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“Pull them into the crocodile lagoon ahead! The horse can’t run over there!!”
Tsukasa squinted his eyes at the command that sounded like a roar behind him, the sound of horses’ hooves gradually radiating in all directions helped him realize that the enemy was expanding the formation to block all directions they could use to escape. Although he hates to admit it, it’s true that if they keep running straight, the only thing is waiting for them is death. Despite the fact that Senku said that this forest is very large, Tsukasa still has enough experience to understand that vastness is synonymous with countless dangers that neither of the two people can predict. Not to mention that at this speed, it is only a matter of time that they are cornered.
Pulling the reins tightly, Tsukasa hurriedly asked the mage who was shrinking under his body under the pressure. “Senku! Is there any way to shake them off?”
“How the hell do I know- can't see anything! It's too bumpy!” Senku almost screamed with all the capacity of his lungs, both hands were clinging to the horse’s mane as if he was afraid that if he let go, his life would also drift away in the way the wind was slapping his face hard. This is also the reason why he has never been interested in riding a horse, Senku gritted his teeth and thought, he was surprised that he still hadn’t vomited the whole breakfast on the spot.
Saying that, but because he didn’t want to die soon, the mage struggled to open his eyes and tremblingly raised his neck to the fullest to observe his surroundings. Without turning around, Senku knew that no matter where they went, there would be soldiers blocking the road ahead. Of course, he believed that Tsukasa would be able to handle it, but he was never the type of person who liked the scene of bleeding and things. It is also because of that “weakness” that he is in such a troublesome situation!
Obviously, if Senku saw any risk, Tsukasa had already realized it himself. It’s not all of a sudden that he was so valued in the court and... well... it’s not all of a sudden that an elite army was sent separately just to chase the two of them...
“East... West...” Senku muttered, sweat spilling out of his forehead. “The East is the abyss, the West is a steep road full of rocks and poisonous insects. If we plug your head straight, we will fall into the crocodile pond, damn it, if only I could fly-"
Suddenly, Senku noticed a narrow trail in the middle of a forest of vines and dark blue petals in the distance. The human eye can only see behind that suspicious vegetation is a road covered with fog and moisture. In short, 10 billion percent have grounds to believe that if they get in, they will obviously die.
Like a telepath, Tsukasa also quickly discovered that direction. “What is the survivability?” He asked, his voice still calm regardless of the current situation.
Senku took a deep breath. “Well... I can’t give you the exact number. It is a plant that hunts by impregnating air with hallucinogenic substances and irritating human skin. But...” Senku left the back, grimaced, and then smirked the next second. The ruby eyes flashed with excitement. “It’s better than being dragged to the top of the station. I will put many layers of protection on us, whether we can live or not is up to fate.”
“Okay.” Tsukasa glanced down quickly, meeting Senku’s eyes. The two of them reached a consensus from each other in silence.
“Speed up, Tsukasa!” Senku ordered.
Tsukasa carefully wrapped one arm around Senku’s waist to keep him sitting firmly and whipped the reins hard. His horse launched 4 limbs forward, heading straight to the target.
“They are going to hide! Shoot!!”
Following the signal, a series of arrows rushed out like tearing the wind.
Tsukasa turned the direction, conveniently dodged. But the second batch continued to be released.
From the two palms pressing against each other, a light yellow and lighty blue light slowly came out in front of Senku’s spell. That bright envelope quickly swelled and grew, in a moment it floated above like a giant chlorophyll-free foliage. Senku leaned hard on Tsukasa’s chest, he could now only pray that he would hold him tight enough because if he lost his balance and fell down, he would pass away so easily.
An arrow shot in the lower direction penetrated and hit the horse’s back limb, causing it to huff and stagger.
“COVER!” Senku shouted, the huge “leaf” on their heads fell down and covered the whole. Both people and horses jumped into the aisle just enough for 1 adult to squeeze in.
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The weather gets colder at night. The forest echoed somewhere by the rustling of leaves due to the wind, the sound of many different animals chirping and growling.
“The poisoned one?” Senku sat down next to Tsukasa. The horse that followed them was now lying on the ground, its intermittent breathing was the shrillest sound at the moment.
“Seems so.” Tsukasa answered quietly, observing the arrow still stained with dried blood on his hand. “If it’s just normal damage, it’s not enough to stop my horse, so it’s not strange if they add something here.” He frowned tightly, the fire reflected on his eyes full of resentment and pity. The gentle hand caressed the animal as if trying to reassure it. Half a day has passed but the situation still doesn’t seem to be progressing.
“Okay, based on you...” Senku said headless. “It can be guessed that this kind is extremely poisonous substance."
Tsukasa clenched the arrow in his hand so tightly that it broke in half.
“Can you save him, Senku...?”
“... you know I can’t promise things I’m not sure about.”
“... that is.”
The warrior sat up, walked around and gently put the horse’s head on his lap. The anger on the face was completely replaced by deeper sadness. This is the friend who has been with him since he was a young child, from the time he was still young in front of the vast world to the moment when he rode a sword firmly on the battlefield and made many people have to engrave his name deeply in their memory. But now, all he can do is sit in silence, completely helplessly watching the life withdrawn from the creature in front of him little by little.
Senku didn’t say anything more, he stood up and left silently to leave Tsukasa alone. The forest is very dangerous, going into it at night is even more risky. But just sitting still and waiting 'till morning is not Senku’s calculation. Moreover, they were also injured a lot from the last chase. The urgent thing now is to see if there are any herbs to heal the wound or at least if there are any mushrooms to fill the stomach.
Senku lifted the branches of the tree that were thin but long and poor to touch the ground, at this point returning back to their own country is the only thing that could happen in dreams. The wanted warrant will definitely be issued on a national scale... maybe now he and Tsukasa have no choice but to hide in this vast forest first and then slowly think about the next step.
“Wait... termites fungus?” Senku’s eyes lit up when he saw a familiar plant, he launched a ray of light into the air and then happily sat down to pick a tree and bring it to the microscope and breathe a sigh of relief. Fortunately, at least he doesn’t have to go to bed with an empty stomach tonight.
Picking up all the mushrooms within reach and putting them in his pocket, Senku brushed the dirt on his hands. He thought that behind the “death road” that they risked their lives to cross were only similar dangerous creatures, which were full of harvest. Turning his head to look around, thanks to the newly lit light, Senku only had time to evaluate the space he was in.
...
A shiver ran down his entire spine when he realized where he was standing. Senku forced himself to smile yet look extremely reluctantly. Well, take back the words just now. Only the mushroom he just picked can be considered normal...
He put his trembling hand slightly inside his robe, pulled out an old and worn-out book then began to flip it like crazy. Gradually, the slightly pale face turned red with excitement. Gods, just 5 steps away is the kind of leaf that if you want, you have to buy it once a month from merchants on the other side of the country. Right behind him suddenly there was a tree that had been banned from commercialization because of the speciality that only nobles could secretly buy... and there were many, many more, an unimaginably rich forest of vegetation and creatures living in symbiosis - stacked on top of each other in this place. They don’t shine in the dark, but in the eyes of a mage who likes to explore and discover like Senku, they look as shiny as money!
No... now is not the time... Senku tried to hold back his crazy restless hand.
...
But it is not without a place to use. Senku laughed. He is not the type of person who “thanks to mother nature” like Tsukasa, but in this situation, it is really impossible to force his lips to stop curling like crazy.
This is so exciting!
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“Where did you go?”
Tsukasa raised his head to see Senku coming out of the bush, literally coming out with an indescribable struggle. But the smile that reached the corners of his eyes and his bright face made Tsukasa swallow the anxious words in his stomach.
“Tsukasa, are you still a law-abiding citizen?”
“Huh?” Tsukasa was dumbfounded.
“Because what I’m about to do is guaranteed 10 billion percent will make us go to jail for a long time, not kidding. But if you succeed, you won’t have to break up with your beloved horse anymore.” Senku knelt down beside him and reached out to caress the dying horse. Although the tone is still slow enough for the listener to understand, it cannot hide the excitement.
“Senku... what are you planning to do?”
Senku looked up, his ruby pupils glowed in the red flames.
“Forbidden magic. Transfer the soul from a living creature to an inanimate shell. I have the ingredients.” He said, evenly. “But I want to ask your opinion first.”
Tsukasa blinked slowly.
“Do you believe me?” The young mage asked.
“...” The warrior turned his eyes to his friend, gently stroked his mane, he was silent for a while and then smiled gently.
“You know I always believe you, Senku.”