Chapter 301
Chapter 301. Border Breakthrough
Once I started running, there was no time to wallow in despair.
(I must escape—)
Using the magic of swift running, Liliana dashed through the forest at full speed.
A deep green primeval forest. There was hardly a flat spot on the ground, with gnarled tree roots sprawling and moss-covered rocks carelessly scattered about. Additionally, unruly vines and branches grew everywhere. A regular person would hardly be able to move.
Even so, Liliana ran like a gust of wind blowing through the forest.
With a light thump-thump, her footsteps were precise, flowing gracefully yet rapidly. The bushes and branches that blocked her way seemed to bow down in respect, parting to create a path.
(Thank you)
Such was the blessing of the forest bestowed upon an elf. Of course, if she were an ordinary Forest Elf, such pronounced “guidance” wouldn’t appear. It was only possible thanks to the powerful magic and divine nature of High Elves.
“……”
However, despite being surrounded by the soothing forest, Liliana was plagued by a heavy anxiety.
She was alone.
No longer under the protection of the Demon Lord’s Prince Zilbagias, and no longer his pet, she existed here as a runaway High Elf.
She had to escape as soon as possible.
If she were to be caught, it would be a tragic fate—
Gleaming blades, fire, laughter, pain, the sounds of chains, damp air, the rushing water, and the slippery stone floor—
“…………ッ!”
Suddenly, the nightmares from the “prison” threatened to resurface, but she managed to shake them off.
—It would be acceptable if she were the only one captured, but in reality, it would lead to a catastrophic situation for him as well.
(That must never happen.)
Fully aware of the risks, he had let her go.
It was her duty to respond to that feeling!
And thus she ran. She continued running without looking back.
Drawing upon the regenerative power and magic of the High Elf, she hardly took any breaks as she dashed along the unmarked path.
The forest, drowsy in the dim light before dawn, gradually brightened. Birds began to sing, and the vibrant blossoms became more apparent. Sunlight started to filter through, filling the air with the fragrance of fruits ripening on trees. She even spotted a clear patch of fallen timber that seemed perfect for basking in the sun.
If this were her homeland’s forest, she would have enjoyed the serene atmosphere.
But right now, Liliana didn’t have the luxury of such tranquility.
Whenever she was thirsty, she would magically conjure water and sip it to quench her thirst. Even with the High Elf’s regenerative powers, if fatigue became overwhelming, she would picture her homeland’s forest to distract herself.
Occasionally, when the forest opened up to reveal plains or grasslands, she switched from the swift running magic to concealment magic, maintaining a low profile as she proceeded. She sometimes caught sight of Beastman villages and farmlands clearly tended by humans. She kept her senses sharp while heading east.
“……Oh?”
After hours of relentless marching, just as the sun reached its zenith, Liliana finally halted deep within the forest.
No.
She leaped on the spot and grabbed a branch overhead.
With a whoosh, the air shifted.
A massive shadow broke through the space where Liliana had just been.
“――Shuuuu――――uuuuuu――”
A creepy noise like air escaping. A creature with a thick body that resembled a fallen tree twisted its form.
A great serpent.
A monster adorned with thorn-like crests on its head raised itself.
——The King of Serpents. A snake-type demon beast that reigns at the top of the forest’s ecosystem.
“Shuuuu――Rurururu――”
Its long (though about the size of Liliana’s arm) tongue flicked out, attempting to bite her again.
“Aren’t you hungry?”
Liliana replied apologetically, radiating dazzling light.
“――Shaaaaa!?”
The Kaiser Basilisk was momentarily blinded, its vision turning completely white.
“I’m so sorry.”
She jumped onto its head and gently poked its forehead with her fingertip. Suddenly, the Kaiser Basilisk’s expression softened, and it slumped over, falling heavily.
It was nothing major. Liliana had channeled her healing power to its maximum. Surrounded by what was likely its first-ever comfort, it dozed off happily.
“……Maybe I should take a little break.”
Even Liliana felt dizzy for a moment. More than physical fatigue, her mental strength was fading due to overusing magic.
Sitting on top of the sleeping Kaiser Basilisk’s head, Liliana allowed herself a short respite.
She took out a small pouch from her backpack, filled to bursting with dried fruits.
“……Yum.”
She munched away. Sweet grapes, tangy apricots, sliced apples, and peaches—each and every one was her favorite snack.
“This, I should take! Please do!”
These apricots were packed by Leila just for her.
“Liliana—snack time! Oh, I want a bite too…”
Speaking of which, Garunya had a habit of sneaking bites like that.
“……Is it good? I’m glad. Here, ah~.”
The peach that Alexander fed her was the best thing she had ever tasted.
“……Sniff.”
Before she knew it, tears were spilling from Liliana’s eyes as she devoured the dried fruits.
Though she had brought them as they were, the taste felt entirely different.
“Wow……”
No matter how much she cried or called out, there was no one to gently soothe her anymore.
As if to comfort her, a gentle, cool breeze flowed through. Liliana snapped back to reality, noticing that the quality of the air was changing.
“……I have to go.”
Conjuring magical water from her hands, she washed her face.
Washing it all away.
There would be time for sentiment later.
She hopped from the Kaiser Basilisk’s head to a nearby tree, climbing swiftly.
“……I can see it.”
At the edge of the forest lay a rugged, treacherous mountain range.
Beyond that was the allied territory.
On the flatlands where the mountains met, there should be a town, but naturally, it was under the control of the Demon Lord’s army. To cross the border unnoticed, she had to go over that mountain.
A dragon could easily fly over it in an instant, but—
“!!”
Just as that thought crossed her mind, a shadow passed overhead. Dragons! Two of them flying in tandem; undoubtedly a patrol of the Demon Lord’s army—
“……”
Liliana stood still, not moving a muscle, watching the dragons fly overhead. They were tracing the outline of the mountains—was that a standard patrol or something else—
In any case, she could not be detected.
Once the dragons had completely disappeared from view, Liliana nimbly jumped down from the tree. Collecting her belongings, she took off running again. This time, she used concealment magic instead of swift running.
†††
——In a situation where dragons might be overhead, it required a fair amount of courage to escape the forest.
The concealment magic would hide her magic powers, rendering her somewhat invisible, but it would not make her completely transparent. If a dragon, with its exceptional attention and eyesight, relied on physical sight, it could uncover her concealment spell.
In her current state, Liliana might be able to fend off a couple of ordinary dragons, but—
“Still, it’s best not to be found.”
Gripping the rough rock face, she steadily climbed the mountain. When she had used surveillance magic to scout ahead, she found watchtowers and lookout points at passages where people could traverse, guarded by beastman soldiers and night elf soldiers.
So, she chose to bravely tackle places where ordinary people would find it impossible to climb.
“~♪”
Singing softly in the rock’s shade, while the melody played, vines seemed to stretch upward along the sheer rock face.
“Alright.”
After confirming they were firmly rooted, she recast her concealment magic and began climbing, using the vines like ropes. Though it seemed like a reckless challenge without a safety line, falling from this height would only result in broken bones.
Liliana wouldn’t die.
“Ha……ha……!”
Clenching her teeth and sweating on her brow, she climbed with all her might.
Whenever she found a cozy rock crevice or hollow, she would take a moment to rest. Catching her breath, sometimes using magic to adjust her footing, or stretching out vines for additional support. When there was no hiding spot, she would cling to the rock barehanded while maintaining her concealment magic.
“I am…… going home……!!”
No matter how experienced a High Elf, enduring unfamiliar surroundings, loneliness, anxiety, and the constant tension of the unknown was exhausting.
Yet, she continued to climb. Freedom awaited beyond the colossal rock walls.
No, it was not just that.
The glimmer of hope that was Alexander awaited her too……!
“Ah!”
In that moment, her hand slipped from the sweat. Her body nearly tumbled off the cliff, but she instinctively gripped the jutting rock.
“Ungh……!!”
With a sharp pain, her nails tore, and her palm was lacerated, but she somehow avoided falling.
A chilling wind caressed her dangling legs and sweaty skin.
Gripping the rock with her intact hand, she licked her bloodied palm. Her wounds began to heal.
“I am…… going back to the forest……!!”
She climbed. She climbed. Continuing to ascend relentlessly.
Then, as the sun began to set from its apex—
Liliana finally grasped the crest of the mountain.
“Ah……”
A sigh escaped her lips as she stared at the view beyond.
It was an utterly ordinary forest spreading before her. Just an extraordinarily “normal,” lush, peaceful, and serene forest.
Beyond it, she saw a town. There were roads too. Fields as well. Not skeletons, but living horses pulling carts, and humans working in the fields—each sight felt so achingly normal.
Tears almost sprang to her eyes as it all felt so ordinary.
Behind her, the verdant forest extended as well. Yet, somehow a desolate, alien atmosphere lingered. The air of the Demon Lord’s kingdom.
——Go on.
She felt as if she was being told that.
“……Goodbye.”
Imagining the face of that person far beyond her reach.
Liliana crossed over the ridge——
With the patrol of dragons still active, she could not lower her guard.
Still, at that moment, Liliana had indeed stepped into the allied territory.
