"More than willing." Chen Yu bobbed his gelatinous body up and down in a nod.
Isolde gave a slight nod, pushed open the farmhouse's wooden door, stepped onto the grass wet with morning dew, and headed straight for the shaded path leading to the outskirts of Root Language Forest.
"Mm..."
Little Card had been lying in the courtyard grass, idly poking at ants in the undergrowth with his claws, playing by himself.
The moment he saw Chen Yu come out, he perked up at once. Moving his pair of short little legs, he eagerly ran to Chen Yu's side and lowered himself so Chen Yu could easily hop onto his back.
"Little Card, let's go!"
"Crack crack!"
Little Card immediately rushed after her.
Along the shaded path, golden morning light spilled over the canopy like melted honey, making every green leaf seem as though it were glowing on its own.
Now and then, a few beams of sunlight pierced through the overlapping branches and leaves, casting swaying patches of light across the lush ground and making the dew beading the Glow Mushrooms look especially crystal-clear.
Isolde walked ahead with her staff in hand, her silver hair particularly eye-catching amid the interwoven morning light and green shade.
Behind her, Little Card curiously surveyed the morning forest and listened to the chirping insects and singing birds around him. When he realized he had fallen behind, he hurried after that striking flash of silver, and before long they reached the forest's outskirts.
"My lord, we're here," Isolde said without looking back.
Upon hearing that, Little Card unconsciously slowed down, giving Chen Yu time to carefully observe their surroundings.
This was a relatively sparse woodland, as well as the area where the Rune Oak Guardians usually dwelled and kept watch.
Looking farther out, the