NOVGO.NET Chapter 463: The Shrouded Wilds 2
Chapter 463: The Shrouded Wilds 2
“Alright then, spread out.”
Kael ordered as he stared at the Velmourn Soldiers.
The soldiers stood in tight formation, prepared for anything, but even with their near-perfect stance, they couldn’t hide their curiosity, their eyes darted around, staring at the forest they were in.
After all, this was the first time they had ever stepped a foot outside the Heights.
Not to mention…
The Shrouded Wilds itself was unlike any other forest in the world.
It was a place where sunlight had never touched the ground.
Far above it hovered the Sky Kingdom, a land so vast that its shadow stretched endlessly across the forest below. It covered more than fifteen million square kilometers, and because of that, the forest beneath it lived in eternal dusk.
No matter the time of day, morning, noon, or night, the Shrouded Wilds were always dim. The sun never reached it. The people called it a world without light.
The air in here was thick, heavy, and cool. Moisture clung to everything; the ground was soft and dark, made of layers of rotting leaves that had fallen for thousands of years.
The forest floor shimmered faintly in places—not with sunlight, but with the glow of strange plants.
Trees here didn’t grow toward the sun. They grew downward, sideways, twisting and wrapping around each other like giant wooden snakes. Their bark was black or deep violet, and many of them had grown hollow from the inside, becoming homes for glowing insects, fungal nests, and silent creatures that only came out when no sound could be heard.
Since no sunlight existed, plants had adapted, their leaves were dark, almost black, designed to absorb even the weakest traces of light. Some leaves even produced their own glow.
Magical.
That was what this place was.
*Picture*
Honestly, one could even call it… attention-seeking.
Because if by any chance one wasn’t surprised by its appearance and didn’t give it the “attention” it wanted, the sound the forest constantly produced would attract that attention.
Yes, it was never quiet in the Shrouded Wilds.
Dripping water echoed through the vast trunks, distant shrieks or croaks of unknown beasts traveled through the fog. Sometimes, the forest itself made noise—roots cracking, vines moving, as if the trees were whispering to each other.
There were no birds here; instead, creatures that looked like living shadows moved through the branches. Their eyes glowed faintly, and their steps made no sound.
Small beasts lived near the glowing mushrooms, surviving on warmth and spores. Larger predators stayed in the deeper, darker areas.
Every single form of life had adapted to darkness here—some used sound to see, others felt the faintest vibrations in the air.
In a place as… different as this, it was normal for even the Elites to be distracted, and Kael could see it as well.
Therefore—
“Listen carefully.”
He spoke as he stepped forward, instantly attracting the soldiers’ attention.
“We are not in the Heights anymore.
This is the Shrouded Wilds, a forest far different from anything you have ever experienced.
It listens, it waits, and it punishes carelessness.”
He spoke as he began scanning the men, meeting their eyes one by one before continuing.
“You will move in groups of three. If you fall behind your group, you will die—and I will not be able to save you.”
The soldiers nodded with solemn looks. They were the Elites—they knew how important it was to move in groups, especially in a place as unfamiliar as this.
Kael nodded, satisfied by that reaction.
“Focus on the old trees—the ones with hollow bases or cracked bark. They are mature and ready to fall; do not touch the younger ones.”
The men nodded. Kael paused for a moment, then pointed toward one of the glowing trunks, its veins pulsing faintly as if alive.
“Beasts live inside some of the trees.”
He warned.
“You strike one carelessly, and you’ll wake something you are most probably not familiar with. Before cutting, check for movement, heat, or sound—anything.
Be very, very careful before you swing.”
He spoke in a heavy, firm tone. The men nodded again, not taking Kael’s words lightly.
“Also, keep in mind that most hunters here do not come for trees. If someone—be it the scouts in the sky or other hunters or travelers here—sees a group of men cutting trees, they will find it suspicious.
So if possible, avoid eyes. Take your time as you move; no need to attract pointless attention.”
The soldiers nodded again. Kael then continued.
“Be ready for ambushes.
Beasts, humans, even the forest itself may attack.
Some of these vines move—they will take you by surprise. Sometimes, you will even see the ground crack open, wanting to swallow you whole.
Nothing here is what it seems.
Keep your blades ready and your senses open all the time.”
Kael’s eyes then hardened and—
“Last but most importantly—
Do not move too quickly. Always walk. Do not run unless absolutely necessary. The slower you move, the closer you stay with the rest, the better.
Remember, if you lose your group, or if you feel your group has ventured too deep or is in unknown danger and your instincts are warning you, stop where you are and draw a sun on the ground and keep saying my name in your head—
I will find you.”
Kael assured.
The Ants that had followed these soldiers back in the Heights had obviously followed them here as well—Kael made sure to bring them all. After all, the last thing he wanted was to lose them.
This was the reason he wanted them to move slowly; that would make it easier for the Ants to follow them, making sure they would be able to report to Kael the instant something went wrong.
As for telling them to keep saying his name in their heads?
That was something Lavinia came up with.
Somewhere in their hearts, these people believed in Kael. Even if they had their doubts and suspicions, muttering his name in their mind would give them more assurance than simply drawing a sun and waiting for him.
That was all Lavinia said, but this time, Kael could see the Mage’s second goal—or maybe the “true” goal.
They would be here for a few hours; if, during this time, even two or three groups “summoned” Kael by praying for him, rumors would spread, and their weak, doubtful faith would become stronger.
And what if these Elites—the best of the best of the Velmourn Army—started having complete faith in Kael?
It would only be a matter of time before the entire Velmourn Army fell into Kael’s hand.
This was Lavinia’s true plan.
But for now, Kael didn’t say anything. He just stared at these men with an assertive look on his face and—
“Trust your instincts all the time.
If you feel something is wrong, do not hesitate to call me.
I would rather you call me for no reason than not call me and end up getting hurt.
Is that clear?”
“Yes, Lord Kael!”
The soldiers nodded in unison.
Kael exhaled deeply, tense air leaving his body as his expression eased a little. He then turned a little, gesturing at the capes draped over their shoulders.
“Now remove your capes.”
He ordered.
“If the scouts of the Sky Kingdom see these capes, they will not hesitate to strike.
Out here, we are just hunters, not affiliated with any forces. Is that clear?”
“Yes, Lord Kael.”
The soldiers nodded again, storing the capes in their Sanctuaries.
Kael then glanced at Lavinia, who was standing beside him.
“Lady Lavinia and I will move separately.
The two of us will cover that direction—you will handle the rest.
Remember,
Move slowly, stay quiet, and if you sense danger, call me.”
“Yes!”
“Now form your groups and spread out.”
Kael ordered, and in an instant, the soldiers placed their fists onto their chests, saluting as they accepted the command and split into groups of three.
Twenty soldiers and Kayden, all divided equally into seven groups, spread out—leaving only two people at the center.
Kael and Lavinia.
“You did well.”
Lavinia muttered with a light smile as she stared at Kael.
“You look quite charming when you command the soldiers.”
She grinned.
“Do I not look charming other times?”
Kael joked, holding Lavinia’s hands. The two got closer, but then—
“Ahem.”
A voice was heard.
Igni had already returned to the Sanctuary since his very presence attracted too much attention. Imperia obviously wouldn’t interrupt the moment in such a manner unless necessary, so the only one left was…
“Yes, Cirri.”
“Father should be careful. We are in the Wilds—danger is everywhere.”
The Sky Dragon warned with a little “hmph,” and Kael chuckled.
“Do I not have you to protect me from danger?”
He questioned with a smile, and after a momentary silence—
“…you should still be careful.”
Cirri muttered, and Kael, even though he couldn’t see her, was sure that his eldest daughter was pouting.
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