Everyone was now on the way to the safe camp. Guts and Rose were completely treated, but still not fully healed and unconscious, as the mages were conserving their mana until the whole situation on this mission was over, clear, and completed.

The normally cheerful three healers I knew were more serious now as they prepared for it. Guts and Rose were lifted through the air by the Wind Healer, who cast a gentle transportation spell. They floated securely behind us. I was carried by Father on his shoulders, while Greyjoy kept staring at me, almost like he was jealous.

It was a long line of people behind us. People had packed what was important to them, and even Major Mostleey was behind us, as he played the strongest role in convincing them to go to the safe spot.

Father had told everyone to vacate their homes and follow immediately; even Granny Maera was a few steps behind.

She felt happy, believing that Father had kept his promise and she would get her grandson back, but that was only if they hadn't fed him to the monster yet.

Greyjoy asked, "Umm, Mr. Vaulgabread, right? Something has been on my mind. I know Condottieri are strong, some being A-Rank and all, and others being S-Rank, but few..." He turned and pointed to Guts and, touching his chin, he mused, "From what I could see, Guts... he had a special grade weapon, which most A-Rank and S-Rank condottieri have access to."

As Father said, "Yeah, I think I know where you're going with this." He knew Greyjoy had only one thing in mind: what was the scale of power of what they were going to face?

Greyjoy completed his thought: "How can we scale this bastard when an A-Rank bounty hunter was greatly injured by that beast earlier? What I want to know from you is, how strong can this Mana Beast get?" That question hung heavy in the air; it was the thought on everyone's mind since the journey into the forest began.

The townsfolk followed behind in large numbers, heading toward a safe zone Father said had been prepared. If that Goatman was protecting the beast within this forest, and was now eliminated, how strong was what we were going to face? I didn't like this at all.

Father finally replied to Greyjoy's question, lowering his voice into a whisper, not wanting the townsfolk walking behind them in a vertical line to panic. "Well, if I was being completely honest, we really can't know yet. This has been the main concern for months now. The person who had been investigating the town has been one of my close friends, and believe me when I say he is a master of sensory, but still, he didn't find any clue."

He explained that Type Two Mana sensory mages had tried multiple times as well, in groups, as we all agreed the beast stays in the forest, but failed. "We are going in blindly."

Those words shocked me to the core. What kind of hell was within this forest? I had made one thing clear to my self I wasn't going to seat back and watch like before I would take action.

Father continued, "It has actually become visible in the past two days for some reason, hence why everything had to be rushed and set in motion. And even its mana hasn't been noticeably present for years, and that beast being its protector… whatever monstrosity is in there. Why would it want to show itself now? Meaning…"

The Earth Specialist finished his thought grimly, "...It has grown tired of hiding and is ready to evolve to something much stronger."

The Pierced Lady, excited but not worried, said, "We are more than capable to kill it!"

The Wind Healer also added, "And besides, Lord Zedd is also here," as the two mages nodded. "Lord Zedd would be the last line of defense. It won't escape."

"Lord Zedd, huh?" Greyjoy mused.

The Water Specialist replied, "What's 'huh'? He is strong, and show some respect! He is fourth in line to the throne of Aetherhall, mind how you reference him."

"I really doubt the Mana Beast would care about that, so why should I? Unless he is King, he is just a lord like myself," Greyjoy retorted.

The Wind Mage asked out of intrigue and mocking, "You a lord? Don't make me laugh! You don't even have the charisma, you look so 'rough'."

"Why, thank you! Ladies do like it that way. And I am indeed a lord of the Bearmount family," Greyjoy said.

"Never heard of them," the three mages said in unison, as I chuckled. Now he knew how it felt.

"You know what? I owe you people no freaking respect. Let's just get this on the going. Can't wait to move on to my next mission."

"Hmph," the Wind Mage replied.

Greyjoy, now breaking the silence back to my father and looking noticeably more tense, pressed further: "Back in town, those missing people—you think they were used as some energy source or food? How are they able to use humans to make a beast evolve? Shouldn't that not be possible?"

"Mana Beasts usually evolve on their own or through a deep bond with their master, or will power to become more than they are," Father explained. "It's usually a complex, slow process. But there are forbidden techniques and methods banned by the Order and G5 that speed up evolution."

"And all are so dark and twisted. The one I suspect they use is the taboo-focused method, as they break taboos to release negative energy to force evolution."

"Taboos?" I asked Father. "What kind of taboo? What do you mean?"

"Curse mana exists to be a chaotic part of mana as a whole, and within it are twisted and nefarious ways to release energy. One such method is taboo-breaking rituals. In previous years, there existed Terra Gnostic, one of the most hated, feared, and most powerful cult

on Earth, as they developed many of the curse magic that exists today. They were eradicated, yes, but many of their texts escaped, and many strong followers planned to revive them once more. One of the most powerful ways they could speed up the evolutionary process of any Path or Mana Beast was to break a taboo universally evil. And what is the most taboo of all taboos?"

Everyone kept quiet, thinking what it could be, as Father said, "Child sacrifice." The realization was setting in. So, could it mean the real targets they wanted were children?

"Hmmm," Greyjoy said. "But all ages had gone missing, so I doubt that method was used, right?"

"I hope so, to be honest. I hope everything I've said is wrong, and much isn't known about how they perform such rituals, but one thing was clear: they were responsible for the missing people in town. Using humans as a source of energy, somewhat as a catalyst that opens the path faster, was their goal. But was it possible? Well, I guess we would have to find out soon."

So that's what this cult must have been doing. Child sacrifice... that word brought a chill down my spine. All for the sake of power? They would go that far? But do they want a Dragon? I doubt such practices only give you Dragon Paths, right?

"But one thing has been bothering me: greyjoy said.

"the fact Aetherhall had given so many resources than Manyblood on this hunt means only one thing," Greyjoy kept walking, intentionally making it clear so the mages would hear. "Either they have something to lose or something to gain... isn't that right?" Greyjoy intentionally left the question hanging for those whom it may concern.

As the Earth Specialist replied to his question, "If you are implying Aetherhall has something to do with this, you must be delusional. We simply know that if we allow such groups to roam free, it would be a serious problem. And may I remind you, Manyblood is stretched thin right now."

Greyjoy replied, "Manyblood told you that? Trust me, they aren't. They either know you guys are here and just gave permission anyways, or someone dangerous would be on their way here to set things straight with a lesson of territory respect."

Things were really getting heated up between Greyjoy and the healers.

"Father, do something!" I said, holding his ears as I was carried on his shoulders, looking concerned.

Dad sighed. "Greyjoy, you must know this mission is under the hands of bounty hunting. Morgana is a well-known Condottieri in Manyblood, so she is a representative here. So let's not conclude other chaotic scenarios."

I then asked, intrigued, "So Morgana would face this monster? Is she strong enough to take down a Dragon?"

Greyjoy chuckled before Father could speak. "She wishes, huh?"

"What do you mean?" I asked. Here he goes again.

"You see a Dragon, you simply do one thing: you run," he stated flatly. "Dragons are the only Mana Beast given the 'flee on sight' instruction."

"Are Dragons that powerful?" I asked, forgetting to say it in my head.

"Well," he said, scanning the trees, "unless you are the top S-Rank Mage or at the very least an Elite Sword Mage, those guys could stand their ground against one—maybe as a team. But one-on-one is a big ask."

Come to think of it, if by any chance this turns out to be a Dragon, what are the measures? Greyjoy thought, as he tapped Toki, his snake, as it moved alongside.

"Mr. Vaulgabread, about how many barriers have been set up?" Greyjoy asked. He knew wind barriers weren't the strongest defense, but they were decent.

"About 200 barriers."

"200!" he shouted, and I repeated the number, shocked.

The Wind Mage, focused on Guts and Rose, replied, "250 exactly."

Greyjoy shook his head, astonished. "All this for a Path Animal that isn't even confirmed? Isn't that a bit too much? It's almost like you guys know more than you let on."

The snake caught my attention while Greyjoy continued to antagonize the healers. His large, black Mana Beast, which was accompanying us, he used its power to burn the Goatman's corpse to a crisp, leaving nothing but ash behind. His Mana Beast was indeed on another level from Morad.

"We are here…" the Wind Healer said, as in front of us was a huge, wind-looking wall. Other Aetherhall mages were behind it, as it appeared we had arrived at the destination. Everyone wanted one thing: cross the barrier first.

"Stand still!" Five mages from the safe spot had their eyes begin to glow white. The wind barrier was lifting, and a gust of air blew past us.

As Father said, "This is it, son. You would be safe here."

"Yes, Father. Can't wait to see Astraya and Morad."

That's when I heard it.

"Over here… come play with us…"

Children. Or at least, they sounded like children. I froze. The voices were playful, sing-song, but when I looked around, there was no one.

A chill slid down my spine. "Who's there?" I called out on top of Father.

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