~"
"Hahahaha! I'm quite the unique character," Lord William said, laughing heartily and gently pushing General Gareth's face aside as he attempted to interject.
"I was about to bring that up. They say the fearsome Imoogi's head was obliterated in an instant. Handling the zombie wolf on our own will be a challenge."
"Hmm, well, our mercenaries did complete the task assigned, so it's time to collect our due payment and make our exit."
Finishing his meal, the Blackbee wizard rose to leave, wiping his mouth with a napkin.
"Indeed, Blackbee wizard, we've formulated a new approach to handle the zombie wolves. I was prepared to offer a commission twice the size of the previous one for this task, but it's unfortunate that you're considering leaving."
"Bahahaha~! It seems I get hungry again just turning around in my old age. I'm eager to hear about this new proposal."
As the Blackbee wizard, who was initially about to stand up, took his seat again, everyone's attention turned to Lord William.
"Thank you for reconsidering, Blackbee Wizard. Now, what about the heroes here? Would you be willing to join us in the battle against the zombie wolf?"
Chichi was about to cry out in alarm at the lord's words, but Jis stepped in first.
"We definitely should join! It's frightening, but we can't let such a deadly creature harm people."
"Hey! You idiot! That's a suicide mission!"
"Chichi, we can't just run away. I've heard there are others willing to help us...."
William then rose abruptly and approached Jis with a stern, military demeanor.
"Hero, your bravery is inspiring! It's extraordinary that you would consider our plight despite our recent acquaintance. On behalf of the people of Alexandria, I extend our deepest thanks!"
"No~ I suspect the Black Wolf is tracking us. It seemed wise to join forces and defeat the Black Wolf when we have the opportunity."
Nearby, Rylie darted over, wrapped her arms around Jis' neck, and laughed softly.
"Wow! That's our Jis, always so brave and cool!"
At that moment, Lord William, who had gently caught Chichi after she tumbled from Jis' head, spoke softly.
"We are currently crafting mithril armor tailored for the Fairy Queen, specially designed for Chichi. It will feature a brooch imbued with natural energy on the chest. Should you decide to leave now, we'll have to halt its production."
Chichi, who had been resting her chin in her hand with closed eyes, as if deep in thought, finally spoke.
"After giving it some thought, I believe Jis is correct. With a new alternative at hand, I'm inclined to hear more."
"Then, would you agree to a 'deal'?"
"Absolutely. It's a deal!"
Once more, the hands of Lord William and the tiny hands of Chichi met in a decisive clap.
CLAP—
* * *
The next morning, following Lord William's recommendation at last night's dinner party, Jis and the mercenaries prepared to depart for the Forest of Illusion to seek an audience with the 'King of Spirits'.
The Illusion forest lay in the opposite direction of the western mithril mine, situated on the eastern side of Ragsa Island. Enveloped in a perpetual mist, its enigmatic nature had earned it its name.
"Hope everyone had a restful night! General Gareth Grain will lead our expedition!" announced a voice.
General Gareth, distinguished by his robust physique and a shiny bald head—a mark from a childhood burn—different from the islanders, stepped forward assertively.
"Wow! General Gareth, you're so impressive!" Rylie exclaimed in her distinct nasal tone.
Basking in the adulation, General Gareth puffed out his chest and declared, "Ha. Ha. Ha. Guarding the lady is a knight's sacred duty. Let's set off. All troops, prepare for the charge! Oh, wait, not yet. Everyone, march!"
MARCH— MARCH— MARCH—
For this journey, about 100 soldiers joined the ranks, a significant increase from the group that ventured to the mithril mine.
Over 100 soldiers, under the command of General Gareth and the Jis Party, marched in impeccable formation.
General Gareth, who was beaming with confidence while looking back at his well-trained troops, suddenly stiffened in his seat. He was about to address Rylie when he noticed she was playfully engaged in a game of tag with Grimbald, who bore a striking resemblance to a gorilla.
"Tee hee hee~ Grimbald, can't you catch me?" Rylie teased.
"Woo— Woo— Rylie, you should take the gauntlet~!"
"Oh, just keep it for now and give it to me later~!"
General Gareth, observing their playful banter over the gauntlet, sighed wistfully and shook his head.
"Ah, the stormy romances of youth...."
Meanwhile, Jis, Tyria, and Chichi were comfortably seated in a carriage, engaged in a serious discussion about their strategy moving forward.
As they opened the magical map they had first seen upon arriving at Ragsa Island, the group began to discuss their upcoming journey.
"Look, Jis. The Forest of Illusion is like a playground for us fairies. It's filled with magnificent trees, brimming with life. But venture deep enough, and you'll find areas so densely wooded that barely any light penetrates through."
"In those parts, with the silence and fog, it's hard to tell what's real and what's an illusion, meow."
Jis listened attentively to Chichi and Tyria, his expression tinged with apprehension.
"What if the black wolf suddenly appears in such a forest?"
"Uh... that would be an illusion, right?"
"Possibly, or it might be real. In the Forest of Illusion, if you encounter the black wolf, ignore it and climb to the highest tree. Where there's light, illusions can't reach."
As they discussed various strategies in the carriage, they arrived at the Forest of Illusion.
General Gareth, leading a hundred soldiers, stood at the forest's edge. Jis, stepping out of the wagon, looked towards him.
"This is the Forest of Illusion. It appears peaceful, but be wary of the fog; it can manifest as monsters!"
"Hmmm— I must be cautious with my fire-based magic. Well, if things get dangerous, I could burn the whole forest down. Muahaha~!"
Chichi frowned at the Blackbee wizard's muttering and sighed.
"I'll lead you to where we can sense the Spirit King. Please, follow me carefully. And let's avoid setting the forest ablaze without reason!"
With that, Chichi, casting a wary glance at the Blackbee wizard, fluttered her wings and flew into the forest.
* * *
The forest, adorned with a spectrum of green hues, presented a scene both mystical and beautiful.
However, an undercurrent of caution ran through the group, aware of the unpredictable dangers that might lurk within.
Leading the way, Chichi flew ahead while Jis, with a mithril sword in hand, cleared obstructing branches from their path.
Contrary to what they had expected, the forest exuded a tranquil, serene atmosphere. They occasionally felt the gaze of forest creatures, but these animals posed no real threat.
As they ventured deeper, the shadows around them grew denser, signaling their progress into the heart of the forest. They occasionally heard odd sounds echoing from afar, yet Jis and his companions continued steadfastly.
"Ugh, the Spirit King, such a scaredy-cat."
"What's up, Chichi?"
"I think the Spirit King's energy is hidden in the deepest part of the forest for some reason."
"It's okay~! We have Grimbald, the king of the forest with us~!"
Grimbald, with his large frame, navigated the forest with surprising agility and enthusiasm.
"The fog is rolling in~! Strange… It's converging on us from all directions, almost like it's alive~!"
Grimbald pounded the ground with his massive fist before scaling a nearby tree. Clinging to a thick trunk, he surveyed the surroundings from his lofty perch.
AWOOOOO—
In the distance, a wolf's howl echoed, sending a chilling, unfamiliar breeze through the forest.
The fog soon thickened, dimming the already faint light and casting an eerie darkness over the forest. As the dense mist weaved through the leaves, it seemed to engulf the trees themselves.
"Hmmm— Seems like the fog is devouring the forest. Should I just set it on fire? Bahahaha~!"
At that moment, the Blackbee wizard, busy with a magic scroll, heard a low growl near his ear.
GRRR—
"It's just a pack of grey wolves."
"Huh? Chichi, are you still there?"
"You brat! You think I'd be scared of this?"
Chichi, hidden within Jis' hair and only peeking out, snapped back.
"Stay alert! It's just a wolf pack. Everyone, form a defensive perimeter around the heroes!"
Upon General Gareth's command, 100 soldiers quickly formed a double-layered circle around Jis's group. The outer circle of soldiers positioned their round shields forward, while those in the inner circle thrust their long spears through the gaps.
Rylie's eyes sparkled at the sight.
"Wow! With this formation, we're protected from all sides."
"Ha! Ha! Ha! My lady, just trust in General Gareth."
"Tee hee hee~ But what if wolves come from above?"
"If they come from above... Ah?"
General Gareth, startled, looked up, his gaze climbing the tall trees. Grimbald, having descended from his perch and into the circle, scanned the area.
"Woo— Woo— Woo— There are so many~ Could be tens or hundreds!"
"S-, Stay calm! They might mostly be illusions!"
While General Gareth seemed flustered, Rylie, now donning her gauntlet, clenched her fists with determination.
"Tee hee~! General Gareth, don't worry. I'll protect you! Hee haw~!"
Half of the soldiers in the inner circle readied their spears skyward, bracing for an aerial assault.
CRACKLE— CRACKLE—
Suddenly, a branch snapped. Jis, hearing the noise, saw a shadowy figure leap from a high tree.
"Up!"
At Jis' alert, a soldier swiftly hurled a spear.
SWOOSH—
But the falling shadow, seemingly wolf-shaped, dissipated into mist as it neared the ground.
Just then, sharp, wolf-like teeth appeared startlingly close to the face of a relieved soldier.
Argh!