Evolution begins with an ant colony-Chapter 298 Echoes of Ruin

Meanwhile, As the heroes and holy knights journeyed through the rugged terrain, a hush fell over the land as they neared the outskirts of the kingdom of Almarck, the moon casting its soft light upon the scene.

Evan and Mina rode side by side on horseback, their faces showing a mix of excitement and worry. The holy knights were beside them, and they wore serious expressions on their faces, hinting at how important their mission was. The moonlight made their armor glint softly, giving them a mysterious look as they rode on sliently.

Evan looked at the tall walls of Almarck, once majestic but now showing signs of damage from past battles. He couldn't help but voice his thoughts, his words barely above a whisper, "What could have left it in such a sorry state?"

Utopia, the captain of the holy knights, led the group, her posture firm and authoritative. Speaking in a serious tone, she replied, her voice sharp and clear, "Demons."

Evan's brow furrowed as he bacame concerned. He glanced around at the desolate landscape surrounding them. "Demons... How long ago did this happen?" he asked, his voice tinged with a hint of fear.

Utopia's gaze remained fixed ahead, her eyes reflecting the moon's silver glow. "It's been a few days," she replied, her tone grave. "The last demon invasion left the outskerts of Almarck in ruins, and the scars of that battle still linger."

Mina's grip tightened on the reins of her horse as she scanned the horizon, her eyes searching for any signs of movement. "Do you think there are still demons lurking in the city?" she asked, her voice giving off a hint of fear.

Utopia nodded solemnly. "It's possible," she replied. "The city may have been reclaimed by the people, but the threat of demons remains. We must tread carefully."

The group nodded at each other and urged their horses forward, their resolve growing stronger as they neared the troubled city. As they reached the outskirts, the once lively streets were now strangly quiet, with only the gentle sound of the wind blowing through the crumbling buildings.

Evan's gaze swept over the crumbling buildings and the wary glances of the city's inhabitants. He couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of his stomach as he noticed the suspicious looks directed towards him and the holy knights.

Turning to Utopia, Evan furrowed his brow, his expression one of confusion and concern. "Are we doing something wrong?" he asked in a low voice, his eyes flickering with uncertainty. "Weren't we called here to help?"

Utopia met Evan's gaze with a solemn nod, her eyes reflecting his concern. "We were," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "Many here lost loved ones while awaiting the Heroes' arrival. In a sense, they hold both of you responsible for their deaths, making them to loose their trust in us. Rebuilding it will be a gradual process, given the suffering they endured."

Evan nodded, understanding dawning in his eyes as he glanced back at the wary faces of the city's residents.

Utopia looked around the surroundings, her eyes settling on a nearby stable. "Let's stable our horses there," she suggested, her voice firm yet considerate. Read exclusive chapters at novelbuddy

As the group dismounted and led their horses to the stable, Utopia turned to Evan and Mina. "Perhaps you two should explore the city," she paused, then added, "There could still be low-grade demon survivors from the last battle lurking about."

Evan exchanged a glance with Mina before nodding. "Yeah, we'll keep an eye out," he replied, his voice resolute.

Mina nodded in agreement, adding, "We'll make sure the city is safe for everyone."

Utopia nodded, acknowledging their response. "Don't worry about accommodations. As the captain of the holy knights, your well-being is my responsibility. Come back after you feel like you've both done enough."

Evan and Mina expressed their gratitude with grateful smiles before setting off.

Malax, the vice captain, furrowed his brow. "Is it really wise to let them venture out at this hour?" he asked. "In a city like this, the greatest threats aren't low-grade demons but desperate humans seeking revenge or opportunity."

Utopia let out a weary sigh, her brows furrowing with concern. "They need to ask themselves what exactly they're fighting for," she began, her voice heavy with introspection. "If they can't find that out now, they may never have the resolve to defeat the demon lord."

Malax, standing nearby, raised an eyebrow skeptically. "And your solution to that is throwing them into the jaws of the tiger?" he retorted, his tone laced with skepticism.

Utopia shook her head, a serious glint in her eyes. "You're exaggerating," she countered, her voice firm. "While the heroes may be young, they're no longer pushovers. Both of them are a single level away from reaching the Prodigy stage. No random city resident should be able to harm them."

As she spoke, Malax's expression softened slightly, though his skepticism lingered.

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Malax let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders slumping slightly as he spoke. "I hope you're right," he murmured, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

Meanwhile, as Evan and Mina traversed the city streets, their eyes taking in the devastation around them, Mina couldn't help but comment on the crumbling buildings and weary residents. "Damn, this place is really falling apart,"

Evan glanced at her, his expression grave. "Don't joke around," he cautioned, his tone serious. "Stay alert. I'm sure you also overhead the conversation between Captain Utopia and Sir Malax."

Mina let out a sigh, her shoulders sagging slightly. "I did," she admitted. "But you don't have to be so serious about it." Her words were accompanied by a small shrug, a hint of defiance in her posture.

Evan's gaze softened as he regarded Mina, understanding flickering in his eyes. "I know it's hard," he said gently, his voice carrying a note of empathy. "But we can't afford to let our guard down, not here."

Mina met his gaze, her expression reflecting a mix of frustration and resignation. "I know," she replied, her voice quieter now, tinged with reluctance. "It's just... overwhelming, you know?"

Evan nodded in agreement, a sympathetic smile playing at the corners of his lips. "I know," he repeated, reaching out to place a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "But we're in this together. We'll figure it out, one step at a time."

Mina's surprise quickly morphed into amusement, her lips curling into a playful smile as she teased Evan. "Oh, look at who's making the moves now," she quipped, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Guess this was bound to happen eventually."

Evan couldn't help but let out a sigh at Mina's playful jab, his shoulders relaxing. "Seems I was worried for nothing," he admitted, an emotionless expression on his face.