"Misguidance? Deceptive enticement?"

The words of the King of Giant Beasts may not entirely be fabricated.

However, Ronald was much more aware of one point.

Even if it truly was meddling by people from the "Nine Commandments Conclave," who spread many highly misleading lies, it was definitely due to the arrogance of the so-called King of Giant Beasts that he launched an ambush without even having any contact with Ronald.

Nevertheless, he did not expose the King of Giant Beasts’ statement.

Instead, he continued in the same manner as the previous conversation, directly stating:

"In that case, the content of our negotiation becomes very simple."

"You will take us to the place where those misleading individuals are. Then we will leave the world of the Song Forest, and from then on, our sides will have no further relations."

Upon hearing Ronald’s demand, the King of Giant Beasts, Aurel, felt relieved and finally stood up from the ground:

"No problem, I’ll take you there right away."

"It’s only about a day’s journey from here, and at our pace, we should arrive quickly."

With this said, the three of them set off.

Naturally, Ronald and Costate continued to travel using the Flying Spell. Book-friend 20180601180847607

Meanwhile, the King of Giant Beasts, Aurel, leading the way ahead, was using a certain ability akin to the Dust Giant Beast’s innate talent, directly converting the magic power within him into kinetic energy to aid his flight through the sky.

Through this simple and crude application of magic power, Ronald could discern the structure at a glance.

Simply put, the more magic power consumed in this technique that converts magic power into propulsion, the faster the flying speed. With the terrifying magic power reserves that the King of Giant Beasts naturally possesses, he could easily boost his speed.

The only conditions that might realistically limit him were his own control over the magic power and any potential physical limitations he might have.

"..."

Seeing through the King of Giant Beasts’ flight method, Ronald recalled the encounter during their recent battle.

This creature abruptly accelerated from afar to launch an ambush on him.

It was clearly an explosive effect brought on by consuming a massive amount of magic power in an instant.

However, since this creature did not escape using the same ability afterward but stayed behind and surrendered, it was clear that the King of Giant Beasts had limitations on his burst speed, at least not being able to use it repeatedly in a short time.

If they were to engage in combat again with this creature in the future, this was certainly a crucial point to keep in mind.

Meanwhile, the King of Giant Beasts leading the way also found himself deep in thought.

The face behind him, hidden from Ronald and Costate’s view, was now filled with suspicion, caution, and contemplation about the true strength of the two behind him.

Both sides knew that they had held back during their previous battle.

If they could maintain the current atmosphere, then everything could proceed smoothly, but in case of any unforeseen changes...

Then there would be no scenario where one side could surrender, and everyone would sit back down to talk things out properly.

...

Under the cover of night, Ronald and the others were flying through the sky.

When the time finally transitioned into the depths of night, with stars hanging high above and the surroundings in complete silence.

A gentle female voice suddenly began humming beside them.

This song was soothing and pleasant, but it was merely a casual hum in moments of leisure, so no clear words or meanings could be discerned.

"What is that sound?"

As he flew, Ronald turned his head and scanned his surroundings, but could not find the source of the humming.

The sound seemed to exist in every part of space.

Along with their movement and change of speed, the volume, and proximity of the sound remained completely unaffected.

"Ah, that is the voice of the one who arranged the Song Forest," the King of Giant Beasts began to speak from his position leading the way.

He glanced back at Ronald, who was peering around, and the maid who was silently approaching her master, then continued with a smiling explanation:

"When that lady created the Song Forest, she herself and her original texts were integrated within the world. Because it was deep night at the time, every day when the Song Forest reaches that moment in time, her last solo hum echoes through the world she created."

The creator of the Song Forest, huh...

Accepting this explanation, Ronald then curiously asked:

"Does this humming have any effect on the people and things within the Song Forest?"

The expression on the King of Giant Beasts turned peculiar, and after contemplating for a while, he finally replied with a hint of possibility in his tone:

"Perhaps if one listens to the hum while falling asleep, they might sleep more soundly?"

"..."

With this conversation as a starting point, the three of them traveling in silence began engaging in dialogue.

The King of Giant Beasts, Aurel, was curious about the current state of the outside world, but did not intend to fully trust the information from those in the "Nine Commandments Conclave," so naturally, he sought information from Ronald.

In comparison, Ronald and Costate needed to understand more about the Song Forest.

It could be said that they quickly found common ground.

Guided by the gentle humming, they continued on their journey, exchanging the information each possessed.

According to Aurel,

The Song Forest has maintained a rather primitive environment over the years, having been unchanged by dramatic shifts, and it developed a unique cultural atmosphere for the beastmen residing there.

Although every century there are outsiders who enter this realm,

since Aurel did not offer them assistance, most humans who wandered in ended their lives here.

Time then flew by like a fleeting horse, until the large-scale incursion of the "Nine Commandments Conclave" and the ensuing pursuit by Ronald and Costate that made the Song Forest’s atmosphere tense.

During the conversation, Ronald also inquired about Aurel’s views towards the "Nine Commandments Conclave."

The King of Giant Beasts was notably candid.

His view on the "Nine Commandments Conclave" was the same as his view on Ronald — he couldn’t defeat them.

As time passed during the exchange of information.

At some point, the humming in the air quietly disappeared from their ears.

And from the distant eastern sky, the rising sun began to cast the dawn’s light upon the clouds above.

Seizing the conversational opportunity, Ronald proceeded with the topic:

"Aurel, regarding the Holy City sealed here, you know the actual situation, right?"

"..."

The King of Giant Beasts rarely fell into deep contemplation.

Upon hearing Ronald’s inquiry, his brow filled with memories and the sentiment of time flowing. Though not human, the King of Giant Beasts possessed higher wisdom that granted him a rich inner life not inferior to any other being.

Immersed in these emotions for several minutes, Aurel finally spoke up again:

"The Holy City, yes, I naturally know that place."

"How many years has it been...? In short, long ago before the Song Forest was created, when the land was governed by the church, I was what they called a Saint back then!"

Spotting a faint wry smile at the corners of his mouth, Aurel continued:

"Sadly, everything from back then is now buried within this great forest."

"And I, the so-called Church Saint, now stand guard over the once holy and revered Church capital."