Chapter 46 - CHAPTER FORTY ONE: THEIR FIRST DAY IN THE MARDUK FOREST

The next day, William, Seraphina, Achlys, and Aquila took a carriage to the Marduk Forest.Ophsicus told them that he could create a portal directly to the forest, making Achlys and Seraphina slump their shoulders.But, much to their joy, William rejected his father's proposal and said that he wanted to go in the carriage.William was now sitting inside the carriage and had a big smile plastered on his face."What happened, William? Why are you smiling like that?" Seraphina asked, quick to start a conversation with him.William shook his head and replied, "I am happy that I can finally get stronger.""You could have gotten stronger even in the mansion," Aquila retorted scornfully.William nodded his head, agreeing with her, but said, "I could have become stronger mother, but not as fast as I am going to."SNORTAquila snorted at her son, still annoyed that he had threatened not to talk to them.William smiled at her reaction. He then stood up and sat beside her, who was sitting in front of him. He then leaned his head on her shoulder and said, "I'm sorry, Mother. If I hadn't said that, you wouldn't have agreed.""Hmph! At least you know you're wrong." She snorted playfully while she too leaned her head on his. Achlys and Seraphina smiled at them; they didn't disturb William and got immersed in their own things.It took them two days to reach Marduk Forest. William wanted to stop the carriage in every major city and tour each one until he was satisfied."Let me tell you about the Marduk Forest before you go in," Aquila said, grabbing the trio's attention.William looked at Aquila with curiosity. He was looking forward to knowing more about the forest."The Marduk forest is a dangerous place. It has various types of monsters, and some of them have intelligence. There are also tribes that are cannibalistic and would hunt you the moment they see you."She then turned toward the girls. They were in charge of protecting William if something ever went wrong."The Marduk Forest is divided into four circles: the outermost, the outer, the inner, and the core.""The outermost circle contains monsters ranging from novice to apprentice ranks. The outer circle contains apprentice to expert. The inner circle contains monsters from master to grandmaster. And lastly the core..." Aquila's expression hardened as she mentioned the core circle.Her expression turned serious while she continued solemnly, "The core contains only one monster. It's considered the ruler of the forest and is known for its protective nature. It's a green-winged python of Saint Rank."She then turned to William and warned, "Never enter the inner circle. If you are in danger, press the button in this." Aquila then gave them an artifact that had a red button on top.The artifact itself wasn't something special and would send a distress signal upon pressing the button.Seraphina took the artifact and nodded solemnly; she put it in her bag. She was in charge of the essentials stored in the bag since she was a Master.William clenched his fists in determination; his amethyst eyes shone with resolve. He hugged his mother one last time before muttering, "Thank you, Mother.""Can't I come with you?" Aquila asked again. She asked William to let her come with them every hour of the way, but William rejected her every time.SIGHWilliam sighed as he muttered, "No, mother. If you come with me, then I will never be in danger. I don't want to rely on you for everything."Aquila, listening to him, hugged him tightly before she turned toward the two girls. "Keep him safe." She whispered. Her voice was filled with love and worry she had for him."Don't worry, Lady Aquila. We will contact you if there is any danger that we can't handle," Achlys reassured.The trio then walked toward the forest. The forest's entrance was covered by a thick canopy of trees, making it hard to see past a few feet.As William walked into the forest, a thick scent of plants and blood hit his nose like a wave. He immediately went on guard and turned toward the two girls, who had the same reaction as him.He looked around only to get confused since, 'Why does everything look the same?' He wondered.No matter where he turned, he felt as if he was looking at the same thing.COO COO COOOThe trio heard a sound coming from their right. They turned simultaneously to see an owl staring at them from the top of the tree.SIGHWilliam sighed, 'I am getting worried for nothing.' He remarked to himself. He was too much on guard since it was his first time going on an adventure.William observed the flora and fauna as he walked deep inside the forest. The forest had various tall trees that reached at least a hundred meters in height. Vines coiled around them like snakes, hiding the tree trunks beneath them.As the trio went deeper, mosquitoes started to swarm them. The trio was covered in a thick blanket of mosquitoes whose eyes glowed an eerie red."How are these damn mosquitoes so big?" William exclaimed, annoyed. He covered himself in a layer of Wind mana, protecting his skin from the musquitoes."These are red-eyed mosquitoes. They attack villages in swarms, leaving only bones in their wake," Seraphina said, covering herself with her aura.The group continued walking when they met their first group of monsters: the goblins.The goblins were a demi-human type that is known for their lust. They stood five feet tall with no clothes on. Their green skin perfectly melted into their surroundings, working as camouflage. Their protruding noses give them a heightened sense of smell.Their basic knowledge of weaponry made them one of the top dogs in the outermost circle.Seraphina glared at the four goblins in revulsion. Her face contorted into a frown while her body shivered in disgust when she saw them staring at her with lust-filled eyes.Achlys frowned at the goblins too. But she reined in her anger. 'This is training for William. We shouldn't act.'She turned toward William but was momentarily surprised when he disappeared. She turned toward Seraphina but was confused when she saw her gazing in the direction of goblins with admiration.She turned toward the goblins, but her eyes widened in surprise when she saw William stabbing one of the goblins with an ice shard in the heart.William then turned toward the rest of the goblins. Their green eyes quivered in fear when they saw William kill one of them with ease.They turned around to run toward their village, but 'Wind' using wind, William created a wind slash.FWOOSHSLASHTHUDThe wind slash traveled at a mind-boggling speed and slashed the goblins in half. Their green blood sprayed everywhere, adding more green to the surroundings.But the wind slash didn't disappear; it continued on its path, cutting leaves, plants, and trees. It left nothing but destruction in its wake as it traveled and hit a massive tree.BOOMThe wind slash hit the tree right in the center. It dug through its trunk. Its power shrinking with each inch it pierced.William looked at the dead goblins with an impassive gaze. He walked over to one of them, which had a crude axe in its hand.'Even calling it crude would be an overstatement since it's just a sharp stone tied to a stick,' William muttered to himself."Thank you, William," Seraphina said while she walked closer to him, followed by Achlys.There was no surprise on their faces, but only disgust toward the goblins. Achlys turned toward William and informed him, "There must be a goblin village nearby."Seraphina, too, nodded her head in agreement and added, "Yes, goblins live in groups. If we raid that place, we might free some of the victims kidnapped by them."William, too, nodded his head in agreement. Every year, vassals would get reports of goblins raiding the surrounding villages and kidnapping the women for breeding."Then we will search for the village before we go any deeper into the forest," William declared. The trio then began to scour the forest to find the goblin village.A few hours had passed, and they still hadn't found the village. "I think we should stop for today. The sun is about to go down, and we still have to prepare a tent and food," Achlys informed her while turning toward Seraphina."I agree with her, William. We can search for them tomorrow," Seraphina added while looking at William.SIGHWilliam sighed defeatedly and nodded his head. "Alright, let's stop for now."Seraphina smiled lightly and pulled out an artifact from the bag. The artifact was in the shape of a box and had a blue gem on its top, and a tent symbol was engraved on its side.Seraphina then sent her mana into that artifact until the gem glowed with a deep blue light. She then placed the artifact in the ground and motioned for William and Achlys to move aside.WOOSHThe artifact glowed in blue light, the box opened, and a tent popped out of it."Alright, let's go in," Seraphina said while clasping her hands. She and Achlys entered the tent while William stared for a moment before going in. His first day in the Marduk Forest had ended just like that.