The True Cause of the Monster Disturbance: Roots?

Upper Fire Month

July 22nd, Carne Village.

The weather has become hot, but since we're near the Great Forest of Tob, the temperature is much more pleasant.

rustling~

In the distance, the dense forest canopy swayed gently like green waves, bringing with it a unique coolness from the earth and leaves.

Enri casually rolled up her sleeves, a longsword inlaid with blue and white gemstones was tucked at her waist, and she carried a wooden bucket in each hand as she walked toward the village square.

On the village path.

Greetings could be heard every now and then.

The aunts who used to joke with her now treat her with an inexplicable caution and distance.

Perhaps there was also some fear.

Enri didn't quite like this feeling and let out a barely perceptible sigh.

The center of the village square.

The land, which was originally overgrown with weeds and muddy, has been cleared and is now covered with a solid surface made of gravel.

A wooden stake buried in the ground stood upright on the ground, with a strange-looking magical artifact placed on top of it.

Enri placed the wooden bucket at the bottom and reached out to turn the switch on top.

A stream of clear water immediately flowed from the opening of this strange magical artifact, pouring into the wooden bucket below.

"That's so convenient." Enri's eyes lit up.

In the past, getting water was a troublesome matter; one had to get up very early to go to the well or to a river far away.

Now, you can get fresh water simply by using this magical item, and the water temperature is always the same regardless of the season.

This magical item is called the "Gushing Spring Faucet," which can draw a fixed amount of water each day. It is said to have been invented by a sage from a certain country.

This is not uncommon in big cities; in places like the Royal Capital, large versions of such magical artifacts are even used as water sources.

Magical items are extremely expensive.

Enri is now very wealthy and can naturally afford it, but this magical item was not bought by her, nor by the poor village.

"Beep~ Splash~"

The wooden bucket was quickly filled with water and was about to overflow.

Enri quickly reached out and turned off the faucet to prevent waste, then easily lifted the heavy wooden bucket and placed it aside. Just as she was about to put the other bucket on top,

"Oh, is that Enri?"

"I heard you only appeared in 'Ye Lantier' yesterday, and you've already returned to the village today." A hearty, cheerful laugh rang out from the direction of the jungle ahead.

Enri paused, her chestnut-gold hair lifting as she looked up at the person opposite her.

She was a woman with an exaggerated physique, much stronger than even the most robust men.

Once you've seen the other person, you'll probably never forget them. Besides this person, there are several fully armed comrades behind them.

"Everyone from ' Blue Roses '."

Enri quickly put down the wooden bucket, straightened her spine, and her originally peaceful eyes narrowed, revealing a resolute and heroic air.

"Oh."

Tia stared intently at Enri, then suddenly raised her hand to her chest, exclaiming passionately, "How could you become like this? Your charm has increased so much!"

"You used to be cute because you were gentle and delicate, but you're much more handsome now. Do you remember me, Enri?"

Facing Tia, who seemed to be burning with passion.

Enri unconsciously took a step back. Of course she remembered the other person; to be precise, every member of [Blue Roses] had left a deep impression on her.

"Shut up, Tia!"

Lakyus interrupted, "Don't cause trouble for others."

As they were talking.

The [Blue Roses] group had arrived in front of Enri. They looked at Enri and compared her appearance with their memories of her time in the Royal Capital.

In less than a year.

The once simple, timid girl who was easily overlooked has undergone a complete transformation; she's practically a different person.

According to rumors.

The Enri before them had personally destroyed the Legendary Undead Soul Eater, a feat that caused a sensation. However, most people were surprised by the "destruction of the Soul Eater" itself.

For those who truly knew or had met Enri, such as [Blue Roses], it was even more unbelievable, as inconceivable as an ordinary person killing a dragon!

"The national treasure of the Holy Kingdom."

Evileye stood to one side, her crimson eyes narrowing as she peered through the gap in her mask at the Holy Sword hanging at Enri's waist.

"The rumors about 'Sword of Law Dudalzea,' one of the Four Holy Swords, seem to be true."

Several days ago, after separating from the Dragon Lords King upon their return from the Inveria Kingdom, she returned to [Blue Roses].

In those short two months, Evileye witnessed the horrors hidden deep within this world.

The terrifying organization [Corpus of the Abyss] was utterly destroyed without any chance of resistance in the face of the True Dragon Lord.

Every single member of that Inner Circle was a terrifying Undead far more powerful than her!

The other True Dragon Lord who once destroyed the Inveria Kingdom and turned everyone into Undead should be at the same level of power as the True Dragon Lord he had met.

In the face of that existence.

Let alone seeking revenge, she doesn't even have the ability to confront or fight back.

"The legacy of the [Corpus of the Abyss] contains magical knowledge that enhances Vampire power, and the Dragon Lords King has also mentioned possessing methods to increase power."

Evileye very well that only by becoming stronger could he avenge his father, mother, and everyone else.

"According to the Dragon Lords King's instructions, if one can evolve their Vampire class, and combine that with the Dragon Lords King's methods, their strength can be enhanced even more effectively."

Evileye thought to herself.

Lakyus and the others from [Blue Roses] had also noticed the Sword of Law hanging on Enri's waist long ago.

They were all intelligent people.

One can naturally discern another layer of meaning hidden in Evileye.

The legendary magical artifacts known as the "Four Holy Swords" are so precious and symbolic that they could incite wars at the national level.

As the wielder of one of the "Four Great Demon Swords," Lakyus understood this even better.

Based solely on achievements such as eliminating the "Soul Eater".

Even if the Holy Kingdom wanted to express its gratitude, it couldn't possibly offer a national treasure of the "Four Holy Swords." Someone like Gazef, a talent highly valued by His Majesty, was an exception.

This is merely obtaining the right to use a few national treasures, not bestowing them upon the people; these are two completely different concepts.

What secrets lie between "Free Will," the Holy Kingdom, and the Slane Theocracy?

Lakyus's emerald green eyes flashed.

Could it be related to the "Free Will" residing in the Abelion Hills?

"I heard from the village chief that thanks to the members of [Blue Roses], they defeated the monsters that invaded the village, and everyone in the village was unharmed."

"And this ' Gushing Spring Faucet,' such a precious magical item, is placed in the village for everyone to use."

Enri crossed her hands over her stomach, bent over, and solemnly began to speak:

"Thank you so much!"

"It's nothing, Enri, don't be so formal." Tia flashed to Enri's side and said with a smile.

"Carne Village is the closest village to the Great Forest of Tob. We've been staying here for a while now, and we're sorry to have caused trouble for the people of your village."

Lakyus smiled and waved his hand.

That's not true.

"It was because of Captain Lakyus that the village was spared the casualties caused by the Monster Disturbance in the forest."

Enri straightened up and thanked them again, then her expression became more serious:

"I wonder if you could tell me what exactly happened? I haven't received any more concrete information from the Adventurer's Guild."

Enri was no longer the ignorant village girl she once was. After experiencing a series of events, she had a vague sense of this.

The "Monster Disturbance" in the Great Forest of Tob is probably not as simple as it seems.

Once inside the Kingdom, she learned that [Blue Roses], like them [Free Will], had become a "Adamantite Rank" adventurer team.

The fact that adventurers of this caliber have remained in the Great Forest of Tob suggests that something significant and difficult to resolve has occurred.

Lakyus's expression turned serious, and he exchanged glances with Gagaran and the others.

Excuse my intrusion.

Lakyus looked at Enri with her beautiful green eyes and asked expectantly:

"Before I explain, I'd like to know whether your [Free Will] leader, Tang, and the other members returned to the Kingdom together?"

"No, not at all."

Enri hesitated briefly, then shook her head:

"Captain and Miss Cuiye are still in Abelion Hills. This return to the village was my own decision."

"Is that so?" Lakyus frowned, his bright golden curls swaying slightly.

"Intelligence is currently being withheld."

Lakyus gently touched the hilt of the magic sword with his right hand, his emerald green eyes sweeping over Enri's Sword of Law before he spoke:

"To be precise, the investigation hasn't been completed yet, so even with ' Free Will ' at the Adamantite Rank, it's impossible to obtain accurate information from the Adventurer's Guild."

"Gagaran, you explain."

"Okay, Demon Leader."

Gagaran grinned, revealing his snow-white teeth, and then stepped forward from behind, swinging his thick arm.

Bang!

A lifeless Red-Eyed Owl monster was left on the ground.

Enri was a little confused.

"The cause of the ' Monster Disturbance ' was the evil secret society [Zurrernorn], which killed the three rulers of the Great Forest of Tob, thus triggering the disaster."

Gagaran smiled brightly at Enri and let out a hearty laugh:

"As for why [Zurrernorn] did this, there is currently insufficient information to analyze it."

That's all!

The smile on Gagaran's face gradually faded, and his tone became serious. "And this is only the apparent reason for the ' Monster Disturbance '."

"Without the control of the three rulers, even if the monsters in the Great Forest of Tob become chaotic due to the loss of suppression, it won't last this long."

"It's simply a matter of choosing a stronger monster as the new ruler; in reality, the current 'turmoil' is more like a 'loss of control.'"

Enri looked puzzled and confused. "Out of control?"

Gagaran nodded emphatically.

"Look here." Tia drew the dagger from her waist and plunged it into the abdomen of the lifeless Red-Eyed Owl on the ground, then sliced it open.

The next moment.

Enri's pupils dilated slightly, her eyes revealing surprise.

All I saw was...

Inside the belly of this Red-Eyed Owl monster, all its internal organs had long since disappeared, and inside was a clump of roots that resembled a plant.

"That's right."

Seeing Enri's surprised expression, Gagaran wasn't surprised at all. "This is the real reason why the monsters in the forest are constantly causing trouble."

"I suppose you've seen it too."

Lakyus said seriously, "The situation is very complicated. All the crazed monsters in the forest are in this state."

"It's less Monster Disturbance and more a disaster caused by these roots that devoured the demons' internal organs and manipulated them."

Nowadays.

The Adventurer's Guild mobilized a large number of adventurers to construct a defensive line on the outskirts of Great Forest of Tob in order to deal with this sudden turn of events.

Enri quickly realized the danger involved, her gaze immediately falling on the "Gushing Spring Faucet," her expression changing slightly. "Water source?"

"Don't be so nervous, Enri."

Seeing Enri's gaze, Gagaran guessed what she was thinking:

"The exact cause of the roots appearing inside these out-of-control demons has not yet been determined."

"But based on current investigations, the water source is not the problem."

"However, as an adventurer, one must always consider various unforeseen circumstances, which is why I specifically purchased this magical item."

Enri breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing the explanation, a look of realization flashing in her eyes.

She had heard about this from her mother before.

Everyone in the village thought the adventurers disliked drinking the village's well water, but now it seems that's clearly not the case.

"Enri, I wonder if you could get in touch with Team Leader Tang as soon as possible?"

Lakyus spoke again, her explanation clearly intended to contact Tang, the captain of "Free Will":

"The current strange situation in the Great Forest of Tob requires investigation deep within the forest. It would be much safer if our two teams of Adamantite Rank adventurers went together."

Upon hearing this, Enri showed some hesitation, followed by a hint of apology.

"The captain is currently unable to leave."

Enri explained first, then quickly added, "But I can help, and Miss Crusch Lulu can join us too."

Crusch Lulu?

Lakyus was slightly puzzled. She didn't remember having this person in [Free Will]. Could he be a newly recruited member?

rustle~ click~

Suddenly.

A soft sound, like dry wood cracking, rang out.

In an instant, everyone's gaze fell upon the Red-Eyed Owl monster lying on the ground, its belly ripped open.

All I saw was...

The seemingly withered and dead roots came to life in an instant, moving like snakes inside the Red-Eyed Owl's belly.

The roots quickly absorbed and digested the monster's fur, and a bright red flower bloomed on its abdomen in an instant.

Pollen, invisible to the naked eye, drifts from the bright red flowers.

"Retreat!"

Lakyus immediately shouted.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Everyone quickly moved away from their spot, looking warily at the blooming red flowers.

"This is... a new situation; we haven't noticed anything like this before." Gagaran said quickly, looking at the astonished scene, without much tension on his face.

(End of this chapter)