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"......"

Finally, Edward could no longer endure. He sheathed his sword and with a quick stride, charged forward. Not only did he reach Mengdie's side, but he also led the way ahead of everyone, waving his hand toward the dark forest—

"Let's go! We are going to face the Black Flame Snake! No matter what dangers and battles lie ahead, my sword will be your first barrier!!!"

Having said this, the simple-minded prince rushed into the forest without another word...

※※※

The forest was quiet, so silent that one could hear their own heartbeat and breathing. In this pitch-black darkness where one couldn't see their own hand, the group was almost entirely relying on feeling their way to move slowly forward.

"Should we light a lantern?" Xiu tripped over a stone and fell to the ground. Due to the heavy rain a few days ago, the forest floor was still wet. He got up, brushing the mud off his body, and said discontentedly, "I have an emergency light in my arms. It's a kind of light with a very low temperature that won't cause a forest fire. So, Miss Mengdie, you don't have to worry about harming the wolves' forest."

Xiu's suggestion immediately received agreement from Edward and Nia. In such pitch-black darkness, only the wolves accompanying them, as well as Mengdie and Father Kotton, were able to move forward without stumbling.

Father Kotton, full of compassion, helped the fallen Nia up. Her knee was scraped against a stone, bleeding. Nia, in pain, quickly hugged her knee. Father Kotton immediately recited a healing spell, and a golden light flashed in the forest, healing Nia's knee.

Seeing Father Kotton stop, Mengdie, who had already passed Edward and was leading, also stopped. She came to Nia's side, looking worriedly at her wound.

"Does it hurt?"

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

The small scrape healed quickly with the help of divine magic. Nia, with tears in her eyes, stretched her leg a bit and shook her head.

"It doesn't hurt anymore, Sister Mengdie..."

Mengdie squatted down, gently touched Nia's knee. Apart from the mud around, the wound had indeed healed. She thanked Father Kotton, brushed the dirt off Nia's knee, and helped her up.

Regardless, Nia, a 13-year-old girl, was not accustomed to such a rapid march. Xiu and Edward, who were also unaccustomed, had already fallen and were covered in mud. Yet, it was obviously not feasible to send them back now. Mengdie frowned, finding it hard to decide. The white wolf and the other wolves, seeing the group stop, also sat down behind Mengdie.

"Miss Mengdie, I say... shall we light a lantern?" Father Kotton looked at the three with a somewhat reluctant expression.

Mengdie shook her head and said, "We can't light a lantern. Because we are on a reconnaissance mission, not a journey. A light in the darkness is undoubtedly the most conspicuous. It's already late, and if the people of the Black Flame Snake are really active in the forest, they must have lights. They are in the light, we are in the dark. I don't want to lose the advantage we've finally gained."

Although she said this, having walked for half a day without finding the Black Flame Snake's base made everyone anxious. Mengdie clenched her fists, looked around, the black forest still silent. Where exactly was the Black Flame Snake's base?

Just as Mengdie was anxious, a warm tongue suddenly licked her cheek. A tickling sensation temporarily dispelled the girl's anxiety, making her chuckle and turn her head to embrace the white wolf.

"Alright, alright, I know. Don't worry about me, I won't be too anxious."

Mengdie stroked the white wolf's fur, smiling softly. After petting for a while, her expression became a bit disheartened again, she sighed helplessly, saying, "White wolf, white wolf, you are more familiar with this forest than I am. How great it would be if you could lead me to the Black Flame Snake's base..."

Originally, Mengdie just said this casually, not really serious. But to her surprise, as soon as her words fell, the white wolf suddenly raised its head, looking at her with a very determined gaze!

...That's right! I've heard before! Among all creatures, wolves are considered to be very intelligent! In ancient times, people even believed that wolves understood human speech! It's like that on Earth, could it be the same here with these wolves?

Immediately, Mengdie tentatively asked the white wolf: "Do you know some people? Some people with black flame snake patterns on their arms?" While speaking, Mengdie gestured, worried that the white wolf might not understand.

But sadly, before Mengdie could finish gesturing, the white wolf immediately nodded gently. Apparently, this white wolf understood human language even more than Mengdie did! Except for not being able to speak, in terms of language, this white wolf was fully qualified to be Mengdie's teacher!

"Ah... you understand? That's... that's great..." Mengdie's tail drooped, and the corner of her mouth twitched, enveloped by a bizarre sense of defeat.

"Alright, since you know, can you lead us there? We are looking for something very important."

As soon as Mengdie's words fell, the white wolf howled once. It lay down on the spot, tossing its head toward Mengdie and indicating its back.

"Hmm... you mean, I can ride?"

The white wolf nodded.

Mengdie's heart leaped with joy, immediately pushing Nia forward: "Come on, Nia, get on quickly. This way we can get to the Black Flame Snake's base faster!"

Honestly, with Nia's size, this huge white wolf had a kind of... terrifying feel to it. Especially when the wolf turned its head, its eyes glowing red in the darkness, looking at the little girl, Nia immediately shrank behind Mengdie, trembling.

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