Having left the cabin and arrived on land, everyone, including Rocky, couldn't help but let out a gasp of surprise and admiration.
Because the scenery before them was simply too beautiful! So beautiful that not only was Rocky surprised, but even the guards behind him felt the same way.
In fact, it was not only Rocky's first time returning to land, but many of the guards behind him were also experiencing this for the first time, so these guards, like Rocky, were filled with novelty and curiosity about everything they saw.
The Skyship had landed just on the edge of the forest, so as everyone looked ahead, they saw a dense forest, and behind them, an endless prairie. Everything looked immensely beautiful, with no trace of ruin.
"Don't be deceived by what you see,"
As everyone marveled at the beautiful scene before them, Liliya spoke up, addressing the guards, "The land has long been occupied by demons, so don't be fooled by what you see. Behind this beautiful scenery, there could be demons ready to tear you apart. So, all of you, be on alert!"
Such a speech made all the guards come to their senses, as everyone quickly diverted their gaze and instinctively lowered their heads.
It had to be said that Liliya held a significant position in the hearts of these guards, primarily due to her status as a Third-Level Warrior, and, unlike these inexperienced guards, Liliya had accompanied Rocky's father in multiple battles, not only gaining experience in leading troops but also visiting the surface several times, hence her understanding of the land far exceeded others.
Therefore, even Rocky took her words seriously and swiftly diverted his gaze as well.
"Bring Eyer, and then you lead the guard squad here and wait for me,"
Calming his excited emotions, Rocky then said to Liliya beside him, now was indeed not the time to admire the scenery; he had to attend to important matters.
Although the land was not as devastated as imagined, even quite scenic, it did not change anything. The fact that the land was occupied by demons was an ironclad reality. In such circumstances, Rocky did not want to waste time—the more time they delayed, the greater the chance they would encounter demons.
Following his instructions, Liliya quickly brought Eyer, but did not hand him over to Rocky.
"I'm going with you,"
After bringing Eyer, Liliya told Rocky that she intended to join him in searching for the institute.
"No,"
But to her request, Rocky rejected it outright without even thinking.
"I outrank you and have experience fighting demons! I can help you!"
Rocky's abrupt refusal caught Liliya off guard as he seemed more resolute, reflecting his determination on this matter.
As expected, Rocky was very steadfast, shaking his head, "I can rest easy knowing you are here guarding."
"But…"
"No buts."
Not wanting to argue further, Rocky then took Eyer, who had his hands bound, from Liliya's hands, and then slowly levitated, carrying Eyer towards the distant forest.
Seeing him fly away like this, Liliya stomped her foot fiercely and immediately said to the guards behind her, "Everyone, be ready to fight! The Skyship should be ready to take off at any moment. As soon as the City Lord returns, we'll leave immediately!"
"Yes!"
At her command, the guards immediately sprang into action, knowing well the dangers of the land. A moment's laxity could mean death by a demon's attack, so no one dared to slack off.
......
......
Liliya should be left out of the conversation for now, Rocky had already taken Eyer soaring into the sky above the forest.
"Captain Eyer, tell me the exact location of the institute," Rocky said.
"Sir, it's too, too high. I can't confirm…"
Being carried in the air by Rocky, Eyer trembled all over in fear, but he did not lie; from the air, he truly couldn't pinpoint the location of the institute.
With this, Rocky had no choice but to descend slowly and land in the forest.
As he landed in the forest, Rocky noticed that the vegetation was incredibly dense, almost overly so. It was filled with unnamed green plants, looking much like a tropical rainforest.
"Sir, if you keep going in this direction, you should find the institute," Eyer said.
Upon landing on the ground, Eyer breathed a sigh of relief. Being in the air had terrified him, as he was not the one wearing the Void Magic Armor, but rather it was Rocky. If Rocky had let go, he would have been smashed to death.
"Are you sure?"
As Rocky turned around, he frowned, because as he looked in the direction Eyer had indicated, he suddenly felt a pang of distress.
This sensation was quite peculiar; all he saw before him was a forest, no Demons or other threats, yet Rocky still felt this way, and even... he felt somewhat scared?!
"Sir, you, you felt it too, right? Is that it?"
Just as Rocky furrowed his brows, Eyer suddenly said, "Sir, I also felt something was off initially, which is why I went to check, and then I discovered the institute."
"Oh?"
This intrigued Rocky, so he immediately asked, "So, it is the Demons who are emitting this feeling?"
Eyer had previously mentioned that after discovering the institute, he was attacked by Demons. So, could this distressing sensation be emitted by the Demons?
But Eyer's next reply surprised Rocky, as he shook his head repeatedly: "Sir, Demons don't have that ability. I think it might be some kind of equipment in the institute that's emitting it to keep the Demons at bay."
"Where could there be such equipment; that's just ridiculous..."
Upon hearing this, Rocky couldn't help but laugh. There couldn't possibly be the kind of equipment Eyer described; Demons aren't mosquitoes that one could simply fend off with a mosquito coil. Eyer had clearly mythologized the Lost Research Institute.
Thus, after shaking his head, Rocky didn't ask further and simply led Eyer deeper into the forest.
The forest was truly dense, not just thick with bushes but with many other forms of vegetation as well. Coupled with Eyer, who had a limp leg, this made Rocky's pace extremely slow.
Fortunately, they encountered no Demons along the way, so although the journey was long, it was safe.
After an indeterminate amount of time had passed, Rocky stopped in his tracks because there was a corpse in front of him, a Guard's corpse.
"Sir... we've arrived..."
Looking at the body lying on the ground, Eyer stammered out, and the guard now turned into a corpse was one of those he had silenced!
And finding these guards meant that the Lost Research Institute was nearby!