Chương 378: Forma's Formidable Strength.

Thalgyn looked at Edharen and decided to probe around how much he was willing to speak. For starters, she asked tentatively about the enemy army's composition and situation.

"Edharen, what can you tell me about the enemy army? We are slowly hunting them down across the whole cave system. However, they are starting to spread out faster, with some of them meeting and forming larger groups. The biggest group we know of is led by a person named Forma. He has gathered around 1, 500 people, 300 of them being Level 50 and above." Edharen glanced at Thalgryn through his helmet for a second and smiled imperceptibly. He understood why Thalgryn asked such a question, and he was not bothered.

Instead, he spoke slowly.

"Forma is the strategic commander of the army. He is not only strong, but also extremely intelligent. If you don't want to lose too many people, I would actually allow those to flee. What Forma can bring back in terms of information is not much compared to the deaths that he can cause." Thalgryn crossed his arms and asked.

"We have a few thousand <Third Energy Cycles> as well. Are you sure that he can outsmart us when the World Trees are constantly monitoring him?" Edharen nodded faintly.

"I don't want to look down on you. However, Forma is extremely ruthless and cunning. There is more than one way to communicate easily so that the World Trees won't notice. Unless you have a way to target him and kill him directly, I wouldn't mess with him." Thalgryn pondered about his words and asked aloud.

"Fortuna, do you feel confident?"

"I don't feel confident," Fortuna spoke somewhat frustratedly.

"The person named Forma has strong raw stats, aided by a few protective items on his body. Even if I focus all my remaining Anima Energy on him, injuring him would be my limit." While the others were somewhat surprised, Edharen didn't find it unusual. That man named Forma loved his own life above anything else. If the army cornered him, they would need to be prepared to make some sacrifices. Thalgryn asked Edharen.

"Would you mind facing him with us?" Edharen shook his head.

"While I don't mind finding a new place, it's too early to cooperate. I'll go alone and kill all stragglers from the Nexus army I spot." Thalgryn sighed.

"I can't let you do that." Edharen paused and squinted his eyes under his helmet, giving off a dangerous aura.

"Why not?" Thalgryn clarified without being nervous.

"The reason is simple. You are too strong. Even though you are somewhat exhausted now after fighting against all these people, I can still feel a threat from you. Therefore, I don't want to gamble on my security." Edharen paused and pondered about what to do. He didn't want to face these people, and neither did he want to sabotage their successful entrapment of the Nexus army. Therefore, he decided that tagging along would be the best he could do at the moment.

While they were discussing, Fortuna's urgent voice reached Thalgryn and the other leaders.

"There is a problem on Forma's side! He has noticed a group of Rose Fairies led by Amapola and is chasing after them! Unfortunately, there is another enemy group that will collide with Amapola's escaping group in 4 minutes." Flor was fighting a few people when Fortuna's message reached her, and her face changed. Remembering the ominous premonition that she had back in the city, her heart couldn't help but start racing.

Then, without a single moment of hesitation, she unleashed her elemental skills and swept the battlefield around her, pushing everyone fighting her against the walls.

'I need to rush over!' A few moments ago, Amapola was leading a group of 2000 Rose Fairies when Fortuna told her that up ahead, there was a powerful group far above her strength class. Knowing that, she quickly reorganized the Rose Fairies, preparing to change directions. However, Forma had a tool that allowed him to detect life signals in a certain area. It was with the help of this tool that he could find and gather so many troops in the first place.

Forma noticed the group of several hundred, and his eyebrows rose.

"We need to speed up and capture a group of enemies. Escaping this place won't be a big problem with them as a guide." A soldier asked by his side.

"Lord Forma, shouldn't we find Lord Marlius first?" Forma shook his head.

"We have fallen into the trap of the enemy. Moreover, Lord Marlius has been chased off by a Humanoid Ant Queen. Whether he is alive or dead is a mystery." Listening to his words, the people from the Nexus became worried. Forma sighed.

"I managed to escape, but well… Hm?" He checked the tool to detect creatures, and his eyes squinted.

"They changed directions too abnormally. It's as if they are evading us." His eyes flashed with many thoughts, a smile spreading on his lips.

"Let's chase after them quickly. If they were instructed by the World Tree to avoid us, it must mean that we are much stronger than them." Without any more delays, Forma started a chase.

'They are fleeing, so as long as I leave a dozen of <Third Energy Cycles> to guide the lower level ones, the rest of us can charge ahead. Unless the other party is ruthless enough to abandon their own kind, we should catch up rather quickly.' Another tool appeared in his hand, looking like a large orb. The orb vibrated and caused the humanoid creatures around him to listen to his thoughts.

"You lead 12 <Third Energy Cycles> to guide our people. I'll catch up with the rest first."

"Understood, Lord Forma." Then, he quickly accelerated and chased after Amapola's group through the complex terrain.

'Thankfully, my tool has some qualities that can map the tunnels rather easily. Or else, even if I knew the general direction, finding them would be impossible.' As they ran, his nose twitched, and a scent different from the usual dirt, blood, and humidity entered his nostrils. It was faint, but it was a pleasant and sweet flowery scent. A cold light flashed in his eyes as he ordered with a confident smile.

"Scent trackers, chase the flowery scent." Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. Instantly, their pace multiplied, and their bodies rushed through the caves at a terrifying speed. Fortuna felt a sense of panic. Her estimates of four minutes were far off!

"Liu Shu, we need to collapse the tunnels! At this pace, Forma's group will catch up with Amapola in just a minute." Wisdom also knew that the Rose Fairies were special in Liu Shu's mind, especially Amapola and Alba, who were in that group. Therefore, she started helping Fortuna collapse a few of the tunnels while spreading more roots to hold the integrity of the other tunnels around them. Forma's eyes flashed coldly as the walls collapsed, and a calculated smile appeared on his lips.

"Earth Aether Mana users, burst open a path." BOOM! Earth Aether Mana exploded from ten people around Forma, stunning Fortuna.

'Huh? We missed so many!? No… This group never tried to use their Earth Aether Mana users! Did Forma tell them not to?' With ten <Third Energy Cycle> powerhouses manipulating the terrain, the collapsed tunnels were barely an obstacle. Still, Fortuna and Wisdom were able to slow down their ridiculous progress. [Wisdom: World Tree Fortuna, help guide Amapola toward the river area.]"Huh? Isn't that going away from the reinforcements?

That direction is-" [Wisdom: Quickly, at the next crossing, Rose Fairy Amapola needs to go left, not right.] The interruption made Fortuna slightly confused, but she didn't disobey. She understood that this strange alter ego of her good friend had something in mind.

"Amapola, go left in the next crossing!" Amapola quickly reacted and shouted.

"Left!" The group that was about to go through the right tunnel made a sharp turn to the left and deviated. Their small bodies flashed by with whistling sounds one after another. Amapola's face was somewhat serious, and she looked at Alba thoughtfully.

"Alba, take this." Alba was confused when Amapola handed her a beautiful red seed. Her eyes flashed with confusion until Amapola smiled gently.

"That's my <Queen Seed>. Once you return to the Golden Sap Forest, place it in your seed pouch and absorb the energy slowly. You should be able to inherit the <Rose Fairy Monarch> title and species." Alba's heart skipped a beat. However, with the situation they were currently in, she didn't say much and quickly stored it in her pouch at her waist. As they flew, Alba couldn't help but bite her lips. Amapola spoke softly.

"I am old enough, Alba. Remember this: new generations are always the key to a prosperous future. Lead them well." Alba opened her lips, but no voice came out. Instead, she nodded firmly and took the lead of the group. Amapola shouted.

"Alba's words are my words from now on! Listen to her!" Fortuna listened and asked.

"What are you trying to do, Amapola?" Amapola spoke to Fortuna calmly.

"We are not going to make it, right?" Fortuna refuted quickly.

"I'll make it possible even if it isn't!" Amapola smiled lightly and grabbed her spear tightly.

"Wisdom, tell me. What is the best course of action for the survival of the majority?" [Wisdom: … If someone can disrupt the Earth Aether Mana users, it will slow Forma's army down to the point that catching up before they arrive at the intended location will be impossible.] Amapola nodded firmly.

"How many are there?" [Wisdom: 10.]"How many do we need?" [Wisdom: At least 30.] Fortuna's voice reached Amapola, her tone stern.

"I'll deal with those, don't do anything stupid!" BOOM! A giant explosion of collapsed tunnels that were blasted open reached the Rose Fairy Queen, and she squinted.

"Lady Fortuna, your energy is precious. Remember to help others."

"Their battlefields are stabilized! You are the only one in danger now!"

"Lady Fortuna!" Amapola spoke sternly.

"Soldiers die on the battlefield often. I am no more special than any of them." She then shouted.

"Group 1, slow down!" Seeing around 30 Rose Fairies slow down and rush toward the walls of the caves to hide, Fortuna became nervous.

"You…!" This sense of anxiety made her want to lash out at something! It was true that Amapola's method had the most significant chance of success. However, the price to pay was not small! How could Fortuna explain it to her without feeling ashamed when Liu Shu woke up?

"Wisdom! Stop her madness!" [Wisdom: 30 seconds. I'll create a countdown on your systems. When it goes to zero, attack ahead of you without holding back.]"WISDOM!" Amapola closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She remembered her life. How she admired Flor back in her warrior days. How she felt motivated to fight for her race. Then, when they met with the little tree that would change their fates forever, Amapola felt a deep sensation inside of her. She wanted to protect this small tree and see it grow.

After almost two decades, that wish was completed. Now, her strength was starting to lag behind compared to that of other creatures. Her <Tier>, which had hit a wall after reaching D+ Tier, could probably never be upgraded again.

'I've come a long way since my days as a little Level 9 F Rank Rose Fairy.' [10…] [9…] A smile appeared on her lips; her eyes focused on the end of the tunnel. At this moment, she was feeling much more relaxed than she had expected.

'I just need to take one life. One life so that a powerful asset like Forma doesn't escape from the tunnels.' [5…] [4…] [3…] [2…] Amapola tightened the grip on her spear and then saw the walls right in front of their position collapse. [1…] Forma's order spread in the surroundings.

"Blast it open!" Earth Aether Mana gathered around ten people, and the eyes of the 30 <Third Energy Cycle> Rose Fairies sharpened, their wings quickly flapping and carrying their bodies forward.

"AMBUSH!" Forma's face changed and turned ugly.

"You little-!' Amapola was third to the ones in front of her. Once they appeared, the army members quickly reacted, rushing forward to protect the Earth Aether Mana users. However, how could they react that easily? The Earth Mana the Aethermancers had gathered twisted, creating a quick shield around their bodies. The first Rose Fairy's powerful wind attack struck like a hammer. BOOM! Ten explosions occurred simultaneously. Right after, the second attack arrived; the time between attacks was basically nonexistent.

BOOM! Razor-sharp blades surged inside the broken shield, creating countless wounds in their bodies. And yet, even before the attack ceased doing damage, the last 10 Rose Fairies approached at a melee range. Amapola's eyes shone fiercely as the wind sliced her skin.

"<Rose Thorn Wind Spear>!" Her body became a shadow, and before the Aethermancer reacted, Amapola's spear pierced her forehead, bursting out from behind the skull. [Congratulations on…] However, Amapola didn't stop and quickly looked around.

'One survived!' Swiftly like wind, her body flashed through the army and arrived in front of the survivor while the rest of the Rose Fairies tried to contain the surrounding army. However, one person was too fast.

"No, you won't!" The figure of a tall and slender man appeared by her side. However, Amapola didn't even glance at him and pierced her spear forward. Blood burst all around together with two system messages! SLASH! [-5, 600, 000!] PUH! [Congratulations on defeating…] Amapola's body flew off, slamming against a wall and sliding down. However, her lips were arched in a satisfied smile.

'Job done.' Seeing the most integral part of his plan collapse in front of his eyes, Forma shouted out of rage.

"You! You!! How dare you!? DIE!" Amapola saw the sword descending and closed her eyes peacefully.

'Thank you for giving me a life worthy of a warrior, Liu Shu. Thank you for taking care of our race, Flor. Live well.' SLASH! Alba's eyes flashed with a notification that made her heart twist in pain. [You are eligible to become the <Rose Fairy Queen>.]