Tyrannous

When everyone passed through the gate, a bright, dazzling light made their eyelids close instinctively. After a few moments, as the light gradually faded, a lush and radiant landscape spread out before them, and a cool breeze brushed their faces. Tall trees and intertwined bushes, with twisting branches and the blinding sunlight streaming through them, gave the forest a breathtaking view. Occasionally, the melodious chirping of birds could also be heard.

Unlike Aysa and Adeline, who weren't surprised by the scene, Lenus showed some astonishment. He waved his staff and said in amazement, "I didn't think the Hidden Forest would be this beautiful... The flow of magic here is so smooth!"

Adeline, while placing Freud's unconscious body on the cart, replied, "You probably thought it'd be a scary and grim place? Despite its name, it's quite beautiful... Besides, it's the best place for using magic." With a swift move and her magic staff in hand, she climbed onto the cart.

"Get on, Lenus. We don't have time."

Aysa gestured to Lenus to climb up without delay. Once Lenus sat beside Aysa, the cart quickly started moving, winding its way through the trees. Along the way, not much was said. Lenus kept looking around, trying to observe the forest more closely. Aysa drove the cart, her face revealing worry and urgency. Adeline monitored the condition of Lena and Melwa, anxiously glancing at their swollen stomachs.

As they traveled further, the trees grew sparser, and the density of the forest diminished until they reached an open space. The cart stopped, and everyone stared at a wooden cabin beneath an ancient tree. The tree's numerous roots, some of which protruded from the ground, surrounded the cabin, leaving only a single window visible among them. The ancient tree was relatively tall and so thick it could easily accommodate a regular cabin within its trunk. Around the tree, no other trees grew, and grass covered the entire area. Perhaps the shade of the large branches and wide leaves prevented plants from growing beneath the tree.

Before driving the cart closer, Aysa said, "Here's the tree cabin."

When the cart and horse came to a halt, Aysa quickly jumped down and carried Lena and Melwa into the cabin in two turns by herself. Although Lenus offered to help, Aysa declined. Still, the task was done quickly. Lenus carried a few boxes and bags into the cabin, while Adeline busied herself tying Freud with some sturdy green ropes. Apparently, the ropes were the result of years of intertwining forest plants.

When Lenus stepped into the wooden cabin for the first time, he found himself in a large, dark, and damp room with nothing but a few chairs, a table, and a stone fireplace. The floor, ceiling, and walls were entirely wooden, but they were finely carved, giving the interior a refined appearance.

Aysa, entering the main room from another room, said to Lenus, "Please light the fireplace, Lenus. Your main element was fire, right?" She then grabbed some sheets and pillows from a bag and returned to the room she had come from, seemingly to tend to Lena and Melwa.

Without a word, Lenus placed the last box in the middle of the room and approached the fireplace. The stone fireplace was empty of wood, but instead, a gray crystal was placed within it. Lenus had never seen such a thing before, but he guessed that he needed to channel fire into the crystal. He did so, and immediately, the gray crystal lit up, glowing brightly like a shimmering flame.

Lenus stared at the crystal in amazement, its glow illuminating his face. The room also lit up, and a shadow approached Lenus from behind.

"Surprised, huh? There are a lot of strange and fascinating things in this forest," Adeline said.

Lenus stood up and saw Adeline sitting on a chair, placing her pointed hat on the table. It was clear that memories of distant years were surfacing in her mind. She crossed one leg over the other and continued, "We found this crystal in the Crescent Maze. It's a rare artifact. But unfortunately, it can't be taken out of this forest."

"It can't be taken out?! Why?"

Adeline shifted slightly in her chair and replied, "It's the law here. Unfortunately, nothing that belongs to this forest can leave it. When you try to pass through the gate, it automatically stays behind."

At that moment, Aysa entered the room with a sigh, then slumped into one of the chairs. Her hands supported her head to prevent it from hitting the table. Adeline turned and asked, "So, what happened?"

"They'll be here in a few moments," Aysa replied without lifting her head. Her voice was cold and empty, carrying a certain heaviness.

"And Freud?"

Adeline glanced briefly at the open cabin door and said, "He's still unconscious. For now, I've tied him up and left him by the cabin. Don't worry; he can't escape."

Lenus stood up, intending to leave the cabin, when Aysa raised her head and asked, "Where are you going?"

"With your permission, I'm going to explore the area a bit. The horse is hungry, too. Maybe I can find something for it," Lenus replied.

Aysa nodded and, before Lenus left the room, reminded him, "The bathroom and kitchen are next to the cabin. There's also a small room behind this one where Lena and Melwa are staying. If you get tired, come back and sleep in this room."

Adeline, with a cheerful smile, added, "And don't forget—never take off your mask."

Lenus nodded, stepped out of the cabin, and walked around. Behind the cabin, he saw Freud, still unconscious, tied up with several loops of rope. Lenus muttered to himself, "Note to self: never get on Adeline's bad side..." and smiled.

He continued on his way and reached the back of the cabin. A little further ahead, there was a long table with several wooden chairs, apparently used for their gatherings. Despite the passage of time, they weren't too worn. At the back of the cabin were two doors, one leading to the kitchen and the other to the bathroom. Lenus inspected them quickly. Despite its small size, the kitchen was well-equipped, and the bathroom was in good condition.

Suddenly, the sound of running water caught his attention. He turned his head and realized there must be a stream or something nearby. He followed the sound of the water, walking until he finally found a river behind the trees. He sat down quietly, placing his staff on the ground beside him. He gazed at the water, his long black hair hanging loosely from his head. His red-and-black mask, intricately crafted with the utmost detail, revealed only his dark eyes.

As Lenus stared at the flowing water, he suddenly noticed another face reflected in it. Before he had a chance to examine the features of the face, he turned his head and saw something he had never encountered before in his life.

"So, you're Aysa's special guest, huh?"