blueteamnovel Chapter 137 The Surroundings (2)
Chapter 137 The Surroundings (2)
"It's a blessing because it means we've been relatively safe compared to areas closer to the heart of the kingdom," Charles continued. "But a curse because we're so far removed from trade routes and major cities. Resources don't flow here easily."
Arthur nodded slightly, absorbing the information. "What about other villages nearby?"
Charles frowned, his finger moving slightly on the map to another dot further north. "The nearest habitable area is Village #419. It's technically the closest settlement to us, but even so, it's not what I would call 'nearby.'"
Arthur raised an eyebrow. "How far are we talking?"
Charles sighed. "Approximately 700 kilometers."
Arthur blinked, leaning back in his chair. "You are right, it's quite far considering the transportation is quite weak here."
Charles chuckled dryly. "Indeed. But considering that the habitable areas are scattered and the wilderness is vast and untamed, that's considered close. It's a distance that could be covered on foot or with a decent riding beast in about two to three weeks—if the path was clear."
Arthur caught the hesitation in Charles's tone. "But it's not clear, is it?"
Charles shook his head, his expression grim. "No, it's not. The journey would be very difficult at best, and at worst, a death sentence. The problem lies in the corruption that has spread across the land."
Arthur leaned forward again, his interest piqued. "Corruption? You mean the demons' influence?"
Charles nodded slowly. "Exactly. The demons have corroded the area. While the immediate radius around the village—about 50 kilometers—is relatively safe from them, beyond that, the land is overrun with corrupted beasts and creatures."
Arthur's eyes narrowed slightly as he recalled the corroded rabbit he had fought on his first day in Armageddon.
"Yes," Charles admitted, the weight of the word settling between them. "Only the strongest—or the most reckless—adventurers attempt the journey. And even then, I haven't seen any of them make it back."
Arthur's eyes landed on the map, his eyes traced the distance between the two villages, picturing the wilderness teeming with threats. It wasn't a simple journey; it was a gauntlet.
"What about other areas?" Arthur asked after a moment. "Anything significant nearby? or anything else worth checking out?"
Charles tilted his head in thought before nodding slowly. "There are a few notable locations, though most are far too dangerous for anyone to approach. For example..." He pointed to a section between the two villages.
"The Forest of Shadows."
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Arthur's attention sharpened immediately. "Forest of Shadows?"
Charles nodded grimly, his voice carrying a weight that made the room feel smaller. "It's an ancient forest. Massive. The Forest of Shadows lies around seventy kilometers away from our village, give or take. It's not close, but not far enough to ignore either."
He hesitated, as if the words themselves carried a curse.
His fingers lightly traced the edge of the map on the desk before continuing, his tone quieter now. "I don't know much about it, I'll admit. Not firsthand. No one here does, and those who might have known are long gone. The only reason I even know its name is because of something that happened a decade ago. Something... I'll never forget."
Arthur tilted his head slightly, intrigued. "Go on," he said, his voice calm but edged with curiosity.
Charles sighed deeply, the sound filled with regret and a faint trace of fear. "Ten years ago, our village birthed a prodigy. A boy unlike anyone we'd seen before. He was... brilliant. Strong. Fast. A warrior through and through, with talents that surpassed anyone in our small corner of the world. By the time he was twenty, he had reached level 15—a feat unheard of for anyone in this village. We all believed he was destined for greatness, someone who could lead us to a brighter future."
Arthur's brow furrowed. "And what happened to him?"