Yarra’s Adventure Notes
Chapter 1050 - 165: Tranquil Campsite

Chapter 1050: Chapter 165: Tranquil Campsite

The sky outside had turned completely dark, the ubiquitous birdsong had vanished without a trace, and the dense forest fell into utter silence. The jungle at night was still stifling, with no wind, only humidity and heat. The night cloaked the entire forest, with the trees outside the campsite consumed by darkness; only their vague shadows remained under the weak moonlight, like monsters lurking in the cover of night, spying on the hidden campsite.

Occasionally, the dense forest would emit a rustling sound, seemingly far yet near, elusive and uncertain. In reality, it was nothing more than the friction of branches and leaves, which sounded like the murmurings from hell itself. If one listened closely, within the rustling sounds, one could often hear the distant and feeble wails of agony and despair, communicating a reluctance to let go of life.

"Hoo, hoo, hoo," if one listened too intently, they would surely be startled by these sudden cries. The calls of the night owl were often abrupt and short-lived, piercing through the night as if sounding right by one’s ear, alarming enough to send a shiver down the spine of the listener.

However, although the forest outside was as terrifying as a midnight horror story from a book, the small campsite was a picture of tranquility, like a peaceful harbor in the midst of a storm, comfortable and safe.

Hanging above the campsite were two Crystal Energy lamps illuminating the entire area. At the center of the campsite was a small enclosed stove, connected to the outside world only by the opening where wood was added. The vigorous fire inside the stove leapt about, casting flickering light on the faces of those around it. On the stove sat a small pot containing what remained of a green paste; while it might look rather dreadful, the rich aroma of food wafting from the pot was tempting enough to make one overlook its eerie color and consume the dish, especially since the Green Parasol Mushroom Porridge was a secret recipe of the Elf tribe, and even more so when it was prepared by the hands of the Elf Queen herself.

Next to the clay stove was a circle of wooden platforms, with metal plates laid out in front of each person, from which one could discern the remains of a splendid dinner. Flesh of the rare giant blue silk raven, cut into thick strips, was smeared with the fat of a shadow deer; after grilling, the fat melted into droplets, seeping into the meat, making it tender yet springy. Biting into it, glossy oil oozed out, dripping down the corners of the mouth, each drop a mixture of the intense flavor of meat and the richness of the fat.

Beside the stove, Her Majesty the Queen, poised and reserved, still maintained a dignified composure. She sat on a wooden stump with legs folded to the side, her head bowed gently as she plucked the strings, and a melodious tune flowed from the strings and her fingertips, soft yet imbued with a calming power. Accompanying Her Majesty’s music was Pannis, who held a green leaf in his hands. Reclining on a piece of dead wood with legs crossed and face turned upward, Pannis played the leaf between his fingers, producing flute-like sounds that harmonized with the Queen’s melody, enveloping everyone in its embrace, lingering long after the music had ended, leaving no one willing to make a sound.

"Crackle, crackle," the flames licked the wood in the stove, emitting faint popping sounds. Thick smoke followed the stove’s flue to an outlet tens of meters away, already outside the concealed campsite covered by the Concealment Array. The camping group had not used open flames; in the damp conditions of the Forest of Death, open flames were hard to sustain for long. Only by using a stove to isolate most of the external environment could the density of the Fire-attribute Elemental Energy be maximized. Furthermore, the wood used for the fire needed special treatment. The twigs picked up were soaked with moisture and could not be used directly. However, with Vivian present, the girls put the dry branches collected by Flare in the center of Vivian’s drawn Array. After being charged, the Array would automatically attract Fire-attribute energy to gather and transform the water inside the twigs into a gaseous state of Water-attribute Element, dispersing it into the air and restoring the dryness of the branches.

Compared to the humid and sweltering environment outside, the camp within the Concealment Array was cool and dry. While repairing the camp, Pannis, uncharacteristically, insisted that Vivian add an additional Array for temperature and humidity control within the bounds of the Concealment Array. Although the girls didn’t understand why, they complied unconditionally based on trust. It wasn’t until it was time to rest that they understood Pannis’s intention. Indeed, after spending quite some time in a terrible environment, they finally had a chance to take a breather. Allowing their bodies to fully rest in a comfortable setting was extremely helpful for alleviating fatigue, both mentally and psychologically.

Catherine knelt on her massive Falcon Shield, the only one aside from Her Majesty who still maintained a proper demeanor. Even while lost in the music performed together by the two, the gaze of the knight girl upon them was still slightly complex. Lina, the priest girl, leaned against Catherine’s leg. Although she didn’t understand music, the pleasant melody firmly captured Lina’s attention, so much so that she didn’t notice when the fox quietly stole the food from her plate.

Such an atmosphere in the camp was something the girls had never anticipated. According to their experience, setting up camp during an adventure was a serious matter. To ensure rest for the next day’s journey was the best choice. Sitting together, chatting, and singing as they were doing now was something suitable for a picnic, not something that should occur in such a dangerous environment—let alone in the Forest of Death, known as the graveyard of demigods. However, the demigods present had more experience with adventuring in the Forest of Death than the girls, so the girls didn’t voice any opinions but observed patiently instead.

"This is necessary," Pannis said lazily, seeming to sense the lingering doubts in the girls’ minds. "You may not feel it, but the Forest of Death puts a lot of stress on us, including those three misbehaving creatures over there. Everyone’s on edge."

"Is it because of us?" Catherine asked, biting her lip. "We are still dragging everyone down, aren’t we?"

"Actually, it has nothing to do with you," Pannis shook his head. "Indeed, you few are the weakest links in the team, but to say you’re dragging us down is not really accurate, at least not up until now. Haven’t you noticed? You haven’t received any special treatment, and the tasks you’ve been given are the same as everyone else’s. The reason we’re more on edge is that our range of energy perception is broader. The deeper we go into the forest, the more creatures there are around that could potentially threaten the team. Although most creatures wouldn’t actually attack the team, the mental pressure they bring is real, so..."

"Shh, pay attention." Flare suddenly interrupted Pannis’s explanation. "The insect swarm is coming."