Aaron yawned while looking around.
The sun has not risen, it may take another five hours or so before it does.
Meaning they left right around noon.
They are way too early from the said before the sun rises.
And they have been traveling for twelve hours already.
Going to the Dark Forest will take about another four hours by horse from where they currently are. It will take longer if it was by carriage due to the set path the carriage was to take but Zedock likes taking the horse instead of riding the carriage.
There are about thirty other adventurers and twenty guards. Their group is already a part of the thirty adventurers.
"It is my pleasure to be guarded by the number one adventurer group of the kingdom. Our hours of travel felt so peaceful knowing that you all are just around," Zedock Wakefield approached the five of them and said as they take a breather.
He extended his hand towards Spencer.
Spencer smiled and accepted the gesture, "It should be our pleasure to have the chance to guard such a prominent person."
Spencer was smiling while not smiling. Zedock just created more friction between Astral and the rest of the people with them, adventurers and knights alike. By giving them more attention as if it was only their presence that made him feel safe.
"Let's continue on our way," Zedock glanced at his knight guards before they set out.
And upon arriving, as expected, they met some beasts who should have been in the inner area of the Dark Forest in the outer part.
"If we are to walk through the inner area, would we meet some beasts from the center area?" Zedock asked.
He walked over to the back of the group, where Astral was minding their own business so as not to raise more the ire of the people around them.
But it doesn't seem like Zedock has the same idea.
This was not the first time he did this, he had done it a few more times especially when they first met some inner area beasts.
"You were sent by the king to look into it, right? The unusual movements of the beasts in the Dark Forest? That's quite a privilege."
"You fought a pack of white wolves with ease, there were even some high orcs. You guys are seriously amazing."
"I heard even a great orc appeared but you returned with barely any injuries. I wonder how strong you guys are. You must be as strong as the elite knights of the kingdoms."
And many other remarks that caused more ire and envy from the others towards them.
Spencer and the rest knew that this man was doing it on purpose. But because they wished to remain in the kingdom until they are given a signal, they needed to let all those remarks and dagger-like stares pass.
"There is a chance, sir Wakefield. Especially when we get close to the side of Antlia Kingdom," Spencer was the only one replying to him every single time.
"Oh, why do you say that?"
Spencer pursed his lips, he should not have added the last part.
"It is because the movements of the beasts are even more irregular on that side."
Zedock's eyes twinkled, "Is it? You guys have truly investigated everything. No wonder you were able to take down a great orc with almost no injury."
Spencer shook his head, "That is where you are mistaken, sir Wakefield. We were injured and that is the reason we returned to the kingdom. The reason why we stayed cooped up in our house for two weeks."
Zedock blinked, "I see. Are you alright now then?"
"Not quite, sir."
He nodded his head and finally walked away.
Spencer slightly furrowed his brows, something felt amiss with the way he replied and left.
Nevertheless, he could only brush that thought off of his head since they have truly entered the inner area. Indeed, walking through here is faster as compared to the outer area but surely the danger is greater as well.
No wonder so many of them were employed.
"You already know what to do," Spencer said to the other four.
They nodded their heads.
Since they inevitably are to fight, they must be careful as to not use their abilities too much.
High orcs and white wolves appeared one after another.
And wisps started appearing as well.
They are monsters that could cause hallucinations to those they touch while slowly sapping away the life force of their target.
Their weakness is fire and moon ability.
Fire meaning...
Spencer was brought to the forefront to be among those who are fighting against the wisps.
Aaron was already frowning, they can see that the others could have worked harder but they are not doing it properly. And as responsible as he was, Spencer was made to do more work than the others.
"They knew we were coming to the inner area, why did they not bring more fire ability users?" he said to Richard.
"..."
Richard was also frowning while looking at the people in front of them.
With this, it was very clear, the other adventurers and the knights were in cahoots in making things difficult for the five of them.
Even the fights with the white wolves and the high orcs proved them correct, that these people are leaving them to fight more.
*PAK*
The two turned when they heard that loud slap.
And they were speechless to see that it was Luna, who was now on the ground.
"What the hell are you doing just standing there?!?"
But Luna remained unmoving.
The knight was even more irritated and raised his leg to kick her.
*WHOOSH*
He ended up kicking air for Spencer was able to carry Luna away from them.
"What is the meaning of this?" he asked with a dark face.
"Shouldn't we be asking you that? We are all fighting but that woman just stopped moving. How dare she rest when we are in the middle of a fight?"
The knight was even more furious.
The other three walked over to Spencer's side.
"I think we have all the right to ask that question instead. Do you think we did not notice that we are doing most of the fighting despite our numbers?" Aaron rebuked the knight.
"Are you saying that my arrangements are wrong?" Zedock stepped forward.
"Yes," Aaron did not back down.
Zedock was a bit stunned that he answered directly but soon started laughing.
"I see that you guys aren't the pushovers we thought you were."
The group started surrounding the five of them.
"To be honest, I find this troublesome. I have no business in Antlia but you guys are getting too high up on your horses. The nobles are disliking you more and more. Even the adventurers."
"Spencer," Aaron whispered beside him.
Spencer looked down at Luna and gritted his teeth at the redness in her cheek. That man did not hold back at all in his hit.
He put her down by the tree trunk.
"No matter what, protect one another. Don't overdo anything and support each other."
"We should be the ones saying that to you," Preshea replied.
He had been the one fighting nonstop in the forefront because of these bastards.
"Let's just say, this will be a difficult fight with our current condition."
"Tsk," Aaron clicked his tongue as he prepared for the tough fight ahead.
"If we are in our top condition then these people would be nothing."
"Remember, beasts might come to attack," Spencer reminded him.
They are in the inner area, a fight of this caliber would inevitably alert more beasts.
"Which means we will have to fight double or triple this," Preshea sighed.
She is more of a support one. But she has difficulties handling her sword at the moment.
"What are you still whispering about? You are about to be buried here just accept your faith," Zedock laughed.
He was looking forward to it, to returning to the kingdom and gaining fame in ending the proud adventurer group, Astral, and ending the shame of the kingdom for having these lowly commoners become more relied on by the people than the elite knights.
"Before that..." Preshea raised her hand.
"Why are you doing this? Do you hate us that much?"
Zedock laughed, "Hate you? Commoners like you? I don't even wish to put you in my eyes. I only accepted this request from my uncle because it was a task given by the king. Killing you will bring the relationship between the dukedom and the royal family more depth than it already has."
He looked at the people who were to follow his command.
"Everyone make sure to leave them all barely breathing. The beasts will finish everything."
They all have this wicked smile as they brandish their swords toward Astral.
"No matter when jealousy sure never changes," Aaron laughed.
Spencer scoffed, "I couldn't agree more."
They were trying to live in silence, taking in missions to simply live and understand their current lives. Yet, they were still placed in the eyes of these people. And instead of simply hurting them, they even desire their lives.
"What a pain," Richard commented.
Preshea sighed while shaking her head, indeed, how troublesome.
Spencer glanced at Luna, "You all know what to do."