Chapter 253: The Oath Fulfilled

By this time, Qian Ye had a good grasp of the battle situation.

The Evernight side seemed to be led by a duke, with a squad of about ten people, which was the strength of three normal small teams. The Atavar, on the other hand, had deployed hundreds of warriors, with a giant leading from the rear. A bloody conflict had erupted between the two sides for some unknown reason.

On paper, the Atavar warriors had an overwhelming advantage. Their average adult warrior had the power of a count, and their first-tier warriors were generally close to or at the marquis level. An elite first-tier warrior like Su Shi could almost rival a marquis in power.

However, paper strength did not equate to real combat power.

From the results of this battle, it was evident that the difference in equipment had a decisive impact on the outcome. The Evernight side, with several strong warriors injured and one glorious marquis fallen, had slain over a hundred Atavar warriors above the count level, as well as a giant who rivaled a grand duke.

The wooden spears and javelins used by the Atavar barely penetrated the heavy shields of the Evernight’s strong warriors, and breaking through the armor was quite difficult. Most of the wounds they left were minor. In contrast, the primordial force bullets of the Evernight’s warriors inflicted deadly wounds, and their swords and axes easily sliced through the relatively weak bodies of the Atavar warriors.

Even the giant could not withstand repeated strikes from the primordial force guns.

The battle had begun half a day ago, and the Atavar had suffered heavy losses, forcing them to retreat. The Evernight team of strong warriors continued on their unfinished route.

Qian Ye concealed his aura and pursued them. The Evernight’s strong warriors were old acquaintances of his, and he was quite adept at handling the problems the Atavar warriors could not.

The inner world was exceedingly strange. Qian Ye had been chasing for half a day, and the scenery around him had hardly changed. There were still those gigantic trees that blocked out the sky, the grass and round stones scattered throughout the forest, and the dangerous small beasts. If not for Qian Ye’s exceptional eyesight and memory, he might have mistaken himself for running in circles.

Staying in such a monotonous environment for long would drive a normal person mad, causing them to lose their sense of direction and distance.

However, Qian Ye was a master tracker and naturally overcame these mental challenges. Eventually, he closed his eyes slightly and relied more on his senses to judge directions and distances.

Pursuing in this manner, Qian Ye finally noticed a different trace.

On a giant tree, there was a faint scratch mark. Though extremely shallow, it appeared to have been made by sharp claws, and a faint trace of the Evernight’s dark primordial force lingered. Qian Ye recognized it as a mark left by the strong limbs of an arachnid demon. However, the mark was already very faint and would soon disappear. Everything in the inner world had a strong self-healing ability, and any traces left by foreign primordial forces would gradually fade in the active primordial force environment.

Seeing this mark, Qian Ye knew he was on the right track. He suddenly accelerated, vanishing into the distance.

In the distant forest, a demon strongman, gazing at the seemingly unchanging landscape, suddenly became irritable and drew his sword, slashing off a giant leaf extending from the side.

Mid-swing, his sword was abruptly halted by another. The elderly demon, who had been at the front of the team, suddenly appeared, blocking the swing with his own blade.

“Do not leave unnecessary traces,” the elder said slowly.

The demon strongman, looking into the elder’s deep eyes, broke into a sweat and explained, “I, I just…”

“No need to explain. But remember, our enemies are not just the natives; these odd trees, shrubs, wild beasts, and even the entire inner world itself are our enemies.”

The demon strongman was taken aback, “The inner world is our enemy?”

The elderly duke nodded, “Yes.”

“But they cannot move… Could even the lifeless stones be our enemies?”

“Under the will of the world, anything can have consciousness, intelligence, and even its own soul.”

The demon strongman was half-convinced but, for some reason, felt as though the plants, trees, and stones around him were watching him.

He realized that his irritability was actually due to an underlying unease and fear, a fear of the unknown dangers lurking.

“Let’s go. Don’t expose our tracks because of a momentary loss of control,” the elderly duke said, sheathing his sword and returning to the front of the team.

An arachnid noble approached the demon strongman and asked in a low voice, “Lord Ped, what are we searching for?”

Ped shook his head, “I don’t know either. This time, everything is under Lord Riga’s command.”

The arachnid noble said, “I heard Lord Riga earlier. This place is indeed bizarre, but we are prepared. Are you referring to the danger from the uncivilized natives? Our army in the inner world can easily wipe them out.”

Ped relaxed slightly and smiled, “Indeed, they were quite scary at first. But all they do is howl and charge, practically no different from suicide. It’s just a pity about Lorei.”

The arachnid noble replied, “He was just unlucky.”

“Let’s go. Finish the mission and return as soon as possible. I don’t want to stay in this cursed forest for another moment.”

“You’re right.”

Ped and the arachnid noble quickened their pace, catching up with the team. As they passed under a large tree, Ped suddenly stopped, looking up as if sensing something, his body trembling slightly.

“What’s wrong?” the arachnid noble asked. It was surprising for a noble demon to show fear.

“There, there’s a leaf.”

Following his gaze, the arachnid saw a large, several-meter-long leaf, thick and dark green, with fine hair visible in the light. Yet, such leaves were common in the forest. What was different about this one?

Ped, however, fixed his gaze on the leaf, his hand instinctively gripping the hilt of his sword.

Realizing his slip, he muttered, “Nothing,” and hurried after the arachnid. After a few steps, Ped suddenly turned back, staring at the leaf again.

The large leaf hung motionless, just as before. There was no wind in the forest, so it remained still. All the leaves were like sculptures, frozen in various postures.

Looking around, the entire inner world seemed to be frozen in time. Aside from the travelers, the scenery was like a snapshot, forever fixed.

Ped stared at the leaf for a long time, only moving when the arachnid noble urged him.

“Is there something wrong with that leaf?” the arachnid noble asked, curious.

Ped hesitated, then said, “I feel like it was watching me.”

“Watching you?”

“Yes, when we passed, it seemed to move, like… turning to look at me.”

“Can these damned leaves move?” the arachnid noble was genuinely curious. But looking around, nothing else moved.

“Maybe I’m seeing things,” Ped joked.

The arachnid noble’s face darkened. Ped was a renowned sniper and assassin among the demons, with excellent vision and perception. How could he be mistaken?

Yet, seeing Ped’s signal, he understood and nodded, “Maybe you’re just tired. Rest will help.”

“Let’s go. The team has moved far ahead.”

They quickly left, and as they did, the leaf behind them slowly bent, as if turning to watch their backs.

At the base of the nearly completed tower, the Lord of Mesfhild, Palociya, stood quietly, gazing at the endless inner world.

Behind him, a demon duke reported, “All components are installed, with only the final testing and packaging remaining. We should be done in about three days. We have gathered seventy-six followers, including thirty counts. They need necessary weapons and armor to move freely here. After adjustments, our armor is better suited to the environment. The counts are now effective combatants.”

Pausing, and seeing no reaction from Palociya, he continued, “We have collected one hundred and ten sets of spare parts. After completing this tower, we can build two more. With three towers, our precision will greatly improve.”

“An exploration team has returned without valuable findings, but they discovered materials that will speed up construction by thirty percent.”

The Lord of Mesfhild, with deep, penetrating eyes, suddenly asked, “How many exploration teams are still out?”

“Two. One just left and hasn’t reported back. The team led by Lord Riga should have returned yesterday, but there’s no news. If there’s no word tonight, I will send a rescue team.”

The Lord of Mesfhild said, “No need. They won’t be coming back.”

The duke was stunned, “This…”

“Call the combat troops. We leave tonight, with me leading. I want to see what secrets this inner world holds.”

“The Emperor’s will is for you to meet with the Eternal Flame before proceeding.”

“The Eternal Flame has not reported in. We have a lead, so let’s act now. We won’t wait.”

The duke hesitated, “But, if you leave, the tower’s defenses will be weakened.”

“I’ll be back within two days.”

The duke sighed in relief and hurried to prepare for the departure.

Palociya, expressionless, gazed into the distance, his thoughts unreadable, except for a faint glimmer in his eyes.

In the Lava Castle, the Demon Emperor flipped to the last page of his book. Closing it, he smiled, “Even the best books must end. Lord Habus, our agreement is fulfilled, isn’t it?”