Chapter 47:
Airi's voice now dropped lower.
"I have a suspicion, but I want to ask if you have ever been attacked by those Ancient Woods?"
Ayaka also sensed Airi's voice had dropped; it seemed quite serious.
"Attacked, many times in fact, but I always escaped, then kept my distance and attacked them."
Airi: "In that case, my suspicion seems correct. Do you remember the story about the Demon Race?"
Ayaka: "I remember."
Airi: "Yes, so do you remember the largest Ancient Wood in this forest that helped Kuralak escape?"
Ayaka: "I still remember; get straight to the point."
Airi smiled: "I'm reminding you so you can string the events together easily."
"It seems that when the demon army was destroyed and Kuralak was sealed, a few other ghosts still lived, and they are exactly the Ancient Woods in this forest."
"Takeshi also told me about being chased by the tree roots around that altar."
"And they were guarding and helping Kuralak escape that seal, but it took time and they still wanted to catch guards like you, but failed."
"And once their king escaped the seal, there was no reason for them to stay here. What they need now is a corpse and then return to their king."
Ayaka's eyes opened wide; she had realized something ominous.
"Could it be they want to take the corpse of those animals?"
Airi: "Exactly. They cannot use the body of a tree. Simply because trees are very hard to move, though still possible. But moving a distance requires rooting into the ground to rest, otherwise, they die."
Airi sat on the branch and directed her gaze down to where Ayaka was sitting; Ayaka's face looked very pensive.
"So, do you want to protect the place you call home? Or leave it and just go?"
Ayaka pondered for a moment, making the already quiet space even quieter. Then she raised her head high, her eyes carrying determination.
"I decided I will leave it behind."
Airi glanced over, her face emotionless as she let out an "oh."
Ayaka: "I promised everyone I would go, which means I will leave everything here behind."
Ayaka then shook her head.
"No, more precisely, I will leave my former self behind and face forward, where I will have you guys as friends."
Airi heard that and burst out laughing.
"Interesting, but you can also finish the work here before going. We will also help; after all, we are unemployed anyway."
Ayaka shook her head.
"No, no, no need for that. I want to go outside and breathe the air out there so much already."
Airi: "Since you came here to live, have you never gone outside once?"
Ayaka: "Yes, I only looked out. Never went out once."
Airi: "Sounds suffocating and boring indeed. Just thinking of the scene having to talk to oneself is already boring."
Ayaka smiled: "Haha, I also often talk to myself. When bored, everyone does that."
Airi: "By the way, I saw your archery is top-notch."
Ayaka smiled happily upon being praised.
"Not that good. But thank you."
Airi: "You supported us very well during combat."
Ayaka: "Actually, I am still very poor. Especially often hesitating between using arrows with jamming energy to explode or using normal energy to pierce."
Airi: "I think that will need actual combat. Probably that will be classified as a type of judgment."
Ayaka: "Also, the first time collaborating with you guys, I was very nervous."
Airi: "Nervous?"
Ayaka: "Yes... Like fearing I would accidentally shoot you guys."
Airi was somewhat impressed.
"Oh, this seems very difficult? Actually, I don't know much about archery."
"It seems that using energy strings to connect to regular arrows is not possible, right?"
Ayaka nodded.
"Yes, because the arrow has a lot of energy but is small. Controlling it is extremely hard, and many times I get distracted too. Quite dangerous."
"Ah, I see. You probably don't know in here, but out there are some types of bows that don't need arrows."
Ayaka: "Really?"
Airi: "Yes, but they are very rare and powerful. Just channel energy into the bow, then imagine the arrow and the bow will create an arrow of energy according to the owner's imagination. Long ago I read a book talking about those bows but forgot the name."
Ayaka with an expression of admiration:
"Oh my god, I also want to have a bow like that."
Airi immediately snapped her fingers with a "clack."
"Then at some point, we will go find a bow like that for you."
Ayaka's eyes were excited.
"Really?"
Airi: "Why ask that? Already said we will get strong together."
Ayaka laughed shyly.
"Haha, right."
Ayaka leaned back in her chair and looked into the black void in the forest. Then she shifted her gaze to the old fox lying there.
"I suppose I will bring this old fox into the barrier over there."
She sighed.
"Sigh, I wonder what will happen when my clan finds out?"
Airi: "Why worry about that? If he escaped, so be it, are they going to catch him again? Is your clan strict?"
Ayaka: "How would I know that? I came here before I even had consciousness."
Airi: "Oh right, I forgot."
"But whatever, if they catch me to go back and face punishment or whatever, I don't care."
Airi: "Sounds like a naughty kid."
Ayaka scratched her head and laughed.
"Is that so? By the way, where did you guys come here from?"
Airi: "Actually, the kingdom we were in before had a war, so we came to this place to avoid the war."
Ayaka: "I see. Surely war results in many deaths?"
Airi: "That is natural."
Airi jumped down to the ground and let out a sigh.
"Sigh, well I'm sleepy. See you tomorrow."
"Yes, good night."
"Good night."
The next morning, the three—Kazuka, Takeshi, and Airi—were standing outside the house, their eyes directed toward one direction.
It was Ayaka; she stepped forward and bloomed a smile.
Airi: "Finished?"
Ayaka nodded.
"Finished. Saying goodbye to that uncle fox made me a bit emotional so it took a bit long, please understand?"
Airi: "No problem."
Ayaka stepped near the three, then all three simultaneously turned their backs and walked away.
Ayaka: "So, where will we go?"
Takeshi: "First need to go get our bags; they are outside this forest."
Ayaka: "Is it the place where I attacked you guys?"
Takeshi: "Yes. Because at that time you shot arrows at us and Airi chased after. At that time we threw all our stuff outside."
Kazuka glanced toward Airi, his tone carrying mockery.
"Also because someone was too hasty?"
Airi also knew Kazuka was talking about her; she was angry, her voice carrying a threat.
"Don't think I don't know who you are talking about!"
Kazuka scratched his head and laughed.
"Haha, I was just speaking vaguely."
Takeshi: "Now must rely on you to lead us outside; we don't know the way."
Ayaka smiled.
"Leave that to me. I am very familiar with this place."
Kazuka: "I suppose Raiga is still outside, right? Hope it didn't crawl away."
Takeshi: "Now that you mention it, you left Raiga in the bag, right?"
Kazuka: "When at the border we already fed it full; surely it won't go anywhere."
Airi: "Hope so."
Ayaka with curious eyes:
"Who is Raiga that you guys are talking about?"
Kazuka quickly introduced to her:
"Ah, let me introduce. Raiga is a snake, and it is our friend."
Ayaka's tone carried surprise.
"Oh, a snake? Is it gentle?"
Kazuka nodded.
"Of course it is very gentle. Now it is only a bit bigger than my arm."
Ayaka imagined the image of a snake bigger than Kazuka's arm. She shuddered.
"Oh my god, why does that sound so scary? There used to be many snakes here, but I killed almost all of them."
Kazuka: "So you are very afraid of snakes?"
Ayaka nodded immediately.
"Yes. Before, while I was sleeping, a snake at least as big as a thigh suddenly crawled into my blanket and started wrapping around me. Since then I hate snakes."
Kazuka laughed lightly.
"Just hearing it makes me feel scared too."
After walking for a while, they reached the edge of the forest, where sunlight could penetrate the leaves and shine on the ground.
Takeshi: "Made it outside."
The three immediately picked up their bags. Airi opened her bag; Raiga was still lying inside and sleeping soundly.
Airi turned her head back, seeing Ayaka standing at the edge of the forest, only one step away from being outside. Ayaka hesitated slightly; she turned her head back and looked at the forest one last time. Then turned her head back, looked at the three people ahead, and she met eyes with Airi.
Then looking down at the ground, she swallowed and lifted her foot.
—"Farewell to my home, I probably won't come back again."
Ayaka placed her foot on the ground outside the forest, then she instinctively took a few more steps. Airi saw that and also smiled, turning away.
Ayaka took a deep breath of the air outside; she bloomed a bright smile. No more thick smell of jute wood, no more only the green of leaves and giant trunks…
"Woahhh, the air outside is truly great. The air in there is much more humid and unpleasant."
Then all four continued walking forward. Kazuka quickly ran ahead and shouted loudly:
"Alright, let's go!"
Takeshi: "So have you thought of where we will go next?"
Kazuka immediately stopped and scratched his head, laughing.
"Haha, I haven't thought of it yet. But I think we will go around this Baosheng country."
Ayaka curiously asked:
"Is this the Baosheng Kingdom?"
Takeshi turned and asked:
"You don't know where you are?"
Ayaka scratched her head and laughed because she didn't know.
Airi: "She was brought here since she was two years old, how could she know?"
Takeshi forced a laugh.
"Oh right, I forgot."
Airi walked beside Ayaka; she turned over.
"Hey, do you know how to read?"
As if hit on the mark, Ayaka startled, her face turning red.
"Ac... actually I don't."
Kazuka and Takeshi were surprised; both shouted:
"What? You really don't know how to read?"
Ayaka startled.
"Yes, I really don't."
Airi sighed.
"Sigh, it seems in there, your sister only taught you how to fight?"
Ayaka: "Yes, only ways how to survive."
Takeshi: "Then we need to teach her."
Kazuka nodded repeatedly.
"That's right, that's right."
Takeshi glanced at Kazuka.
"You still stutter when reading, Kazuka. Better let Airi handle it."
Kazuka still tried to argue:
"But I still know."
Airi: "For that we probably need to buy paper and books."
Ayaka: "Thank you, everyone."
Takeshi: "What are you saying? No need to thank us. We've helped each other until now without even bothering to thank each other."
Ayaka's eyes widened in surprise:
"That is very close."
Kazuka puffed out his nose, his face carrying pride.
"Of course."
After a period of walking, yet not knowing where they were going, they reached a small town.
Kazuka squinted looking ahead.
"I think we will stop here. By the way, do you still have money?"
Airi: "Still holding it."
Stepping into this small town, they saw many horse carriages parked outside. And there were even carriages going inside.
Takeshi: "It seems this place is a stop for merchants."
Just as they entered, they saw an old woman walking in the same direction as them. Seeing that, Takeshi ran over.
"Grandmother, may I ask where there are inns for rent?"
Seeing Takeshi ask, the old woman slowly replied:
"Just go straight and you'll arrive."
Takeshi bowed his head and smiled.
"Yes, I thank you."
They went straight, past rows of old houses that weren't too high; all around were many people walking and curious glances looking at them. At the edge of the road were small vendors, with only a piece of cloth spread out and items placed on it.
They didn't care and kept walking. Right on the left was a large house, the tallest around. Above was a signboard: "Inn."
Kazuka: "So I will be in the same room as Takeshi, and you two will be in the same room as well."
Airi glanced at Ayaka and asked:
"What do you think?"
Ayaka smiled.
"Let's do that. I won't complain."
They stepped inside; eyes converged on the four of them, but a few people didn't care and continued eating. Mostly merchants, but there were still a few with fierce faces; their weapons were all propped against walls and tables.
Airi went to the reception counter, where an old man stood keeping records and a boy was arranging ledgers into a cabinet. It seemed he was the innkeeper's son.
Airi: "Owner? I'd like to rent two rooms, two people each."
The owner looked up to observe Airi, then turned his head to his son.
"Get the keys for rooms 14 and 15 for this girl."
The boy who was arranging ledgers turned over:
"Wait a moment."
Then he opened the cabinet and took out two keys tied with quite long strings. On the two keys were numbers 14 and 15. He walked close and held out the keys.
"Yours, sir."
But when he saw Airi, he seemed to lose his soul and stood frozen. His eyes were glued to Airi without moving; though his eyes didn't wander, he observed Airi very carefully, gazing at her.
—"This... this girl is so beautiful."
Airi took the keys and turned to give them to Takeshi and Ayaka. Then she turned back.
The old innkeeper saw his son standing still and was confused; he looked up, seeing his son silent, he shouted:
"Hey you brat, aren't you going to collect the money?"
The son then shifted his gaze to Ayaka. She was glancing around the inn.
—"That girl too."
Seeing no movement from his son, the old innkeeper rolled up the book in his hand and smacked him on the head, making him snap out of it.
"Aren't you going to collect the money from the guests? You lazy brat."
He scratched his head and forced a smile.
"Ah, sorry. Two rooms are two gold coins; every three days please come down to pay once."
Airi reached into her bag and took out two gold coins; she placed them on the table and turned away.
"Let's go."
He stood frozen again, watching the two of them walking upstairs.
While walking up the stairs, Kazuka laughed loudly.
"Did you see that, Takeshi? The guy back there seemed to have lost his soul before Airi and Ayaka."
Takeshi didn't laugh out loud but smiled.
"I saw it. Seeing him stand frozen was so funny."
Airi, with a weary voice:
"So that's the reason you two kept covering your mouths and shaking back there?"
Kazuka: "So you have an extremely powerful move."
Airi, with an annoyed voice:
"Shut up."
Ayaka let out a sigh.
"Sigh, I don't even know what to say."
Passing other rooms, at the end were the two rooms labeled 14 and 15.
Takeshi walked close to Ayaka.
"Hey, let's swap rooms. Let us take this room 14."
Ayaka was a bit confused.
"Huh? Is there a problem with room 15?"
Takeshi: "No, I just like the number 14."
Ayaka: "Sure, that works."
The two exchanged keys.
After opening the door to the room, the space inside was quite wide and fully equipped with items. In the center was a large bed with a white mattress and a red blanket.
Seeing that, Kazuka threw his bag to one side; his sword was also placed leaning against the wall. Then he jumped straight onto that soft bed.
He stretched.
"So tired. I'm going to sleep; call me if anything happens."
Then Kazuka closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
Takeshi saw that and sighed.
"Sigh."
Then he went to pick up the bag Kazuka threw on the floor and placed it on the cabinet next to the bed.
Looking outside, Airi and Ayaka were already standing there.
Airi: "Let's go eat."
Takeshi stepped out and pointed at Kazuka lying on the bed.
"He's asleep."
Airi: "Wake him up; let's eat together."
Takeshi stepped over; he grabbed the blanket Kazuka was under and pulled it up. Then he pressed close to Kazuka's ear.
"Wake up! We are under attack!"
Kazuka jumped up; he stood on the bed observing everywhere, his face carrying alertness.
"Where... where? Which enemy?"
Takeshi stood below, hands on hips.
"Are you going to eat or not?"
Kazuka scratched his head, his face still showing heavy sleepiness.
"Yeah, let's go."
Stepping downstairs, the crowd had thinned out a bit since it was past lunch.
The three sat at the table while Airi walked to the innkeeper; after a moment of talking, she walked over and sat down.
"I ordered the food. Wait a bit and they'll bring it up."
Kazuka: "After eating I must train. We need to absorb and push out energy continuously to expand the energy well and energy gate."
Takeshi nodded in agreement.
"Yes, I think so too."
Kazuka: "Ah, the other day fighting that ghost, suddenly my energy gate expanded a bit."
Takeshi and Airi seemed very surprised.
Airi: "This is indeed good news for you."
Takeshi: "Your energy gate is truly big, unlike mine."
Ayaka: "My energy gate is also quite small, probably one-tenth of one energy portion."
Takeshi: "That is called big. Mine is even smaller."
Ayaka seemed interested, then looked at her hand.
"Really? I thought mine was quite small. Each time having to concentrate a lot of energy into an arrow takes so much time."
Airi: "Mine is about two parts of one-tenth."
Ayaka asked curiously:
"Huh? I thought as a vampire you'd have a very large energy gate?"
Airi closed her eyes and sighed.
"No, it depends."
"My well is larger than everyone's, though the gate is smaller. That is just the measurement compared to my total energy. If we compared who has more energy overall, I'd win for sure."
The son of the innkeeper brought a tray of food over. Then he placed four plates down.
There was a plate of meat stir-fried with some kind of vegetable, a plate of potatoes, a plate of beef, and a plate of greens.
"Oh my god, it looks so delicious."
Then the son brought over four bowls and four pairs of chopsticks. Along with a large bowl of rice.
"Please enjoy, guests."
Kazuka was the first to pick up chopsticks.
"Alright, let's eat."
The son of the innkeeper still stood there watching the group eat; seeing Airi and Ayaka eating made him blush and turn away.
By evening, Kazuka and Takeshi were each in a corner; they sat cross-legged, eyes closed. Energy was continuously floating around them and being absorbed into their bodies.
Takeshi sat there, thinking about the old wolf's words.
"I see you absorb energy through breathing quite well, but I advise you should still use the pores on your body."
"Simply because it is more effective."
"If you can do both well, then it is even better."
On Kazuka's side, the blue energy being absorbed into his body still had a bit of black color. But Kazuka still felt it was normal.
—"Let's tense the body with energy."
The moon outside hung overhead; the moon was not very round but it still illuminated the whole town. Below on the street at night, there was no one.
On a rooftop, a certain creature sat still observing the town. It was as big as a squatting adult, its body thin but long. It had the shape of a crow, but the beak was cracked vertically like a stone fissure. Inside the beak was a black hole deep and bottomless. Eyes were iridescent blue. The neck was a bit longer than normal. The body was covered in black-purple feathers. Wings were large like an eagle's. Feet had six toes, long, with thin membranes like a bat's, splayed out like a peacock's.
Standing for a moment, it spread its wings wide; a light wind was blown out. Its feet kicked off the roof and it lunged away; the large wings did not need much flapping. It flapped once and flew off.
Flying past the roof of the inn, where Kazuka's group was sleeping soundly.
At this time, Ayaka was sleeping on the bed with Airi. Airi was lying facing away, while Ayaka lay on her back.
What was this giant crow? And what did it want? Or…
A scene in the forest appeared; it seemed to be Ayaka's dream.
The silhouette from behind of a woman walking out of the forest; Ayaka looked a bit smaller than currently. She was panicked, eyes brimming with tears, running immediately after the woman in front.
"Don't go, sister! Don't leave me here, I'm scared to be alone."
"Sister? Sister... Sister!"
Ayaka knelt on the ground, hand reaching out as if to cling, her face carrying despair. Then her voice grew small.
"Why leave me here?"
Then a white light flashed; the scene changed.
A woman's voice rang out; Ayaka slowly opened her eyes, then sat up in bed. She was frantic, ran outside and looked around, then ran to the back of the house.
Before her eyes, her sister hadn't gone anywhere; she was sitting before the old fox that generations of guards had raised. Watching it drink water. Hearing a noise, she turned her head; Ayaka was still not over the shock, her gaze staring blankly at her sister.
The sister had purple hair, her face still very young. Wearing neat clothes to move easily in the forest. The highlight was a mole at the corner of her eye, emphasizing her charm.
Her sister smiled and stood up to walk close.
"What's wrong? Why does your face look so pale?"
Ayaka immediately lunged into her sister's arms and hugged tightly, burying her face in her sister's chest.
"Just now, I dreamed you would leave me and let me stay alone."
She smiled and stroked her head.
"Don't worry. I won't leave you here alone. I have asked our clan to let me stay here to take care of you. Don't worry, okay?"
Ayaka nodded and bloomed a bright smile.
"Yes. I love you most."
Just like that, two years later. Ayaka was walking at the edge of the forest; she saw Kazuka's group standing outside the forest. Remembering her sister's instructions:
"Remember well: absolutely do not let anyone into the forest. If you cannot stop them by threat, then you must kill."