Supreme Hunter of Beautiful Souls-Chapter 207: Ambush?

The sun shone brightly, warming the air that moved between the trees. The path through the forest was peaceful, but tension lingered among the group, still alert after the previous day’s experiences.

Exelia walked ahead, keeping a steady pace, with Kael and Liora close behind.

They had separated from the other group of dark elves so they could warn the others that Liora had killed one of the elders.

"Are you okay?" Liora asked Kael quietly, seeing him rub his eyes. "You didn’t sleep much yesterday, right?" He was indeed a little tired.

Kael shook his head. "It’s not just that. I feel like something is wrong, like we’re being watched," he said, keeping his steps alert and his aura expanded enough to notice up to ten meters from his body.

Exelia stopped and turned to them with a serious expression. "I have that feeling too. But we can’t stop now. We need to get to the capital as quickly as possible."

The three resumed their march, alert to any sound or movement in the trees. The sun was at its zenith when Kael heard a familiar noise, a rustling of something moving through the dry leaves on the ground. It was a faint sound, almost imperceptible, but enough to arouse his suspicion.

"There," he whispered, pointing to a densely tangled bush a few meters ahead. ’Something is moving.’

Liora gripped the hilt of her dagger, ready for a quick attack. "We have to be careful. We don’t know what might be hiding there."

Exelia drew her sword, her gaze fixed on the thicket. "Ready... one, two, three!"

They advanced together, their movements quick and in sync. Exelia cut through the thicket with a swing of her sword, revealing a dark figure that moved quickly, climbing a nearby tree.

"Up there!" shouted Liora, pointing at the figure. ’That’s no ordinary animal!’

"Let’s get it!" Kael began to run, climbing the tree after the figure with surprising agility. When he reached the branch where the animal was, he reached out, trying to grab it, but the creature jumped to another branch and escaped.

Exelia and Liora reached the base of the tree, looking up with concern.

"Kael, be careful!" Liora shouted. "These animals are dangerous!"

Kael ignored the warning and continued climbing, determined to capture it. When he reached a higher branch, he saw the animal in the distance, half hidden by the foliage.

"I’m going to capture this thing once and for all," Kael muttered, extending his hands and channeling his magic. A green light began to emanate from his palms, pulsing with growing energy.

The strange animal let out a high-pitched, frightened sound when it sensed the magical power approaching, and jumped to another branch, trying to escape. But Kael was ready—he cast a tracking spell, creating an invisible web of energy that held the animal in place.

"Gotcha," Kael said triumphantly, jumping down from the branch and landing next to the terrified animal. He grabbed the small creature, holding it tightly as he bypassed the magic that held it in place.

"Captured," Kael said triumphantly as he climbed down from the tree with it in his hands. ’At least that won’t be a problem for the rest of the way.’

Liora smiled, but her smile quickly faded when she noticed something strange about the animal’s behavior. "Kael, there’s something wrong with this little guy."

The animal was shaking and writhing in his hands, almost as if possessed by an evil force.

"He’s being controlled by someone," said Exelia, frowning with concern. "This is probably the work of the succubi."

Kael looked at the animal with a doubtful expression and then turned his gaze back to Exelia. "So what do we do now?"

Liora intervened, suggesting a solution. "We need to take him with us so we can monitor him. If this succubus thing is following us, we can lure it to us using him as bait."

Kael agreed with Liora’s suggestion and placed the carainha in a secure bag he carried over his shoulder. Then the trio resumed their journey, now more cautious than ever.

As they approached the elven capital, their concerns grew. The trees seemed darker and denser, as if the forest itself was trying to hide something menacing.

"We’re close to the wall now," Exelia said in a tense voice. "We can feel it in the air."

The three paused for a moment to catch their breath and prepare for what was to come. Kael closed his eyes and began to focus on his magical abilities.

When he opened his eyes again, there was a new gleam in his gaze, an unwavering determination to face any challenge that came his way.

"Let’s go," he said in a confident voice.

[Hours later...]

Finally, they heard a familiar sound echoing through the forest—the noise of metal arms rubbing against flesh. It was the elves guarding the capital’s wall, ready to defend the kingdom from any threat.

As they approached the main gate, Kael saw the guards turning to look at them, surprised to see such a small group arriving.

"Halt!" shouted one of the guards, raising his spear toward them. ’Identify yourselves!’

Exelia stepped forward, placing her hand on her chest in a gesture of peace. "I am Exelia, captain of the royal guard of the Witches. We have an appointment with the Queen of the Elves..."

The guard hesitated for a moment before lowering his spear. He nodded to the other guards and they opened the large wooden gates, allowing the trio to enter the city.

"Thank goodness our arrival was announced by the Queen of the Witches... they wouldn’t have let me through," Exelia thought, but said nothing to Kael.

As they walked through the streets of the elven capital, Kael couldn’t help but admire the architectural beauty of the surrounding buildings. The structures were slender and elegant, with intricate architecture that seemed to blend harmoniously with the surrounding forest.

But even in that beautiful place, they could feel the tension in the air. The citizens seemed tense and nervous, casting sidelong glances at the strangers passing by them on the streets.

"We need to go to the Royal Palace," Liora said in a low voice. "Besides, I need to talk to the knights about that succubus..."

Kael looked at Exelia for a moment... He felt that something was very wrong...

"Exelia... is it natural that I can pass through the elven wall without any problems?" He asked telepathically.

"I found it strange too, but I think the Queen sent a message about our arrival... even so... it’s strange that no one came to welcome us..."

As soon as Kael finished transmitting his thoughts to Exelia, a heavy silence hung in the air. Her eyes narrowed, and her hand rested discreetly on the hilt of her sword.

It was then that the sound of rapid footsteps echoed through the narrow streets.

Before any of them could react, armed figures appeared from all sides—elf guards with drawn bows, pointed spears, and hard expressions. In seconds, the trio was surrounded, their weapons glinting in the sunlight filtering through the leaves of the tall trees.

"Stop right there!" ordered one of the elves, his voice firm and leaving no room for negotiation. ’No sudden movements, or you will be pierced where you stand.’

Kael kept his hands visible, but his mind was working quickly. This doesn’t make sense... If the Queen knew of our arrival, why this reception?

Liora, always quick with words, tried to calm the situation. "Wait! We were invited. The Witch Queen warned of our coming—"

"Silence!" another guard interrupted, advancing with his spear at the ready. "You are accused of conspiracy against the Elven Crown. Any resistance will be considered an admission of guilt."

Exelia exchanged a quick glance with Kael. Something was very wrong. If the Queen was really expecting them, this was not the right way to welcome them. Unless...

Unless they had never received any message.

Kael felt a chill run down his spine. If Exelia was right about the communication, then who—or what—had ensured that they entered without incident?

The small animal in Kael’s bag began to stir violently, as if sensing the tension in the air. Its eyes, once frightened, now glowed with a subtle red light.

"Kael..." Liora whispered, realizing. ’It’s a trap.’

Before he could respond, one of the guards shouted, ’They’re preparing to attack! Attack!’

Arrows were fired. Spears advanced.

Kael had no time to think—only to act. With a quick movement, he released a burst of magical energy, creating a green shield that deflected the first projectiles.

Exelia drew her sword in a fluid motion, turning to face the approaching guards. "Someone has betrayed us!" she shouted, blocking a blow.

Liora leaped backward, her daggers already in hand. "They said you are responsible for the elder’s death! That’s why this huge problem suddenly arose!"

Kael looked around... "They don’t know who I am..." Kael said and let out a heavy sigh... "I’m starting to hate elves more than I should." He said nervously.

"Sylphie doesn’t deserve to have been born into such an easily manipulated race. Anyone can do whatever they want with elves. Even retards willing to do anything." Kael said, getting nervous.

Exelia glared at him... "Shit." She said and pulled Liora by the arm, "W-wait! W-what are you—" Liora tried to say something, but...

"Stay quiet and protect yourself. He’s going to kill everyone." Exelia said.

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