Chapter 79

Infiltration – Chapter 14

“What do you think is happening?” Sedum asked Dite.

The crew members’ expressions were filled with fear. Some were looking at Dite while shivering their bodies with blue lips.

“Well…” Dite passingly replied.

Her expression was calm, and she looked indifferent. However, her eyes, narrowly opened with an unknown tension within, were staring somewhere beyond the forest.

The crew members were feeling an unbearable fear.

The evening sky, dyed red, was clear with only a few soft, cotton-like clouds floating around. Out of the dry skies, an incredibly powerful lightning bolt struck. Bright lights that would blind one’s eyes spread in all directions, penetrating into each crew member ’s body and draining them of energy.

A roar that seemed like it would tear up the sky and the ground, a rumbling as if an earthquake occurred, and a huge shockwave that didn’t seem like a scream or a yell… these successive occurrences had entered into the forest and caused the current situation in their camp.

They instinctively looked for Dite. They couldn’t think of anything else except that the forest god was angry. Something probably happened to their captains…

“I do not know,” Dite said as she turned towards them. Her expression suddenly became softer.

“Be relieved. I think your captains will return .”

“Who are they fighting with?” Yekin asked carefully with a light-headed face.

“Well… who could it be? A monster that uses lightning and thunder?”

Dite laughed. Then she looked back into the woods. She stared intently . H er eyes were sinking in. ‘It must be scary. Even I’m so scared…’ These were the words she swallowed.

That day, the party camped at the Avian people’s border. San and Biyeon returned to the campsite with relaxed appearances and, as usual, gave some instructions and confirmation to the company commanders. Their mind and body hadn’t been this tired and exhausted since escaping the Pian. They needed to rest and recharge.

[Should I try some nectar?]

[No, no nectar!]

[Yeah… Let’s endure it. Just clench my teeth and keep my head down…]

[Now, let’s get started...]

The next day was bright. Biyeon and San were welcoming the morning in their small tent. Their bodies should have recovered to some extent now. The two hardly slept last night. They hugged each other tightly and fell asleep at dawn. That sleep was sweeter than ever for both San and Biyeon.

A quiet morning in the forest allows people to reflect. Biyeon closed her eyes and frowned at the morning sun shining through the gap in the tent. However, she felt the familiar and gentle touch of his hands run through her hair, so she intentionally kept her eyes closed a little longer. Even with her eyes closed, she could feel and visualize what was going on around her.

She knew what expression he had and where he was looking… She also knew what he was feeling . He provid ed his arm as a pillow while running his hands through her hair…

Biyeon raised her hands. Both hands curled slowly around his neck and up to his face. She felt his calm breath on the tip of her nose.

She opened her eyes slightly. His playful eyes were looking back at her. She felt that his eyes shined brightly like starlight within the dark silhouette created by the morning sun.

“Sleep some more,” he said in a low voice.

Biyeon closed her eyes and frowned a little. His response was too short and direct. Goosebumps started forming on her back, but she felt relaxed and comfortable…

“It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

“Not yet…”

Biyeon put strength in her arms to get up. San’s words didn’t continue.

***

The convoy proceeded slowly. All kinds of birds and flying creatures were flying over the lake.

Among them were giant tetradactyl-like birds from the dinosaur era and various types of Avian people. Their constant presence over the lake meant that there were bountiful amounts of wildlife and food within the lake.

Sedum stopped the convoy’s forward march. In front was a bridge across the stream where a carriage could pass. The bridge had no railings and was about 50 meters long. The deep blue stream just below it was flowing slowly, touching the edge of the road. If one were pulled, pushed, or swiped into the water from the bridge, one would surely fall in without fail .

“Are those bald-headed people from the Akum race?” San quietly asked Sedum.

“That’s correct, sir.”

In front of them were five creatures with silver-grey skin looking at them.

Their faces were similar to humans. They wore simple clothes that seemed to be made from fish scales and crocodile skins. They looked like they were wearing a slender full-body swimsuit.

“Even by human standards, their manner of dress and look is not unfamiliar. Now, shall we start the negotiations? Will you go?” San said as he looked at Sedum.

“Yes, sir.”

“Do you need an escort?”

“There is no need to put them on alert. If necessary, I will give you a signal if I require assistance. I’m not too shabby as a warrior on land.”

Sedum got off his horse and slowly walked toward the Akum people. Sedum spoke first, and one Akum, who seemed to be the representative, said something in reply. The rest of the Akums were watching the two’s conversation from a distance. Their location was close to the water, so it seemed that they were prepared to dive into the water at any time.

Sedum returned back to the convoy. He had a somewhat lost expression. He tilted his head…

“It seems that the negotiations didn’t go well. What are they asking for?” San stated .

“They didn’t ask for anything. They just want to meet the captains.”

“Us?”

“They said they have something they wish to speak with you two about.”

“Yeah?”

San looked at Biyeon with an unsatisfied expression.

She shrugged her shoulders.

The two walked to the Akum people together. One person’s steps were heavy and one person’s steps were cheerful.