The climate in the Forest of Parting is always pleasant. The heat of summer or the humidity of winter www.biquge.info never seemed to belong to this natural barrier between the Kingdom of Hulun and the Roland Federation. Legend has it that the ancient druids made a pact with the elves of the earth, making this blessed land the most inhabitable place in the continent. Of course, if you are willing to live in a whole forest and have the ability not to get lost.

This climate also has an impact on the periphery of the forest. It's the height of summer, and the cool breeze blowing from the forest still keeps Star Town, the border town of the Roland Federation, from having to endure the scorching heat. Most travellers passing through here will be happy to sit down at one of the taverns dotted around the towns and villages and shave a refreshing glass of ale or juice to drive away the fatigue of the journey.

For a passenger in a carriage passing through town, it was all obviously tempting. It's just that this time, according to the 'Captain', the mission is to transport 'something' from the kingdom to the other side of the forest, Moon Song City, not far north of Star Town, and hand it over to her 'master'. As for resting, you have to wait until the mission is completed, which is the rule of mercenaries.

"Now, Lilianor, what is that 'memory' you are talking about? Something like a storage loop? Sitting in front of the humble four-wheeled carriage, the silver-white figure driving the carriage asked in an inaudible voice.

I say "humanoid" because it is only in the outline of his appearance that he - or more appropriately - bears some resemblance to a human being. In fact, it is not human in any sense of the word, not even a "living being". It was about two meters tall and unclothed, as its silvery-white metal shell covered every inch of its body. It has no hair, and its glow-reflecting skull is inlaid with two sapphire-like "eyes" and a mouth that can open and close freely.

"I'm sick of it, I'm sick of it! You have to ask everything, do you have any common sense?! In short, accompany us obediently! Also, just call me Lily! ”

The response to the silver figure was a young girl sitting next to it, who looked to be no more than twenty years old. A metal cuirass covered the entire upper body, and the bare arms and legs were a smooth, shiny wheat color, like some kind of soft leather, tensing the well-proportioned muscles of the toned, strong, near-optimal feline underneath. If that wasn't enough, the obsidian greatsword that lay flat next to the girl, more than a person tall, and the scratches on it, testify to her combat experience. The weapon looked crudely made, but I'm afraid no one wanted to test it for themselves.

The silver humanoid is called Alphonse, and is a 'gift' from a skinny silver-haired woman - or a guard - from Lily Nono before this departure. Lily vividly remembered the narrow smile on the woman's face as she stood across from the figure and pronounced the activation incantation.

"It has a mind close to that of an adult, but it has zero common sense reserves. From now on, you will be its 'mother', and you must teach it well. ”

Ghost ...... She herself is only nineteen years old, and from time to time there are some strange memories in her head, how do you want her to educate her 'children'? On the bright side, this has brought the number of members of her 'Lilianor Regiment' to three, and Lily comforts herself.

The carriage drove slowly along the forest path leading to Moon Song City. It is flanked by dense woods, and the sun shines silver spots through the gaps in the branches. Occasionally, the chirping of birds or the humming of unknown animals can be heard from places that cannot be seen in the forest. As the town faded into view, Lilianor motioned for Alphonse to stop the carriage.

She gripped the hilt of her sword, stood up straight in the saddle, and swept the woods on either side with a defiant gaze.

"Let's say, can you come out? Haven't you been hiding here for so long? ”

There was a chorus in the forest, and then six men slowly stepped out from behind the trees on either side. Two of them were Its - slightly shorter than the Kamals, and their straw sandals were covered with a thick layer of fluff. The rest are Kamal. They dressed themselves as rough folk men and aimed their light crossbows at the maidens with the light crossbows they held in their hands.

"A robber, or an assassin?" Lily flexed her neck from side to side, oblivious to the arrows pointed at her. "Anyway, you're looking for the wrong person."

The men were somewhat unaware of the reaction of their 'prey'. They looked at each other and pulled the trigger in their hands.

But the girl jumped out earlier. She rolled sideways on the ground, the heavy stone sword unaffected her dexterity. Two arrows hit Alphons, but they didn't leave a single mark. Alphonse grabbed an arrow and looked at it, wondering why the other man was using such a weak weapon.

Lily rushed to the side of the road. The man chosen as the target tried to retreat, but the stone sword hit him in the neck with lethal speed. His head flew more than ten meters away, and his body fell limply.

The other two men dropped their crossbows and drew their long swords and daggers from their waists. Lily held the greatsword in one hand, fended off the falling blade, kicked away the dagger stabbed by the other man, and leaned down, her free fist striking the Ites in the abdomen. The man snorted, staggered a few steps, and fell to the ground.

The three men on the other side finally loaded their crossbow bolts, but the silver-white figure raised its arm and aimed it at them. Three rays of light shot from its fingertips, piercing and shattering each light crossbow with precision. One of the hapless bastards' arm was just in the path of the light—he let out a scream, clutching his pierced arm and fleeing.

The attacker realized that the 'prey' in front of him could not be eaten by himself. The two farther away from Lily rushed into the forest, while the closer man was shattered in the chest by a sword and fell down with reluctance.

Lily shook the shredded flesh and blood from her sword hard, turning the Ites over with her feet.

"I'm still alive." She said, "Lucky guy." Then she turned around and didn't look at the other man again.

For a young girl who has been fighting wild beasts since she was a child, this attack is just a small episode.

The carriage restarted. This time, the end of the journey is in sight.