Chapter 158 - Shadow Elf

"Finally, we are here," Lostria said with a tinge of distress. 

True to her words, we arrived at the border to the Wistras Grand Forest where Shadow Elf lived. The border itself was the edge of that extremely vast forest

We conclude this is the right place because of Ronove's testimony. 

The old woman had visited this forest before. 

Wistras Grand Forest, according to its name, this forest is so vast. As far as the eyes could see, there was a green sea made by millions of trees. What's more impressive, the trees in this forest have trunks with diameters of more than two meters. As for its height, the trees in this forest can reach twenty meters easily. 

"It's strange," Teria started. "Shadow Elf lives in this forest, right? So why don't I see the village or city where they live?" 

"We talk about races who are experts in murder and assassination. It's natural if we won't find their home with naked eyes. Keep in mind, they are also experts in hiding," Ronove explained. She then looked at me. "Tell us your plan, young miss?" 

"I want to explore the forest to find the city where the Shadow Elf is but..." my words were trailed off when I saw the forest below us. I'm at loss about how we should search for the Shadow Elf.

"It was a bad idea," Ronove resumed my words. "If we just go into the forest, the Shadow Elf will assume that we have bad intentions. It was also an act that broke their rules. It was a poor decision so I proposed that we camped on the edge of the forest. We will wait for a Shadow Elf to greet us. That way, we will not offend them and we will get the chance to negotiate." 

After Ronove finished speaking, everyone looked at me. They have different expressions but I feel that they are nervous about my decision. 

I got a rejection before so I will not proceed with my plan. Instead, "we will do the plan Ronove said, we will camp on the edge of the forest." 

"Wise decision," Ronove said and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

"Lower the anchor!" Teria shouted her orders. 

The crew moves and we officially docked. With anchor stuck on the ground, the wind will not bring this Airship away. 

Even though we have comfortable cabins, Ronove told me to make a tent on the ground. So, after making a light preparation, I, Ruciel, and Ronove get down from the Airship. And yes, not everyone will go down and wait for a Shadow Elf to stop by. 

Of the many people in this Airship, only three of us will go down. Teria and Lostria don't want to go to meet up with Shadow Elf out of fear. The kids, especially Kimi dare to meet them but I don't allow those kids to come with us. I worried about their safety after seeing everyone's reaction to Shadow Elf. 

So back to the moment, I and Ruciel set up a tent. On the other hand, Ronove handles stuff sent by the crew from the Airship. 

Our work to set up a tent lasts for some time. 

When we finished with the tent, we do each of our pastimes. Ruciel examined and took care of her Longbow along with her arrows. While Ronove, sat in front of the campfire while playing with Magic Circle. 

Me? 

I drew my spear and then did some kind of practice. I used some Arte and moved my body to do a fight without opponents. I did those things to adjust myself to the new strength I have. I didn't get the chance to hunt down monsters so this is what I can do now. 

And to be honest, I was surprised by the changes that arose. My body becomes lighter, faster, and stronger than before. Yes, I know, those things were natural if I level up. However, the intense growth of strength makes the difference between before and after clearer. 

I'm happy with this development but I'm not sure, this strength is enough to face the dangers that will obstruct us when we work on Dishonesty's Quest. 

When I finished, I rested and cook some meat in the campfire. Moments later with suddenly, I felt six heat caught by my Heat Perception. The heat just entered into my skill range so their distance from us was more than fifty meters. Lastly, they come from the north, right from the forest. 

My ears twitched when I was confused by the actions I had to make. Especially when those heat approached us quickly. 

"What's wrong, young girl?" 

"I felt six heat of people came from the north and they approached us quickly. Maybe they are Shadow Elf?" 

"How far are they and how fast they move?" Ruciel inquired. 

"About fifty meters, they move with a speed of a Small Earth Lion." 

"They will come in tens of seconds." Ruciel nodded then turned towards Ronove. "Are you sure we won't do anything?" 

"They are an assassin, they don't think twice to kill people. Luckily, they just do that to people who violate their rule. Which is troublesome enough, their rule is awfully unclear." 

"What kind of unclear do you mean?" 

"Explaining their rules will take a lot of time. I'm sorry because I just realized this. I should tell you about this matter early." 

"You just need to tell and warn us when we do something that will violate their rules. For now, we have to get ready." 

With that, we prepared ourselves and waited for the heat to show themselves in front of us. 

Taking advantage of the free time that still exists, I tried to remember the things I knew about Shadow Elf. 

They are races born to kill. Even though I said they were born, Shadow Elf was not a race made by god. They were made by other races of Elf to win the big war, they were created to be a weapon.

That big war might refer to The War of Gods. 

With genetic modifications made using Ancient Magic, Shadow Elf became the strongest and the most deadly among the Elf races. 

Yes, the strength of Shadow Elf terrorizes the Elf who created them. So, out of fear for revenge that will be carried out by Shadow Elf, the Elf put up the mechanism that makes Shadow Elf obedient like a slave. 

Uniquely, that mechanism is activated with a series of words. 

Anyone who knows the series of words in the question and their meanings can control Shadow Elf as they like.

Rustle! Rustle!

The voice of moving bushes stopped my thought.

A moment later, one humanoid figure came out of the trees. The figure approached us while the other five heat, which is in hiding, spread to surround us. 

Now, standing there is a beautiful girl. 

Sparkling silver hair, soft blue skin, and charming golden eyes. She was no less charming than Ruciel, and will I say, maybe she is more charming between the two. Especially when she has big b*obs, long slender legs, and abs that look so obvious in her belly. 

As for clothes, I will say she is bold enough. The traditional clothing is worn by the girl only consists of tops that only cover her b*obs and shorts that showed too many thighs. Long story short, the girl looks like a runner, an athlete. 

"Who are you guys? What do you want?" She asked. 

I was surprised, her voice was so sweet. 

After the voice died down, silence enveloped us. I was curious, looked around to find out what happened. Then, I found that everyone, which is Ruciel, Ronove, and the girl looking at me. 

"Should I, the one who answers those questions?" 

Swoss! Bwag! 

"ARG!" 

The answer I got from my question was a spell that hit my head. 

Yes, Ronove is the culprit. 

When pain in my head disappeared, I spoke with the girl. "My name is Eclaite, we are adventurers and sky explorers. We or I, visit your home because I want to trade items and information. Now, may I know your name, Miss?" 

The girl gave me a probing look and she was alarmed. Even worse, she showed a manner like someone who was dealing with a strange, perverted somebody.

It's true that I have the desire to fondle her body but isn't she too rude? I have Ruciel so I will not fully play with her body if she allowed me to. 

"...my name is Stella," she finally introduced herself. "I want to make sure, do you wish to do a trade with us?" 

I nodded. "Of course, I'm sure, and not just a trade but trades. If I not sure with it, I shouldn't come to this place and take the risk of negotiating with you, the Shadow Elf."

"If you are serious, you have to follow our rules. Tell me about your plans to the people in the Airship?" 

"Most of us will wait here, only a few people will do the trades." 

"Six people will get a permit to visit our village. You are also not allowed to carry weapons and use any type of spell. You will accept those restrictions without questions. Do you agree with this?" 

"Yes, six people are more than enough and we accept the restrictions," I told Stella. Then I turned to Ruciel and Ronove. "Two of you also agree with it, right?" 

They gave a nod as an answer. 

"With this, a deal has been made," I confirmed. 

"You're right," Stella answered.