"Hmph?" [Diana]

"What's wrong?" [Dana]

"The forest is getting restless. It is telling me to keep my guard up" [Diana]

"Why is that?" [Nar]

"They told me nothing, or rather they couldn't and some wouldn't, which means..." [Diana]

"I see. Everyone, on your formation." [Sas]

Alagast and his party are here. The powerful Dyrad that was with him at the time is definitely nearby. I'm sure I can control the forest better than Alagast, but since the Dyrad are here to help Alagast, I'll definitely lose. Well, I would lose if I didn't have the help of the Fairy of Flora and Fauna, Miss Borneo. I quickly ask and activate Miss Borneo Blessing to take control of the forest. 

"How powerful..." [Diana]

"Even with your blessing!?" [Elegast]

"Is Dyrad that powerful?" [Oreforged]

"They are the closest thing to a forest. They're called Spirit Forest for a reason. Besides, I can smell faint incense carried by the winds. They had prepared this encounter just to counter Diana's blessing" [Farhana].

"They knew about the blessing?" [Kat]

"Unlikely, though I suppose they were just over-prepared for the worst" [Farhana].

"A wise decision on their part" [Randy].

"Which means one of the worst outcomes for us" [Savel].

We are becoming more and more cautious. Since we know their target is me, as planned, I will be in the center surrounded by others. My friends whom they can kidnap and blackmail are nearby and also protected by others. We are being careful and cautious. We have even suspended all our activities. 

It's obvious that most of us are scared. Who wouldn't be? Well, Nar, Sas, and the other powerful warriors among us aren't really worried. They calmly and carefully scanned the entire area, not missing a single thing.

"Aura. With me. Arrow of Truth" [Apollo].

"Nice" [Asterion].

"One down. There are several more, well hidden" [Apollo]

"They're obviously in control here" [Linda]

One down. From clairvoyance, it's a middle aged elves. An arrow that pierce directly into his heart, killing him in an instant. Unlikely civilian given how he's equipped with armour and weapons 

[DANGER] [DANGER]

"Below us! Earth Magic: Earth Pound!" [Diana]

My blessing is warning me. I can sense that there are roots controlled by magic that are directed at us, well, at me specifically, which is why my Blessing is warning me. 

I hit the ground several times, causing vibration after vibration, breaking the connection between the roots and the spell, as well as causing physical damage to it.

"Sword slash!" [Nar]

"Well done Brother Nar!" [Diana]

"Tough, but it's not enough for me to use my aura" [Nar]

Some of the roots are strong enough to resist my spell, but not for long. In a Vail attempt, the roots emerge from underground to attack us randomly, but Nar quickly slashes them with a single elegant slash, even using a little fire magic to prevent any healing from the root.

"Is there more?" [Marianne]

"None so far" [Diana].

"War of attrition. I'm sure that's what they're after" [Jean].

"If that's the case, they really have the advantage" [Kat].

"Which means we have to find them quickly and attack them" [Oreforge]

"An easy task if they didn't have the help of the Dyrad" [Savel].

"True. If the Dyrad doesn't help, I'm sure this will be over by now. No, they wouldn't even dare to try" [Elegast].

"It just shows how powerful the Dyrad is" [Randy].

They wanted to wear us down slowly, once our mana, stamina, and concentration are low, they'll bombard us with everything they've got. A good strategy on their part. Very good indeed. 

"There!" [Diana]

I am one step ahead! Sylph Blessing to pick up any sound. Miss Borneo Blessing to make the forest my ally. Miss Gaia Blessing to make the earth my ally. All of them to detect the one attacking us. When I have spotted them, I use a spell to draw them towards us, either by the branches of the trees dragging them towards us, or by the whirl of the wind drawing them in. With that alone, I get six elves, and surprisingly 

"A tiger beastman!" [Diana].

According to Sister Farhana and Elegast, the group of elves under Alagst are proud of their lineage, so we concluded that they wouldn't ask for help from any other group or organization, especially one of different races. That's why we're surprised to find the Tiger Beastman in their ranks. Sas didn't waste any time and surrounded their heads with heavy water, drowning them before releasing the spell just as they were about to drown.

"Boss! Release them! Release it!"

"Release what?" [Sas]

Sas wanted to interrogate them quickly, but they quickly signaled their leader to release something. What they wanted to release was soon answered

"What a huge snake!?" [Liya]

"No..." [Veronica]

"It's just way too large..." [Jean]

"Which mean..." [Dana]

"That's probably the Titanic Boa" [Linda]

"And it's coming this way!"