“Are we going to… the Kostershka Mountains?”
The closer they got to the Kostershka Mountains, the more corpses appeared on the road.
There were not only countless bodies of The Strange, but also several bodies of Dwarf warriors that Theodore couldn’t name but found extremely familiar.
Theodore’s face was filled with worry as she couldn’t help but ask the Dwarf warrior leading the way.
If they couldn’t contact the Great Artisan God, it meant something was wrong with the “Heart of Molten Fire.”
An anomaly in a Wonder Building was no small matter.
“We can’t go that way.”
The Dwarf warrior’s voice was deep, his eyes constantly scanning for dangers that might emerge from the Black Mist.
“The Goblins have done something to the Kostershka Mountains; it’s extremely dangerous there now.”
He was certain that there was more than just one underground palace in the Kostershka Mountains!
If every palace emitted those black beams of light, it would mean the entire mountain range had become a playground for The Strange.
Captain Morlun had almost accepted his death; the Dwarf warrior wouldn’t be foolish enough to take Theodore to the Kostershka Mountains now.
While harboring her doubts, Theodore looked at the Dwarf warrior with a complex expression.
“So… we’re going to the forest?”
The Kanoches Forest had left Theodore with countless psychological scars.
Among the Watercan Tribe, the Kanoches Forest was known by many Dwarves as the “Man-eating Forest.”
The Rules within were nearly unsolvable.
If no one took the initiative to enter the depths of the forest alone to sacrifice themselves within fifteen minutes, the entire forest would come alive and perform indiscriminate attacks.
These trees didn’t fear fire at all, let alone physical attacks.
They were like a massive meat grinder, having once wiped out nearly sixty Dwarf warriors sent by the Watercan Tribe.
“Yes. The other three passages are in the Kostershka Mountains, and they’re completely inaccessible. Although the Kanoches Forest is dangerous, it’s much safer than the Kostershka Mountains.”
The Dwarf warrior stopped there.
He had wanted to say, “Just let me do it,” but when he thought of the more important task he had to complete, he fell silent.
Even without him speaking, Theodore understood what he was thinking.
“If there’s any trouble, perhaps you can tell me about it.”
Observing the expressions of Theodore and the Dwarf warrior, Muxuan understood that this so-called Kanoches Forest was not a pleasant place.
Muxuan’s words were like a gentle breeze, carrying a soul-soothing power amidst the rot-filled Black Mist.
His tensed nerves relaxed slightly.
The Dwarf warrior opened his mouth but still didn’t say anything.
‘His Holiness is already willing to come; I can’t trouble him with everything!’
Seeing the Dwarf warrior’s reluctance, Theodore looked at Muxuan.
She hesitated for a moment, wanting to speak, but after a warning look from the warrior, she stopped halfway through her sentence.
Seeing Theodore and the Dwarf warrior act this way, Muxuan could only offer a helpless smile.
“In that case, let’s go. I will handle everything.”
Seeing the solemnity and worry on their faces, Muxuan added another assurance.
Qiansitelin remained silent nearby, her fingers constantly pressing against her temples, a trace of pain visible on her face.
After speaking to Theodore and the Dwarf warrior, Muxuan noticed Qiansitelin’s condition.
Lightforce radiated from his hand, turning into a warm current that quietly flowed into Qiansitelin’s body.
“Are you feeling better?”
Muxuan asked softly as he saw her expression soften.
She shook her head gently.
Qiansitelin’s face showed fatigue, but the initial pain had vanished.
“Much better… thank you.”
Her voice was faint and slightly sheepish, like that of a shy young girl.
Compared to the old Qiansitelin, she seemed like a different person.
But now was not the time to overthink things.
Reflecting on it, she already seemed tired when she had woken him up earlier.
“Did you not sleep well last night?”
Muxuan’s brow furrowed, his tone carrying a hint of reproach.
Flashing a bitter smile, Qiansitelin didn’t explain much.
“Yes.”
Sensing that Qiansitelin intended to push through, Muxuan’s voice turned a bit more stern.
“Go back and rest. I can handle this by myself; there’s no need for you to come along.”
“It’s fine, I can go.”
“Sister, if you really can’t make it, you must rest!”
Walking in front, Theodore heard the conversation between Muxuan and Qiansitelin.
Hearing Qiansitelin’s weak tone, she couldn’t help but turn around and speak.
“Don’t worry, my condition isn’t that bad. And as His Holiness’s personal knight, how could I not follow him?”
Qiansitelin had no intention of going back.
Seeing her resolve, Theodore and Muxuan didn’t plan on trying to persuade her any further.
After all, in this situation, no amount of persuasion would work anyway.
“Your Holiness, in about thirty steps, we will reach the Kanoches Forest.”
After a while, the Dwarf warrior leading the way stopped.
His voice was respectful yet grave.
The edge of the Kanoches Forest emitted a heart-pounding silence.
Looking up, the thick Black Mist seemed to be blocked by an invisible force here, appearing strangely thin, but the forest itself exuded a deeper darkness.
Towering ancient trees could be seen twisted and knotted, their branches reaching toward the misty sky like ghostly claws.
Deep green moss covered the trunks, and the cold, damp air carried the scent of rotting plants and soil.
“This is… the Kanoches Forest.”
After warning Muxuan, the Dwarf warrior leading the way stepped forward without the slightest hesitation, heading straight for the dark entrance.
His back was straight as he gripped the warhammer at his waist, each step exceptionally steady.
It was clear that he carried some sort of resolve.
“Wait!”
Theodore’s shrill voice carried a noticeable tremble.
She lunged forward a few steps, trying to grab the Dwarf warrior’s arm.
However, she caught nothing but air.
The moment the Dwarf warrior entered, countless branches shot out with a *whoosh*, binding him at lightning speed and dragging him into the depths of the forest.
Muxuan’s brow furrowed even deeper at the sight.
The speed was so fast that he hadn’t even had time to react, let alone move to save the man.
“Uncle Pope, let’s go… it’s safe inside now.”
Theodore’s voice was muffled now, as if her throat were blocked by lead.
“There’s only fifteen minutes… I remember the path being over here.”
The Watercan Tribe had originally thought this place was passable, but they hadn’t expected to lose so many people just to build this path.
In a sense, however, this passage was considered a last-resort backup route.