Nights in the Forest Beyond the Forest were not peaceful.
Twin moons hung in the sky, but the dense foliage kept their light from reaching the forest floor. Though most animals settled down to rest at night, the cries of owls often mingled with the howling wind, and the evening breeze stirred the shrubs with a faint rustling.
Clang!
It was the sharp ring of armor striking armor, far too jarring even in a night that was hardly quiet.
Tang Qi and the others, who were searching the ground for tracks, seemed to shudder at the sound. They immediately turned around and saw Dawn standing several dozen meters away in her plate armor, raising both hands awkwardly. "Sorry."
Her voice was soft, but that did nothing to conceal her mistake.
Yet Tang Qi knew he could not blame her.
Although the Arcane Powered Plate Armor could be put on and removed quickly, he had not had time to apply [Restoration Gel] to the severed limbs inside. Dawn therefore had no choice but to follow at the rear in her clanking armor.
"The tracks disappear here."
Shalti stood up and spoke just as quietly. "That means they can't be very far from us."
"How did you work that out?" Tang Qi asked.
"Concealment spells like [Unseen Movement] wouldn't last long enough to keep them hidden while they camped in the forest for several days. They most likely timed their march to arrive outside the Ebony Forest during the ritual. Otherwise, they might have run into the patrolling forest wardens.
"And today, they began retreating as soon as they triggered the barrier's alarm. Eight hours have passed. By now, they should be exhausted, both physically and mentally.
"Before this, they didn't conceal their tracks because they were hurrying along. But now, all