Chapter 15: The Eight-Legged Menace

The nights in Midgard were always frigid, regardless of the season or the sweltering heat of the day.

As darkness fell, a bitter cold wind would sweep across the land, gnawing at every inch of Midgard.

Legend had it that this was a wind blowing from a giant kingdom in the East, a gust potent enough to freeze all creation.

****

“Click, clack.”

Through the dark forest, three figures and a horse advanced slowly, their steps rustling through fallen leaves.

According to Thrud’s intelligence, a forest tribe resided nearby, offering them the possibility of shelter for the night.

“It’s so cold.”

Qing Yu shivered, clutching his hands tightly together as if the mere act could conjure warmth.

Aldoran and Thrud, however, felt no chill at all; accustomed to life in Midgard, they even found the night air somewhat warm.

Nevertheless, mindful of Qing Yu’s discomfort, Aldoran decided to envelop him in her magic, shielding him from the howling, frigid winds.

“Huuu,” Qing Yu exhaled a long breath of relief.

Aldoran’s power was always such a comforting warmth.

“We’ll reach the forest tribe soon,” Thrud said, leading the way and describing the settlement to them.

“By then, Lord Qing Yu will be able to enjoy a warm bed.”

“This forest holds a tribe of Harpies; I visited them a few years ago during my travels.”

“It’s not a large tribe, with fewer than twenty residents, and all of them are of the eagle lineage.”

“Eagle-lineage Harpies are quite rare,” Aldoran acknowledged with a nod.

These Harpies were natural hunters, possessing an innate and formidable hunting prowess.

“However, Lord Qing Yu needn’t worry,” Thrud reassured him, turning her head slightly.

“Aside from their aggressive nature during hunts, they are generally quite amiable.”

She worried Qing Yu might be frightened.

After all, their master was an outsider, and it wouldn’t do for him to be startled.

“Oh, it’s just a short distance ahead.”

Thrud pointed forward and upward, and Qing Yu lifted his gaze.

Through the dense canopy of leaves, he could faintly discern tiny specks of light glimmering within the thick foliage.

A gust of wind swept through, causing the leaves to rustle softly.

“In Midgard, Harpies build their homes in large trees; they are a tree-dwelling race,” Aldoran explained to Qing Yu, preparing to use her power to lift him into the trees.

“Wait, Lady Aldoran,” Thrud interjected abruptly, just as Aldoran took Qing Yu’s hand.

Holding back both Aldoran and Qing Yu, Thrud positioned herself in front of them.

“I believe I just heard something stir.”

“Please wait a moment while I investigate.”

Golden energy gradually enveloped Thrud’s arms as she advanced cautiously, scrutinizing every suspicious detail.

Simultaneously, Aldoran adopted a defensive stance, shielding Qing Yu behind her.

A blue radiance coalesced into an ethereal spear, which Aldoran gripped firmly.

Rustling sounds continuously reached their ears, and under the cover of night, several dark figures darted swiftly through the trees, observing every movement made by Aldoran and her companions.

Bowstrings were drawn taut, poised to send arrows piercing through their heads should Aldoran and her party make any sudden move.

In the silent forest, every breath was magnified, acutely stimulating the trio’s strained nerves.

“Rustle, rustle.”

The sound of leaves being stirred by the wind drifted from above, as palm-sized leaves drifted down, one after another, obscuring the faint specks of light that had pierced through the forest canopy.

In the darkness, Aldoran’s right eye began to emit a faint glow.

She intended to employ her divine authority, thereby revealing every hidden lurker in the forest.

One, two, three…

Eight winged shadows, in total, watched them with predatory gazes from among the trees.

Aldoran surmised these were the Harpies inhabiting the area.

Aldoran lightly tapped Qing Yu behind her with a fingertip, and a pale blue light enveloped his body, forming a sturdy protective barrier.

“Relax, you’ll be fine,” Aldoran whispered to Qing Yu.

“Understood?”

“Mm,” Qing Yu replied, his voice hushed and tense.

He couldn’t comprehend what was happening, or why they were being attacked without provocation.

Yet, as long as Aldoran was present, he knew he would be safe.

“Thrud, these are the Harpies who live here.”

“Go speak with them first; explain that we are merely travelers and bear no ill will.”

Having reassured Qing Yu, Aldoran issued her command to Thrud.

“Understood.”

Thrud transformed her energy into a shield to protect herself, then shouted towards the forest.

“Hello! Are you the inhabitants of this place?!”

There was no reply, only the ceaseless drift of falling leaves.

“We mean no harm! We are merely travelers seeking shelter for the night! Please believe us!”

Still, no response came.

“Please believe us! We truly mean no harm!”

The very next second, accompanied by the sound of air being torn, several arrows imbued with blue energy shot directly down from above the trio.

“Clang!”

Thrud swiftly expanded her magical aura, centering it around herself, forming a colossal shield above their heads that deflected every single arrow.

“Please believe us! We truly mean no harm! We are genuinely just travelers seeking a place to stay!”

Thrud repeated her plea again and again, imploring the attackers in the darkness to cease their assault.

She could sense that their magic was not strong, reaching at most the level of elementary, low-tier spells.

“If we intended to attack you, why would we be defending ourselves like this?”

“With our strength, we could defeat you instantly, couldn’t we?”

“Surely you can sense our magical fluctuations!”

Amidst the incessant “pinging and banging,” Thrud bellowed at the top of her lungs.

Indeed, both Aldoran and Thrud possessed mid-tier magical abilities, making it effortlessly simple to deal with attackers who wielded only elementary spells.

Even concealed in the shadows, they could not inflict the slightest harm upon Aldoran and her companions.

Thus, almost immediately after Thrud’s proclamation, the “pinging and banging” abruptly ceased.

Perhaps the attackers had realized that the magical aura emanating from Thrud and Aldoran was utterly beyond their match.

Continuing their assault would only risk enraging them, leaving the attackers with no chance of victory.

After several minutes of silence, a few winged figures finally emerged from the forest, descending before Aldoran and her group.

However, apart from the woman leading them, all the others wore expressions of extreme caution, their bows drawn taut and aimed directly at Aldoran and her companions.

“Greetings, I am Aldoran,” she said, retracting her magic and stepping forward to the lead woman, extending her hand.

“These two are my husband, Qing Yu, and our traveling companion, Thrud.”

“…”

Observing Aldoran’s outstretched hand, the leading woman hesitated for a few seconds.

After a careful appraisal of Aldoran, she decided to extend her own “hand” in return.

“Alice, leader of the White Feather Tribe.”

Qing Yu noticed that Alice had no conventional hands; perhaps the sharp talons growing from her wings served as her “hands.”

“We are deeply grateful for your willingness to hear our explanation,” Aldoran said, bowing slightly with impeccable politeness.

“There’s no need.”

“Since you claim to be travelers, may I ask where you have come from?”

Seeing Aldoran’s courtesy, Alice and her people slightly lowered their guard.

“We are journeying from Alampa to Alast, passing through this region.”

“As night has fallen, we hoped to seek lodging in your homes for the evening.”

Aldoran maintained her polite demeanor as she addressed Alice and the others.

“Alampa?”

“I’ve heard tales from passing travelers that it is the place where Lord Odin was chosen.”

Alice’s emotions seemed to stir with a hint of excitement.

“Yes, that’s correct,” Aldoran affirmed with a nod.

Upon hearing that Aldoran and her companions hailed from Alampa, Alice immediately turned and gestured to her people behind her.

At once, they all lowered their weapons.

“In that case, please come to our dwelling so we may speak further,” Alice invited, gesturing courteously.

Approximately ten seconds later, Aldoran, carrying Qing Yu, entered Alice’s home alongside Thrud, Alice, and the others.

The house was spacious, constructed from wood with a thatched roof.

Inside, a few wooden stools, tables, and beds furnished the space simply, while the walls were adorned with several bows and arrows, alongside the skulls of various strange creatures Qing Yu had never before seen.

“Please, sit.”

Alice settled onto a chair, gesturing for Aldoran and the others to take seats as well.

“May I ask if you are truly residents of Alampa?”

Aldoran nodded, and Alice appeared even more agitated.

“Then, do any of you know Lord Odin?”

“Do you have a particular matter you wish to discuss?” Aldoran inquired, not directly answering Alice’s question.

A hint of embarrassment flickered across Alice’s face.

“Please, you must tell us.”

“If it’s within our power, we might be able to help.”

Alice glanced at Aldoran, then at Qing Yu and Thrud, before shaking her head.

“With just the three of you, perhaps not…”

“Please, have faith in us,” Aldoran pressed on.

“But this matter… perhaps only Lord Odin can resolve it.”

“It concerns a certain horse…”

Meeting Aldoran’s gaze, Alice recounted the tale with evident discomfort.

“A horse?” Aldoran repeated, a note of inquiry in her voice.

What kind of difficulty could a mere horse pose to Harpies, who were natural-born hunters?

“It’s rather embarrassing to admit,” Alice began, understanding Aldoran’s unspoken doubt.

No one would believe a horse could trouble Harpies.

“However, it is no ordinary horse…”

“Its power… is immense…”

“Immense?” Qing Yu questioned, his brow furrowed in bewilderment.

A powerful horse? How peculiar.

“Indeed, a horse with eight legs…”

Before Alice could finish, Aldoran felt a peculiar surge of energy suddenly transmit from the gem on her bracelet, integrating into her magical circuits.

The image of an eight-legged white horse materialized in Aldoran’s mind.

It seemed to be—

“What’s wrong?” Qing Yu quickly asked, observing Aldoran’s unusual reaction.

“It’s nothing,” Aldoran waved a dismissive hand, signaling Alice to continue her story.

“Please, go on.”

“It can transform into a human form, and possesses formidable strength,” Alice elaborated, swallowing hard as she looked at Aldoran.

“We are utterly powerless against it.”

“That monster delights in oppressing our tribe, in watching our expressions of suffering…” Alice continued.

“So…”

“So, you require Odin’s help?” Aldoran interrupted Alice.

“Yes, precisely.”

“Therefore, if possible, I hope you can tell us where we might find Lord Odin?”

“I see…” Aldoran nodded thoughtfully.

A powerful eight-legged horse piqued Aldoran’s interest; it might very well be connected to Mimir…

Along this journey, no suspicious information could be overlooked.

“There’s no need for Odin; I am sufficient,” Aldoran declared, rising to her feet after hearing Alice’s account.

“I am enough.”

“I believe that with my companions’ strength and my own, we can overcome it.”

“But—” Alice began to protest, only to be interrupted by Aldoran once more.

“If we fail, then we can seek Odin’s aid, can’t we?”

“But you might be going to your deaths,” Alice countered, also standing.

Aldoran and her companions undoubtedly possessed greater power than Alice, yet Alice remained entirely uncertain if their strength surpassed that of the eight-legged horse.

Nevertheless, even if they couldn’t defeat the eight-legged horse, they had to go; the gem had conveyed this to Aldoran.

“Rest assured, our combined strength will certainly be enough to deal with it,” Aldoran stated with conviction, her unvarying tone conveying an inexplicable resolve.

“But—” Alice started, yet ultimately left her words unsaid.

If these travelers were truly powerful enough to defeat that monster, then her people might suffer less torment…

Finally, Alice ceased her objections.