While the group had not encountered much as they traveled, they were still pretty amazed that they hadn't run in to more during the day.

"I'm just saying. When we were out in the plains we saw plenty of imps. Now we are seeing almost nothing. How can it be so different this cold season to the last? Plus, there should be those ice slimes, right?

" Gil was not the only one thinking these things. But he had been the first to speak out about his worries.

"I know. It's odd.

" There were more of those odd tracks following the trails that no one would normally be following. Between Leon and Gil, they could not identify what monster or person would make them.

"I would say those tracks belong to demi-humans but they don't come this way. They don't get along with the water elves.

"

"I agree. The demi-humans are very honest with their territories. They will not lie about their borders. It is one of the traits that makes them extremely trustworthy. Even if the demi-humans and my people didn't get along, we would still hold this feeling.

" Alma was very sincere with her words. She had long respected the fact that the demi-humans took very careful attention to their farmlands and territory. It was about the food that fed their people and they would use just enough to keep storage of their food for a bad year. Many kingdoms had great respect for such things and would give the benefit of the doubt because of such a thing.

"That means there are things patrolling the trails around here. But it can't be the water elves…

" Neil felt that the small he and Midnight had picked up was also odd. They both felt that there was something familiar but also something off about it.

"The tracks smell sweet. In a bad way. Almost like those hypnotizing lilies that grow in the mountain by the volcanoes. Their scent confuses monsters and animals. That causes them to go without eating and perish on the bed of lilies so that the lilies can eat away at their bodies.

"

"That's a little scary. Remind me to avoid hypnotizing lily fields.

" Gil didn't know there was such a plant.

"If you are strong enough you can resist. They actually make a very valuable healing herb. I believe they make high tier healing potions with added poison resistances. Very good for certain treatments.

" As Neil said this they couldn't help to wonder what Remey would say if they were to tell her such an herb existed. She might try and get them to go and hunt for it that very second.

"I wonder if it is a monster with some form of skill that releases a hypnotizing scent then? Are there monsters like that?

" This was not something that Leon was used to. The overworld was very different from the underwater world. The only scents that he would run in to were ones that attracted certain fish or monsters. There was nothing he knew of that would lure in something to hypnotize their prey. The only things that did that were deep sea monsters with glowing light.

"We can worry about it when we manage to track one down. We will be able to see it well before we get near it. The depth of the footprints makes it clear that they are larger than us by a little.

" Gil was sure that they would be able to track whatever these monsters were. It would be better to see the answers with their own eyes.

"Then that means we will all need to look more carefully. Midnight, just stay close. I don't want you getting in to trouble with an unknown enemy.

" This wasn't too much of a worry since Walker knew that Midnight would easily be able to take on most monsters. However, the unknown was always dangerous.

"A wise choice. But since it is getting late in the day, we should look to stop somewhere.

" Neil was sure that he could walk all night. However, he had been raised to be considerate of others and knew that the other races were not as intense as the dragonkin. They would need rest.

"That should mean Walker will warm up those extra sandwiches I saw him store away earlier, right? I can even let you use my spear to help hold them close to the fire.

" Walker was sure that he had hidden the extra back carefully. But Leon had still managed to get a glimpse. With Midnight hearing this as well, Walker was as good as given up. He had to share them all now.

That brought the group toward a larger area that appeared to have been a nest for brook frog eggs at some point. It was easy to see the yellow grass that had tried to grow back but had not been able to take root. It felt odd for them to be surrounded by tall grasses and that led them to having two people on watch. They all were not very tired but would rest where they could.

"So, what are you really thinking about the water elves?

" Walker had taken the forest watch with Alma. He wanted to be sure that they were making the right choice to go and speak to them now.

"Truthfully? I'm worried about them. They isolated themselves much sooner than my people. They also push others away. They don't even take prisoners. Just exile them or worse. It's very radical and even reminds me a little of demons. I just wish we knew what made them become this way. They used to help the merfolk in the oceans and be very friendly.

" This had stumped Alma for a long time and she was currently reliving it all. Walker didn't have any idea either.

…..

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