V2.C7 Verbergen

An hour later, the party once again stepped inside the Sea of Trees under Cam's guidance. This time every Haulia instead of being scared floated a confident look on their faces.

A smile appeared on his face when he saw their change. Who could say these guys were the meek rabbits who bawled their eyes out just from killing an animal?

Shea still had a disbelief look on her face. Her heart couldn't take the effects his training had on her tribe, but she also believed no one could persecute them now. Her thoughts contradicted themselves.

After several hours, Leo sensed many presences in front. Every Haulia ears twitched as they searched for enemies. Shea unconsciously nudged closer to Leo.

Leo and Yue also guessed the identity of the opposite party. He furrowed his brow in irritation.

"You are… Why are you together with humans? Which tribe are you from?"

A muscular beastman with ears and tail similar to a tiger called out to them.

It was truly an odd sight to see Beastmen and Humans travelling together. The Tigerman glared at Cam as if he is some kind of traitor. He had a dangerously looking two-handed sword in his hands. The other beastmen also glared at other Haulias.

Cam stepped forward with a smile. "We just want to check Great Tree. Can you please step aside?"

Leo lips curled in an amused smile. "Kill or don't kill, I don't care."

"A rabbit is talking big, hahaha," taunted one of the beastmen.

"Pathetic rabbits."

Cam still smiled, but it sent a chill ran down every beastmen's spine.

"The number seems to be 24. Haulias! Non-Lethal mode!"

"Roger!!!"

Cam and others charged and hid in the fog. The beastmen started panicking when they couldn't sense them.

"Ugh!"

Tigerman looked back to see his comrade knocked out, he took a defensive stance.

"Guff!"

Tigerman witnessed another one of his comrades knocked out cold.

'W-What is this? We are losing to Haulias?'

One by one every beastmen except Tigerman fell on the floor.

"Now, Gil-san, will you still block us?" Cam's sarcastic voice reached his ears.

"...What is your purpose in bringing a human and that cursed child here?"

"Don't ever refer to my daughter as a cursed child."

Drip

Gil looked down to see blood dripping from his neck. 'When did he slash my neck? I couldn't even see him.'

Cam continued, "As for our purpose, Leo-sama can you please explain it?"

"We want to investigate the Great tree or Sacred Tree as the true entrance of one of the Great Labyrinths created by liberators might be there."

"...Isn't Sea of Trees itself considered one of the Great Labyrinths? A natural labyrinth where anything other than beastmen gets lost forever."

Leo shook his head. "No, it is too easy to be one of the great labyrinths. Monsters here are… too weak."

"Too weak?"

"Now that you heard our purpose, what choice will you make?" asked Cam with a smile.

Tigerman shook his head. "A guard like me don't have the authority to let you visit Sacred Tree. But I can ask my superiors. Can you wait while we send a messenger?"

Despite the cold sweat on his face, his eyes beamed with resolve.

"Leo-sama?"

Leo thought it's better to handle this matter without bloodshed. "Then do it quickly."

Tigerman searched around for his comrade, he pulled the beastman by the collar and shook him furiously. "Oi bastard Zam! Wake up!"

"Nani!?!?"

"Go and tell any Elder that a human wants to find the true entrance of Great Labyrinths created by Liberators. So he wants permission to visit Sacred Tree. Convey every single word as I said."

"O-Okay," Zam said and ran off hastily.

Tigerman took a sigh of relief and nodded at Leo.

"My tribe is so strong now. They defeated the Guards of Verbergen so easily," Shea said in a voice filled with disbelief.

Leo chuckled at her reaction. "Isn't it better?"

"Yes! Now I can leave without worries~ I'll pray for anyone messed with our tribe~"

And she cheered up in a moment.

'Does she have multiple personalities?'

'Should we really take her with me? I really don't want to involve her in our fight against Ehit but she won't listen.'

Yue tugged his shirt with a worried face. "...Leo, let's take her… Shea is determined to fight also… she sees me as a friend."

She whispered the last words so low that even he could barely hear it with his senses.

"Hmm…"

"What are guys talking so secretly? Share with me too~ I'm also one of you now~"

"...Shut up, annoying rabbit."

"Mou~ Yue-san, call me Shea, don't give me bad nicknames."

His face turned serious after sensing the multiple presences coming toward them.

Several beastmen appeared from the fog. A frail old man stood out among them. He had long flowing blonde hair and glowing blue eyes filled with wisdom.

Leo's eyes were fixed on his long pointed ears. 'This must be an elf and an Elder.'

"So you're the human that's been causing a mess with Haulias in our forest. What's your name?"

"Leo Evans and who're you old man?"

His nonchalant voice caused the surrounding beastmen to raise their voices in anger. The old man held up his hand to stop them.

"I'm Ulfric Heipyst. I have the honor of representing Verbergen as one of its elders. I have been informed of your request. But before that, I'd like to ask something. Where did you learn about Liberators?"

"We heard it from Oscar Orcus who was one of the Liberators. His hideout is deep in the abyss."

Ulfric was surprised to hear it, but hid it behind a poker face.

"So from the abyss… Do you have some proof?"

He fell deep in thoughts, some proof…

Yue tugged his clothes. "Ring of Orcus."

She took off the ring from her right hand and showed it to Ulfric. The ring had an Orcus's symbol carved on it.

He also tossed the hydra's mana crystal at Ulfric. "No monster on the surface can match its size and purity."

Ulfric breathed slowly to calm down. "Indeed... that is enough proof to show you reached Oscar Orcus's room. For now… you can come to Verbergen."

Surrounding beastmen started protesting against the elder. This will be the first time a human was invited in Verbergen and that very order came from an elder.

"They will be treated as guests. As it is one of the rules decided by the Elder's council."

His stern voice left no choice for any objection.

"Wait a moment. We aren't here for sightseeing, just show us the Great tree and we will be on our way."

"It will only take half a day at most, so please accompany us to Verbergen," Ulfric said and bowed.

"Fine, but you will treat me with the most delicious food."

A warm smile appeared on Ulfric's face. "Of course."

"And don't try anything on Haulias, these guys are under my protection, even Shea who your race refers to as a Cursed Child."

"I'll guarantee your safety as one of the Elders in the Verbergen."

"Good, then lead the way."

Ulfric and the Tigerman Gil guided them. They arrived at Verbergen in one hour.

The fog around them vanished suddenly, Leo caught sight of a forest. A straight path was cleared in the area, he caught sight of two crystals embedded in the ground.

'Analyze'

[Verdren crystal]

A crystal used in clearing the fog and mist around it. Inflicts fear status on weak monsters.

'Hmm.'

"That crystal is—"

"I know, please don't bother explaining it," he said lazily.

The village inside was cleared from the fog.

Yue sighed in relief.

'At least there is no fog inside,' she thought.

After a little walk, Leo gazed at the giant wooden gate in the distance. Two giant trees formed an arc with a double door placed inside it. Nearly thirty meters thick trees acted as the border of the country.

Gil ordered the guard to open the gate. Many beastmen stood atop the branches of trees and observed him and Yue with a sharp gaze. Leo was already used to it on Earth. Yue, a former queen didn't even spare them a glance.

Many ill gazes were directed on Shea, she timidly hid behind him. Numerous giant trees could be seen inside, every one of them had holes carved in them, light poured out of them illuminating the place. Tree branches intertwined together to serve as a road. Numerous vines also helped in pulling up carts and transporting water from tree to tree.

Leo and Yue stood in place and admired the place.

"Yue, now I'm kinda glad that we came here."

"...Yeah. This place is pretty."

"It seems you youngsters really like our city," Ulfric said with a warm smile.

All of the surrounding beastmen puffed their chest proudly.

Looking at their expression, he nodded his head. "This city is really beautiful."

"Nn."

The beastmen nearly jumped up from his praise. Their tails wagged happily from praise, his lips curled in an amused smile.

"Keep walking, old man."

"Okay," replied Ulfric with a sigh.

Ulfric guided the trio to a hall while asking about Liberators. Leo told Ulfric everything he heard from Oscar, ancient magic and his goal to conquer all labyrinths. He knew about the Holy Church worshipping the Ehit and beastmen had no relations with Holy church.

Ulfric also told him the cruelty beastmen faced in Empire. How beastmen were treated as slaves in Hoelscher Empire.

'Empire again, huh.'

Ulfric explained the ancient rule in the council that the beastmen are not to oppose the one with the crest of any Great Labyrinths. The creator of Haltina Woods Labyrinth was actually a Liberator named 'Lyulitis Haltina'. She was the one who told the first elder about Liberators. Ulfric remembered Orcus Symbol from a stone tablet near the Grand tree.

Leo nodded his head. His expression darkened from what he heard next.