Arrows were heard as they struck their target dummies in a practice range located within Virelow Hollow.
"...They're not bad." Valen said as he looked upon the armed villagers that were training in either polearm combat or archery training.
"They're pathetic." Valea said, her eyes were filled with disappointment.
"It is true that their skill is not nearly as proficient as our military forces.However, it is a vast improvement from where they began. The villagers down there had never touched a weapon in their lives, yet they are fighting at this rate."
"Failure to protect one's loved ones is a strong motivator. Their family and friends were brutally murdered by Gravemarket's forces and now they work to better themselves to never let such a thing happen again."
"We must praise them for that alone, as most would crumble beneath the pain and suffering from losing those loved ones. No matter where they obtain their strength from."
"...I never thought of it that way…"
"...Each of my soldiers have stumbled upon different avenues of life. However, once they were taken in as Eidrynic people, they forgot all about their misgivings in all three aspects: physically, mentally and emotionally… experiences like these will help my soldiers with accepting these facts of lives and remind them of where they, themselves, came from…"
"It is important to know where you came from. We, as Eidrynics, came from a world filled with lawless chaos and fragmentation. We were once like them. You must do well to remember that."
"...Yes, Your Majesty."
Footsteps were heard behind them, as they saw Thennel running towards them.
"It seems you have something urgent to speak with me about, Thennel."
"...I do." He said, as he quickly breathed in and out.
"Are you Valen Arthas Eidryn?"
Valea immediately prepared to strike him down, glancing at him.
Valen stood there, staring at him. He then put his hand on Valea's shoulder, calming her down.
"...I'm impressed."
"...I had wondered how long it would take for him to figure it out… the green potion was all he needed to put the pieces together… that is beneficial to know how extremely rare the potion is in this world…"
"Thank you very much for saving this village, especially Serenya. I heard from her that you personally saved her life and her daughter."
"What do you plan to do with this information, Thennel?"
"I am no fool, it does seem you have a reason for hiding your identity. Even so, you still saved this village. Her. That is enough to keep your identity a secret. I will take it to the grave."
"...It seems saving that woman was beneficial after all… it is holding a leash over him…"
Thennel then kneeled. "I swear upon it, Your Majesty."
"Raise your head, Thennel. You do not serve under me."
He then stood up. "I wanted to also admit something to you."
"...It is about the potion I had given to the Redfang, I am assuming."
"Yes. The green potion is very rare and cannot be produced by any normal means. I can say that confidently as the famous Apothecary of this kingdom."
"That is the real reason why I contracted you for this job, to see what kind of person had this potion in their possession and how you produced it."
"I see."
"...You aren't surprised at all… I can hear it in your voice… Does that mean you've planned all of this?"
"I would not put it in those words, but I did see that it would have come to this, sooner or later. If not you, one would eventually discover the truth and attempt to find me."
"...I'm glad it is the famed Apothecary, instead of a disadvantageous figure…"
"I am sorry for not being honest with you."
"What you have done is fulfill your curiosity. Do not apologize. Anyone would have done the same as you, but less forthcoming as you are."
"Knowledge is Power."
"I am sure that you are aware of that fact. It is why you are as famous as you are, especially in your line of work."
"Yes, I do…" He said, rubbing his head softly.
"...Be more careful of those you wish to fulfill your curiosity towards. Had I taken advantage of your forthcoming, you would be dead."
He gulped.
"...This entire conversation, it seems as though I've been lectured. I can see why many admire you and why they choose to serve you, including Serenya."
"...I was not always like this. You will eventually teach your own way of life to your successor or your children."
He nodded. "Thank you, again." He said as he rushed off back into the village to grab his belongings.
"...Masterful work, Your Majesty."
"...I have earned yet another important figure's loyalty in this world. It is not merely masterful, but necessary…"
*
The Marks of Purity then began their journey back into the Myrewood, more further in to gather the herbs that Thennel needed to produce his compounds and compositions.
"We'll be entering Myrewood from here this time." He pointed ahead.
"I'm sure we'll be fine since Arthur is here." Deyric chuckled.
"Arthur." Thennel glanced at him with a stern look.
"What is it?"
"We are going deeper into Ashbinder territory, and they may have a vendetta. Encountering the Witch of the Withering Root is likely, but try not to kill her."
"Hm."
"The reason as to why bandits from the Three Myres have not attacked Virelow Hollow is because the three bandit factions are all too busy keeping each other in check. If you do kill her…"
"It'll disrupt the power balance that the Three Myres established and may cause the other two factions to react upon her death."
Thennel nodded.
"...Though I understand his point, I have a different reason as to not killing her… using her is more beneficial to my goals… especially since they are relatively close to Virelow Hollow…"
"...I have to warn you, Arthur. You may be strong, but the Witch also has the power of an A-Rank mercenary, so she will not be easy to defeat." Deyric noted.
"It'll be difficult holding back." Fenna spoke up.
"I will do so all the same."
The others were bewildered.
"The strong are only allowed an attitude like that, and for good reason indeed." Gorran nodded.
"However, if she is as strong as you say, I have a suggestion. Me and Valea will go on ahead and try to draw their attention while you fulfill your quest."
"Don't separate from us for too long." Thennel said, trying to keep his reassurance close to him.
"Of course. I will keep you safe, Thennel."
Thennel smiled as Valen and Valea entered the forest first, then the Marks of Purity did the same after some time had passed.
Valen and Valea began walking through the dark forest, separated from the group.
"This area is good."
"Come out."
Valea then felt a mysterious presence then reacted immediately, upon realizing who the figure was.
It seemed to be a veteran Ashbinder, but then revealed their true appearance. It was a Seerblade from one of the Five Cells.
"...An Ophiuchus…"
The Ophiuchus were known for embedding agents in noble courts, merchant houses or rebel circles in their former world. They were masters of secrets, poisons, and veiled prophecies. Their agents are known to manipulate events from within, turning enemies against each other. Their ultimate role and specialization was infiltration and internal subversion.
"Stand down, Valea."
"Yes, Your Majesty." She retracted her staff-blade.
"It seems the Seerblade gave you quite the scare."
"...Please don't tease me, Your Majesty."
"If they were unable to hide their presence even from you, I would doubt their capabilities as the Legionnaires of Vision."
"I assume you have been keeping tabs on the Ashbinders, Seerblade."
The Seerblade nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty."
"Have you been able to reveal the Witch of the Withering Root?"
"She is on route to you as we speak, Your Majesty. Per your instructions upon revealing your location to her."
"Excellent work. You may go. Continue your assignment within the Three Myres."
"Yes, Your Majesty." The Seerblade then disappeared.
"...I couldn't notice their presence at all…" Valea commented.
"Heh." Valen chuckled silently.
"What is your plan, Your Majesty? If you do not mind me asking." Valea inquired.
"I will contend with the Witch of the Withering Root."
"...I understand, but was the fight with the Ashbinders not satisfactory?"
"To some extent. However, if I wish to spread the legend of the Hero of Light, Arthur, within the Kingdom, defeating the Witch of the Withering Root will not only demonstrate my overwhelming skillset, but also set off a chain reaction within the Crimson Ledger that they cannot contain. That is only one phase of my plan."
"...I see."
*
Vast amounts of arcane energy was then felt throughout the southern section of Myrewood, as animals and insects lurking within, were frightened and scared off.
The Marks of Purity heard the surrounding sounds as they also felt the arcane energy.
"...This is bad. If we are even feeling this pure amount of energy… she's coming." Deyric said.
"The Witch of the Withering Root…" Thennel murmured, frightened himself.
"...What a rudimentary technique."
Valen and Valea then regrouped with the Marks of Purity, surprising them as they emerged from a section of the darkened forest.
"...Corrupted magic energy… she truly is a witch of magic…"
"...We're counting on you to deal with her, Arthur."
"Of course."
"...Don't push yourself to not kill her… do what you have to." Thennel spoke.
Valen nodded.
"Let's get you out of here, Thennel." Deyric said, as he rallied his team and ran in the opposite direction of the forest.
"...I'll have to capture her to prove that I've defeated the Witch of the Withering Root… I won't know for sure how strong she is just based on the magic energy I'm feeling…"
"Our esteemed guest has arrived."
Valea immediately felt the presence as well, raising her staff-blade in a defensive stance.
"...Myre Sereth…"
Myre Sereth is one of the Three Myres of Myrewood and the leader of the Ashbinders, known throughout the Kingdom as the Witch of the Withering Root. She is feared across the Kingdom of Draevarr for her control over natural decay and forbidden rites.
She is a figure of eerie elegance and ancient dread. Her form is tall and willowy, draped in robes of mottled bark, ash-gray silk, and moss-covered vines that seem to grow from her very skin. Her face is narrow, with angular, high cheekbones and eyes that glow a soft, unnatural green — flickering like verdant witchfire. Her hair cascades like a tangled waterfall of roots and withered blossoms, streaked with bone-white tendrils. Her skin is pale as birch bark, etched with vine-like sigils that pulse faintly with corrupted arcane power.
One of her magic spells that she is known for, Ash Cloud, began appearing from the darkened forest around them: appearing as clouds of choking ash that dulled senses, disrupted spells, and caused hallucinations.
Valea then realized she was unable to manifest light or manipulate gravity, as her spells were blocked by the clouds. Valen's helmet and Valea's veil prevented the clouds from altering their vision and senses, as they repelled the effects due to their embedded runes.
"...I'll have to adjust the runes on her staff and armor… I had heard from the Seerblade that she had these skills, but to think she was this proficient to block Valea…"
"...No wonder the Kingdom of Draevarr had not mobilized to deal with the Three Myres…"
"I will deal with the Witch, Valea. I will trust in you holding your own."
"Of course." She nodded, as she switched to relying on her blade that was attached to her staff.
Sereth, covered by the thickened clouds and the cover of the dark forest, began raising her staff as the ground around them suddenly erupted.
Blackened roots bursted from the ground, grasping and coiling, reaching for both Valen and Valea. While Valea used her blade to slice through the roots, the divine shield that activated from the circlet of light defended Valen as he stepped forward.
The divine light emanating from the shield somehow cauterized the corrupted roots, turning to dust as they were already dead, like a deadly parasite leaving its stricken host.
Using the runes casted onto his spear, Valen then manifested spears mimicking his own, created out of radiant light, that began striking near Sereth's position, bursting holes through the cloud cover as the light magic repelled it.
Using her Witch's Tongue, she was able to successfully dodge the spears as the forest itself seemed to whisper to her about where to strike or maneuver.
A body of a fallen Ashbinder then fell to the ground, as she prepared her Bloodbark Rite that allowed her to sacrifice life in exchange for empowering the nature around her. In the place of the dead body, a humanoid warped entity of withered bark appeared. The corrupted creature screamed in anger, as it then charged toward Valen, vines appearing out of its skin.
Valen swung his spear as he slashed through the vines with ease, the vines returning to mere dust upon his attacks. He then charged forward, as he parried the creature's next attack, pushing it backwards. He slashed through the creature's mid-section, cutting it horizontally as Sereth saw it sliced in half. The creature returned to dust, as the spell was broken.
The Aegis Judicium then ignited, turning from blue to golden light. Energy from the brightened crown of light upon his helmet then surged, as arcane energy burst from his entire body, clearing up the ash clouds that had encircled them.
"...You were able to completely counter my spells…" Sereth spoke out like a mysterious voice that had come from the forest itself.
"...No one I have encountered has been able to easily block my attacks like child's play like you have… not even the Crown's Blade…"
"You rely on dark magic energy, the opposite of pure arcane energy from which magic is formed. That is your only advantage. You have just come across an opponent that is the perfect counter to your own."
"...In exchange for the bright display that you have shown me… I will allow you to leave my territory in respect to your admirable defense…"
"Heh. What words to speak as if you can repel my presence." Valen chuckled.
"...And many believed I'm arrogant…"
"And what action will you take if I refuse to take upon your offer, Witch?"
"...You are cocky… I will give you that, Hero of Light."
"Valea."
Valea then casted her gravity manipulation that sent Sereth hurling to the ground. Her entire body was slammed into the ground, as she was paralyzed and unable to move. She loudly grunted at the pain she experienced, as Valea had used a quite amount of power due to her own frustration at Sereth's Ash Cloud skill.
"...Pale skin… you will be quite the pawn to use, Myre Sereth."