Chapter 108 - 99: A Small Sense of Sin

Chapter 108: Chapter 99: A Small Sense of Sin

Having experienced over three hundred different mortal lives, Forest Spirit Solaya underwent a further sublimation of her Spiritual Essence when her spirit fragments reconverged. This not only restored her dominion over the Bone Forest but also granted her a new ability—Spirit Diffusion.

In other words, while she still couldn’t break the God of Tiger’s Imprisonment and her true form couldn’t leave the Bone Forest, she could now send out a wisp of her Spirit to reside within the rune on Lian’s finger, becoming a part of his power.

This wisp of Spirit could also leave the Bone Forest with Lian, journeying into the wider world.

Though Lian lost his Power of Faith, he gained Solaya’s power in return. It was a mutually beneficial exchange, leaving both parties stronger than before.

Lian left the Emerald Palace with Sophie, feeling completely satisfied.

Back at the military camp, the [Forced Faith] status above the Guards’ heads had vanished. They remained loyal to Lian, but the memory of their absurd actions made them want to dig a hole and hide in it forever—especially those who had eagerly offered up their asses.

Once she came to her senses, the maid, Mina, was overcome with remorse and apologized profusely to Catherine.

Catherine, however, was surprisingly magnanimous, even saying she wouldn’t be completely against it if Mina wanted to become Lian’s mistress.

Mina immediately swore she would rather die than become Lian’s mistress.

If Lian hadn’t stopped her, Mina might have actually succeeded in killing herself.

To reassure his fiancée, Lian also promised he would never make a move on anyone in Catherine’s circle, professing that he was devoted only to her.

And so, this beautiful misunderstanding came to a perfect close.

The next day, the Southern Army concluded its campaign in the Bone Forest and began the march back to the Green Shade Territory.

If time weren’t so pressing, Lian would have definitely used Solaya’s presence to farm more Points in the Bone Forest.

But as long as Solaya and her Believers remained in the Bone Forest, farming Points could be put off for later.

Vying for the Blue Moon Territory was the most important matter at hand.

The dawn mist had not yet scattered as the Green Shade Territory, nestled within its High Walls, awoke in the haze.

The sound of triumphant horns pierced the sky, echoing along the bluestone-paved streets.

On the High Walls, the silhouettes of Guards were faint in the morning mist.

Below the High Walls, a vast procession advanced slowly, kicking up clouds of dust.

This was the triumphant Southern Army, their Armor glittering dazzlingly in the morning sun.

The heavy, powerful clatter of hooves on the stone road sounded like the very drumbeat of victory, stirring every heart.

Crowds surged in from all directions, their cheers, applause, and blessings merging into a fervent sea of sound.

Children ran about, tossing flowers and colorful confetti, and the celebratory atmosphere swept over every person in the Green Shade Territory.

Young women, dressed in their brightest clothes and with faces beaming with joy, cast adoring gazes at the heroes.

Even the nobles from the inner city had their luxurious carriages push through the outer city’s crowds to welcome the triumphant young Lord.

None of them had imagined that Lian could actually keep his word and conquer the Bone Forest in such a short time.

Before this, the nobles had been gossiping about how Lian was neglecting his duties. Why provoke the terrifying monsters in the Bone Forest? Why couldn’t he just indulge in balls and banquets like the rest of them?

They had even wondered if Lian might die in the Bone Forest, in which case the Green Shade Territory would need a new master.

In reality, a few nobles secretly dissatisfied with the Moria Clan had taken advantage of Lian’s absence to stir up some trouble. However, their plot was exposed ahead of time by Anna’s Black Rose Organization. Karel Dennis had since placed them all under house arrest, awaiting Lian’s return to pass judgment.

The Black Rose Organization was a new group Anna had formed by consolidating all her spies. It was responsible for all intelligence operations within the territory and answered only to Anna, who in turn was loyal only to Lian.

The spies of the Black Rose Organization were all former Heartless agents trained by Mary, the Lord of Rose Territory. After being saved by Lian, they had all sworn an oath of allegiance to him.

This time, Riel hadn’t gone out of the city with her family. Instead, she was with her fellow Knight trainees, led by Teacher Bill and Karel Dennis, to welcome Lian. As a result, she was standing right at the front of the procession.

Her Swordsmanship having improved by leaps and bounds, Riel was so excited she was dying to show off her newly learned Knight Swordsmanship to Lian right then and there.

"Teacher Lian, I’m over here!"

Riel waved excitedly.

Lian had already seen her, but to maintain an air of authority before his student-in-name-only, he simply gave a slight nod.

This time, Lian had chosen not to ride a horse, instead sitting with Catherine in a luxurious carriage to receive the adoration of their people together.

This was also a way to show all his people that Catherine was his fiancée.

The two stood hand-in-hand on the flower-adorned carriage, facing the crowd. The scene was practically a wedding procession.

Catherine, however, still wore a black veil that concealed her face.

In all of the Green Shade Territory, Lian and Sophie were likely the only ones who had seen Catherine’s true face.

Seeing Lian again, the young noblewomen were captivated by his Charm, feeling as if he were a completely different person from the man they knew before.

’Is this the baptism of war?’

The young women who had secretly lost their hearts to him began to envy Catherine, who stood by his side. They couldn’t believe that this "ugly freak" could be worthy of the noble Lord of the Green Shade Territory. It was simply preposterous.