Thanks to Tijana's adept diplomatic skills, there were no other significant powers near Twin Bridges Town. On the way to the Screaming Woods, they didn't encounter any obstacles, except for a group of entwined Coward Devils. These timid and foolish low-level demons feared any creature stronger than themselves and scattered at the first sound of Lancelot's horse hooves.
But the journey was definitely far from pleasant. The sun overhead blazed like a furnace, scorching the earth, making the entire sky seem aflame, and the ground temperatures were unbearably hot. The occasional gusts of wind could bring a slight coolness, but they offered limited relief for Lancelot and Bruto, clad in full suits of armor.
Fortunately, the Screaming Woods were not far off. After riding along the Stygian River for about an hour, they could see the distinctive, spear-like tree crowns of the Screaming Woods.
Here grew the Abyss's unique fang-like fir trees. These trees could reach up to eighty feet tall but had neither branches nor leaves—just a bare, iron-hard trunk, shooting straight out from the ground like the quills on a porcupine, standing solitary in the desolate land.
Lancelot suddenly pulled on the reins, and Bruto, due to the abrupt stop, bumped into his back.
He twisted his head around in surprise and swept a gaze forward but didn't find anything unusual.
"What's wrong?"
Lancelot nodded towards the front, "Look there."
There was a dark shadow in the sky, gradually growing larger. Bruto shaded his eyes with his hand and squinted in that direction. After a while, the outline of the shadow finally became clear, and Bruto could see what it was.
"Your eyesight is really good," the Dwarf said enviously, then yelled at the top of his lungs, "Hey! Over there, Succubus! Are you Grace?"
The Succubus in the sky paused momentarily, then flew towards them.
"Who are you? Why are you here?"
This Succubus kept her distance, remaining wary. Lancelot scrutinized her, confirming that she was indeed the rescue target described in the Mission Scroll.
Though known for their boldly revealing attire, the Succubus before them was disheveled by any standard. Her exposed skin bore many bruises and purples, seemingly after enduring a terrible ordeal.
Lancelot fist his hand and placed it over his chest, performing a Knight's salute as he introduced himself,
"I am Lancelot, and this is Bruto. We are mercenaries from Twin Bridges Town. Tijana believed you were kidnapped by a Bagula Demon named Kuka and sent us to search for you."
"Has it been so long already…" Grace blurted out, noticing Lancelot's questioning look, she explained, "I mean, thank Tijana for sending you to rescue me. My mission today was to warn that gorilla to behave or beware of Tijana's wrath. Little did I know that I'd be captured by that simian demon…"
"Hold on, can't you fly? Is its jumping ability that strong?" Lancelot caught onto important information and interrupted. "We need to re-evaluate its combat strength…"
"No, it was my negligence. I didn't expect it to be so bold—I flew a little too close and it directly captured me with its kidnapping ability."
"And then?" Lancelot prompted further.
Grace's cheeks flushed, her large eyes slowly filled with moisture, and she said in a tearful voice,
"It… it did things to me… it's too strong… I couldn't break free…"
Crystalline tears slid down that beautiful face as Grace, covering her face, wept and said:
"Even as a succubus, I dislike being forced to do... that thing... That gorilla... he seemed to have limitless stamina... I eventually passed out..."
"And then? How did you escape?"
"Lancelot, please, let's not ask anymore..." Bruto interjected softly.
"Thank you." Wiping her tears, Grace gave the dwarf a faint smile.
"I don't know how much longer I was tormented after I fainted, but when I awoke, that gorilla was sound asleep beside me. It seems like... he passed out in the middle of it."
"So you took the chance to slip away?"
Grace revealed a bitter smile:
"Yes. A succubus isn't harmed by such activities, except in pride."
"I understand," Lancelot nodded, "I'm glad you've escaped its clutches. Please allow us to escort you back to Twin Bridges Town."
"Oh, that would be wonderful!" Grace seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, "Whenever I close my eyes, I see those people locked in cages. If I hadn't escaped, I might have lost my freedom forever like them, getting eaten at any time. That would be worse than death."
She turned to Lancelot with a sweet smile: "You are a knight, right? I've heard knights protect helpless ladies, and I've always hoped a knight would protect me."
"I am indeed a knight, and assisting the weak is my duty," Lancelot turned to look at the Screaming Woods. "But I am sorry, my lady, I'm afraid I must retract my offer to escort you. There are others who need my help even more right now."
At those words, Grace's face showed surprise, "I'm sorry, I don't quite understand..."
"You mentioned there are prisoners held captive in the lair of the Bagula Demon," Lancelot pointed out, "At least 9 hours ago, they were still alive."
"But I've just been through that ordeal, and I'm really scared. Please don't leave me alone," Grace pleaded, her tear-stained beautiful face making it difficult to refuse. "Once that gorilla realizes I've escaped, he will surely take out his full rage on those prisoners. By now, most of them are probably eaten. Let's head back quickly, I... I really don't want to see that creature again."
"It will pay for its actions," Lancelot assured her. "But we have just come from Twin Bridges Town, and the road is very safe. Human lives are at stake; we must check if the prisoners are still alive. Going there a second earlier could save an innocent life."
Grace opened her mouth as if unable to believe Lancelot's decision, but then she adopted a serious expression and earnestly said, "I'm sorry, I was being selfish, only thinking of myself. Let me go with you, I want to see that gorilla punished with my own eyes! I know the location of its lair and can guide you, but I'm not good at fighting. Please make sure to protect me, I beg of you!"
"Rest assured, your safety is directly linked to the success of our mission. I won't let Kuka lay a finger on you," Lancelot considered for a moment, then said, "You will fly above us later, staying at a height it can't reach. You can observe from above and guide us. Leave the fighting to us."
"Good, after such an intense exercise, it might be very weak now." Grace showed a sly smile, then murmured in a low voice, "If it were a mortal, it would be dried up by now. These low-level creatures are really annoying, not providing me with Essence, really..."
Grace abruptly stopped talking, her face flushed with embarrassment, but she then sneakily glanced at Lancelot again.
"Please lead the way," Lancelot said, pretending to have heard nothing, with an impassive expression.