[ "Are you the Elve leading this group?" ]
Aranic was taken aback when he heard the voice in his mind. It was a powerful telepathic message, one that seemed to originate from the very depths of the forest.
He immediately knew the identity of the being who sent the telepathic message and bowed down before answering.
"Yes, I am," Aranic respond politely.
Others who didn't know that he was talking to someone were confused as to what he was saying.
The being seemed to be looking around before he sent the message again.
[ "What are humans doing here?" ]
The voice asked in his head.
"The Royal Family has invited them."
"Hey, what are you saying? Who are you speaking with?"
Nock asked, feeling that something was up with Aranic. He was quite shaken by the roar and now Aranic was acting somewhat crazy.
"Shhh! I am speaking with the Guardian Deity! Please be quiet!"
Aranic warned him. From his serious expression, one could know that he was not joking.
Nock, not wanting to offend the Guardian Deity, kept quiet as asked. He realized that maybe the being was using a telepathic message.
He looked around but couldn't sense anything. That meant that even when the Guardian Deity was using telepathic messages, he couldn't sense the mana.
This means that the Guardian Deity control of mana is so delicate that even Rank-SS like him couldn't detect it or maybe that the Guardian Deity uses some unknown technique which enables him to hide his mana.
Anyway, he listened to Aranic warning and kept his mouth shut while waiting for Aranic and the Guardian Deity finish their conversation.
It was the same for others who were making noise earlier because of the roar. With Aranic warning, they became as quiet as a puppy.
Even for geniuses, there were some things that they could never offend. The Guardian Deity seems to be one of them.
"May I kindly ask the reason for your awakening?"
Aranic asked while bowing down. Although the Guardian Deity was very far away from his position, he still needed to show his respect.
[ "I sensed a familiar scent!" ]
The Guardian Deity of Elves, which is an Ancient Dragon, felt a similar presence as him, entering his territory which awakened him.
He thought that maybe some Ancient Dragon was visiting him or maybe attacking his place.
He roared to ask what was his intention. However, no reply came which made him ask again. But there was no reply again.
He thought that he might have been mistaken because he was sleeping. Then tried to scan the area where he found a group of Elves along with humans.
He didn't really care whether Elves were friends or enemies with humans as long as they left his forest alone. But he was indeed curious as he had never seen them together.
He also felt that the group of people might have something to do with the presence that he felt.
He scanned through the group of Elves and humans. Before his eyes, nothing could be hidden.
( It seems that I made an error! Undoubtedly everyone of them is human. )
The Guardian Deity thought but then fell his eyes on Zero.
( That human seemed different! Is the presence coming from him? )
His sense focused on Zero as he thoroughly checked for any abnormalities.
Zero, at that moment felt stares all over his body. He felt like someone was looking at him inside and out. He looked around but saw that all the people were paying attention to Aranic.
( Was it my imagination? )
Zero thought. But that uneasy feeling won't go away.
The Guardian Deity has completed looking through Zero and sensed different types of mana including Dark Energy that only Devil possesses inside Zero. However, he himself seemed human and not Devil nor their slaves.
But he also felt some kind of similar energy coming out from him. This really confused the Ancient Dragon.
However, seeing how abnormal Zero already was, he thought that maybe he was mistaken by such a unique scent.
Aranic thought when the Guardian Deity answered. Aranic was confused by the reason.
He looked back a bit and scanned through the human geniuses. He knows that the reason might be something to do with humans as Guardian Deity has no reaction when they went through the forest previously.
Though he didn't find out who or what it was.
( Could it be someone possess Artifact made up of Dragon's body part? )
Aranic thought of a reason. The artifact made with dragons would emit a dragon's presence even if it was just one part of the body. So, he thought that maybe someone possess an artifact made out of Dragon.
"Would you mind if I looked that up for you?"
Aranic asked politely. It was his duty as Elves to fulfill everything that the Guardian Deity needs. So, he was willing to help the Guardian Deity even if he had to abandon his duty of escorting the human.
[ "No need! You may leave!" ]
The voice said. He stared at Zero before seemingly going back to sleep.
Aranic felt a bit relieved. He knows that the Guardian Deity will not harm him but it didn't mean that he wouldn't be nervous while conversing with someone as strong as Ancient Dragon.
Moreover, Even though the ELves gave him the title as Guardian Deity, it didn't mean that he would help Elves when in trouble. They just gave him this title as for hope of establishing a peaceful coexistence with the Ancient Dragon who has been dwelling in the Forest.
After the telepathic conversation with the Guardian Deity, Aranic turned back to the group, his expression now relaxed.
Nock and the others were still waiting silently, curious about what had transpired between Aranic and the powerful being.
"Everyone, let's continue our journey!"
Aranic announced. Although the Ancient Dragon said there was no need to find out the person who likely has a familiar scent as the Ancient Dragon, Aranic was curious.
However, he didn't let his curiosity run wild. He will report what had happened to his superior and they could investigate that. For now, his priority was getting the human geniuses to the Eldoria.
With the tension slightly lifted, the group resumed their journey, led by Aranic once again. They continue to walk, thanking their luck for being alive.