I’m Really Not Trying to Be Chased by the Heroine as the Villainous Playboy! – Chapter 258

Chapter 111: Chaos

Before long, two slightly disheveled figures appeared before Douglas.

The elven girl was pouting, her cheeks faintly flushed, while the black-haired boy seemed calm, yet was unconsciously stroking his cheek.

Seeing this scene, Douglas hesitated to speak, his words caught in his throat, ultimately stifled by the prince’s good upbringing.

Well, this might just be how young couples take a break.

Clearing his throat a couple of times, Douglas got to the point: “There’s a problem with the barrier; I need you to take a look.”

Upon hearing this, both of them instantly wore serious expressions and followed Douglas to the barrier’s edge.

The swirling green light points around them had dimmed considerably, while the vines had increased in number. Although they hadn’t discovered this place before, it was clear that they were hastening their exploration in this direction; even the yellow-green miasma was visibly thickening, with flowers, grasses, and leaves rotting wherever it spread.

Their time was running out.

No wonder Douglas could hardly sit still.

Without the barrier, not only would their location be exposed, inviting attacks, but the miasma that drains life itself would also be a considerable problem.

However, Roy had anticipated this and comforted Douglas, “The elemental barrier was just a stopgap; it’s done well enough to buy us time.”

The prince of Goldsand’s expression stiffened: “Do you have any other plans?”

After a brief silence, Douglas suppressed the authority on his face and tried to appear humble: “What should we do next?”

Roy raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised.

“The one most qualified to lead us here is actually the senior.”

Roy wasn’t being modest; he was merely stating an observable fact.

Douglas, as a royal prince and faction leader, coupled with being a senior, was not easily swayed.

Initially, Roy had planned to assist Douglas by offering suggestions. But since the other party voluntarily lowered his head at this moment, it was clear he no longer intended to cling to the identities of leader and senior.

Hearing this, Douglas forced a grim smile and self-deprecatedly remarked, “Being qualified doesn’t mean having the ability.”

“Specialization is key. If it’s about leading troops into battle or playing politics, that’s one thing, but I’ve never dealt with cultists before.” As Douglas recalled the poised response of the young boy facing that monstrous creature, and the flames capable of engulfing the withered vines, he meaningfully added, “When it comes to dealing with cultists, you’re stronger than I am. Besides you, no one else can get us back alive.”

One couldn’t help but admire the prince; despite previous minor conflicts, when it came to major issues, he could still see clearly.

Yet, being complimented for being adept at dealing with cultists left Roy feeling somewhat weird.

If possible, I’d prefer not to have to deal with those half-human, half-demon weirdos, okay?

Seeing Douglas mention the cult, Roy took the chance to apologize, “By the way, about Yana, I’m sorry.”

At that moment, Yana had been parasitized by the cult, and Roy had no choice but to take action. But after all, she was someone else’s companion; a moment of silence was warranted.

“Please accept my condolences.”

Noticing Douglas slightly lower his head, seemingly plunged in sorrow, Roy didn’t say anything further.

However, Douglas’s feelings were rather complicated.

Losing a partner was indeed hard, but strangely, Yana’s death left him feeling a sense of relief, as if he had finally shaken off a burdensome dead weight…

Confirming that Douglas would stand by his side, Roy confidently moved to the center of the camp and took charge of the upcoming plan.

Those extraordinary beings who managed to enter the Misty Forest early were no ordinary folk; there were also seniors from the other two major factions. Initially, seeing Roy approach, some were a bit reluctant, but upon seeing Douglas standing behind him, they sensibly kept their mouths shut.

“Everyone, the situation is urgent, so I’ll be brief.”

“My barrier is about to run out of power, and we need to decide on new measures.”

As a portable barrier that didn’t require a wizard to activate, capable of blocking the miasma of All Things Wither and providing nearly an entire night of shelter, it was already quite incredible.

The classmates already understood that the barrier could only protect them temporarily, but when that moment approached, they still couldn’t help but feel panicked.

“What do we do without the barrier?”

“Commoners, what’s there to fear? Help will come! Once my family’s knights step in, these cultists won’t stand a chance!”

“No, no, didn’t the academy’s teachers get driven back already? Who knows when the next wave of rescue will arrive?!”

“Should we just escape instead? We’re only students; there’s no need to fight these cultists to the bitter end!”

“Escape? Where can we run to? I say we should just fight these lunatics head-on!”

Chaotic inquiries, rude refusals, cowardly cries, and blind anger intermingled, weaving together a meaningless argument from different factions and identities.

The Goldsand faction students had seen Roy take action before, and with Douglas backing him, they could still barely maintain order, but others had already descended into chaos.

Just then, an invisible pressure swept through the crowd like a gale, as if coming from a glance from the heavens above.

Though it was merely a moment, the pressure from the Dragon King caused a wave of panic, instinctively silencing everyone.

In this moment, they finally realized who was leading them.

Roy was well aware that the combat power of the many extraordinary beings present was not lacking, but if they couldn’t be effectively organized, they would only become a scattered bunch.

First, Roy didn’t want to waste their combat strength; second, since they were classmates and he still had the energy, he didn’t want to watch his people perish before his eyes—at least, compared to those festering cultists, his classmates still looked somewhat human.

So when it was time to be firm, he had to be firm.

Until the sound of a pin dropping could be heard, Roy slowly shook his head.

“I’ll clarify the current situation for everyone.”

“First, there’s no need to wait for rescue anymore.”

Roy glanced at Douglas.

The latter immediately stepped forward to explain, “Everyone, as nobles, I understand the thoughts of those up there better than you do.”

“The previous rescue team was driven back, and many classmates were taken hostage. To ensure that the upcoming rescue is foolproof, the new team will be more comprehensive, but it will also require more time.” Douglas paused, his tone weighted: “But we can’t wait that long.”

It was precisely because he was a noble that he understood how cautious those at the top were; many things couldn’t be done freely.

After Douglas pointed this out, the faces of the noble youths who were already aware turned grim.

Another group cast eager looks at Roy, only to be doused with cold water: “As for fleeing, that’s also not an option.”

Out of nowhere, a girl holding a twig looked utterly helpless with her hands behind her head, saying, “Guys, we’ve gone too deep.”

“I’ve checked the distance; before we can run out, the miasma will drain us. Even if you can withstand the miasma, what if you fall behind, get lost, or if those lunatics catch up? You’d still be toast.”

Nia’s words were straightforward, yet cut deeper than Douglas’s.

Elves are born scouts. The complicated Misty Forest was as simple to them as going home.

Thus, many hoped that the Nightingale from the Verdant Council would lead them out.

However, upon hearing Nia’s words, realizing the difficulty of escape, everyone’s heads drooped lower.

Rescue couldn’t be waited on, and escape was futile. For a moment, everyone’s morale hit rock bottom.

It was at this moment that a young man in the crowd suddenly stood up, gritting his teeth, and shouted, “If that’s the case, let’s fight them to the death!”