Chapter 204 The Villain Lady Arrives 32
As the first rays of morning light fully bloomed, the edge of the magic forest was dyed with a faint golden glow, as if it was nature's most gentle awakening ceremony.
However, this tranquility did not last long. A sudden ray of light shot up from the depths of the forest, instantly cutting through the sky and stirring up a commotion in the originally peaceful forest.
Wherever the light reaches, the trees seem to be given life, their branches and leaves sway wildly, making low hums, as if telling ancient secrets.
The magical beasts sleeping in the depths of the forest were also awakened by this sudden power and rushed out of their nests. Some fled to the periphery in terror, while others greedily moved towards the center of the light, their eyes flashing with desire for unknown treasures.
"Look! What is that?" Luna pointed at the light that shot straight into the sky, her voice trembling with excitement. Her eyes showed both fear of the unknown and desire for adventure, the two emotions intertwined, making her look particularly conflicted.
When the magician Orlando saw this, his face changed suddenly. He knew very well the meaning behind this vision.
"That is a sign that a treasure will be born! We must leave here immediately, kids. This is not something you can handle." He looked anxiously at the third prince, Alice, Luna and Tariq, trying to persuade them to give up the idea of taking risks.
Upon hearing this, the Third Prince frowned and a hint of determination flashed in his eyes.
"Mr. Orlando, as a member of the royal family, how can I give up easily? If this treasure really exists, then it is my destiny." His tone was firm and unquestionable, as if he had already made a decision.
Alice stood beside the third prince, feeling his inner struggle and determination. She gently held his hand and gave him silent support.
"Third Prince, I believe in your decision. Moreover, I have my own good luck, which may be able to help you." Her smile was warm and firm, and her eyes flashed with trust and courage.
Tariq watched all this silently, feeling mixed emotions. He was worried about Alice's choice.
Finally, he took a deep breath and stood up. "I'll stay too. One more person means more strength." His voice was soft, but it revealed a firmness that could not be refused.
Orlando looked at the four young men in front of him, feeling both moved and helpless. He knew that he could not change their decision and could only do his best to protect them.
"Okay, since you insist so much, I will accompany you. But remember, all actions must be under my command, and you must not act on your own." There was a hint of severity in his words, but more of it was concern and protection for them.
When Luna and Alice heard that the magician Orlando finally agreed to go with them, they smiled at each other, with unspeakable joy flashing in their eyes.
Luna whispered, "That's great, Mr. Orlando, thank you!" There was a barely perceptible tremor in her voice, a mixture of anticipation for the unknown and a hint of barely perceptible fear.
Alice responded with a look that contained not only gratitude for Orlando's trust, but also infinite longing for the adventure that was about to unfold.
The group continued to go deeper into the enchanted forest. The ground beneath their feet seemed to tremble slightly with their steps, as if it was nature's whisper to these brave explorers.
Luna held a short sword inlaid with tiny gemstones, and the tip of the sword occasionally cut through the air, making crisp sounds. It was a self-defense weapon given to her by her father, and it was guarding her courage and determination at the moment. Her eyes were sharp and alert, and she scanned the surroundings from time to time, fearing that she would miss any possible threat.
Alice was wearing a light wizard robe that swayed gently with her steps, and her clothes fluttered in the wind, like an elf in the forest.
She held a codex in her hand, which was the result of her years of learning magic, and contained various ancient and powerful spells. Whenever a monster approached, she would always react quickly and repel it with precise magic, which not only protected her companions but also demonstrated her outstanding talent as a mage.
"These monsters seem to be more violent than before." The third prince frowned. His swordsmanship was also superb, and every swing of the sword was accurate, but even so, he felt the unusualness brought about by this vision.
"Yes, they seem to be driven by some force and have lost their former rationality." Orlando said in a deep voice, his eyes were deep, as if he could see through everything. As he walked forward, he looked around vigilantly to make sure nothing was missed.
Taric followed silently at the end of the team. Although he did not have the outstanding combat ability of Luna and Alice, his keen observation and calm judgment helped the team avoid potential dangers many times. Although he was afraid of the unknown, he trusted his friends more and was eager for adventure.
After three hours of arduous journey, they finally arrived at the center of the light. It was an open area surrounded by tall trees. In the center of the open area, a beam of dazzling light shot straight into the sky, illuminating the entire sky like daylight. In the light, an ancient altar could be vaguely seen. On the altar was a treasure box emitting a faint glow. That was the goal of their trip - the legendary treasure.
However, when they arrived here, they found that many people had gathered around. Among these people, there were nobles in gorgeous clothes, mercenaries holding weapons, and mysterious people in cloaks. They came from all directions, but at this moment they all gathered here for the same purpose.
"It seems that we have many competitors." The third prince sneered, his eyes showing both fighting spirit and vigilance.
"That's true, but there is only one treasure, and its final ownership depends on each person's ability." Orlando said lightly, his eyes sweeping through the crowd, as if looking for something.
Luna and Alice smiled at each other. They knew that no matter how strong the opponent was, as long as they united as one, nothing was impossible.
At this moment, a mysterious man in a black cloak slowly stepped forward. His voice was deep and magnetic: "Everyone, I am the messenger of the Shadow King. Our Shadow Organization is determined to get this treasure. If you know what's good for you, you'd better leave now, otherwise..."
Before he finished speaking, he was interrupted by a rough voice: "Humph! Shadow Organization? We, the Iron Blood Mercenary Group, are not afraid of you! The treasure belongs to everyone who sees it, and whoever gets it will own it!"
For a moment, the atmosphere at the scene became tense, and all parties were on the verge of a war, as if a war would break out at any time.
Seeing this, Orlando stepped out to smooth things over: "Everyone, please listen to me. Although this treasure is good, it is not something that can be easily obtained. If we can join forces to fight against the possible dangers, there may be a glimmer of hope. Otherwise, I am afraid we will all die here."
As soon as he finished speaking, he received a lot of responses. After all, in a place full of unknowns and dangers, one more friend means one more strength.