Houses spread in a semi-chaotirees standing proud at irregur intervals, and the green grass, full of vitality, c the ground all over the pce. pared to towns and cities, the vilge was much more rural, much more peaceful, and much more refreshing.
Two days have passed since Dianthus and the others were summoned, and so far, there haven't been any problems. The beasts who attacked the Tree of Life before also haven't shown up again. It was a time of peace.
Grey and Yuna also tried using potions, elixirs, and all sorts of alchemy products tk the tree to see if they could heal the scars and damages left by the beasts on it, but it was to no avail. Not even holy magior pnt magic could help in the case.
The tree's position, having been made with alchemy, was pletely out of Grey's scope of knowledge. There was a solutiohought of, but si was only made from specutions, he didn't resort to using it. It was something he was only willing to do when the worse es to worst.
With the familiars guarding the Tree of Life, the vilgers' focus was now switched back to the weddiement ow be traced on their faces as they looked forward to the day their little Aria bees a bride.
The wedding venue was now done and structed beautifully, desigo be oh nature, a variety of greens and flora to be seen no matter where one looked. It was like paradise, a paradise where two souls will soon bee one.
"Are the flowers ready?"
"How about the reception? Is everything going well?"
"No, no, a little bit to the left."
The only things left were the little details like the flower arras, the seats, and a few arras after the wedding. Everything was almost ready and the wedding was drawing closer by the hour. There was oement in the air.
Of course, with the wedding drawing close, the bride and groom were now doing rehearsals for their wedding. Actually, there wasn't mueed to, it was just that they waheir wedding to be perfect. After, it would be one of the most importas in their lives, ohey wouldn't fet.
"Waah～! Big Sis, you look so beautiful! And graceful too!" ［Zeke］
"Hey, Zeke, calm down...! You're b them...!" ［Reina］
"Uuu... I 't believe it... My sweet, little Aria's all grown up now... Dear, our little baby, she... She..." ［Falroe］
"Calm down, dear. No matter what happens, she'll always be our baby." ［Valka］
Well, eve was only a rehearsal, Aria's family still gave their best expressions as if it was the real thing. Falroe in particur was ag like a father who got her daughter stolen, his face full of snot and tears.
Being subjected to such a treatment, Aria was forced to hide her fa the practice bouquet she was holding onto. She was very embarrassed that even her ears were red as she walked down the aisle with Kris. No matter how much she loves her family, it was still too much.
The groom, on the hand, could only smile wryly at what was happening with his bride. While he couldn't rete much since he grew up an orphan, he didn't feel anything was g. After all, he has Grey and Yuna attending as his younger siblings. For that, he was thankful.
"Aria, don't fet to let us see randkids!" ［Falroe］
"Dad!" ［Aria］
It was quite the eaining se. And it was worth noting that it wasn't the first time such a se happened. Every time they rehearsed, the same thing happened over and ain. Grey and Yuna couldn't t how many times they had to repeat because of their antics.
What made it worse was that it was the Chief's duty to preside over the wedding. In other words, Falroe herself was the one going to duct the wedding ceremony. He was g so boldly in front of everyone. In a way, it was amazing, just amazing.
With a face red as one be, the wedding rehearsals tinued and everythi smoothly. The preparations are also going along well and will be finished just the day before the wedding. Everything erfect.
"Phew... That was a little tiring..." ［Kris］
Said Kris as he sat down on one of the benches. Even though he said such a statement, there was no frown to be seen on his face. In fact, there was only a sweet ale smile as he looked at his bride.
As he looked at her, memories of the past came fshing into his mind. The first time they met, their first talk together, their first quest, their first quarrel, and a lot of other firsts and unfettable memories. It was quite a long journey, but now, they were just a few days away from their wedding day.
Kris was happy, but he was also trembling a little. It was the first time he has been so nervous his entire life. Not even the raid a few months ago could pare with how nervous he is right now. It was as if his heart ounding madly.
heless, he couldn't be any thankful that Aria came into his life. The future which he never really saw much promise once was now full of things to look forward to. He couldn't help but smile as he thought about their future together. Aing journey of panionship and love.
As for Aria, she is currently talking with Grey and Yuna, now pletely recovered from her embarrassment. For her, there was no time to waste. She couldn't sit still knowing her wedding was just a couple of days away.
"Grey, Yuna, I'm really sorry for springing this up on you..." ［Aria］
"No, it's alright. We were also thinking of helping one way or another." ［Grey］
"Un! And we'd also like Miss Aria and Mister Kris to have the best wedding! We'll make sure to cook the best dishes possible!" ［Yuna］
With unanimous request from the vilgers, Aria requested the two to cook the food for their reception afterwards. It was a request that the tted easily with hearts lit abze, determio cook the best they could.
After all, the wedding does not only include the ceremony itself. The reception was also an important part where the bride and groom express their gratitude to their family and the people. There was no way Grey and Yuna could do it willy-nilly.
Hundreds, if not thousands, of dishes are already flooding Grey and Yuna's minds as they think of what dishes they are going to cook, appropriate for the celebration. Of course, it went without saying that they are only going to choose the best of the best.
"Fufufu! I'm happy you're fired up, but don't overwork yourselves, alright? Just do what you . I'm already happy enough that you are attending." ［Aria］
"Don't worry too much, Miss Aria. We're also enjoying this. This is the least we could do to thank you for everything." ［Grey］
Aria's heart was moved at Grey's words, Yuna nodding silently in agreement. A warm emotion was causing inside as feelings of gratitude and happiness mixed with one another. She was thankful to have friends like the two of them.
"Fufu. Then I guess I'll have to look forward to the reception." ［Aria］
"Un! Please do!" ［Yuna］
The wedding preparations tinued and the people busied themselves with their own tasks. Kris and Aria started rehearsing again, making sure everything erfect. Grey and Yuna discussed their pns. And the vilgers moved things here and there. It was a busy se.
Reina has also fihe dresses and coats she was making for everyoo wear. She also asked Grey and Yuna if they would like her to make theirs too, but they refused. They didn't want to burdehey'll only wear what they have with them.
"Big Bro, Bis Sis, I py with the pups again?" ［Zeke］
"Me too! I also want to py!" ［Ruru］
Well, everyone was busy except the children. With their small stature and meager strengths, they could barely do much to help. All they could do was watch the others work and py around nearby.
Their hearts have been captured by the ess and fluffiness of the familiars. And for the past few days, they have been pying with them. Even Zeke, who was a little older, couldn't help but be captured by their ess.
"Okay, but don't wander away too far. Your parents will be worried. you promise Big Sis that?" ［Yuna］
"Yes!" ［Ruru］
"Don't worry, Big Sis Yuna. I'll keep watch of Ruru and the others!" ［Zeke］
"Oh my, looks like our Zeke has grown into a fine young man. Fufufu!" ［Yuna］
It didn't take too long frey and Yuna to agree to the children's request. Not only were they weak to their pleas, it would also serve as a good time for the familiars to take a break from monster hunting a loose.
As for the adults, they pyed board and card games whehey were on break. It was a good time for them to rex and bond with one ariumphant cries of victory and groans of defeat could be heard anywhere.
The pying of games started right after their tea time together. Falroe requested Grey to let the vilgers experiehem and the tter agreed so easily. A lot of boards and cards were made that day and the rest was history.
"Huhuhu, you're still a hundred years too early from beating me, boy." ［Falroe］
"Chief, this is unfair. You've started pying earlier than us." ［Alto］
"Excuses, excuses. A win is a win." ［Falroe］
Even Falroe who lost miserably to Yuna over and ain a couple days ago was now g victories here and there. His face was that of a proud victor, pletely different to the g mess he was before. Yes, pletely different.
The day went on smoothly and more and more things got finished as more time passedー or so how it should have been. It was almost time for lunch when, without any warning....
BOOOMMMMM
After a sudden mana spike, loud and thundering reverberations resounded in the air, reag far throughout the whole vilge. There weren't any rge explosions nor crimsoo be seen, only rge clouds of dust rising up towards the blue sky, along with patches of bck flying here and there.
The in of the sound was her the dire of the Tree of Life and the patches of bck were bird-type beasts which circled the tree and sending down a barrage of attacks from above,
"Sirius, opus, Kentaurus, head to the Tree of Life first! Arcturus, erect barriers on the vilge and protect the vilgers!" ［Grey］
"By your will, Master." ［Sirius］
"As you and!" ［Arcturus］
Grey's ands came lightning fast. Not even a sed after the sounds reached his ears, he was able to act accly. He didn't let the shock affect him and had the familiars move without wasting any time.
Heeding Grey's and, the familiars, which were still pying with the children, struggled quickly to escape their embrace. Soon after, they came running towards the open, greatly shog the vilgers when they respoo Grey's words.
"Eh? The puppies!" ［Ruru］
As soon as they were far away from the children, they returo their inal forms, shining light to the surroundings. When the light dimihere were only four majestic creatures to be found in the pce of the puppies.
Sirius, leading with opus aaurus, headed towards the Tree of Life. Meanwhile, Arcturus flew straight upwards at breakneck speed, only stopping at heights hundreds of kilometers from the ground.
Roooaaarrrr
A loud roar echoed throughout the vilge as Arctiris spread his wings open. Soon enough, clear lights of silver and gold showered down the vilge and barriers were erected oer another. It was as if a guardian god had asded.
There wasn't a barrier to protect the vilgers, but also a barrier, rger thahers to trap the enemies whivaded. Uhey are on par or strohan him, there was no way of breaking it. There was only one opening, a gateway frey and the others to enter.
"Mister Falroe, please keep everyone safe and calm. We'll be heading to the Tree of Life now." ［Grey］
"Dad, I leave everything to you!" ［Aria］
"Y-Yes..." ［Falroe］
The high-rankers didn't sit still either. After leaving some words for Falroe and the others, they followed after the familiars, leaving clouds of dust in their wake. There was a trace en their faces as they left.
Not even a minute passed and everyone already mao arrive at the entrance. What greeted them the moment they stepped foot ihe area, a se of chaos and pandemonium greeted them. It was like a hellish arena where death could e at any sed.
It has only been several seds sihe fight started, but even with the help of familiars, a lot of the guards were already ihere were even a few with limbs missing and sh, fatal wounds all over their bodies, only a matter of seds before death fetches them.
??Perfect Heal!?? ??Rejuvenate!?? ??Holy Bell!?? ［Grey］
Not wasting any time, Grey utilized "Multitask" as quickly as he could, casting three holy-attribute spells at the same time. While it could not save those at critical states, it slowed down their death by a rge margin, enough for him to aid them.
Not even a sed ter, Grey then grabbed a "Diviion" from his "Iory", crushing it with his hands and handling it with wind magic. He then used "Elemental Aura" to increase his trol of the wind, letting his mana drain at insane speed.
Like a God who presided over the wind, Grey trolled the wind as if it art of his body, spreading the tents of the "Diviion" with its aid and delivering them to the mouths of the injured guards.
With the potency of the potions, a single drop was all it was o restore the guards to perfect health, aore them it did. While Grey wasted an invaluable item, it was worth it sidering that he saved many lives.
"Huff... Huff... Huff..." ［Grey］
"Grey, are you alright?!" ［Yuna］
"It's alright... Huff... I still... Huff... keep on going..." ［Grey］
Of course, with sutense performa was obvious that astronomical amounts of mana was drawn from his body. If it weren't for his "Mana Bank", his mana would have been cut down signifitly. Still, there was the drawback of using too much mana simultaneously.
"Those who move, carry those who are unscious and leave the premises. We'll hahe rest!" ［Kris］
"Butー"
"Just go!" ［Kris］
"Y-Yes!"
The others didn't sit still either. After they were healed, Kris quickly had them back off from the battle. There were some beasts who took advantage of the situation, but before they could eve close to them, Kris, Aria, and Yuna fihem off,
Slowly but surely, the guards headed out of the viity and outside of the barrier one by one. In their pce, Arcturus joihe fray, already finished with casting barriers all around the vilge.
Unlike before where there would only be two beasts targeting the tree, now there were a few dozen of them attag, obviously led by the twest beasts present which perfectly matched Aria's previous description.
??Appraisal?? ［Grey］
-----------------------------------
[Beast]
[Species]Citraka
[Status]Healthy, Crazed
[Sex]Female
[Age]49 (Adult)
[Mana Capacity]5,538 [Mana Quality]A
[bat Power]2,892 [Threat Level]A
[Attribute]Pnt
[Intelligence]93
[Description]
A rge feliype beast which specializes in speed and stealth. It uses the pnt attribute to cover its body with pnts of all sorts and blend in in the surroundings. It is also known as the "Assassins of the Forest", infamous for causing thousands of deaths on a yearly basis.
-----------------------------------
[Beast]
[Species]Molterow
[Status]Healthy, Crazed
[Sex]Female
[Age]52 (Adult)
[Mana Capacity]5,592 [Mana Quality]A
[bat Power]2,913 [Threat Level]A
[Attribute]Earth
[Intelligence]89
[Description]
Found in rge forests throughout the world, Molterows are rge avias which are naturally aggressive towards Salferines as who do not belong to the forest. They use rge rocks created with magid hurl them towards the enemies. Most of the boulders found their s are remnants of their attacks.
-----------------------------------
One looked like an oversized cheetah while the other was a rge, flying cassowary, both of them as dangerous as one could get. Even Aria who was a high-ranker could get in danger if she was careless.
While Grey was thankful they weren't the beasts he initially thought of, he didn't feel happy. After all, Citrakas and Molterows are supposed to be only at the peak of B-rank! The ones before him are much stronger.
There was only ohing which Grey could think of that could cause such a drastic power-up. It was ohing the two beasts had in on. It was their ption of the Tree of Life!
"Mister Kris, Miss Aria, Yuna and I will hahe Citraka and Molterow. Please take care of the tree and the other beasts," ［Grey］
"Uood!" ［Aria］
"Got it!" ［Kris］
Burst of wind disturbed the air as the group split up from one another. Aria headed to the back where she could shoot arrows fortably, Kris headed towards the Tree's viity, whilst Grey and Yuna chased after the two leader beasts.
Of course, the familiars also didn't sit still. Grey and Yuna's familiars minimized their sizes for easier movements while Kris and Aria's familiars protected the trees from attacks both below and above. It was a very fierce battle.
"Die!" ［Kris］
With a swing of Kris' warhammer, beasts came flying towards the barrier oer another. With the difference of power between them, it only takes him a sirike to finish off those who dared to approach him.
A beast tried to lunge from behind, but before it had the ce to touch him, an arrow pierced through its skull, leading a hole behind. A little thud then echoed as the beast fell helplessly to the ground.
"Oh, thanks, Aria!" ［Kris］
The source of the arrow was her than his lovely fiancée who was now shooting arrows like a turret. Each arrow she shot, another beast's life gets extinguished. The st of death loomed stronger.
Krruaaakkk Khiieekkkk Graawwrrr
Yelps, shrieks, and cries echoed tinuously as the familiars helped out with the massacre. With such a sie from them, bones were crushed and lives were taken. Not a single beast was able to approach the tree even a little.
Grroaaarrr
The Citraka tried to attack Amaryll, but before its cws could reach her, a g sound echoed in the air. Before it even noticed, a silver-haired elven girl appeared before it, parrying its attack with her delicate arms.
"Your oppo is me!" ［Yuna］
Yuna swung her daggers lightly and a gashing wound appeared oraka's front legs. Unfortunately, the wound was too shallow. Before her strike could nd, the beast mao avoid it as its instincts screamed at it.
There was nothing more o be said nor done. Just in their first csh alohe beast could tell that Yuna was overwhelmingly strohan it. Even its evasion just now was a mere fluke. If it isn't careful, it could easily lose its life.
Like a scared little kitten, the Citraka tried to run away as fast and stealthily as it could. And it was really fast, unfortunately for it, its oppo was Yuna. Be it speed or stealth, Yuna was superior in every single aspect.
"You're finished!" ［Yuna］
A painful cry resounded in the air as Yuna's dagger pierced the beast's skull. It couldn't even run far away and it already lost its life. It was the price it had to pay for disturbing their pead quiet.
As frey, well, there was nothio be said. He was the stro amongst the ones present. Just by raw strength alone, he was dozens of times strohan the Molterow. The oute was already decided.
Grey was no the Tree of Life, his eyes focused on the flyis which were attag the treetop. While they were much smaller in hey were just as annoying. The ability to fly was really troublesome.
"How bothersome..." ［Grey］
Mumbled Grey as he pulled bae of his arms. His right hand was already ched into a fist and a storm of mana gathered in it. He pnted one of his feet in front of him and with quients, he released a powerful punch.
??Burst Caliber!?? ［Grey］
Raging winds id waste the surroundings as Grey's punch broke the sound barrier. Everything in front of him was bsted towards the barrier, feeling the full brunt of Grey's strike, their bodies colpsing on themselves as the pressure from the strike weighed on them like a domineering mountain.
A few seds ter, the flyis dropped like flies as they fell towards the ground, covered in wounds and blood gushing out of them. There wasn't a single survivor. It was a merciless massacre whily sted a few seds.
"Impressive as always, Grey." ［Kris］
"I could say the same to you, Mister Kris. Looks like you've also finished." ［Grey］
"Well, all of them we're below k, after all." ［Aria］
Just as Grey came down from the Tree of Life's opy, the others have also finished with their tasks. There wasn't a single enemy left standing, all were down in the ground, bathing in their own blood. It wasn't a pleasant se.
"Haah... This is going to be a hassle to ー" ［Kris］
Kris couldn't finish his words when all of the sudden, everyone prese a shiver run down their spines. An ominous sensation creeped in their hearts, one which was both suffog and terrorizing. There was a feeling of dread in the air.
Bck mist gathered around the corpses of the Citraka and Molterow, growing thicker and thicker with time, the ominous sensation growing with it. Soon after, a red glint fshed as two pairs of eyes opened up abruptly, revealing a deadly gleam.
GROOAARRRRRR KHIIEEEKKKK
CHAPTER 147 END
