The Legendary Mage (Alavin) novel Chapter 219

Over forty thousand souls marched into the forest, their footsteps startling birds into flight and beasts into retreat, yet their presence drew forth the ravenous Magi-Monster.

A pride of Smoke Panthers was the first to set their sights on them, appearing and disappearing within the damp and dim underbrush like flickering flames. Swift as the wind, their blood-red eyes pierced through the foliage, greedily fixating on the thronging masses.

Hundreds of White Skull Baboons swarmed in, scrambling across the towering tree canopies over a hundred meters high, chattering and observing the procession below. These Magi-Monsters were more ferocious than the wildest direwolves, and to fall into their grasp meant being devoured down to the very bone.

The guards were on high alert, patrolling around the edges of the group. Their energies were unleashed and primed for battle.

The townsfolk, numbering over forty thousand, suppressed their fear and bravely followed the procession. They traversed rugged hills, hacked away at dense branches, and cleared the thorny underbrush to forge a pathway.

Alavin led at the forefront; his brow furrowed, ever vigilant for the Magi-Monsters that lurked within the woods.

This was the forest's edge, without the presence of particularly powerful Magi-Monster species. However, the true fear lay in the swarming groups of these creatures. With their overwhelming numbers, should they launch an assault, the guard detail would struggle to protect everyone.

Lucan was also tense, not expecting to attract such a number of Magi-Monsters so soon. Fortunately, they had yet to encounter any mercenaries.

The procession was vast, and despite everyone's best efforts, their pace was slow. By noon, they had only covered thirty miles, drawing the attention of thousands of Magi-Monsters, including the predatory birds. The creatures saw this multitude of humanity as nothing more than a feast.

"The Magi-Monsters are increasing in number!" the guard detail warned, their anxiety palpable.

"Halt the procession. Gather together," commanded Alavin with a raised hand.

The guards bellowed orders, and the great mass of people gradually came to a stop before assembling as directed.

Alavin issued a new command, "Leave four hundred to guard, and the rest join forces with The Silent Blade. After a moment's preparation, we strike as one. Slay as many as we can!"