Building a World Class Empire in another World
Chapter 53: Forest Terrors

Chapter 53: Forest Terrors

"So where are we headed now?" Ariel asked as she, Unara, and Hexorin followed Aric.

"Well, we are heading in the direction the bird that I think was watching us flew off to. I want to scout the area and see what we are up against."

"If that’s what we are doing, why am I with you?" Hexorin asked.

"Well, you don’t talk much, and you actually listen to Unara, which is a good aspect, so with both of you, there will be no sudden out of nowhere banter.

I would have asked for someone else, but I figured you would do the job. Also, your darkness affinity can help us hide pretty well," Aric explained.

"Alright, if no one has an issue with us going, then let’s get a move on," Aric said and continued walking.

"Why do you think someone would want to battle with us?" Ariel asked randomly.

"Huh? That sounded like a pretty dumb question," Aric said, and the spirits nodded in response.

"A dumb question? Why would that be a dumb question?" she asked.

"Because you are very smart, and that question felt off," Aric said.

"I’ll explain it better, Master," Unara said.

"You already know all there is to know about the great forests and the fact that they house so many other races.

It might seem like there is no structure to how things are done within this forest, but I can tell you for a fact that there is a structure.

When I was a lesser spirit, I traveled a bit and saw areas of the forest where certain creatures would not go, no matter what you did to make them. That’s because a great being has laid claim to that area, and now those other creatures can’t enter.

Now, I am assuming that where Master’s home is, it’s near or in the territory of whoever was watching Master and is planning to battle Master.

To normal beasts or monsters, that is a direct declaration of war, but it doesn’t mean they will come at you immediately. Many will overlook you as long as your power and development stay within a certain range.

If they observe that you are growing in strength and number rapidly, creating something that might be a threat, then they will surely step in to stop you. And if anything, Master’s situation is definitely a threat to anyone," Unara explained.

"I see. It seems like a good reason to, but this enemy didn’t come first themselves like monsters and beasts do; they actually probed with a bird.

It seems more sophisticated than a normal issue of territories," Ariel said.

"True. I’m guessing whoever sent that bird is not a bird himself. That means this creature can actually control other beasts," Aric said casually.

"So we are looking at a very intelligent creature," Unara said.

"It couldn’t be, right? It can’t be," Hexorin said, hesitating in his steps.

"What’s the issue, Hexorin? Do you know something?" Aric asked. They all looked at him.

"I think Unara knows this as well but has not thought about it. The person that sent that bird might be one of the Forest Kings," Hexorin said. Unara’s eyes flashed with realization as he said that.

"The Forest King? Who is that?" Aric asked.

"I doubt a Forest King will turn attention to you," Unara countered. "But what Hexorin said made me realize that it might be one of the Forest Terrors," she said.

"Oh yeah, the Forest Terrors make more sense than the Forest King," Hexorin agreed with her.

"Uhm, what are those? I have been in this forest for a while and have not heard of them," Ariel said.

"I would consider the Forest Terrors as common knowledge, but the Kings I could understand if you haven’t heard of them," Unara said.

"Sadly, I haven’t heard of either," Ariel replied.

"Same here, so can you guys tell us what they are?" Aric asked.

"The Forest Kings are the beings that rule the forest terrifying monsters with great strength. There are seven of them, each governing a part of the forest in quiet.

Though very few have actually seen them, many creatures of the forest believe them to be nothing more than myths, but they do exist.

As for the Forest Terrors, they are powerful but nowhere close to the Kings. They are monsters that claim territories and build armies of their own races and other races.

They are known as Terrors because whenever they set out for battle, they bring terror to their enemies or so I heard.

It would make more sense if it was a Terror that was coming to battle you," Unara explained.

"I see. So I’m guessing what the Terror is doing is trying to stop the rise of anything similar to it. It doesn’t want the competition," Aric said.

"That is probably the reason," Unara said.

_____________

Within the depths of the cave, the orc sat inside, listening to the details of everything the bird said, getting the nitty gritty of it all.

When the bird finished, he looked up at the monsters inside the cave with him.

"Tomorrow, we will be moving to bring down this elf. Gorin, you will lead an army for this," the orc said.

A massive hobgoblin rose to his feet. Standing at over seven feet tall, he bowed to the orc and spoke. "Whatever you command, my lord."

"Good. You will take a hundred warriors and flank the elf from all directions. Destroy all that he has and bring the elf along with everyone back to me," the orc said.

"My Lord, what about the higher spirits? They might be a threat, my Lord," Gorin said.

"Hmm, then Coban and Ruca will go with you," the orc said. Coban and Ruca both rose to their feet, two goblin shamans, one male and the other female.

"Now, make sure you prepare everything. I want the elf before the end of tomorrow," the orc ordered.