Chapter 288 - 260: We Are Not Lost

Chapter 288: Chapter 260: We Are Not Lost

The elephants Shire was familiar with stood a little over three meters tall. Savanna elephants, if he remembered correctly, could reach a height of four meters, but the species that lived in forests were about three meters at most.

But the sight before him stunned him into silence. The plumes of black aura rising from behind the treetops, combined with the continuous sound of breaking branches and trunks, all indicated that the elephant ahead had likely surpassed four meters—and might be even taller.

Seeing the cloud of black aura halt nearby, Shire frowned, gesturing for everyone to be quiet. "Everyone, back up slowly. Be careful not to make a sound."

If a behemoth like that charged straight at them, it would be like a tornado tearing through a parking lot.

"I just came out to see some elephants. I don’t want to become a goblin pancake." Shire signaled for everyone to watch their step and avoid snapping any twigs. He noticed that the cloud of black aura had also stopped. ’Have they noticed us?’

’Forget it. Getting out of here is the top priority.’ He couldn’t risk betting that the giant Magical Beast would spare them just because it was a herbivore. For now, the only option was to leave the area as quickly and quietly as possible, avoiding any conflict with the herd.

Everyone retreated slowly, on tiptoe. They could all see the black aura billowing from the distant treetops. Although their view was obstructed by bushes and tree trunks, they could still make out a colossal dark shape through the gaps in the trees. If that dark shape charged, they knew no one would survive.

"Back up slowly. Not a sound," Shire whispered. But just as he was gesturing, a loud trumpet blast echoed from the distance.

TRUMPET— The massive sound shot through the gaps in the forest like a sharp arrow, vibrating in Shire’s eardrums. His expression turned grave. ’Are they about to charge?’

"Everyone, fall back! Quickly!" Shire ordered, pulling a Stinky Spore Ball held in a vine cage from his backpack. If the elephants really did charge, he would immediately throw the Stink Bomb. It should at least do *something*.

As the group beat a hasty retreat, the behemoth wreathed in black aura did not pursue them. The tense party breathed a collective sigh of relief.

"What was that? A Magical Beast?" Evita asked, walking beside him.

"I’m not sure. All I know is that it’s an elephant—possibly one that has become a Magical Beast." Shire kept glancing over his shoulder. "Broken Tooth told me elephants were big, but I never imagined *this* big. I don’t know if it’s just one that turned into a Magical Beast, or if the entire herd is like that."

"Are they migrating?" Evita asked, glancing back warily. "Don’t tell me our home is on their migration path."

"Probably not," Shire said, shaking his head. "Elephants create distinct trails where they frequently roam in the forest. Their territories are quite different from those of other animals, and there are no obvious signs of such trails around the Fortress."

"Then why is the herd heading this way?" Evita stopped and looked at Shire, puzzled. "Are they tracking the Unicorn?"

"You mean Big Golden Fur?" Seeing the Centaur stop, Shire quickly had the Worker Ants halt as well. "I doubt it. Elephant herds don’t stay in one place for long; they have established roaming patterns. Unicorns, on the other hand, tend to hole up in a single area."

"Then why...?" Evita began to ask. Her gaze scrutinized the goblin on the Worker Ant’s back, a questioning look in her eyes.

"You mean," Shire said, raising an eyebrow, "the herd is here for me? Just like Big Golden Fur was?"

"Mhm," Evita nodded. "After all, you’re the one who’s accomplished so many amazing things... a hero of the forest."

Shire’s lip twitched, and his jaw tightened. He knew that flowery praise must have come from the little goblin, Shan Xi Ao, who used to boast about him. "It’s not as grand as you make it sound."

"So, hero, are you going to go ask them?"

"I’ve led a very short life so far," Shire said, his face deadpan. "Life is precious. Even for a goblin, I haven’t had nearly enough of it yet."

’Are you kidding me? A 1.3-meter-tall goblin rashly charging up to a herd led by a giant elephant? Do I have a death wish? Besides, I still haven’t helped Lust find those eyes it wants.’

Shire slowly shook his head in refusal, but Evita was sizing him up again. "You’re really not going to give it a try?"

"There’s still a lot to do back with the tribe. Plus, I heard Bai Mao made a meat broth with rice and some new dishes I’m eager to try," Shire said, stating his intentions diplomatically. He really wanted to say, ’I haven’t lived long enough to die yet,’ but he couldn’t show weakness in front of Evita.

"But that herd is heading toward the Fortress," Evita pointed out.

"Maybe they’re just passing through. They don’t like living in open clearings, and they’d like living in the Fortress caves even less," Shire said with a shrug. "I think these big fellas are probably just lost."

In his previous life, there had been a famous news story about an elephant herd that got lost. The matriarch led the entire herd on a bizarre northward journey, munching their way along strange routes, until they eventually looped back. The whole country had practically tuned in to watch. For Shire, this kind of thing wasn’t anything new.

"But what if—" Evita started to say again. Just as Shire raised a hand to cut her off, a voice echoed in his mind. "We are not lost."

It was an ancient female voice. Unlike the voice of the Mother Tree, this one sounded exceptionally old, yet it wasn’t weak or feeble. On the contrary, it seemed to brim with vitality.

Shire’s eyes flew wide as he stared at the Centaur. She, too, had apparently heard the voice, and was staring back at the goblin in shock.

The two stared at each other in silence, while the others just looked on curiously, their gazes shifting between the Centaur and the goblin.

A few seconds later, Shire spoke. "You heard that?"

"Mhm." Evita nodded warily.

"I guess you were right. We probably should go meet them," Shire said calmly. The voice hadn’t sounded hostile.

"I’ll go with you," Evita said quickly.

Shire thought for a moment. He had planned on going alone, but considering he was facing an entire herd, having an extra person along would be a little more security.

At the same time, he silently muttered a few words and cast a [Group Dumbing Curse] on himself. If the elephants harbored any ill will, this would serve as a countermeasure. He also wanted to see if casting Magic on himself multiple times would allow him to gain the [Blessing of the God of War and Glory] and perhaps even comprehend a new spell.

"Let’s go. Time to meet that giant Magical Beast." Shire hopped off the Worker Ant and headed back with the Centaur.