Not far from the kingdom of Veyrain, there is a wide field in the middle of the forest with one main road leading there. The field is located behind the kingdom, and only through the kingdom can one visit it. A vast and expansive forest surrounds the field, a forest where monsters with 'Yellow Core' levels reside. No one wants to try their luck through the forest to arrive at the place of blessing. Besides, even if you manage to escape the monsters' grasp, you still have to face the elves who always guard the forest. And they won't hesitate to take life as soon as someone intrudes.
"But, if you think about it, we can still come through the air, right?" asked one Minotaur to his friend who was observing how many carts and races were in one place now.
"Facing the elves' arrows that can keep following you where you have no place to hide in the air?" He snorted amusedly. "Yeah, you go ahead and try. As for me, I still want to live peacefully. Becoming an enemy of the elf race is a fatal mistake because they are one of the races that still possess high-level magic and other hidden powers."
"You mean, those tree golems? You still believe in a legend?"
The Minotaur grabbed his friend's shoulder and whispered, "Don't call it a legend, do you want the elves to hear and we won't get the blessing!?" He pushed him away, then shook his head. "Even though those tree golems haven't appeared since the dark ages, it doesn't mean they don't exist. They are still there, I'm sure of it. However, the elves haven't found a reason to use them, and I hope they never do."
Glok shook his head.
They were not far from the group of Minotaurs, walking silently, preparing themselves to receive the blessing for the first time. But the Minotaurs, who naturally spoke loudly and forcefully, thought they were quiet enough by 'whispering' and ended up turning the long line that had previously only been filled with the sound of footsteps and wheels into a place full of conversation.
"I still don't understand why Minotaurs always talk so loudly, even when speaking to the person next to them," said Glok, confused. He hoped no problems would arise because of this.
"Minotaurs are indeed known for their loud voices. Besides, isn't this much better than before?" replied Rako, finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. "We all seemed like we were walking towards death, no one talking even though there are many people here. Honestly, it was a bit creepy."
Rako wasn't wrong; the atmosphere indeed felt a bit tense. But they all knew why.
The white-armored knights were in the middle, walking with their chins held high as if they owned the place. None of them looked afraid; instead, they appeared proud to be there.
"If only they weren't here," muttered Rako with a sharp gaze.
A sigh came from Glok. "What can we do? We can't do anything. All we can do now is undergo the blessing, then go home."
Zayn just grinned, listening to the conversations around them. He himself was curious about the elves' wooden golems that once changed the course of battles. It's a shame they could no longer be seen in action, only as a story.
"What's the matter, Captain? Do you also want to see those golems?" asked Helbert.
"Hm? Of course I want to see them. Who wouldn't want to see the power from the dark ages? I'm sure everyone here also hopes to," he replied, looking ahead again but glancing back as Helbert talked with the other knights. Zayn didn't pay attention because he knew Helbert would only discuss the same thing.
As they all arrived at the large field, they formed a semicircle with Glok and the others at the front of the entrance. The space allocated for the elves was given to the goblins so they could be at the very front once the blessing was over and wouldn't have to push their way from the back. Meanwhile, the humans were placed at the far left end, making them upset for being far from the exit.
"Those damn elves, they did it on purpose," said one of the knights, clenching his fist but releasing it as soon as he felt Helbert's hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry, we'll get back at them."
The five elders stood in the center of the circle, looking at each other, ensuring they were truly ready, and began chanting spells.
The entire field instantly lit up in a bright green, always managing to surprise everyone. Above them, a large magical circle slowly formed from tiny particles of light that came from each tree. They formed there, floating and gradually completing the magical circle in a beautiful pattern, with a feeling of comfort spreading throughout everyone's bodies.
Once the magical circle was perfectly formed, each provisions was enveloped in a greenish light, signifying that the blessing had begun. This way, when they replant it, they will get the same bountiful yield and never lack food. Without the elves, many races would go hungry and wouldn't be as prosperous as they are now.
"Wow... This is the first time I've seen something so beautiful. I'm really jealous of you, Glok, for being able to see this since you were a child," said Rako. His eyes sparkled as he watched the elves' extraordinary magic.
"Believe me, I still get chills every time it happens," replied Glok, smiling broadly, feeling his body becoming lighter and more refreshed thanks to the blessing.
The blessing not only benefited the food supply but also provided enhancements to everyone who attended. Although these enhancements were modest compared to other magic, they were permanent and would never fade. For Glok, who had been coming here since he was a child, it was one of the reasons he had become so strong.
"So, this is what a blessing is like," said Zayn, also feeling the warmth now flowing through his body. "We are really fortunate to be chosen for this duty."
"That's right, and I also get to meet him," the girl said, looking at Zayn. "But, why were we chosen? Aren't we front-line knights?" she asked, curious.
"Because we are indeed front-line knights," answered Helbert, who suddenly walked up beside them.
"What do you mean—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Helbert threw a black box with yellow-tipped corners that were several centimeters taller. Zayn wanted to stop him, but he knew he couldn't do anything because the box had already absorbed all the magic from the large magic circle above.
Seeing this, of course, each race turned their attention towards them, grabbing their weapons and pointing them at the white-armored knights. "What are you doing!? Do you want to die here!?" shouted one of them.
"Die? Us?" Helbert laughed loudly, a laugh so bold and defiant. "Sorry, but it's you who will lose your lives. Accept this! A farewell from the kingdom of Copperhaven!"
The box grew larger and larger until it nearly reached a height of 20 meters. Steam hissed from each side, revealing a mechanism that transformed the box from a simple shape into a massive Construct with arms as long as its body and two magical cannons on each shoulder.
The eyes, shaped like long vertical slits, glowed a bright blue accompanied by a loud hum, a sound that made everyone's heart feel like it had stopped. A sound they recognized all too well as the arrival of a Construct.
The elders immediately deactivated their magic, forcibly breaking the magic circle above, resulting in them coughing up blood because such high-level magic shouldn't be abruptly stopped. They fell to their knees before the Construct, which now turned to gaze at them expressionlessly, and suddenly, one of its arms swung.
They had no time to cast new spells, remaining frozen, thinking death had finally come after so long.
But a loud crash in front of them surprised them, seeing Glok temporarily holding back the massive copper hand with his large sword, even deflecting it. Simultaneously, Glok fell to his knees, feeling his mana being significantly drained.
"Elders! Are you alright!?" he shouted.
"We're alright! What about you!?" asked Elder Leynar.
"Don't worry about me! Go now!" yelled Glok, already bracing for another swing of the hand.
The elders clenched their fists, unwilling to leave Glok alone to face the Construct, but they had to help the other races escape to the kingdom. At least there, they would be much safer than in this wide-open field with no place to hide.
"Glok! We're counting on you!" shouted Elder Leynar, quickly following the other elders.
At that moment, the magical cannons fired towards those running along the main road. Fortunately, the elders quickly used defensive magic, creating a large green magical circle to block the attack. They succeeded, but it came at a significant cost as their bodies were still wounded from breaking high-level magic.
Blood could be seen trickling from the sides of their mouths, and Elder Fern was thrown to the ground, shocking those who were fleeing.
"Damn it! We must protect them until they reach the kingdom!" ordered Elder Leynar, gritting his teeth, glaring at the Construct with rage. "Copperhaven, you will pay for your actions," he said, increasing the amount of mana to enlarge and strengthen the magic circle.