Within the goblin camp, the Magi and a dozen others sat inside one of the larger tents, the eerie melody from the forest audible even within. The goblins were visibly restless, fear etched across their faces as they muttered among themselves. The Magi, cloaked in his usual purple robe, sat silently at the head of the table, observing them with a frown.

“Damn it all, this forest is insane,” one of the bulkier goblins muttered.

“Indeed,” another agreed, “the Firmament has always been mysterious, at least to lowly demons like us, but this forest is far too strange. Something that can control cursed beasts? It’s unheard of…”

A third goblin nodded nervously. “No matter how many times I see it, it still doesn’t make sense.”

Cursed beasts were known for their madness and destructive nature. They neither spoke nor communicated, and taming them was impossible. Yet this forest seemed to defy all logic, twisting the beasts into something organized and purposeful.

Another goblin hesitated before speaking, his voice trembling. “Oh great Magi, the melody is here, and we’ve yet to locate the relic. Shouldn’t we retreat?”

Before he could finish, the Magi’s staff struck the ground with a resounding thud. The speaking goblin flinched, shrinking back into his seat as the Magi’s crimson eyes narrowed.

“Retreat? After all the effort we’ve put in?” the Magi said coldly. “What happened to the courage you displayed at our last meeting? Is this the extent of your resolve?”

The room fell silent.

“And where would we retreat to?” the Magi continued, his voice dripping with disdain. “Tell me, does anyone here see the full picture of our circumstances? Or are you all blind?”

A brave goblin finally broke the silence, his voice shaky. “W-what do you mean, great Magi?”

The Magi’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Good. At least one of you can ask the right question. Now, think: if we retreat, what changes? The truth is, whether we stay or flee, death is inevitable. Retreating also ensures death, and as you know, once we go beyond the portal The people of the sea will slaughter us.”

Another goblin stood up, frowning. “Facing death is the natural outcome of a task. It is an honor for a demon to die in service of it!”

The others murmured in agreement, their fear giving way to pride.

“True,” the Magi conceded. “But if both paths lead to death, why not risk everything for greatness? Completing the task of a baron is far more honorable than cowering like cowards. Think about it: those who survive will gain favor, power, and the chance to accomplish even greater tasks.”

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The goblins glanced at one another, the Magi’s words igniting a spark of greed and ambition in their eyes.

As the Magi observed the flicker of greed in the goblins' eyes, a sly grin crept onto his face. He knew these simple-minded creatures were utterly clueless about the true nature of the treasure they were hunting. They believed it to be some bauble of power, but the Magi understood the deeper truth: the relic they sought was intrinsically tied to the ominous melody echoing through the forest. It was, in fact, the very heart of the strange occurrences in this place.

His thoughts drifted to the Baron’s instructions regarding the relic. Supposedly, it was a musical instrument capable of loosely controlling cursed beasts, a power both alluring and perilous. Yet, the Magi couldn’t help but wonder, what kind of creature currently possessed such an artifact? The Baron’s assurance that the relic’s owner was no stronger than a soldier rank entity brought him some comfort, though a sliver of doubt lingered. After all, this forest was rife with mysteries and dangers beyond his comprehension.

Regardless of the risks, the Magi’s focus remained unwavering. He cared little for the goblins under his command, viewing them as expendable pawns in a game far greater than their simple minds could grasp. To him, their insatiable greed made them easy tools to manipulate. In the name of avarice, they would obey his every command, subservient to the promise of riches and glory.

His self-satisfaction was interrupted by one of the goblins, whose comment brought him back to the present.

“Great Magi, I have suspicions that humans have already entered the forest to complete the task.”

The Magi’s sharp red eyes turned to the goblin who had spoken. “Humans, you say? Elaborate.”

The goblin hesitated but pressed on. “Over the past few days, our numbers have been dwindling steadily, and in a manner that feels calculated. I believe there are human intruders picking us off one by one.”

The Magi tapped his staff against the ground thoughtfully. “Humans... If they are skulking around, it suggests they lack the strength to confront us directly. For now, they pose no immediate threat.”

“Then what should we do, Great Magi?”

The Magi’s grin returned, sharp and predatory. “Simple. Gather all the troops. We’ll use the cursed beasts’ rampage to our advantage. While they wreak havoc, we will flank their positions and venture deeper into the forest.”

The goblins at the table nodded eagerly, their greed and ambition rekindled. One by one, they filed out of the tent, leaving the Magi alone with his thoughts.

—-------------

Manasei leaped deftly from one tree branch to another, careful not to make too much noise. His heart pounded in his chest as he suppressed the rising panic. Each movement of the cursed beasts below reminded him of his vulnerability.

Standing atop a sturdy branch, he finally got his first real look at the cursed beasts. His breath caught in his throat.

They had animalistic frames at first glance, but their sheer size was terrifying—far larger than any normal wild animal. Some bore grotesque extra eyes. One resembled a wolf with white fur glowing faintly under the crimson light, its four horizontally stacked eyes radiating an ominous light.

Another resembled a deer, but its antlers were filled with gaping mouths that opened and closed erratically. Its face was dominated by a single crimson eye that seemed to pierce through everything.

Though their forms varied, they all shared grotesque features, their presence exuding pure menace.

What struck Manasei most, however, were the shimmering azure-blue scales adorning their bodies. The scales reflected the crimson hue of the forest, shifting eerily as the beasts moved.

"Those look like Si-Ren scales…"

Manasei froze, recognizing the resemblance to the mythical creatures on the emblem of the enforcers and the empire itself.

Although questions filled his mind, he knew he had to distance himself. One wrong move, and those things would notice him.

But it was already too late.

A flying cursed beast with bat-like wings and the body of a grotesque bird locked its gaze on Manasei. Its shimmering scales and razor-sharp claws glinted ominously under the crimson light. With an ear-splitting screech, it dove toward him.

Manasei’s heart skipped a beat as he bolted across the branches, leaping from one to the next with reckless urgency.

“Oh shit!” he cursed, his breath quickening as the beast closed the distance faster than he anticipated.

The flapping of its enormous wings grew louder, almost deafening, and the vibrations from its descent sent tremors through the air. Manasei knew he was running out of options. If he didn’t act soon, it would snatch him up and tear him apart without hesitation.