Chapter1 A minstrel

In the Floral jungle, sunlight passes through the dense leaves and sprinkles on the smooth ground, forming a mottled light and shadow.

The soft soil was covered with a thick layer of fallen leaves, and the branches of the trees spread out. The leaves rustled in the gentle breeze.

From time to time, there is the sound of birds singing in the deep forest, the soil moistened by rain is filled with the scent of spring, and the faint fragrance of grass is floating in the air, peaceful and serene.

On a distant tree stump sat a young minstrel, playing a golden harp in his hand, and the melodious sound of the harp flowed from his fingertips.

The ancient and mysterious songs rise with the sound of the harp, drifting in the quiet valleys, as if pulling people into the long river of past time and unconsciously entering the fairyland of mythology.

[Phestania,sieph dolah nuniyah sah

Lahnoyah salldo wol,co ustiay nisahn dah

Nasr co siyamol istia ustiay bahrahthy

Mashrut,lahwai istia sukaph lah

Alaza nayin gharwaliah

Phestania,sieph dolah nuniyah sah

Lahnoyah salldo,safriza nayin

thrayahnwilah

Efloretia co Isfleisa istia rouckynilah

Floramia,blossiawl istia forgiah

Alaza nayin feetowol lah]

No one could understand that ballad, but the dismal melody did not match the warm smile on his face like a sunflower. He welcomed the gentle sunlight of the morning and the gentle breeze of the green grass in the forest, adding a touch of childishness to his already youthful face at this moment.

＂Shua—— Shua——＂

The friction of leaves suddenly sounded.

＂Vilder! Are there any new stories today？＂

A round little head suddenly emerged from the grass, with fine leaves sticking to his hair and falling down as his head swayed.

＂Yahoo~＂At this moment, there was a joyful light shout from above, and a child swung over holding onto the emerald green vines.

＂I'll come as well when Elo comes, but it was agreed beforehand that I don't want to hear you boast.＂

The minstrel named Vilder raised his lips to reveal a gentle spring breeze smile, but he had no intention of listening to the opinions of the children. He turned his face slightly and asked him, "Larry, some things may not be true even if you believe them, right？＂

"Aha? Are you going to lecture me again? I don't want to hear it. "Larry curled his lips, a little impatient.

＂Oh no, you mean there's not a word of truth in what you're saying.＂

Vilder stopped answering and lowered his head to caress the strings of the harp, revealing his pointed ears caught between his blonde hair. There was a flicker of white light, and in that moment his ears returned to their normal appearance.

A green crystal earring swayed back and forth,it's a gift given to him by the fairies of Fairyland, and the pure white cloak he was wearing was adorned with white bird feathers from the summit of Labis Mountain.

Larry and Elo were lying on a large stone, looking forward to the new work of the minstrel Wilder. Perhaps his outfit was too dazzling, and Elo couldn't help but be curious.

"Vilder, what feathers are your cloak made of? I remember a bird called La...not far from here... Oh, I don't remember what it's called."

Vilder lifted his head slightly, with a flicker of light in his pupils. He casually spoke:"The bird of Latymus? Oh... the kind of race that hopes for humanity but tragically died in their hands."

"So did you answer my question? "Elo was a bit helpless, and Vilder seemed to always answer the question not other people really wanted to ask.

However, Vilder is always more curious than those unknown things, the scales on the tail of a mermaid, the toe bones of a dragon, the fangs of a vampire, the wings of a fairy... He said he witnessed the extinction of various races, and soon he will also be one of them.

In this mysterious and dangerous continent of Nocalel, many races perish through mutual struggle, but there is an undeniable fact that the territorial expansion launched for the so-called happiness of humanity has occupied the living quarters of other beings.

Elo wanted to ask further, but Larry began to reminisce about Vilder's new work, his red golden eyes unblinking, and he looked away with a longing gaze.

The jungle is no longer silent, and it seems like it has fallen into a different silence. Therefore, when the melody sounds, it no longer mixes with other small sounds.

[The storytelling is always so false]

[No one remembers the badge of a warrior again]

[The song of hope is not played]

[Lonely souls have nowhere to lay]

[Looking back at time, playing back the glory]

[We roared and pushed down the high wall]

[Watching the mountains and seas of corpses sweep like waves]

......

At the end of the song, Elo lowered her eyes in disappointment and muttered in a sullen voice, "So... did the god abandon us?"

Vilder slightly curled up the corner of his mouth, sighed with a smile, and shook his head with a hint of helplessness as he replied:"It's not like that. From then on, there are more possibilities for a world beyond the control of the gods. Instead of praying for the protection of the gods, people can already face difficulties directly."

"Perhaps vulnerable people still seek the help of gods, but they often do not need to see the gods themselves. Their own power from faith will ultimately allow them to resolve everything on their own"

"Can I say the gods are slacking off?"Larry asked.

Suddenly, there was a sound from deep in the jungle, and Vilder silently clenched his harp, while the two little ones ran away with a startled sound.

The distant sound of trampling on leaves was extremely clear, and the panic exacerbated the tired gasp.

The short boy between the two children gasped and said, "Lacus, the monsters have left. We... we may be able to run slower."

"No... no, the Knights are going to catch us!"

Upon hearing the sound, Vilder slowly turned around and silently looked at the two children in front of him.

The boy is about ten years old, with long linen hair scattered behind his head and wearing a blue robe. The girl is about thirteen years old, with a slender and delicate body and a round face, resembling a doll.

＂Sir, do you know how to get out of the forest? "The boy approached and asked, his voice clear and pleasant.

The girl also leaned forward and looked at him curiously. She dared to bet that this gentleman was the most beautiful person she had ever seen, so she couldn't take her eyes off him for a long time.

＂You two......"

Vilder was about to speak when he suddenly heard a commotion coming from afar.

"Who's making noise over there?! "he exclaimed with a frown, revealing a hint of powerful authority beneath the minstrel's appearance.

A group of people and horses were galloping along the winding path, dressed in the same attire. They were riding horses, wearing armor, holding sharp weapons, and looked quite serious, as if they were the knights mentioned by Lacus.

The team arrived very quickly and quickly, stopping in front of the two of them.

"I don't want to go with them, "Lacus took a few steps and grabbed Vilder's gloak, looking up at him with a helpless expression.

"Are you the ones who brought these monsters here? "The leader of the knights, Morris, jumped off his horse and stared at the two little ones in front of him with a serious gaze, his tone somewhat sharp.

＂Monsters? "Vilder couldn't help but be taken aback when he heard these words. He looked back in confusion and saw the golden parrot on the nearby treetop flapping its wings and shouting something at them.

The parrot seemed very loyal to its owner. As soon as it saw Vilder turn around, it immediately flapped its wings and flew to his side, looking affectionate.

"The monsters has gone to Mount Labis, the monsters has gone to Mount Labis! "

The parrot flapped its wings and chirped.

"This parrot... you are..."Morris furrowed his brow and looked at Vilder on the side.

"As you can see, I am just a minstrel in the jungle. Since my parrot has provided you with clues, I think it's time for you to set off"

Morris squinted his eyes slightly. He didn't relax his guard, but said, "After all, this is a forest, not very suitable for human habitation, and it's easy to provoke wild animals. I think you should leave early." He paused and continued, "Of course, we will give you some food and clothes as compensation."

Upon hearing Morris's words, the two children appeared somewhat hesitant, while Vilder refused without hesitation, saying, "I don't think I need to accept your charity. Moreover, your way of driving away monsters will only lead to the conflict between the ethnic groups."

After speaking, he sat back on the big stone and played the harp. The melodious sound of the harp spread throughout the jungle, as if praying for those innocent dead creatures.

"Captain, look at this person! We shouldn't have cared about him, "complained the girl next to Morris, pouting her lips.

Morris gently rubbed her head and patiently advised, "Philia, don't talk nonsense. I don't think we can let those jungle residents move out, but this minstrel will guard this place well."

"Guard... how does he guard this place?"

Philia didn't finish speaking, she actually wanted to say how his soft and weak appearance could guard this jungle.

But when Morris made a silent gesture, Phllia's words abruptly came to a halt.

Morris glanced back at Vilder as he left, with a hint of confusion, surprise, and even a hint of awe in his gaze, which made Lacus somewhat confused.

"Are they just... leaving? "Lacus asked in shock.

Vilder, with a carefree expression that he didn't care about, lowered his eyes and carefully played the strings. His gentle voice quietly changed the topic, "So Miss Lacus, where are you going with your partner next?"

＂I haven't figured it out yet, if possible... I want to go to Rabis Mountain to negotiate with monsters. "Lacus's weak voice, mixed with a gentle breeze, reached Vilder's ear. He showed an almost imperceptible gentle smile.

Lacus suddenly realized something was wrong, "You, how do you know my name?"

There was a hint of panic in Vilder's eyes at this moment, but in just a moment he regained his composure. "The Miss of the Floria family has long been famous, and I am considering whether to include you in my new poem.＂

He picked up the harp, dusted the dust off his cloak with one hand, and looked at Lacus, "I still want to remind you that monsters are invading here just because they no longer have their own territory. Negotiations will only make us unreasonable."

Lacus remained silent for a moment, then showed a firm gaze,"It's my fault that I haven't considered the reason why the monsters came there.But...I really want to represent my country to express our apologies to monsters and I hope that can replace mutual peace."

"Sir,as a member of our country,would you be willing to walk with me?"She hesitated for a moment and sent an invitation to Vilder.

"I will."Vilder said without hesitation, laughing like the brightest flower in spring.

And then the five of them began their journey to find the monster, which was the beginning of the story.