ficcloud.com [https://ficcloud.com/images/ficcloud.jpg]

"Dead? Granny, are you sure? Are you sure he didn't say where in the forest he encountered the Black Flame Snake?"

Mengdie's tail stood upright, and her ears were perked up due to the tension. Her anxious demeanor made her appear similar to the cruel wolves in the eyes of the old woman. Realizing her overreaction, Mengdie quickly put on a smile and made a self-deprecating remark.

However, now the task seemed more daunting. Searching for someone in a dimly lit forest was going to be extremely difficult. Moreover, it was uncertain whether the soldiers had encountered the Black Flame Snake members near their secret base or just happened to come across them while scouting elsewhere. Blindly searching the forest might take a very long time...

But difficulties wouldn't deter Mengdie's determination. Finally having a clue, she was resolved to search the forest thoroughly, even if it took months, to find the Black Flame Snake members.

Mengdie turned to her companions and declared loudly, "Edward! Xiu! Nia! You three stay here; I'm going into the forest to find those snakes. Once I find them, we'll figure out what to do next!"

As Mengdie was about to rush out, Father Cotton, who had been listening quietly, spoke up, "Please wait, Child of the Goddess. I believe that entering the forest in search of them is unwise."

Mengdie turned back, looking puzzled at Father Cotton.

Father Cotton set down his cup and looked at Mengdie with concern, "I don't mean to be overly cautious... cough... but the forest is too dangerous now. You must have seen the man-eating wolves on your way to the village. If you enter a forest you're unfamiliar with, you might not come out again."

Father Cotton's words were gentle, but Edward's face turned ashen. He rushed forward, grabbing Mengdie's hand, "No! Mengdie, I can't let you go into that forest alone. Not to mention the wolves, what if you encounter the White Shadow in the forest?"

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

Xiu tapped his staff and added, "Indeed, Miss Mengdie. This time, I agree with Edward's decision. It's getting dark, and compared to the Black Flame Snake, you're less familiar with the forest. Going in now would be like walking into a lion's den."

Nia nodded in agreement.

Mengdie didn't object, but the thought of the Black Flame Snake being in the forest and unable to pursue them was agonizing. She had been chasing them for over two months, often losing track of them! If they moved again while she hesitated because of the forest, it was uncertain whether she would get another lead on the Black Flame Snake.

"Hmm... young lady, I think... cough... how about this?"

Father Cotton's suggestion redirected everyone's attention to him.

"I came here from the royal city after hearing about the wolf menace, wanting to help. Although it's cruel, these wolves have tasted human blood and probably can't be driven away, only killed. I was planning to start the hunting operation after the royal army's reinforcements arrived. But the severity of the situation in the village far exceeds my expectations, so we must start immediately. I hope you can help me kill them. Once we solve the wolf problem, I can join you in searching for the... what do you call it, snake. With my divine power, it should be easy to find them."

Father Cotton's proposal was logical: help him solve the wolf problem first, then he would assist in finding the Black Flame Snake. As a cleric, it was natural for him to prioritize saving lives. He didn't know Mengdie and her companions' reason for searching for the King's Cup and had no reason to prioritize helping them over saving lives.

Mengdie sighed, realizing she had no choice but to accept the proposal. She sat back down, her tail drooping tiredly and swaying listlessly.

"Oh dear, Miss Mengdie looks really disheartened~ Alright then. Granny, can you tell us more about the wolf problem?" Xiu laughed and continued the conversation.

Granny Gluma sighed, closed her eyes to think for a while, and finally began recounting the events—

She wasn't entirely sure how it all started, only knowing that about a month ago, on a rainy night, the wolves, which usually stayed deep in the forest, suddenly charged into the village as if mad. They broke through the fences around the livestock and carried them away. Their ferocity was as if they hadn't eaten in a long time. Granny Gluma's house was one of the first to be attacked. If her son hadn't been home that night to protect her, the outcome would have been unimaginable.

Over the next month, the wolves attacked every few days. Once they finished with the livestock, they started breaking into villagers' houses and killing them. Over time, the wolves grew bolder, sometimes even dragging villagers to the center of the village and disemboweling and eating them in front of many other villagers watching from their windows.

Many villagers couldn't endure the terror and fled, but more were reluctant to leave their homes. As the bloodstains and claw marks on the ground and walls increased, so did the villagers' fear and helplessness.

Read more at: fⅰÇçlоūd▪çōm

ficcloud.com [https://ficcloud.com/images/ficcloud.jpg]