Chereads / The Legend of the ruthless Empress Freya / Chapter 19 - Encounter with humans

Chapter 19 - Encounter with humans

-- POV General --

Near the southwestern entrance to the Syn forest was a town of humans who at that time were unaware of the one that was heading their way. This town was located on a small hill slightly above the surroundings, it was called Yarlford.

Yarlford was not very well known despite being well populated because it was located on the southeastern border of the kingdom of Zal and was not very rich. Most of the people there were humans and the only half-humans present were either slaves or orphans in the streets. In the kingdom of Zal, as in the entire continent, slavery was commonplace, so much so that no one openly criticized the practice. The city lord himself, a man named Fillber Harker, was a well-known slave trader from Yarlford.

The Syn Forest was generally home to unintelligent creatures between levels 1 and 10, and was an ideal place for the novice adventurers who swarmed the city. For more experienced adventurers, it was just a place to pass through or get supplies.

Towards the entrance of the city, as the sun was coming up, a group of adventurers could be seen walking towards the forest in search of some beasts to fight. There were three of them, two men and a woman. She was a level 6 mage of the light element based on healing and the rest consisted of a level 7 swordsman and a level 7 archer.

"I hope today will be more will be more productive than yesterday, I need money for the festival tomorrow night!"

The swordsman who had spoken these words was tall and muscular, his mid-length brown hair made a wisp that fell steadily in front of his black eyes, which he always pushed back with a charming (according to him) shake of his head. He was the self-proclaimed most handsome man in town and was therefore a relentless flirt.

"Oscar I remind you that we all need money here! Why do you think I'm spending my time with you in this fucking forest! Tsk"

The one who had spoken up and answered Oscar was the only woman in the party, her name was Alice Crowell. Her white dress, blonde hair and green eyes made her look like an angel but she was way far from it.

"Come on, don't be shy, I know you dream of spending a night with me hahahaha ~!"

Oscar as he said these words tried to grab Alice by the waist in vain while the archer looked at them with disdain all the way. Coming from a noble family in the city, he was also in a group with them out of obligation. Richard of the Duyer family was a nobleman who had made a bet with his father that he could make a living easily. He had to turn to the guild because he thought the adventurers were rolling in money.

The three adventurers were not friends at all and ended up teaming up for different, yet similar reasons.

Oscar wanted money to buy drinks for the many women at the festival that was going to take place the next night in the hope of getting them into bed. Alice needed money to pay her entrance fee to a bloody half-human slave fight in an unfriendly place. And Richard simply wanted to win his bet to prove to his father that he was no longer a child.

"What are we looking for then?"

Alice asked the other two. The one to answer her was obviously the talkative and leader Oscar because Richard didn't like talking to commoners and so kept his mouth shut most of the time.

"Today's mission is to hunt 5 red squirrels for 10 bronze coins each. The guild apparently wants to use their furs."

"Mmmh well I hope we ship this mission very quickly because tonight is the big fight!"

Alice was all excited and couldn't wait to get home to spend her savings in this place that meant death to all non-human beings.

"Still hanging out there, this is no place for a woman. And I don't see how it's interesting to see garbage hitting each other stupidly. If I'm going to use trash I'd much rather spend my time in a half-human brothel!"

"Shut up! And that's even worse, how can you touch them ?... it disgusts me."

Alice couldn't understand how Oscar could like to touch such imperfect beings as half-humans.

For many, if not most, humans, other races were considered imperfect, lacking most human qualities and therefore inferior. They were not seen as living beings but rather as objects to be used as they pleased.

______

It was already almost noon when the trio finally killed their last red squirrels, which Oscar put in his bag. The group had been walking for several hours and the return journey was just as long. Sitting lazily in the grass for a moment, Alice complained again.

"Damn it! A whole morning to chase five damn bugs! And look at my dress, it's all stained with blood!."

In reality, there were only a few drops. As she was about to slip behind a bush to put on her spare dress Richard for the first time since the morning spoke up and stopped her.

"You! You're not going to change here, are you? Don't you commoners have any shame? Anyway, we still have a few hours before we can get back to Yarlford so get a move on, we're going home."

Alice did not want to retort because he was right, even if her desire to change her dress was strong, the desire to return was stronger. Going out of the thickets the raised hands in sign of reedition the young woman began to walk in direction of the city by sulking slightly. Oscar having seen this did not miss an opportunity to be...him.

"Come on, don't sulk, I'll buy you a new dress for you if you want!"

"You little..."

Before she could finish her sentence the group felt the arrival of a powerful beast coming from the east of the forest. Before they could say anything, the creature was standing there in front of them, obviously also surprised to meet them here.

The three adventurers had come face to face with Freya and her group.

"Form up everyone!"

Oscar began to shout at the top of his lungs to wake up Alice and Richard shocked and unable to believe what was standing before them.

"If we kill this beast to us the life of a king!"

Blinded by his greed, the young man had not even realized that he would be running to his death and taking his group with him if he continued on this path.

"Move ! Come on!"

Alice and Richard then suddenly got into position, coming out of their trance-like states. As they pointed their bows and swords at Freya, she did not move and still watched them with amusement. The adventurers were unfortunately convinced that the she-wolf was between level 1 and 10, since she was in the forest. Therefore, they were not paralyzed by fear, but rather by the shock of its imposing size for a wolf.

Richard shot an arrow first while Oscar was circling her to strike her with a sword in the back of the neck as soon as she'll try to dodge. But against all odds Freya didn't even try to dodge as the arrow flew straight at her.

"What...is this creature stupid?"

Alice couldn't help but ask the question out loud, which caused Freya to frown slightly imperceptibly.

"Hahaha it's won!"

The arrow finally hit its target, but the trio's moment of rejoicing was short-lived as they could all see at that moment the projectile shatter on the impenetrable body of the she-wolf.

Suddenly, all three fell to the ground as Freya's aura dispersed into the air. Richard vomited under the pressure, while Oscar wet his pants and Alice was doing both. Freya still wasn't moving and seemed to be enjoying the scene before her.

"Im...impossible! How can such a powerful monster exist in this place?"

Trembling with fear, Alice tried to back away and run towards the city but a wall of ice appeared in front of her to block her way. It was cold, thick, impassable and at that moment the girl's worst nightmare.

Freya finally stepped forward ignoring the two men paralyzed by fear and stopped in front of Alice staring at her with her intense gaze.

"It's a shame you called me stupid, you could have lived."

As she heard his voice, the girl unconsciously looked around to determine where it was coming from before realizing that it was indeed this huge wolf addressing her. Taking her courage in both hands, Alice finally dared to speak to Freya.

"I...let me go please..."

"Oh? and what about your companions right here?"

"These...these are not my companions, we had only decided to team up for only two three days before we split up."

Freya inclined her head as she asked.

"You wouldn't give your life for them?"

"Certainly not!"

Alice's answer was cold and left Oscar and Richard in total confusion. They were unaware of the mental conversation the two women were having and wondered if Alice had gone crazy.

"You stupid...what did you say??"

Oscar had recovered from his emotions and despite his wet lower body and the shame that washed over him, he still managed to bark with pride.

"Are you looking to trade us for your life?"

"So what?"

"You!!! If we survive this I promise to make you suffer you bitch."

The two were already starting to fight when suddenly ice spikes out of nowhere pierced them simultaneously, causing both to die instantly.

Freya had lost her patience with those humans who had irritated her to no end. Turning her gaze to the only one left, she smiled mischievously before heading back the way she came.

________

-- POV Richard --

I was running non-stop through the woods hoping to get to the city faster. I was terrified and completely shocked by what had just happened.

A wolf had come out of the bushes and suddenly attacked us, killing Oscar and Alice before escaping into the forest. I absolutely had to report this to the guild, a creature like that was far too dangerous to be left alive.

"I..I have to warn father and get mercenaries..."

Running out of breath, I cursed the beast in my mind as I vowed revenge. How had such a vulgar creature dared to put me in such a situation? I, a human and a nobleman.

"Wolf, I will have your hide no matter what! When my father catches you, I'll lock you up to teach you not to underestimate a human of the Duyer family ! And when I'm done with you and get tired of you you'll be my mat !."

Ruminating on my revenge, I finally reached the city running through the streets without worrying about my appearance towards my family's mansion.

What I didn't know was that this same creature was heading straight for Yarlford.

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FULL STATUS

Name : Freya

Age: 0 years / Mentally: 25 years

Sex : Female

Course : Ice Demon Wolf of chaos - Adult

Race : Major Demon

Title:

Blessed by Titania Goddess of endless Chaos and eternal frozen Hell.

Dragon Tamer

Level : 30/70

Exp needed for next level : 0 / 31 000

HP : 90 000 / 90 000 MP : 45 000 / 45 000

Strength : 250

Defense : 251

Agility : 250

Stamina : 253

Speed : 252

Intelligence : 255

Charisma : 410 (imperial she-wolf)

Attribute points to allocate : 300

Engaged to : Gaya

Elements: Ice / Chaos

Skills (all):

Attack - Major demon claws (Lvl 5)

- Bite of the frozen hell (Lvl 5)

- Infernal ice spikes (Lvl 5)

- Fighting techniques (lvl max) - unlocked

- Katana Mastery (lvl max) - unlocked

- Demonic Aura of the Empress (lvl 3)

Defense - Ice Demon Wall (Lvl 4)

- Demonic Cloak (lvl 5)

Resistance to pain (lvl 3)

Other - Humanoid form (unlocked)

- Ice creation (Lvl 4)

- Chaos Storage (Lvl 5)

- Devouring Chaos (Lvl 5)

- Analysis

- Second soul (Lvl max) - unique

- Telepathy

Passives - Commander (lvl max) ]