Yarra’s Adventure Notes
Chapter 680 - 44: Research on the Map_1

Chapter 680: Chapter 44: Research on the Map_1

In the dragon’s nest, the outside sky was not visible. Unbeknownst to everyone, the three Ladies of Moonlight had already ascended to the highest point in the sky. The tricolor moonlight illuminated the mountain ranges in the snowfield. The thick snow reflected the three-colored light from the sky, adding a bit of splendid color to the night in the mountain range.

In Mina’s nest, the metal fortress had not been dismantled. After a simple cleanup, it was turned into a meeting room for everyone. Amid Freya’s lamentations, she assembled some metal parts into the plainest creation - simple tables and chairs. Everyone seated around the round table, a fragrant map spread out on it. Two crystal energy lamps were placed on either side of the map, making the lines on the map clearly visible. Next to the map, several short arrows were placed. Pannis held one in his hand, pointing it on the map.

"What you said is indeed suspicious." After listening to Pannis’s detailed description from start to finish, Flare habitually twirled the hunting bow in her hand. A series of pleasant notes sprang from the bowstring, like an accompaniment to her words: "But, I do not believe that anyone could establish a base in the heart of the Forest of Death and survive for a long period. Moreover, based on current information, there are only three high-ranking priests within the Divine Servants who have demigod-level strength, ah, the three that ran off last time. The rest, whether undead mages or ghouls, are at most of legendary rank. With this kind of strength, even if they somehow set up a base, can they move in and out of the base freely? You know how dangerous the central area of the Forest of Death is. Even a demi-god rank could die at any time there. What would be the casualty rate of those legendary rank undead mages and ghouls each time they came out?"

"Indeed, this is the biggest doubt about this speculation." Pannis admitted, "But it’s not unexplainable. Let’s talk about the base issue first, do you remember when the three major forests were born by the Forest Goddess and officially established as her territory?"

"I get your point." Flare nodded, "The three major forests appeared in the early days of the Third Epoch, and the three semi-dead high priests, their early activities were in the First Epoch. So you’re saying that they had a hidden base there that was just covered by the Forest of Death. Ah, like you just mentioned, the temple you encountered on a sacred mountain of the Prairie Beastman, which resurfaced due to the divine power of Danacus after the Death’s Gate opened."

"Yes, that’s what I meant," Pannis said, "If their temple emerges from deep in the Forest of Death, a temple blessed with divine power will not be destroyed by magical beasts, and the magical beasts won’t leisurely attack a temple filled with divine majesty. Regarding the encroachment of the forest, the forest has regenerative properties due to the divine power of the Forest Goddess. The Temple of Danacus has an equivalent divine power of the main god, the forest should not be able to encroach. In this way, the base issue is no longer a problem."

"But, the gods have not issued such an oracle." Flare shook her head, "There was never any mention of the appearance of foreign divine power confronting within the forest. If it’s as you said, the gods would certainly have mentioned it in an oracle."

"I see." Pannis’s short arrow lightly tapped the table, and he said thoughtfully, "Strange, it shouldn’t be."

"Er, sorry to interrupt your thinking." The girls looked at each other, murmured a few words, and then Catherine said, "Hearing your speculation, and recalling the conversation with Red Dragon Mr. Bast last night, made me think of a question. Your Majesty, when was the last time your tribe asked for guidance from an oracle?"

"It was not long ago." Flare was taken aback, and suddenly showed a bitter smile, the notes on the bowstring even became low, "Alright, I understand. The last time the oracle was requested was more than eighty years ago, indeed it could be considered not too long ago."

"Perhaps that’s where the problem lies." Pannis also scratched his head and said, "I was doubting this reason just now. I suggest that when you go back, discuss with the Sacred Forest and carry out a oracle requesting ceremony as soon as possible to ask the Forest Goddess about this issue. She should give a response. After all, this matter is closely related to all the deities. It won’t take too long, I remember this kind of ceremony should not be difficult. Lady Mina, your scouting can wait until after they have asked."

"Alright." Mina, turned into human form and sitting next to Flare, nodded upon hearing Pannis’s words, "If the Forest Goddess really gives a response, she should be able to point out the approximate location of their hiding place. This would make scouting more convenient."

"Good, the first problem is solved." Pannis tapped the map, "Next, the second issue, how to get in and out. Actually, although the Forest of Death is dangerous, it is not without safe zones. Didn’t we together look for a safe zone?"

"The problem is, the safe zones are moving, and the timing of the movements is random. You also cannot grasp the replacement rules of the safe areas. If you can’t grasp it, I can’t think of anyone else who can. Moreover, these safe zones are not contiguous, it is not possible to penetrate the inner part of the forest through these occasional areas." Flare retorted, "And you forgot about the blood-soaked beast path to Tooth Lake?"

"Did you forget the line from the blood-soaked beast path to the Tooth Lake?" Pannis’s short arrow slowly traced a trajectory on the map, "Then cross from the east side of Tooth Lake through the Mallica Hills, deep into the wandering forest, and finally arrive at the Lake of Termination and the Land of Bones."

"And then?" Flare retorted. "Never mind the 400 kilometers’ distance between us and the core area of the Forest of Death, how about the Wandering Woods, the Lake of Termination, and the Burial Ground? Surely, you can’t deny how terrifying they are."

"Indeed, the stretch from the Wandering Woods to the Burial Ground is quite horrific. So horrific that there are no magical beasts around, only some exceptionally distorted entities. But, let’s not forget, the terror of these places is due to the inexplicable soul attacks." Pannis explained, "What are those entities? Undead mages, the moribund, ghouls, the undead. They’re followers of Danacus, who is a master manipulator of souls. And his followers possess soul techniques unrivaled by anyone else. The three menacing locations that terrify us might just be the safest places for them."

Flare fell silent. Pannis had a point, making it difficult for her to counter. After a while, the string of the Elf Queen’s bow chimed a few short syllables. Nodding, she said, "Indeed. If we take that route, as long as we can combat the soul corrosion from the Wandering Woods and the Lake of Termination, even someone of the Legendary Rank can traverse unscathed. The Mallica Hills may present some difficulties, but if we familiarize ourselves with the habits of the surrounding magical beasts, we can get through."

"That’s exactly why I think it’s highly possible, as long as they find a way to counter those distorted entities." Pannis said. "As for how to proceed further from the Burial Ground, I have no clue. However, I suppose they must have some unique methods to avoid those mysterious dangers."

"It seems we indeed need Lady Mina’s aerial reconnaissance." Flare sighed. "Exploring from the ground might cause unnecessary casualties amongst our Demigod ranks. The cost is simply too high."

"If ground reconnaissance is indeed needed, the Elves won’t be expected to shoulder the burden alone." Pannis assured her. "If things escalate to that point, all tribes will need to contribute. Otherwise, it could lead to another catastrophe like the one a hundred years ago, or maybe even worse."

"Huh. Without Kyle, who can organize a full-scale expedition consisting of Demigods from all tribes like the old days?" Flare chuckled, shaking her head. "Never mind, it’s too early to discuss this. Nothing is certain yet. Let’s wait a bit. Let’s ask for an Oracle first, then have Lady Mina scout the depths of the forest. Perhaps things aren’t as serious as we think, right?"

"Perhaps." Pannis replied ambiguously. "Do you remember what that lion said? When a piece of bread falls, it’s always the buttered side that lands first."

"Aunt Mina, Aunt Mina." As they were quietly conversing, a huge roar suddenly came from the cave entrance. Even the three composed Demigods couldn’t help but grit their teeth at the sudden outburst, feeling the urge to punch the noise-maker. But the only one who actually acted was Mina. She let out a resigned sigh, crawled out of the fortress, and sprayed a Dragon Breath at the cave entrance. Even in her human form, the fiery breath was scorching, making everyone inside the fortress feel a wave of heat.

"Aunt Mina, don’t hit me." Bast, his face covered in dragon breath, cried out. "Wasn’t it you who called me here?"

"But I didn’t tell you to yell randomly. Can’t you act normal when you enter?" Mina’s voice had transitioned from angry to helpless. She added depressingly, "Never mind, with your memory, you’ll forget everything by tomorrow anyway. Come in. You’re going out with me tomorrow. We’re short on time, so you’ll be responsible for taking Queen Flare back to the Elven Royal Court. I have other things to do, so I won’t waste time."

"The Elven Royal Court?" Bast asked, confused. "But I’ve never been outside. I won’t know the way. Where is it?"

"You don’t need to know." Mina replied irritably. "Just keep flying north, Queen Flare will show you the way."

"Great, I finally get to see the outside world. They always say I’m not of age and won’t let me out." Bast roared with delight. "Is it far?"

"Er, not far, just a straight flight across the Yarran Continent." Mina answered, then promptly covered her ears. As expected, Bast’s lamenting roar once again shook the entire nest. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please vote for it on qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)