My Girlfriends Are Hardcore Yanderes - Chapter 125

Chapter 125: Tension in the Wood
He pushed all unnecessary thoughts aside. Even if Ava liked him, she was too weak to be a real threat. Her feelings were unlikely to lead to anything of importance.

Women strong enough to act on their obsession were the ones he found worth being cautious of.

As for assuming things too quickly, he was never one to make that mistake. He was perceptive—he could read the room and recognize the signs. Anyone who missed that would be an idiot.

Asher stepped through the door and entered the room. His eyes swept over the space—a circular room, crafted entirely from wood, its design simple but with purpose.

The high, vaulted ceiling was made of interlocking wooden beams that met at an open skylight, allowing moonlight to pour in and illuminate the space, casting faint shadows on the floor below. The air was cool and still, yet there was a quiet tension in the room, as though the walls themselves were bracing for the conversation that would soon unfold.

In the center of the room, a large, round table dominated the space, its surface polished but worn, showing signs of countless used. Surrounding it were sturdy chairs.

Every detail, from the table’s worn edges to the other furniture, suggested that this was a place of deep contemplation—a place for matters of importance, not trivial conversations.

Nyra was the first to settle into her chair. Her gray hair caught the faint light as she lowered herself.

Beside her sat the elder, a massive figure wrapped in thick furs. He looked like a creature of the wild—a bear in human form, his dark eyes focused and alert. His presence was imposing, his large hands resting on the large carved staff he leaned on, the tip shaped like the snarling face of a beast.

He didn’t look like someone who could use magic, so that staff seemed more like a club in his hands.

Across from them sat another figure—a woman with shimmering green scales covering her arms and neck. Her features were sharp, almost reptilian, and though her face seemed youthful, no older than her thirties, her eyes carried the weight of decades of experience.

Her sharp green gaze shifted to Asher, suspicion flashing behind her eyes, assessing him.

The last figure stood out even more—small and slim, barely four feet tall, with black wings folded neatly behind him.

The feathers gleamed like polished obsidian, contrasting with his narrow face and sharp nose, which made him resemble a bird of some sort.

When he spoke, his voice had a raspy edge, like the sound of dry leaves scraping against stone.

“So, you’re the one who’s caused such a stir,” he said, tilting his head slightly, his eyes filled with curiosity.

Asher didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he took the seat Nyra had offered, his back straight and his posture calm.

The weight of their stares didn’t bother him; he had faced worse situations before.

Besides, he wasn’t here to assert his dominance but to ask for information. As long as they showed him respect, he would return it.

Nyra cleared her throat, her eyes never leaving Asher. “You’ve certainly made an impression. Most travelers don’t bring that kind of attention with them.”

Asher finally spoke, his tone mindful. “I apologize for the commotion, but don’t worry—once I have the information I need, I’ll be on my way.”

The elders nodded in agreement. They could tell by his words, his voice, and his demeanor that he wasn’t here to cause trouble. He was deliberate in his approach, the kind of person who always thought before he acted.

Nyra leaned forward slightly, her fingers drumming lightly on the edge of the table as she began to explain.

Asher focused and listened carefully. From what he heard, this world was much bigger than he had thought.

Alarath, the Capital of Dryads, was the closest, hidden deep within the ancient forests.

The trees there were massive, their branches twisted in ways that seemed unnatural, and the city was nestled within their towering roots.

To the north lay Nithra, the Capital of Stone. Carved directly into cliffs, it was a city built from the very rock that surrounded it. The people were known for their skills in stonework and metallurgy, and strength was highly valued.

To the east was Zaryth, the Capital of Storms. The city was hit by strong winds and lightning all the time, making it a place where only the strongest could survive.

In the south was Virell, the Capital of Sand. Surrounded by vast deserts, it was a land of scorching heat and shifting dunes. Its people were survivors, resilient and hardened by the unforgiving environment.

To the west was Orith, the Capital of Flames, built atop a volcanic landscape. It was a place of constant heat and fire, where life was shaped by the land’s burning power.

Lastly, there was Eryx, the Capital of Shadows, located in the farthest corner of the world.

Shrouded in perpetual night,a place where shadows and secrets thrived.

He absorbed all the information, his mind piecing together the descriptions of each capital. After a moment, he glanced up.

“Do you have a map?” he asked.

A visual guide would make it easier to comprehend the geography of these places.

“We do have one for Alarath, as we maintain a trading route with it,” she responded, standing up.

She walked over to a nearby cabinet, rummaging through some papers. After a two minutes, she retrieved a worn, hand-drawn map and handed it to him.

The map depicted the layout of the town and gave a general sense of where Alarath was located.

However, navigating through the forest could be difficult, especially with the dense woods and winding paths that could easily confuse even the most seasoned travelers.

But with his ability to fly, he could easily spot familiar landmarks from above and follow them to reach the city. It would require some extra effort, but it was manageable.

He tucked the map into his space bag and looked back up at them.

“By the way, of all the capitals, which one is the most advance? Or access to Teleportation ?”

“Teleportation?” she exclaimed. While they had heard of it, it was seen more as a legend, since it was hard to believe.

After a brief silence, Nyra spoke up. “I don’t know about teleportation, but the most advanced capital would be Eryx, the Capital of Shadows,”

“Their arcane arts are different from most others,” she continued. “It’s based on shadows, illusions, and manipulation. If there’s a capital that might have what you’re looking for, it would be that place.”

Asher stroked his chin thoughtfully. It was good to know that, if he needed additional knowledge, there was a place where he could seek it.

“Thank you for the information,” he said, standing up. “I’ll take my leave then.”

Nyra gave a small nod, her eyes studying him for a moment longer.

“Be careful out there,” she advised, her tone softer than before. “The forest can be tricky for those who don’t know its ways.”

Asher gave a slight nod in acknowledgment, then turned to leave. But just as he reached the door, an explosion shook the air, the wooden floor trembling beneath his feet.

The elders tensed, their hands instinctively reaching for their weapons.

“What did you do?” Nyra snapped, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.