I doubt it's the same forest, it's probably just a random forest to help get the situation across. I don't really see anything about "things waking up," although they do talk about changes occuring. That was likely a general reference to how things are changing since Griffith's rebirth.
As for the chapters, this is how it's listed in SK.net's translations:
Volume 22
- 179: Tattered World
- 180: Meeting again on the Hill of Swords
- 181: Beast Swordsman VS Black Swordsman
- 182: Indestructible
- 183: Preface to the War
- 184: Kushan Invasion
- 185: Winds of Change (1)
- 186: Winds of Change (2)
- 177: Snow, Flames and...(1)
- 178: Snow, Flames and...(2)
Volume 23
- 187: Winter Journey (1)
- 188: Winter Journey (2)
- 189: Time Apart
- 190: The Beast Hungers
- 191: Meeting again in the Wilderness
- 192: Demon Army
- 193: The Flag of the Flying Sword
- 194: Wings of Light and Darkness
- 195: When the stars of night fall
- 196: Like a Child
I'm guessing maybe the chapters came out in the numerical order, but were rearranged when they were published in graphic novel format (but I don't know for sure why it's like that).