A journey of Shadowverse and Honkai Impact 3rd

Its body expanded, its claws became sharper, and as its powerful wings vibrated, the terrifying squeaking sound of its maneuverability instantly spread throughout the forest.

"Arisa, get the pollen ready."

With her usually cheerful and lively face tensed, Arisa, under Rosalia's command, drew her longbows together with the other forest guards. The arrows shone with a unique brilliance, as if some kind of fine powder was added to them.

"Lord Balian, we are ready here too." The majestic lion orc listened to the reports from other orcs, his resolute eyes shining with indomitable fighting spirit.

"Elder, all the pollen to deal with the Demon-Destroying Bugs has arrived." The old elf nodded at the tribe's quick response. Behind him was his daughter, who had a child in her old age. Her childish face with white hair and red eyes looked a little nervous, and even the arm holding the gun-shaped magic weapon seemed to be shaking.

"Lady Lisa, it's dangerous here, please retreat." The elven princess holding the staff of the sacred tree shook her head at the advice of her subordinates. The staff, which was full of mana, was constantly blessing the companions around her.

In various parts of the forest, there are more nameless residents who form a vast blockade circle. Even the Demon-Destroying Insects will be suppressed by the united residents without any surprise.

39. Team Assembly

The towering fresh green is reflected in the hall again. The river with gurgling water is no longer in sight, and the croaking of frogs and chirping of cicadas are no longer heard around. The quiet atmosphere makes people feel peaceful and calm.

"This concludes the first teaching session. You'll have a few days off from now, but remember to review it carefully."

“Constant learning and repeated learning may sound like a futile cycle, but it is undeniable that this is where outstanding achievements come from.”

The teachings of the elven sage lingered in her ears, stirring up some ripples in her peaceful heart. Sera, who had gained a lot, nodded in response and planned to find a place to organize what she had learned in class.

"Teacher, do you have any good suggestions or places to provide for review?"

Still considered an outsider in the forest and not as familiar with the forest as the natives, Sera, who had a strong support, began to ask Thrandal questions, and then she noticed something amiss in the elven sage's slightly smiling expression.

It was like a moth that walked into a trap, only seeing the light of the candle, but not expecting that the scorching flame would burn its life.

"Oh, you asked the right person, little Sierra."

Thrandal smiled and provided a location that had been planned in advance, but it was not the quiet place that Sera wanted for a good review.

"Go north from Yggdrasil. When you hear the voices of other young people, you've reached your destination."

"Little Sera, you must do your best. This is a rare opportunity. Although the insect plague is dangerous, it is not fatal. It is a perfect opportunity for you to put all your skills to use."

"..."

After studying hard with the cheap teacher for a few days, Sera has finally figured out the character of this elven sage. Although this is a good opportunity for practice, it must have also given him something to share, either responsibility or blame.

"Are you still trying not to embarrass me, Teacher?"

Sera complained, and then got a relieved nod from Thrandal.

"Well, Sera, you are really insightful. I have high hopes for you. Who knows, maybe in the future you will become an indispensable sage in the forest like me."

"Okay, then I'll leave."

Turning around and calling out Mr. Orange, Sera, holding a wooden staff, was surrounded by condensed mana. As soon as she waved her hand, a fresh breeze protected her body, allowing the Mud and Dust Colossus to experience a more powerful strengthening effect than before.

The incredibly light body seemed to be able to fly into the sky with just one leap, and the air around it was no longer an empty thing like before, but actually turned into a driving force for movement.

Without asking Mr. Orange for help, Sera jumped up on her own and landed steadily on its shoulder. Her calm and composed figure seemed to have been completely transformed compared to before.

"Mr. Orange, let's go!"

"Oh oh oh!"

With its body and mind ablaze, the powerful Mud and Dust Colossus immediately entered a sprinting state. As soon as it rushed out of the Mana Hall with a swift figure, it leaped high on the branches of the ancient tree. Invisible wings of wind covered its body, giving the pair the ability to soar in the air.

The sky is clear and blue, and above is the bright blue sky.

There are thousands of trees that are lush and verdant, and below is an endless sea of ​​trees, rising and falling like continuous mountains.

"Alas!"

With bright eyes, Sera cheered and smiled brilliantly as she experienced the joy of flying in the sky with Mr. Orange, leaving all the pain behind. At this moment, the girl's heart was filled with the endless and beautiful scenery of the forest.

The bright sunshine fell freely, and the warm feeling naturally flowed throughout the body. Breathing the fresh air of the sky, the happy girl raised the wooden stick in her hand, causing a more complicated ritual to unfold instantly, summoning the wind spirit.

Green creatures imbued with vitality came together, their flapping wings perfecting the surrounding atmosphere, leaving no obstacles on their way forward. The path they opened up could easily surpass even the sound barrier, because at this moment they were loved by the atmosphere that had souls.

"Get ready, Mr. Orange, we're about to land."

"Oh! (No problem)"

Sera waved goodbye to the wind elf with a smile, closed her eyes, and softly chanted the syllables that could pry open the magic power of the world while holding the wooden staff with both hands.

The magic power from the outside world flowed into the wooden staff with the substance of a magic weapon under the command of the spirit. In a short while, Sera, standing on the colossus, completed various strengthening techniques.

Mana and magic were poured into the body of the Dust Colossus through the wooden staff, connecting the subtle rings of truth and weaving them into an invisible structure with steel properties, causing the solid soil of truth to subtly transform into excellent earth steel.

Mr. Orange, who was overflowing with pale blue light and felt that he was omnipotent at the moment, looked at the multiple circles that suddenly formed in front of him and knew that this was the landing trajectory chosen by Sera.

The rapidly flying figure roared forward, and when it passed a circle, it felt a gentle push, and its speed suddenly slowed down under the recoil. The mud and dust colossus, which was slowed down by many spells, crashed into the area under the sea of ​​trees with Sera.

There was a sound neither loud nor soft. Although the branches were not damaged when it landed, the tender grass on the ground was damaged a lot. Sera, who was not very good at this, immediately performed a healing technique.

The spiritual entity was transformed into life force, nourishing the lives that could still be saved. When Sera saw the miserable ground come back to life, she breathed a sigh of relief.

At this time, the young people in the forest who heard the noise came over curiously.

"Eh!? Sera! Why are you here?"

There was surprise in the lively voice as the familiar elf girl Arisa jumped down from the tree, her long silky hair instantly shining beautifully.

"You're a newcomer I don't know. Are you here to join the extermination team as well?"

The slim long skirt wrapped around her beautiful figure. The female orc with a pair of tall animal ears came over with curiosity. She carried a shield and sword on her back, and her posture was full of warrior-like heroism.

Mysterina, the daughter of tribal leader Balian.

"He seems to be a very reliable person, and this golem, hmm."

The young, white-haired elf girl looked at the girl who was half a head shorter than her, and she didn't know where she came to this conclusion.

The daughter of the tribal leader, Kokoro.

"I see, you are Master Thrandal's disciple. I am Lisa. I look forward to your guidance."

After learning Sera's identity from the message carried by the wind, the Elf Princess Lisa, holding the staff of the sacred tree, smiled happily, feeling happy for the new friend who was about to join the team.

"The teacher said this action was a good opportunity, so I was urged to come here."

Sera responded to the excited Arisa with a smile, and when she glanced at the team members, she immediately felt the luxury of the equipment.

They are all acquaintances. Arisa, your forest really has everything.

"Hello everyone, nice to meet you. I'm Sera. Please give me your guidance on the next steps."

"Don't worry, Sera, I, Arisa, will definitely protect you!"

40. The Legend of the Demon Heart Worm

"The plague of demon-destroying insects has a long history in the forest. From what I've heard in class, these insects were chosen by the witch because they possess dark potential."

Arisa talked eloquently in front of Sera, repeating what she had heard in class one by one. She gained a lot of attention and continued to explain science in the open space in the woods.

"Besides the dark qualities, there is another factor that is the key to the continuation of the disaster to this day."

"That's why, even after the widespread insect infestation has been eradicated, we're still forming small teams to conduct in-depth investigations."

Sera picked out information from Arisa's words and gradually pieced together the complete pattern in her mind. She seemed to have realized something and probably knew their goal.

"So, next, we need to find the Demon Heart Worm at the initial outbreak site? And confirm the specific situation?"

"That's right, it's not just us. There are also different teams exploring in other directions. However, I have a feeling that we will be the first to complete our goal!"

Clenching her fists and encouraging herself, Arisa was clearly in a good mood. After the group activities of the past few days, she had already built up enough confidence.

"Arisa-sama is truly full of confidence."

"Actually, Kokoro-chan can be so confident too."

Lisa smiled softly at the youngest white-haired elf, and the encouragement in her voice was so obvious that Kokoro, who was a little lacking in confidence, couldn't help but shake her head.

"Thank you for your concern, Lady Lisa. I just hope that I won't be a burden to everyone during this operation."

"Alright! Then let's just move on! To protect the peace of the forest!"

Even more enthusiastic than Villalisa, Mistrina, who had just settled in the forest, swore with her sword and shield that she would defeat the culprit of the insect plague. Her high-spirited demeanor was very heroic.

After this sentence, the vigorous search for the enemy began immediately. Thanks to Lisa's excellent perception ability, the five people and the giant statue who chose the right direction immediately encountered an unexpected change.

On the lush grassy ground, the sturdy tree trunks that should have been intact all had more or less claw marks. The traces of damage from sharp objects penetrated more than three inches into the wood. It was hard to imagine what a bloody scene it would be like when such claws touched the human body.

"Squeak..."

The chirping sounds of insects that made people feel like they were falling into an ice cave rang out all around, accompanied by a buzzing vibration sound. For a moment, the newly formed team was targeted by many magic-breaking insects.

The pitch-black insect body was like an ominous curse, and the scarlet insect eyes were filled with inexplicable hostility. When Sera witnessed the true form of the disaster that was only slightly smaller than herself, she couldn't help but have several pound symbols representing anger pop up in her head.

Even though it transformed from a flat card into a ferocious entity, why is it that when I see this thing, not only am I not afraid, but I am full of thoughts of humanely destroying it!?

"O wind spirit, please grant us the blessing of the forest."

Kokoro, who was responsible for assisting the team, raised her spear. Her smooth movements combined with soft magic immediately summoned friendly creatures. The refreshing feeling on her mind made Sera suddenly understand the more wonderful uses of the elves' protection.

Their chanting is for casting magic, but for Arisa, the archer, and Mistlina, the warrior, quick and swift bow drawing and slashing are more suitable.

The loaded arrows broke through the air one after another, and as Arisa moved on the ground and treetops, she kept shooting at several targeted Demon-Destroying Bugs. Her leaping figures were full of the graceful movement of an elf, like a dancer in the woods.

blah-

Green turbid blood spurted out. Mistlina's agile skills were no worse than Yalisha's. Like a big cat, she had both elegant swiftness and abundant strength. The sharp sword instantly drew multiple cold lights. The bright sword trajectory killed all the attacking demon-breaking insects. The continuous front and back movements were particularly gorgeous.

"Sera-chan, you're amazing."

Lisa, who was guarded by the team in the center and had a slightly weak frontal combat capability, laughed cheerfully. After seeing Arisa and Mistlina, she was more surprised at Sera who was guarding the other side, because facing the Demon-Breaking Bug that conventional spells did not work, Sera used a rare spatial ability.

"Thank you for the compliment. Being attacked here probably means we're approaching their lair."

The dust colossus related to truth has become quite independent after being strengthened. It is more than three meters tall and can deal with magic-breaking insects one by one with one punch. Behind the colossus, Sera occasionally makes a move to send the missed magic-breaking insects to another dimension where she doesn't even know where it leads to.

"Hmm, it feels very close. It's a darkness that has a sense of time and vicissitudes. Just as the records say, it seems to be a relic of the ancient forest."

Verdant mana flowed from the heart of the sacred tree staff. In Lisa's hand, this extraordinary tool pointed out the location of the strange object in the forest. If the magic-breaking insect did not have the ability to break magic, Lisa could also join the battle with the magic of the forest.

The air with a turbid smell rushed into the nasal cavity, making people feel somewhat uncomfortable. In the forest where the corpses of the Demon-Destroying Insects were piled up, the five people finally ended the lives of the attacking Demon-Destroying Insects with overwhelming advantage.

After all, the truly large-scale insect swarm had been wiped out in the joint encirclement and suppression by the various tribes before, and only small groups of more than ten insects remained.

Curiously approaching the lifeless remains of a demon-destroying insect, Sera used mana to enhance her senses, and briefly analyzed the characteristics of the ominous magic. Only then did she return to the team.

"It seems that the remaining Demon-Breaking Bugs are not that great. It looks like we can complete the mission in a few days at most."

After collecting the usable arrows, Arisa wiped away the blood stains on them with her pure magic power, and then expressed her optimistic expectations to the team, as if she was already imagining the scene of receiving the award.

"Well, in terms of feel, the resistance the shell provides to the sword isn't as great as it was during the previous insect swarm. It feels like the remaining Demon-Breaking Bugs aren't as strong as before... like newly born larvae?"

As far as personal experience is concerned, after maintaining her weapons, Mistrina thought about and said the conclusion of the larva.

"Really? I think it's just a little smaller. I don't think the Demon-Breaking Bug would be this big right after it's born."

With an expression of disbelief, Arisa couldn't believe that what they had just dealt with was a juvenile Demon-Destroying Bug.

Listening to everyone's discussion quite calmly, unlike the modest Kokoro, Lisa, who was also conducting her own analysis, cast a gentle gaze at the thoughtful Sera. When Sera looked back with some awareness, the gentle Elf Princess smiled sweetly.

"Let's go ahead. The larvae won't hinder our mission."

After giving some pertinent advice, Sera, who had already made up her mind, chose to proceed, and Lisa nodded in agreement.