Rayden, with a fiery determination, had successfully obliterated the swarm of giant vultures that posed a dire threat. However, the laser beam shot from space had previously struck a rock in the heart of the forest, creating an explosion far more devastating than when it pierced through the vultures' bodies.
"I should have crafted another gravitational lens to diffuse the laser light before it reached the ground," Rayden muttered to himself, acknowledging the flaw in his assault plan. The destruction caused by the explosion exceeded his expectations.
Unbeknownst to Rayden, the explosion had a hidden blessing. The laser beam that caused the massive blast managed to annihilate tens of thousands of dangerous beasts infected with a plant-borne virus, just like the vulture swarm before them. These creatures, poised to roam and terrorize nearby villages, vanished in an instant, eradicating the lurking threat.
After the tension-filled moment, Rayden entered his flying carriage. Inside the control room, he brewed a cup of hot tea, trying to calm his nerves. "Hopefully, no more troubles lie ahead," he sighed, wishing for a smooth journey free from significant obstacles.
Suddenly, Anastasia burst through the control room door and embraced Rayden from behind. "Ray, how about we take a break in that small town up ahead?" she suggested, pointing to an area visible on the magical navigation screen.
Rayden gazed at the digital map, contemplating Anastasia's suggestion. Perhaps a brief stop was indeed a good idea, he thought, while looking ahead, trying to weave his next plan. With a faint smile, he nodded in agreement, hoping that tranquility and peace would accompany their next steps.
Rayden, with meticulous care, opted for a vertical descent several hundred meters before reaching the city gates, aiming to avoid any unnecessary commotion. Anastasia skillfully concealed their flying carriage within its extra-dimensional storage. With this task completed, the quartet proceeded towards the main city gates, this time aboard a conventional horse-drawn carriage steered by one of Rayden's wooden clones.
"Halt!" commanded one of the gate guards, his voice firm and authoritative. The guards stood tall, clad in light armor with spears at the ready, blocking the path of the carriage with unwavering authority. One of them, exuding an air of confidence, continued, "Please state your intentions for visiting the city."
Responding to this request, Miranda, maintaining her anonymity with a mask, slightly opened the carriage window. Her voice, calm yet imbued with confidence, replied, "We merely wish to stop by briefly, seeking a place to rest within the city. Is there any issue we should be aware of?"
The guard drew a deep breath, as if weighing his words carefully. With a tone that was both polite and laden with concern, he explained, "I must advise you to reconsider your plans to stay in the city. We are currently grappling with an outbreak caused by a Dryad, and this illness has rapidly spread, afflicting nearly the entire city population."
Anastasia, Miranda, and Sylvia were simultaneously startled when the news reached them, realizing the urgency of the situation now engulfing the city.
"Dryads? They would never resort to something this extreme unless something profoundly catastrophic has triggered them," Sylvia murmured softly, her voice gentle yet her expression starkly conveying the gravity of the situation.
"If this plague continues to spread uncontrollably, its effects won't just be confined to this city. Our homes could also be threatened by various dangers, like the emergence of monstrous creatures and plants undergoing horrific mutations," added Anastasia, who began to envision terrifying scenes of thousands of beasts and feral plants ravaging the surroundings of their homes.
Rayden, quickly grasping the magnitude of the threat looming before them, decided to postpone their journey to the High Elf village. However, this decision was contingent upon the subsequent developments of the situation. If no action could be taken to avert this danger, then it would be futile to waste time and effort.
"I believe the prudent course of action is to attempt resolving this issue first," Rayden proposed, suggesting a change of plans with a voice steady and filled with conviction.
After several minutes of deep discussion, the three women finally agreed to delay their journey. This decision was made to seek a safer and more effective solution to contain the Dryad plague's spread, before considering more drastic measures should the situation demand it.
After navigating the stringent requirements and regulations, the four individuals finally stepped onto the main thoroughfare of Drake City. The sights that greeted them along the way evoked a sense of dread. Homeless individuals, infected by the mysterious plants, displayed horrifying physical transformations; their bodies adorned with strange vegetation that had turned their skin a sickly blue hue. Their eyes glowed a sinister red, and their frames grew increasingly emaciated over time.
In various corners of the city, colossal plant tendrils snaked their way through the environment, adding to the ominous atmosphere. These plants continuously released an odorless, invisible gas, leaving the city's residents unaware of the impending danger. However, Rayden, with his unique ability to sense the presence of the plants, could easily detect this anomaly.
"I believe I have found the source of all these troubles," Rayden stated with unwavering confidence, drawing the attention of the three women accompanying him. They turned in unison, observing intently the direction of Rayden's gaze. "Look at those towering plant tendrils. Isn't it peculiar that something so large and conspicuous is merely regarded as city decor?" he continued, pointing to one of the vines snaking along the side of a horse-drawn carriage.
Recognizing the implication in Rayden's words, Miranda expressed her understanding, tinged with surprise. "You mean to say the source of this plague stems from those massive plant tendrils?" she inquired, her eyebrows rising slightly, lending an endearing quality to her speech.
Rayden gave a slight nod, indicating his agreement with Miranda's question, yet his gaze remained fixed out the carriage window. Within moments, the carriage came to an abrupt halt, causing the passengers to jolt and nearly tumble from their seats.
"What is going on?" grumbled Anastasia irritably, rubbing her back, which ached from the sudden jolt. She quickly opened the wooden window facing the coachman, trying to discern the cause of the disruption. "What are you doing, you useless bunch!" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with fury, as she realized a band of rogues, dressed like adventurers, had blocked their path.
Anastasia's enchanting visage momentarily mesmerized the bandits, both male and female, as if they were hypnotized by her allure.
One of them, a man with a sly countenance, snapped out of his admiration. He flashed a lecherous grin, threatening in a teasing voice, "Mwhehehe—a beauty like you would truly be delightful entertainment for us tonight. Step down from that carriage, or we won't hesitate to kill everyone inside."