Bone King: Welcome the Birth of the King.

Chapter 415 The Real Reason for the Monster Uprising, the Roots?

Upper Fire Month,
July 22, Kahn Village.

The weather has become hot, but since we are near the Tuobu Forest, the temperature is much more pleasant.

Rusty~
In the distance, the dense forest canopy swayed gently like green waves, bringing a unique coolness of earth and leaves from the depths of the forest.

Anli casually rolled up her sleeves, a longsword inlaid with blue and white gemstones was tucked at her waist, and she carried a wooden bucket in each hand as she walked toward the village square.

On the village path.

Greetings could be heard from time to time.

The aunts who used to joke with her now treat her with an indescribable caution and distance.

Perhaps there is still some fear.

Anli didn't like this feeling and let out a barely perceptible sigh.

The center of the village square.

The land, which was originally overgrown with weeds and muddy, has been restored and is now covered with a solid surface made of gravel.

A wooden stake buried in the ground stood upright on the ground, with a strange-looking magical artifact placed on it.

Anli placed the wooden bucket at the bottom and reached out to turn the switch on top.

A stream of clear water immediately flowed from the opening of this strange magical artifact and poured into the wooden bucket below.

"That's so convenient." Anli's eyes lit up.

In the past, getting water was a troublesome matter, requiring one to get up very early to go to the well or to a distant river.

Now, you can get fresh water simply by using this magical item, and the water temperature is always the same regardless of the season.

This magical item is called the "Fountain Faucet," which can draw a fixed amount of water every day. It is said to have been invented by a sage from a certain country.

This is not uncommon in big cities; in places like the royal capital, large versions of these magical artifacts are even used as water sources.

Magical items are extremely expensive.

Anli is now very wealthy and can naturally afford it, but this magical item was not bought by her, nor by the poor village.

"Beep~ Splash~"

The wooden bucket was quickly filled with water and was about to overflow.

Anli quickly reached out and turned off the faucet to prevent waste, then easily lifted the heavy wooden bucket and placed it aside. Just as she was about to put the other bucket on top,
"Oh, is that An Li?"

"I heard you only appeared in 'Ye Lantier' yesterday, and you've already returned to the village today." A hearty and cheerful laugh rang out from the direction of the jungle ahead.

Anli paused, her chestnut-gold hair lifting as she looked up at the opposite side.

She was a woman with an exaggerated physique, much stronger than even the most robust men.

Once you've seen the other person once, you'll probably never forget them. Besides this person, there are several fully armed companions behind them.

"To everyone in 'Blue Rose'."

Anli quickly put down the wooden bucket, straightened her spine, and her originally peaceful eyes narrowed, revealing a resolute and heroic air.

"Oh."

Tia stared intently at Anli, then suddenly raised her hand to her chest, exclaiming enthusiastically, "How could you become like this? Your charm has increased so much!"

"You used to be cute because you were gentle and weak, but you're much more handsome now. Do you remember me, Anri?"

Facing Tia, who seemed to have a fiery expression.

Anli unconsciously took a step back. Of course she remembered the other person; to be precise, every member of the [Blue Rose] had left a deep impression on her.

"—Shut up, Tia!"

Lajus interrupted, "Don't cause trouble for others."

While talking.

The group of [Blue Rose] had arrived in front of Anri. They looked at Anri and compared her with their memories of her time in the capital.

In less than a year.

The simple, timid girl who was once easily overlooked has undergone a complete transformation, almost like a different person.

In rumors.

The Anli before them had personally destroyed the legendary undead Soul Eater, a feat that caused a sensation. However, most people were surprised by the "destruction of the Soul Eater" itself.

For those who truly knew or had met Anri, such as [Blue Rose], it was even more unbelievable, as inconceivable as an ordinary person killing a dragon!
"The national treasure of the Holy Kingdom".

Iveria stood to one side, her crimson eyes narrowing as she peered through the gap in her mask at the holy sword hanging at Anri's waist.
"The rumors about the Qingjian Dudarseia, one of the Four Holy Swords, seem to be true."

A few days ago, after she and the Dragon King separated from the Kingdom of Inberia, she returned to the Blue Rose.

In those short two months, Iverie witnessed the horrors hidden deep within this world.

The terrifying organization "Body of the Abyss" was utterly destroyed without any chance of resistance in the face of the True Dragon King.

Every member of that inner formation was a terrifying undead being more powerful than her!
The other true dragon king who once destroyed the Kingdom of Inberia and turned everyone into immortals should be at the same level of power as the true dragon king he had met.

In the face of that existence.

She has no ability to even confront or fight back, let alone seek revenge.

"The legacy of the Abyss Body contains magical knowledge that can enhance the power of vampires, and the Dragon King has also mentioned that there are methods to increase power."

Iverai knew very well that only by becoming stronger could he avenge his father, mother, and everyone else.

"According to the Dragon King's instructions, if one can evolve their vampire class, and combine it with the Dragon King's methods, their strength can be enhanced even more effectively."

Iverie thought to herself.

Lajus and the others from [Blue Rose] had also noticed the Qing sword hanging on Anri's waist long ago.

They were all intelligent people.

One can naturally discern another layer of meaning hidden in Iver's lament.

The legendary magical artifacts known as the "Four Holy Swords" are so precious and symbolic that they could incite wars at the national level.

As the wielder of one of the "Four Great Demon Swords," Lajus understood this even better.

Based solely on the achievement of eliminating the "Soul Eater".

Even if the Holy Kingdom wanted to express its gratitude, it couldn't possibly offer a national treasure of the "Four Holy Swords." Someone like Gerdev, a talent highly valued by His Majesty, was an exception.

This is merely obtaining the right to use a few national treasures, not bestowing them upon the people; these are two completely different concepts.

What secrets lie between "Free Will," the Holy Kingdom, and the Slane Theocracy?
Lajus's emerald green eyes flashed.

Could it be related to the "free will" residing in the Aberleon Hills?

"I heard from the village chief that thanks to the members of the [Blue Rose], the monsters that invaded the village were eliminated, and no one in the village was injured."

"And this 'Spring Water Tap,' such a precious magical item, is placed in the village for everyone to use."

Anli crossed her hands over her stomach, bent over, and solemnly began to speak:
“Thank you so much!”

"It's nothing, Anri, don't be so formal." Tia flashed to Anri's side and said with a smile. "Kahn Village is the closest village to the Tuobu Great Forest. We've been staying here for a while, and we've caused trouble for the people in your village."

Lajus smiled and waved his hand.

"There is no such thing."

"It was because of Captain Lajus that the village was spared from the casualties caused by the monster disturbance in the forest."

Anli straightened up and thanked them again, then her expression became more serious:
"I don't know if you can tell me what happened. I haven't received any more specific information from the Adventurers' Guild."

Anli was no longer the ignorant village girl she once was. After experiencing a series of events, she had a vague sense of this.

The "monster uprising" in the Great Forest of Tob is probably not as simple as it seems.

Once inside the kingdom, she learned that the [Blue Rose] team, like their [Free Will] team, had become a "Steel-class" adventurer squad.

For an adventurer of this caliber to remain in the Great Forest of Tob, there must be some major issue that cannot be easily resolved.

Lajus's expression turned serious, and he exchanged glances with Gegran and the others.

"Excuse me."

Rajus looked at Anri with her beautiful emerald green eyes and asked expectantly:
"Before I explain, I'd like to know whether your [Free Will] team leader Tang and the other members returned to the kingdom together?"

"No, not at all."

Anli hesitated briefly, then shook her head:
"Captain and Miss Greenleaf are still in Aberleon Hills. This return to the village is my own initiative."

“Is that so?” Lajus frowned, his bright golden curls swaying gently across his forehead.

"The intelligence is currently still being blocked."

Lajus gently touched the hilt of the magic sword with his right hand, his emerald green eyes sweeping over Anri's clear sword before he spoke:
"To be precise, the investigation hasn't been completed yet, so even with 'Free Will' at the Steel-rank level, it's impossible to obtain accurate information from the Adventurers' Guild."

"Gegran, you explain it to me."

"Okay, devil leader."

Gegran grinned, revealing his snow-white teeth, and then swung his thick arm at the person who walked up from behind.

Bang!
A lifeless, red-eyed owl monster was left on the ground.

Anli was a little confused.

"The cause of the 'Monster Uprising' is that the evil secret society [Ziranon] killed the three rulers of the Great Forest of Tob, which triggered the disaster."

Gegrand smiled brightly at Anri and let out a hearty laugh:
"As for why [Zhilanong] did this, we do not have enough information to analyze it at present."

Speaking of which!

The smile on Gegran's face gradually disappeared, and his tone became serious: "And this is only the apparent reason for the 'Monster Uprising'."

"Without the control of the three rulers, even if the monsters in the Tob Forest lose their suppression and become chaotic, it won't last that long."

"It's simply a matter of choosing a stronger monster as the new ruler. In reality, the current 'turmoil' is more like a 'loss of control'."

Anli looked puzzled and confused: "Out of control?"

Gegrand nodded emphatically.

"Look here." Tia drew the dagger from her waist and plunged it into the abdomen of the lifeless red-eyed owl on the ground, then sliced ​​it open.

next moment.

An Li's pupils dilated slightly, and surprise appeared in her eyes.

I saw.

Inside the belly of this red-eyed owl monster, all its internal organs had long since disappeared, and inside was a clump of roots that resembled a plant.

"Yes."

Seeing Anri's surprised expression, Gegrand wasn't surprised at all: "This is the real reason why the monsters in the forest are constantly causing trouble."

"I suppose you've seen it too."

Lajus said seriously, "The situation is very complicated. All the crazed monsters in the forest are in this state."

"It's less a monster uprising and more a disaster caused by these roots that swallowed the monsters' internal organs and controlled them."

nowadays.

The Adventurers' Guild mobilized a large number of adventurers to build a defensive line on the outskirts of Tob Forest in order to deal with this sudden change.

Anli quickly realized the danger involved, her gaze immediately falling on the "fountain faucet," her expression changing slightly: "Water source?"

"Don't be so nervous, Anli."

Seeing Anri's gaze, Gegrand guessed what she was thinking:
"The exact cause of the roots appearing inside these out-of-control demons has not yet been determined."

"But according to the current investigation, there is no problem with the water source."

"However, as an adventurer, one must always consider various unexpected situations, which is why I specifically purchased this magical item."

Anli breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing the explanation, a look of realization flashing in her eyes.

She had heard about this from her mother before.

Everyone in the village thought the adventurers disliked drinking the village's well water, but now it seems that's clearly not the case.

"Anli, I wonder if you can get in touch with Team Leader Tang as soon as possible."

Lajus spoke again, her explanation clearly intended to contact Tang, the captain of "Free Will":
"The current strange situation in the Tob Great Forest requires us to investigate it deep within the forest. It would be much safer if our two Steel-level adventurer teams went together."

Upon hearing this, An Li showed some reaction, followed by a hint of apology.

"Captain is currently unable to leave."

Anri first explained, then quickly added, "But I can help, and Miss Kurushe can join us too."

Kurushue?
Lajus was slightly puzzled. She didn't remember having this person in the [Free Will] group. Could he be a newly recruited member?

rustle~ click~
suddenly.

A soft sound, like dry wood cracking, rang out.

In an instant, everyone's gaze fell upon the red-eyed owl monster on the ground, its belly ripped open.

I saw.

The seemingly withered and dead roots came to life in an instant, moving like snakes inside the red-eyed owl's belly.

The roots quickly absorbed and digested the monster's fur, and a bright red flower bloomed on its abdomen in an instant.

Pollen, invisible to the naked eye, drifts from the bright red flowers.

"Fall back!"

Lajus immediately shouted.

Whoosh!Whoosh!Whoosh!
Everyone quickly moved away from their spot, looking warily at the blooming red flowers.

“This is… a new situation; we haven’t noticed this anomaly before.” Gaglan said quickly, looking at the astonished scene, without much tension on his face.

(End of this chapter)