"When battle armor emerged thousands of years ago, humanity's strength surged. Soul beasts were suppressed and hunted en masse. Today, most of the forest is under human control, but the territories of the Great Beasts remain untouched."
Alfred's tone darkened slightly.
"I have never entered those territories myself, but it is said that powerful Battle Armor Masters who ventured inside never returned. They are among the few true forbidden zones left on the continent."
Ray's heart tightened as he listened.
"Soul beasts above one hundred thousand years can assume human form," Alfred continued. "If we pushed them too far, they would abandon their territories and wage guerrilla warfare across the continent. Thus, an unspoken agreement exists. We do not invade their lands, and they do not attack humanity."
Ray frowned. "Then what about the other soul beasts?"
