Chapter 472: Shared Fear

Erend, Adrien, Billy, and Saeldir rode in silence as the majestic silhouette of the Elf Palace emerged on the horizon. Its pristine white walls gleamed in the midday sun. The sight filled them with a mix of relief and urgency, knowing they were almost at their destination.

Their horses, having returned to them a few days earlier, galloped with renewed vigor, sensing the familiar territory and the end of their long journey.

They had opted not to use the teleportation device, a deliberate choice driven by the need to observe the anomalies plaguing the lands on their way back. What they had found was deeply concerning.

Fields that once flourished with vibrant flora now lay barren, the earth cracked and lifeless. Villages they passed were eerily quiet, their inhabitants missing or hiding in fear.