Chapter 478 - Faelyn's Resolution
On the Great Forest's southern outskirts, millions of rats were laid to rest as their charred-black carcasses filled up the burning fields like mountains.
Even so, the rat tide was endless. The deaths of their brethren hardly made a dent in their numbers.
The rats circled around outside the periphery of the burning fields while the Skysilver Beast King gazed at them coldly.
"Awooo!"
The three-tailed silver wolf howled and suddenly swept a pile of fresh burning carcasses into the sea of rats before resuming its never-ending battle with the rat tide.
Whether the elves departed and withdraw themselves from the battle or not didn't bother it in the least.
It would still continue to hunt down the rats.
Meanwhile, the 8 Elders regrouped with Supreme Elder Haldir back in the subterranean space below the tribe.
After Leon completed refining several more batches of exploding pills, the 8 Elders were also given the opportunity to play around with the incendiary capsules.
Sometime later, all passageways connected to the subterranean space were eventually sealed by the group.
Patches of burning rat carcasses were laid waste to the area, lighting up the entire subterranean space and exposing the remaining rats moving in the periphery.
"Let us clean up these remaining rats and return to the surface." Supreme Elder Haldir state.
"Yes, Supreme Elder!"
The 8 Elders complied.
Leon joined the cleanup operation with his bone spear, hacking, slashing, and sweeping the rats with one hand.
After killing the rats, he would stab into their carcasses like skewers and throw them over to the nearest burning point to be set aflame and reduce to black ashes.
Rats were known as the carrier of diseases.
Leaving their carcasses lying around would only breed unnecessary problems.
Just as Leon tossed another group of dead rats into the flames, the group in the area suddenly collapsed.
A new passageway leading deeper into the subterranean world was revealed while strands of red mist could be seen escaping the entrance.
Leon's eyes quickly flickered.
He reacted quickly, sealing the passageway with earth manipulation before collecting all the escaped red mist into empty pill bottles with his Divine Will.
As he pondered about whether to explore the passageway and investigate the source of the red mist, Supreme Elder Haldir informed, "Young prince, the rats have all been exterminated."
"Seems like we are done here." Leon casually said.
Supreme Elder Haldir nodded.
Shortly after, Aria's figure was seen landing nearby.
"I'd like to press forward with the migration plan, but the situation outside the Great Forest doesn't look favorably upon us. I wonder if the young prince has a solution to this?" Supreme Elder Haldir asked.
If the tribe were to take everything valuable with them on the journey towards the Human Domain, the load would slow them down.
With the rat tide swarming outside, the tribesmen would only be overwhelmed unless something is done.
Leon pondered for a moment.
His eyes quickly flickered with an idea when he recalled their trip to the Great Forest.
"We will lure the rat tide away to create a safe passage for the tribe to leave the Great Forest. However, this plan will require ample preparations and brave warriors." Leon said.
"Oh? What how are you planning to lure the rat tide away, young prince?"
"We will use… this… and this…" Leon began filling the Supreme Elder Haldir on the details of his idea.
Shortly after, the Supreme Elder furrowed his brows with worry and said, "This plan seems feasible. However, the risks are extremely high."
"With such a large rat tide just outside the Great Forest, there cannot be plans without risks. However, you are right, Marquis Haldir. That's why we will need backup plans. As for these backup plans, it'll involve…"
Leon slowly turned towards the nearby flames.
Supreme Elder Haldir immediately understood the young prince's meaning before he said, "I will go inform the tribe to make their preparations for the departure at once."
With the forest on fire, their time was limited to begin with. It was better to make the preparations early, rather than later.
"Alright."
Leon nodded.
Shortly after Supreme Elder Haldir left with the 8 Elders, Leon turned to Aria and said, "Let us head back to the airship. There's something I want to talk about."
Aria was quickly taken aback.
The words 'something I want to talk about' immediately made her feel apprehensive and worried, like she was in trouble.
Typically, this would only happen girls say it to guys.
Nevertheless, Aria nodded with a serious look, "Alright."
…
Elder Tree's crown, Royal Palace
"Princess Faelyn, you're here." General Paeris greeted after Faelyn arrived at the palace courtyard leading to the Heart of Spring Chamber.
"General Paeris."
Princess Faelyn returned the Elf General's greeting with surprise before she said, "Elders, you're here too."
The four Elders nodded.
"What are you all doing here?" asked Princess Faelyn.
"We noticed something was strange regarding Queen Radelia. However, we were unable to proceed forward to meet her Her Majesty due to the royal guards barring our way." The Elf General explained while gazing at the royal guards.
Princess Faelyn's heart shook subtly.
A feeling of fear compelled her to run and not find out what happened inside the Heart of Spring Chamber.
However, Princess Faelyn steeled her heart and stepped forward, approaching the entrance guarded by the royal guards.
"Your Highness, please turn back. Without His Majesty's permission, no one is allowed to proceed beyond this point." The royal guard immediately said.
Princess Faelyn's expression dropped before she barked, "My father just passed away! On who's authority are you barring my path now?"
"His Majesty did?"
The royal guards questioned with doubt, greatly startled by the Fifth Princess's words. Still, they made way for the Fifth Princess, nonetheless.
"If you head down to the tribe's southern region, you'll quickly find out it's true!" Princess Faelyn stated before making her way down the vine staircase.
At the same time, the Elf General and Elders tried to follow her.
However, Princess Faelyn spat, "No one shall accompany me, nor anyone else is allowed to enter except me!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The royal guards quickly blocked the entrance once more, obstructing the Elf General and Elders from following.
They wrinkled their brows slightly but chose to comply with Princess Faelyn's orders.
Sometime later, Princess Faelyn arrived at the bottom of the vine staircase within the Elder Tree's hollow center, where a huge ashen-old gate stood before her.
After taking a deep breath, Princess Faelyn pushed on the big white doors with her hands.