This Beast-Tamer is a Little Strange

Chapter 394 A Foreign Mission?

The rhythmic sound of hoofbeats and the occasional screech of an avian spiritual creature echoed through the dense forest

Kain adjusted his position on the broad back of a Midnight Stag, a spiritual creature provided by the Eclipse Order. Its sleek black coat shimmered faintly under the canopy, and its glowing silver antlers provided valuable illumination under the dense canopy of trees.

Around him, others in the group rode their own mounts—some their own contracts, others borrowed like his.

They had set off not long after being notified that they'd been assigned to this excursion and still didn't know too many details. Therefore, a tense atmosphere seemed to pervade the group, broken only by the occasional rustling of leaves and soft murmurs between members.

The forest around them was unlike anything Kain had seen before. Ancient trees as tall as building reached toward the sky, their massive trunks would need maybe 10 people to circle them entirely. The air was rich with the scent of damp earth and blooming flowers, and faint glimmers of bioluminescent insects danced in front of them from time to time.

Their leader, a middle-aged man from the Starchasers named Ashen Voril rode at the front on the back of a Dawnwolf, its silver coat blending seamlessly with the surroundings. His sharp eyes scanned the path ahead to respond to any emergencies at a moment's notice.

"Stay alert," Ashen's deep voice rumbled, breaking the quiet. "We should arrive at our destination soon."

Kain raised an eyebrow but said nothing, his curiosity piqued. The forest was dense and seemingly untouched, yet there was an unnatural order to it. Each tree was perfectly aligned in neat rows, giving the illusion that they were giant soldiers standing perfectly in line rather than trees.

Suddenly, the group came to a halt as a figure appeared in their path.

The young man couldn't have been older than 20 by human standards. He had shoulder-length light green hair and piercing emerald-green eyes that seemed to shimmer faintly, reflecting the surrounding forest.

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He wore ornate white robs, woven with green and gold patterns of leaves and vines that seemed to shift subtly as he moved.

On his back was a bow, and at his hip a dagger glinting with emerald light. Despite his youthful appearance, the pressure radiating off of him let Kain know that he was at least equivalent in strength to an 8-star beast-tamer—possibly even stronger.

Ashen dismounted smoothly, raising a hand to signal the group to stay put. He approached the young man and inclined his head respectfully. "Guardian Selevan," he greeted, his tone deferential. "It's an honor."

Kain frowned, his mind racing. Guardian?

Kain briefly remembered in the knowledge he "learned" from Elera who had a special interest in the long-disappeared Elvin race.

Elorians, as descendants of elves, have retained many of the traditions of their predecessors. Even the language spoken by them today closely resembles Ancient Elvish.

And the second-highest rank, only beneath the royal family, is what the elves called "Natures Guardians."

If this young-looking man truly has such a prominent title, and remembering the fact that Elorians age much slower physically than full-blood humans, this 'youth' could easily be over 100 years old.

"Welcome to Elowen Haven," Selevan said, his voice smooth and calm, with an accent that gave his words a melodic lilt. "The Council has granted you passage, but you must follow me from this point onward."

The group exchanged glances but quickly complied, following Selevan as he led them deeper into the forest. Kain noticed how the trees seemed to grow closer together the farther they went, their intertwined branches forming natural archways and bridges that would allow one to easily walk from one canopy to another.

After an hour of walking, they reached what appeared to be a border town of Elowen Haven.

The village seemed to grow out of the trees themselves. Homes were built into the trunks of massive oaks, their curved doorways and windows seamlessly blending with the bark. Bridges of woven vines connected the trees, forming an intricate web of paths above their heads. Lanterns carved from crystals hung along the paths, their gentle green light illuminating the area and adding a dreamy quality to the surroundings.

The new arrivals couldn't help marveling at the seamless blend of natural beauty and architectural craftsmanship.

Before they could take in more, Selevan led them to a central platform surrounded by twisting roots. With a soft hum of magic, the platform lit up, and the group was enveloped in a soft green light. A moment later, the forest vanished, replaced by a view that made Kain's jaw drop.

They were no longer on the ground in a border town.

Instead they'd appeared on a massive platform built out of an even more massive tree into what looked like a massive city built within the tree tops.

The capital of Elowen Haven was a masterpiece of natural majesty. Towering trees, even larger than those at the border, formed the backbone of the city, keeping the city suspended high above the ground.

Suspended bridges crafted from glowing vines and branches connected the trees, creating an ethereal network of walkways high above the forest floor.

Homes and shops nestled into the trunks, their walls seamlessly blending with the bark.

At the heart of the city stood the royal palace, known as the Palace of the Eldertree. It was a marvel unto itself, seemingly grown from the tree rather than built upon it. The tree's colossal trunk had been carefully hollowed and shaped, forming grand halls and spires that spiraled upwards like vines reaching for the sun. Massive branches beneath the palace, formed natural terraces adorned with gardens of rare, glowing plants.

The palace's walls glistened with veins of luminescent crystals, and intricate carvings depicting scenes of the Elven ancestors—hunters with bows, scholars reading ancient tomes, and warriors standing against fierce spiritual creatures.

As Selevan led them in the direction of the palace, Kain realized that it was their destination. Kain wasn't even sure if the mission had officially begun or what kind of gains there would be from this mission, but just this trip alone made the experience worth it.