Chapter 21

The footsteps grew louder, making them increasingly alert. Then, a man in black, radiating a mysterious aura, appeared behind a large tree. He had silver-white hair and eyes that sparkled like stars in the night sky.

"Who are you?" Elena asked, her tone wary.

The man stopped in front of the house and looked at them with a gentle gaze. "I am Arion, the guardian of the Western Border of this Magic Forest Kingdom. I have come to meet you."

Fairy Lorian appeared beside Arion, explaining, "Arion is the highest protector here. He is responsible for maintaining the balance of magical power, and he wishes to get acquainted with all of you."

Alice invited Arion and Lorian to sit with them. She was pleased that many visitors were coming to the wooden house.

"I came to find my friends, Alice and Chiki. I have passed the test and received permission from Fairy Lorian to come here," Elena explained the situation to Arion.

"Yes, I am aware of that."

"Elena, are you alright?" Alice immediately expressed concern for Elena. "Did you have to fight any creatures here?"

"No, Alice. Please don’t worry."

Elena’s visit was likely intended to take Alice and Chiki back to the Vestinel region. Alice felt reluctant to return there. She couldn’t bear seeing Sandy and Amora’s romance, which hurt her deeply. It was better to push those thoughts aside for now. Arion and Lorian were here.

"Sorry if our visit is a disturbance," said Arion. "Lorian and I only intended to stop by briefly."

Alice didn’t feel disturbed by their presence; in fact, she was glad. After all, this was the Magic Forest Kingdom with extraordinary magical powers, and she was just a guest here.

After a while, Arion and Lorian bid their farewells. They both flew up into the air. Alice then looked at Elena. She wanted to share the good news that Chiki had fully transformed back into a human and was no longer a chicken. This made Elena very happy.

"Thanks to the help of Fairy Eldoria, who broke the curse, I am very grateful to her," said Chiki, beaming with joy.

"That's wonderful to hear. I’m glad for you."

Elena sighed with relief after hearing the good news about Chiki. The atmosphere in the wooden house felt warm, despite the sudden rain outside.

"Alice, I understand why you decided to leave the Vestinel region. One reason must be Sandy, right?" Elena asked, noticing Alice’s somber expression.

"Yes, you’re right. I was unhappy seeing them together. My heart is very sore, Elena. I still can’t believe Sandy betrayed me like this." Alice began to shed tears in front of Elena and Chiki.

They were saddened to see Alice crying. Chiki immediately hugged and comforted her to stop her tears. Elena offered some good advice.

"Oh, by the way. A few days ago, Amora entered my room without my permission," Elena said seriously. "She asked for an antidote, but I didn’t give it to her."

"Who was poisoned and needed the antidote? Was it Sandy?" Alice felt deep concern about Sandy.

"Not Sandy. He is fine. But Amora didn’t specify for whom."

Alice found this odd. Who had been poisoned? Her concern grew deeper upon hearing that Amora needed an antidote for an unspecified person. The uneasy feeling haunted her mind, especially with the possibility that the poisoned person might be someone she knew or even an enemy.

"We need to find out more. Amora wouldn’t ask for an antidote without a reason. Maybe we can ask her directly after we return," Elena tried to ease the tense atmosphere.

Elena’s suggestion made sense. Alice would return to the Vestinel region later with Elena and Chiki.

"So, have you changed your mind, and will you come back with me to the Vestinel region?" Elena asked, looking at Alice and Chiki in turn.

"If Alice leaves here, I will leave too. If she wants to stay here, I will stay with her," Chiki said, clinging to Alice’s arm.

Elena just laughed at this. They continued chatting and weren’t ready to sleep yet. Alice began to recall something. Based on Elena’s words, Amora had asked for an antidote a few days ago. She couldn’t help but think about the evil sorcerer who had obstructed her path. Alice had once poisoned that sorcerer and stabbed her in the chest before fleeing.

"Alice, what are you thinking about?" Chiki nudged Alice’s arm to bring her back from her thoughts.

"When I was escaping from the Vestinel region, I was suddenly attacked. It was a witch. We fought with great power. She wanted to kill me because someone ordered him to. Before she escaped, I managed to stab her with poison," Alice explained in detail to Elena and Chiki.

Elena and Chiki’s eyes widened in shock. Could the witch be connected to Amora? If so, she would not forgive her.

"I can’t just sit here doing nothing for you, Alice. We need to find Amora right away. I’m worried there might be something even bigger than we think that she might do," Chiki said, feeling very upset with Amora and ready to protect Alice at all times.

"If that’s the case, Amora is very daring to conspire with a witch against you," Elena said, shaking her head at this revelation.

Should she return to the Vestinel region and ask Amora about this? It seemed like a significant coincidence. Perhaps it would be wise to return to Vestinel.

"Amora must face consequences for her actions!"

"Are you sure the witch is really connected to Amora?" Alice asked, still uncertain.

"If Amora is indeed involved, I will give her a more severe punishment. We need to go to the Vestinel region to find out more, Alice," Chiki said, eager to return to the Vestinel region.

She looked at Elena for a moment. As a result, she agreed to return. If Amora was truly conspiring with the witch, she would likely have extra protection.