Dana braced against the scorching waves of air and stepped into the lava cave. Before the sweat on his forehead and cheeks could dry, he met Natiya's gaze.
"How are things outside?" Natiya asked weakly, her voice somewhat hoarse.
Dana wiped the sweat from his face and nodded gravely. "Near the edge of Tunaxi Forest, flames are soaring into the sky. I saw it clearly from higher ground—a Flame Lizard Dragon was circling overhead, and it looked extremely agitated."
"A Flame Lizard Dragon?" Linya's eyes flickered. "Could the magical beasts of Mount Maxy be fighting the lizardmen?"
Natiya frowned slightly at that and looked at Linya with greater confusion in her eyes.
Linya swallowed and tried hard to remember. "Mother, before we entered the World Tree, we heard a lizardman mage mention that their god was at the top of the World Tree to guard against the Flame Lizard Dragons within Mount Maxy. Now that a Flame Lizard Dragon has appeared—and in that direction—the lizardmen may have clashed with the magical beasts over there."
Natiya nodded lightly. "Then it is possible that they've come into direct conflict. But chaos at a time like this will only worsen matters... We need to be even more careful."
At that moment, Linya lowered her head and rubbed her growling stomach. "Mother... did you bring any food?"
Natiya froze for a moment, then began searching through her Magic Waist Pouch. After rummaging for a while, her expression turned awkward. "Among the Elf race, we're used to relying on the forest. We aren't accustomed to carrying food with us... I have nothing."
"Grrr~" A muffled sound came from nearby. Dana rubbed his stomach sheepishly, then scratched his head with a bitter smile.
"How did you keep yourselves supplied on the way here?" Natiya asked curiously.