479. Netherfication
We arrived in the northwestern region of the Inoria Empire. Far from the territories of the Elutra Kingdom. Here, we were close to bordering Shedos. Where Mavos Academy had been. There was a city here a place called Wilford. Apparently, it was where another one of the sub-rituals was taking place.
But Laux Lionfist and his army of over a hundred thousand adventurers had arrived before us. Their goal had been to sabotage the eighth sub-ritual location. To slow the Netherfication of the Mortal Realm. However, it was quite clear that he had failed.
I cast my gaze over the landscape. We were still relatively far off from Wildford. The army was being worked by less movent Skills than before, so we were about a days travel at the very least from arriving. Yet, this entire area had already been transford into the familiar white world of the Netherworld.
The sky was stained a blood-red, and the floor was made of a pure white rock. An entire forest of trees had dried up with no soil to draw water from. Their dying leaves fell to the ground as our army marched over the vast white expanse, slowed by the oppressive heat from the crimson glow above.
This isnt right
Daniel narrowed his eyes. He turned to the trio of [Crusaders] accompanying him. He faced the foremost one.
Kacey, get Helena Warshade here
He started. But a voice interrupted him.
I am here.
Helena Warshade descended next to him, standing atop her white nimbus cloud. Behind her, Mori Gladius was also standing on the magical ride. I perked up, and my wings dissipated as I landed.
This is going to be a big deal, isnt it?
We need to figure out what happened to Laux Lionfist.
Daniel said as he nodded at . I sighed, taking a step back.
Thats cool and all, but Ive gotta go. I have kids to take care of! Bye!
He rolled his eyes, watching run off.
I left the important people to have their discussion. It wasnt like I would contribute much to it. Daniel, Helena, and Mori were kind enough to let off, but I received a sidelong glare from Kacey and the other [Crusaders].
Well, it wasnt like I cared about what they thought about . They were just random Humans. And it wasnt like they even knew the true anyway. So I didnt care what they thought of the Human Salvos, because I wasnt a Human at the end of the day.
I searched the army as their marching speed slowed under the conditions of the Netherworld. I was used to it, but it seed that Humans struggled to traverse through it. I continued until I eventually found Edithe.
The redhead was with Hadrian. They were walking alongside each other as their company of adventurers followed behind them. I bounced up to them.
Hey Edithe, hey Hadrian!
Salvos do you know what happened?
Edithe asked as she gestured around us. Hadrian furrowed his brows. The leader of the Valiant Drears Company gave a worried look.
Did Laux Lionfist fail? Did the adventurer coalition really get destroyed?
I dunno. Daniel and the others are trying to figure it out right now. Im just here to escape any responsibility.
I bead at them. Edithe snorted.
Of course you are.
Do you know where Willy and the baby Wyverns are?
I cocked my head at her. She scratched her cheeks. Hadrian shook his head, gesturing at one of the caravans at the back of the company.
Theyre giving Ismail a hard ti.
They are?
I blinked. I narrowed my eyes and watched as the caravan burst open. A pair of baby Wyverns went scampering out as a dark-skinned man chased after them, cursing. His Pegasus whinnied, flying up after him. Another baby Wyvern stepped out, followed by a [Will O Wisp]. They watched the chaos ensue together as I approached them from behind.
What are Novis and Bellum doing?
I asked, and Willy spun around. Oriur was a mont slower. He gasped and leapt onto my feet, crying.
Mama!
Its ok, Oriur. Im here now. Whats going on?
Whats going on?
Willy repeated after . The [Will O Wisp]s flas burned red as he flitted my way.
You.
Im going on?
Idiot! You leave them!
He continued as he glanced back to Novis and Bellum. They were running between horses and hiding beneath carts. Ismail and his Pegasus tried to trap them, but they sohow always escaped. I blinked back at Willy.
What do you an? I was just, um, talking with Daniel about stuff. Important stuff. Yknow, the kind of stuff that would bore them?
I gave him an apprehensive shrug. But Willy didnt buy it. Even though he was a ball of flas, I could tell he was glaring at .
Avoiding them.
He spoke simply. I pursed my lips.
Whos avoiding what? Im avoiding Helena Warshade? Of course I am!
I exclaid, giving him a weak smile. He adamantly continued.
You. Avoiding Novis, Bellum, and Oriur.
Whaaaat? I would never
I started. Then I felt sothing at my leg. I looked down to see Oriur tugging my blue jacket. He gave a pair of round eyes and asked.
Where been, Mama?
And I hesitated. I slowly picked him up as he clung onto my arm. Novis and Bellum dashed away from Ismail before pausing. The two of them finally caught sight of . They stood there, frozen. And Ismail caught them.
Finally
He started. But they squird out of his arms. Imdiately, the two baby Wyverns started bawling as they sprinted for . Ismail groaned as he dropped to his knees. I caught Novis and Bellum as they crashed into .
Mama!
The three baby Wyverns cried together. And I bit my lower lip. They hugged tightly, refusing to let go. It was the sa every single ti. If I left the three baby Wyverns for just a mont, they would get unbelievably sad.
I looked over at Willy who gave a judgntal stare. I sighed.
I know, I know. I shouldnt have avoided them.
I patted the baby Wyverns slowly. They were too busy crying to even notice anything I said. I looked up at the [Will O Wisp] and shook my head.
I understand that. But I cant look after them all the ti, Willy.
I pouted. Willy buzzed around , annoyed.
Must.
Its just not possible. I have things I want to do. I have things I need to do. And I will have to
I glanced over at Ismail who was scowling, walking back to his caravan with his Pegasus. I looked back to see the rest of the Valiant Drears watching with sidelong glances. Even Edithe looked mildly amused, and her friend, Celine, was laughing about what just happened with Ismail and the baby Wyverns.
They probably could overhear , so I didnt say anything too specific. I kept it vague.
I have to leave, eventually. I need to go ho. Find my first companion. I cant bring Novis, Bellum, or Oriur with there its too dangerous.
I gave Willy an apologetic look. But he just sighed.
That just ans you have to take care of them now.
The [Will O Wisp] spoke in a full sentence. I glanced down at the baby Wyverns. They t my gaze, confused. They didnt know what Willy and I were discussing. They could tell it was sothing important. They gave a concerned look, and I shook my head.
Its fine. Dont worry about it.
I soothed them before putting them back on the ground. They smiled at each other as I turned back to Willy.
I want to, Willy. But, like, I need a break sotis, yknow?
If Willy had eyes, hed be rolling them right now. He flew down to the baby Wyverns, flying before them.
If you didnt want this responsibility, you shouldnt have taken them under your wing. You need to understand they are living beings, Salvos. You cannot just give up on a whim.
Right
I bowed my head low. For a mont, neither of us said anything. Novis, Bellum, and Oriur just stared at us quizzically. I wasnt sure what else to say, and I knew Willy would reprimand for any excuse I made. I opened my mouth.
Ill try
I started, but paused as I heard a shouting. I glanced back as a group of riders ran down the army.
Were changing destinations! Everyone, we are not going to Wilford! Well be going to Lunaris now!
I blinked. I looked towards Willy, confused.
Isnt that the Inoria Empires northernmost city or sothing?
Who knows?
Willy said in response.
Why are we changing locations now?
It would take us longer to get to Lunaris But for whatever reason, we were going there now. I wondered what went wrong. Hopefully nothing too bad, right?
--
And the army moved. We reoriented our path, circumventing Wilford entirely. We traveled through the very peripheries of the Netherfication. I watched on as the white landscape continued to spread.
Our progress was slowed because of all the wild Demons in the path. I wouldve helped out, but I decided to stay with Willy and the baby Wyverns. Novis, Bellum, and Oriur kept pestering to play with them, and I did. I didnt want to make Willy angry. I knew if I left them alone again, the [Will O Wisp] would give an earful.
So we just continued on. Daniel at the front with Mori Gladius and Helena Warshade. They were on guard of sothing. Edithe and a few other higher-leveled mbers of the army also joined the head, making it clear that they were worried.
Eventually, after another day and a half, we arrived at Lunaris
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