Chapitre 74: The Forest Goddess
***** Ghislaine's POV *****
~ About three years ago. Immediately following the displacement incident ~
"What? Where am I?"
I woke up to ominous howls in a dense forest. The eerie glow of eyes could be seen watching me from behind the trees.
As I got up, I reached for my left hip and was comforted when I felt my trusted weapon Hiramune by my side.
'What is this place?'
*Rarwl!*
A large Red Leaf Tiger pounced from a bush only to be cleaved in two by my longsword of light. The beast whined in pain as it breathed its last.
Rustling of leaves could be heard in all directions.
'I'm surrounded...'
As if to answer that thought, two more Red Leaf Tigers leapt out from hiding towards me... and just as quickly as the first they were both slain.
Guttural growls echoed from the forest. I could sense several more tigers continuing to circle me from behind the treeline, seemingly unbothered by their slain brethren.
Red Leaf Tigers were weak individually, at least by my standards, but these creatures hunted in packs. Where one was found, several more were likely to follow.
The slaughter continued for another five minutes. In that timespan I killed about a dozen more of them before the rest gave up and fled.
By that point I had already given into my bloodlust. The excitement of battle overwhelmed me and I gave chase to the would-be predators.
*HISS*
My chase was interrupted by an enormous vivid green lizard-like monster I had never seen before. The creature had to be at least five meters in length and charged at high speeds on all fours.
The creature's tongue shot forth at incredible speed but not so fast that I couldn't evade it. After dodging the beast's attack, I countered with several of my own. With each swing the creature bellowed in pain as Hiramune cut through its hide like butter.
The creature, riddled with numerous deep gashes, turned around and fled even quicker than it had approached but its life was already forfeit. I dove upon the beast's head and thrust Hiramune straight through its skull.
As I stood up and looked about I found several more foes. Everything around me was tinged in a red hue. Whether it was from my bloodlust or from the fact that I was drenched in the blood of the monsters I'd slain I wasn't sure.
My new enemies wielded swords. Several men surrounded me on both sides. Immediately I could tell who the strongest of the group was and my vision locked onto him as I bolted towards him at top speed.
I cut down two men on my path there. They were significantly weaker than their leader but they had their swords drawn and stood in my way.
"Who are you!?", the man yelled in anger as he directed his sword my way.
"Grr!", my mind was too focused on battle to respond with words.
Instead I launched a longsword of light. In the blink of an eye, Hiramune cleaved through his illustrious armor, his clothing, and then his flesh and bone as his top half separated from the bottom.
"Commander!"
"How Dare you!?"
"Avenge him!"
Rather than fleeing in fear, the rest of his subordinate's launched a coordinated assault my way but their efforts were futile. One by one Hiramune vivisected each of them.
"Grrr!"
A guttural growl escaped my breath as I turned to face the rest of the combatants.
To my surprise, however, the man in front of me dipped into the Sword-God style bow reminiscent of my days in the Holy Land of Swords.
"By any chance", the man said. "Might you be Sword King Ghislaine Dedoldia?"
I paused. My mind was still blank, overwhelmed by the excitement of battle, but my subconscious recognized his greeting and was trying to process what he said.
"I've heard rumors of your great achievements but I never dreamed I'd meet you in a place like this."
My eyes focused on the man as I regained my sense of reason.
"You there. Have you seen a girl about twelve years of age with pure red vibrant hair?"
"Uh, no. I haven't."
"What about a young boy about ten who is a proficient mage?"
"No, I'm sorry."
"I see. By the way, what is this place?"
"This is the Ejin forest. Located in the northern part of the Markien Mercenary Country."
"The Markein Mercenary Country?"
"Yes. Have you not heard of it?"
"Can't say that I have. Where is this country located?"
"In the central continent, East of the Red Dragon Mountain range in the Conflict Zone."
"Impossible...", I said in disbelief. "Mere moments ago I was in the Asura Kingdom..."
"The Asura Kingdom? That doesn't sound right. In any case, you are now without a doubt in the Conflict Zone's Markien Mercenary Country."
"So I am..."
'That bright light must have transported me across the continent. I have no doubt the same must have happened to Lady Eris and Master Rudeus. I need to find them at any cost! But if they did not come with me how do I know where I need to look? I should start by returning to Asura!'
I looked up towards the sky to get my bearings. Using the location of the Sun I determined what was south and turned to start walking in that direction.
"Please, wait!", the man called out to me. "There's an enemy camp in that direction!"
"What about it?"
"What about it!? There's likely hundreds if not thousands of men waiting there."
"Anyone who gets in my way will get cut down, it's as simple as that."
I turned back around and started walking away from the man.
"Hopefully Rudeus is still with Lady Eris. He is capable enough to get the two of them back home safely. They were likely transported to a random location just like I was. I have to hurry..."
I muttered those words to myself as I walked but I heard the man begin to follow me as well.
"In that case why don't we travel together for now? We were also headed in that direction."
"Very well."
'It won't hurt to have a local with me', I thought. 'Perhaps he can help with telling me the fastest route back home.'
As we traveled through the forest together, the man introduced himself as Bigott Mercenal. He was in charge of this small group and planned to make a surprise attack on the encampment hoping to take out their leader. A suicide mission by the sound of it, but I had no intention to die.
As soon as we made our way out of the forest we came upon a huge encampment, just as Bigott had told me. As soon as we were spotted the encampment burst into action as several men came running our way.
"Charge!", Bigott yelled, directing his men.
I was already way ahead of him.
It was obvious at a glance where the leader of this encampment resided. In the center stood a large tent, much more ornately decorated than the rest. Several guards surrounded the tent as well.
I charged straight for the tent at top speed, weaving my way through the mass of soldiers, not bothering with the small fry. As I arrived at the large tent I sliced my way in through the side. Through the fresh hole I cut in the thin, purple fabric, It was clear who the leader of the group was.
A portly man wearing gold plated armor encrusted with sapphire and emerald gems stood beside two capable looking bodyguards. I recognized one of the two guards as a North-Saint I had met previously during my time in the Holy Land of Swords.
Without even giving them a chance to react, I launched a surprise longsword of light at the North Saint, disarming him both quickly and literally.
The north saint reached to draw his sword with his other arm but found himself without a head before he managed to do so.
"Wha!? Who are you!?", the leader, presumably a King of some sort, questioned in shock.
Without paying his words any heed I simply cut him down in a single swing.
As you might expect, what followed was a huge wave of soldiers closing in on me from all angles. Unfortunately for them, I was simply not in the same league.
That was the last thing I remembered from the battle. From that point forward my mind went blank as I entered a berserker like state and cut down everyone around me. When I finally came to, I was surrounded by a countless number of corpses. It was a massacre.
"Ha... Hah! Hahaha!"
I turned to see Bigott standing next to me, covered in mud and blood with an arrow protruding from his left eye.
"We did it", he said as he struggled to catch his breath. "Long live Markien!"
Following his victorious battlecry, the remaining soldiers on the battlefield raised their weapons and cheered him on.
"Long live the Markien Mercenary Country!", they continued their chant.
'Heh... It would seem I got distracted fighting my way through the huge army waiting for us outside the forest', I thought with a smile. 'As fun as that was though, I had better get a move on south towards Asura.'
"Ghislaine! Wait!", Bigott yelled as I walked away silently.
"What now?", I said as I turned to look back at him.
"We owe you a great deal. Without your help the Markien Mercenary Country would have surely collapsed this day!"
"That is no concern of mine. I have my own business to attend to and must leave immediately."
"Yes, I understand you are looking for your friends. Do you have any idea where to look?"
I frowned in response. No, of course I didn't. The only thing I could think to do was head towards Asura and hope that Rudeus and Eris make their way back as well.
"The Conflict Zone is a dangerous place. I know you can handle yourself, but for the sake of your friends I truly hope you find them quickly!"
I gritted my teeth. The man was right. As talented as Rudeus and Lady Eris were, the Conflict Zone was no place for a couple unattended children.
"Please, Ghislaine, allow the Markien Mercenary Group to help you find your friends. It is the least we can do considering what you've done for us. As strong as you are, surely it would help to have many more eyes on the lookout for them."
"Hmm... Yes. You're right."
"Follow me back to our capital. I will introduce you to our King. I am certain he will aid you in your search. The entire kingdom of Markien will be on the lookout for your friends!"
"Very well", I said as I wiped the blood off my sword and sheathed it. "Lead the way."
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
Coolex
Coolex A bit late for this release. I've just been incredibly busy both with work and with personal matters due to the upcoming holidays. I do have a week off of work for Christmas coming up tho and things should calm down from that point.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone