Chapter 49 "Strigifavorus, the Wind Wanderer"

I didn't know how long I'd been in this darkness. All my five senses were numb. My body felt so light that it could sway in this empty room. I didn't know what was happening but could guess the cause. There was one piece of memory that I still hold tightly. Maybe this was my last memory that was still fresh.

It all started when Dimas and I worked together to defeat the owl monster. By then, I had managed to force it down from the air. Dimas immediately lunged to draw his sword. But the monster suddenly spread its wings wide, spun its body like a propeller, and rushed at us. Luckily, I managed to pull Dimas in time so he didn't split into two.

***

"What the hell! What was that movement?" shouted Dimas, who had just survived death. The man's eyes widened as the monster's move slammed into the wall and shattered it into pieces.

So did I. Looking in horror and gratitude, the monster didn't cut my friend into pieces. I didn't know how strong the monster's body was. Its bones were probably as strong as steel. We'd have to aim for another vital part of its body at this rate.

"Anggi! We must target its weak point to cripple Johnny," shouted Dimas.

"Agree. We think the same thing. But how?"

The man was silent for a moment, watching the monster fly back into the air while raising its voice. "Let's do it again! You take it down with Esze, while I'll take care of the rest."

"Did you forget that we failed earlier? What if the bird makes another surprising move again?" I protested loudly.

"This time, it will be a little different. I will hide behind the rubble while you distract its attention."

"We will switch roles?"

"Yes, but your task is harder because you have to bring the monster down to the ground. Sorry, but that's all I can think about right now."

"I don't mind. I'll try my best," I answered confidently.

After that, Dimas immediately walked away from me. Trying to go around the courtyard while hiding behind the rocks and dirt that fell from the ceiling. The man probably wanted to escape the monsters' surveillance. I, who understand my role, have decided to come out from behind the rock.

Immediately, the monster's attention turned to me. I walked out with great determination. To be honest, I'm not confident, but this has to be done if we both want to stay alive. I pointed the tip of my viglet stick at the monster flying in the sky. I tried to stay where I stood, even though its wings flapping made a strong gust of wind blow away the tents and tarpaulins in the market.

"Vitr Blast!"

A wisp of wind formed at the tip of the viglet, shooting lightning-fast upwards. Learning from the experience and pain it had suffered, the owl monster dodged nimbly. The magical energy I released hit the wall, making rocks and soil fall.

"Vitr Zrash!"

I made a transverse movement with my hands as if I was slashing something. The tip of my viglet produced three wind blades that were around two meters long. The wind blades rushed like a storm, so the monster couldn't dodge them. A deafening scream echoed throughout the room. A lot of feathers were pulled out and fell like a brittle leaf from the stem. A transverse incision wound was clearly visible on the owl monster's chest down to its stomach. Dark red blood seeped out of it.

I didn't move. I was surprised because the Esze I released had a big impact on the monster. In fact, initially, the wind blade spell I released was only as big as a spear, but it grew bigger as it got closer to the enemy's body. I cast a glance at the Viglet of Hope I was holding. I stared for a moment, then smiled. Honestly, this stick was the best weapon I've ever used.

I didn't know where you were right now. Prince Keylan, I am genuinely grateful for your gift! Let me give you a formal thanks as we meet again.

Along with its weakened condition due to the wound I received, the owl monster that was in the air now collapsed to the ground. The attack was fatal, but it still couldn't kill it. The bird staggered on the ground and then hit an earthen wall. It was only a matter of time until it recovered and took its revenge on me.

"Dimas! Now!" I shouted loudly at my best friend, who was hiding somewhere. Hope he didn't waste the golden chance I gave him.

"Don't scream, I already know!" Dimas's voice was heard coming from above.

I looked up and saw his figure running over the rocks on the ground wall. When I distracted the giant monster's attention earlier, apparently, Dimas had climbed far up the wall. Now, he was in a position right above the fallen monster. The man's two hands held his sword with confidence. One more blink of an eye, he immediately jumped down.

"HYIAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH! GO DIIIIIIEEEEEEEEE!!" he shouted loudly as he drew the tip of his sword downwards, right into the monster's head.

Using the force of gravity and his body's weight, Dimas manages to stab one of the monster's eyes. In fact, the one-meter-long blade of his sword stuck entirely in its eyeball. The monster groaned in pain like a chicken with its throat cut. It got up and moved its body and head haphazardly, hoping that Dimas would be kind enough to let go of his sword.

On the other hand, Dimas was not a person who would waste an opportunity. He held on tightly to the handle, even though his body was being thrown back and forth by the monsters' movements. The monster's crazy movements and Dimas' firm grip on his sword widened the wound on the owl's eyeballs. Blood gushed like a waterfall, drenching the dark brown feathers with blood red.

The monster was getting more and more violent as it wanted to escape from the sword thrust. It then bent its four wings and body. Streams of wind appeared and began to envelop its body. That was when I realized what was going to happen.

"Dimas! Get away from him immediately!" I shouted worriedly.

This time, he wasn't as stubborn as usual and followed my words. He got down from above the owl's head. Due to the monster's height reached tens of meters, so he couldn't jump directly onto the ground. Unless the man wanted to break several bones or die instantly. That was why he slid through the monster's huge back. But before he could reach the ground, the thing I was afraid of happened.

The monster quickly opened its body and wings, releasing powerful waves of wind in all directions. Sent Dimas flying who was on its back, as well as myself standing far away from the monster, made me hit the rocks again. I fell to the ground again, this time I couldn't get up again.

I looked at the monster emitting Esze wind energy from its mouth towards the ceiling in great frustration. He repeatedly aimed his attacks upwards until the ceiling rumbled and slowly collapsed. A few moments later, the monster released a super large amount of wind Esze energy. Make a big hole in the ceiling and penetrate to ground level. I could see Rubiel's beautiful light falling down this dungeon. The monster flew through the large hole it created towards the night sky illuminated by Rubiel's light.

The last thing I saw was the collapse of half the ceiling, dropping rocks, gravel, dust, and soil down. Burying the entire vast courtyard underground. Including myself, who couldn't stand up anymore.

Maybe... this was the end of my life.

***

A white dove flew high among the clouds hanging in the air. Its white fur glistened like crystal under Rubiel's radiant glow. Then, the bird dived quickly when it found a village in its sights.

The place was called Vilnus Village, a small settlement not far from Arnest City. The distance was only four hours away by foot. When using a horse, it would be faster. Around Arnest City, several villages served as support. The villages produced various products, including clothing, silk, semi-finished food, milk, etc. So, the wheel of the economy did not only focus on the City of Arnest alone but also on the contributions of the supporting villages.

Vilnus Village was one of the larger supporting villages, with its primary product being weaponry. Many skilled blacksmiths from all over the country were here. Most of the blacksmiths had forged weapons in this village for generations over a long time. They were the main supplier of weapons in the West Elvian Kingdom. From dull, ordinary swords for soldiers to strong and elegant swords belonging to royal members, all were forged in this village. No need to doubt the quality. Otherwise, the blacksmiths would not have survived for thousands of years. That was why Vilnus Village was called the West Elvian Kingdom's weapons warehouse.

This village also has a fairly large Elvian army headquarters, though smaller than the one in Viar City, the capital of this country.

The dove that had flown high now flew low above the trees. The height of the trees here was still quite standard for human size, unlike the giant trees in Arnest or Ruvia. The bird was now lowered so that it flew close to the roofs of residents' houses, which were made of clay tile. He approached the enormous building made of wood and bricks, then perched on one of the windows on the third floor.

An Elvian warrior, in the middle of arranging documents on the table, noticed the bird and came over to it. The young man wearing a military uniform glanced at the pigeon's feet and picked up the letter at the little creature's leg. For a moment, he unrolled the letter and read its contents.

Instantly, he was stunned. "Oh my god! It's not good!" he said with a panicked expression.

The young man immediately left the room and ran towards the large room at the end of the third-floor corridor. He knocked on the door repeatedly, hoping someone on the other side heard his intention.

"Your Highness, are you there? Your Highness the Prince, this is very important!" the man shouted.

"Come in!" said someone from inside.

Wasting no time, the man opened the door and entered a large room where there was a private study and neatly arranged shelves of books and documents. In the corner of the room was a long sword with beautiful carvings on both blades. The sword's hilt was also coated with a shiny special material, indicating that this luxurious weapon was not intended for ordinary people. This belonged to the Third Prince of the West Elvian Kingdom. That means the Elvian in front of the young man was Prince Keylan-Zell.

"What's the serious matter that made you have to knock on my door loudly," Keylan replied curtly. He didn't need to bother hiding his annoyed face from his subordinates. Keylan was annoyed because he was checking the pile of reports one by one. All that had to be done tonight, so he was displeased when a disturbance came.

"Forgive my impoliteness, Your Highness Prince Keylan! But I just received an emergency message from the scouting squad in Arnest City."

Keylan looked at the young Elvian slowly, and then his eyes fell on a small piece of paper in the young man's hand. "Let me read it!"

"Yes, Sir!" The young man immediately handed over the letter to the Prince.

Prince Keylan immediately read the contents of the letter carefully. In a few seconds, his face suddenly tightened as he reread the letter's contents. "The city of Arnest was being attacked by Strigifavorus? The legendary creature that existed in the myth?"