Chapter 64 - 60: Forward to the Bone Forest

Chapter 64: Chapter 60: Forward to the Bone Forest

Catherine pushed open the door, and the young Lord, bathed in the morning light, came into view.

He had blond hair and blue eyes, with sharp, deep-set features. He also had the same dark circles under his eyes as Father Simo, but a faint smile played on his lips.

"Catherine, good morning."

"Good morning, Lord Lian. Did you not rest well last night?"

Catherine asked gently. The sunlight caressed her long, lustrous black hair and fell upon her delicate, fair face, making her look as if she were under a soft filter, as beautiful as an Elf from a painting.

Her misty eyes, in particular, stirred a desire in others to protect her.

Lian nodded slightly. "Yes, it was difficult to rest. I’m preparing to set out for the Bone Forest today. I’m not sure when I’ll be back, so I wanted to help you remove that last red entry first."

"The Bone Forest?"

Catherine froze for a moment. In her memory, that forest was extremely dangerous, home to terrifying monsters.

Without the protection of Knight Kage Mori, she and Mina would never have been able to cross it to reach the Green Shade Territory.

"Why would you go to such a dangerous place?"

"To ensure your safe return to the Blue Moon Territory, I must make a trip to the Bone Forest."

Lian said with a smile.

Catherine was suddenly moved. She reproached herself for the worry and jealousy she had felt last night.

"Lord Lian, you don’t have to be so good to me."

"This is part of our agreement. It’s a responsibility I must fulfill."

Lian took his fiancée’s delicate little hand. After this period of recuperation, Catherine had put on some weight, and her hand felt fuller.

Catherine stood on her tiptoes and gave Lian a restrained kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for everything you’ve done for me."

Lian responded with a kiss on her forehead. "Come on, let’s get this over with quickly."

Catherine knew Lian was referring to the [Terminal Illness Girl] entry, but she hesitated.

"Lord Lian, there’s no need to remove that entry for now."

Catherine said.

"Why?"

Lian asked, confused.

Catherine explained, "It gives me a stronger memory than anyone else. I can remember everything that has ever happened. It’s like I have a memory palace in my mind. No matter when something occurred, as long as I want to remember it, I can recall it at will. I need this for my revenge."

"Even if it could kill you at any moment?"

"Yes. Don’t worry, Lord Lian. I won’t die so easily. I have at least three years left, at least until I’ve achieved my revenge."

Catherine said earnestly.

Lian sighed and decided to respect Catherine’s decision for the time being. "Alright. In that case, let’s just say a simple goodbye. I’ll end the campaign in the Bone Forest as quickly as possible."

"Mm."

Catherine nodded. She took the pendant she always wore from around her neck and placed it around Lian’s.

"This is the Protective Talisman my mother gave me. It has protected me for sixteen years. I hope it can protect you, too, and bring you safely back to my side."

Catherine’s eyes grew moist. Because of this farewell, she forgave Lian for his recent coldness, and her heart began to burn for him once more.

She knew the man before her was fulfilling his promise step by step, even with countless dangers ahead.

"I will bring it back safely."

Lian grasped the blue pendant. It was a Blue Crystal Protective Talisman, faintly imbued with the Power of Faith.

The two said their official goodbyes. After watching Lian leave, Catherine quietly returned to her bedroom.

Lian put on his Armor and, surrounded by a group of people, boarded the carriage that would take him out of the city.

The three ministers, Anna, Annie, and Sophie, were all by Lian’s side.

To prevent the enthusiastic townspeople from slowing his departure, Lian had chosen to set out at dawn.

Most of the people in the Green Shade Territory were still asleep, and the streets were completely empty.

The carriage and the Guards proceeded without obstruction.

The Southern Army had already assembled under Captain Cobb’s command. They were now gathered inside the High Wall, ready to move out.

Lian stepped out of the carriage and mounted the tall warhorse that Cobb led over.

Astride his horse, Lian raised his longsword and addressed all the departing Guards,

"For years, the Bone Forest has been the greatest obstacle preventing our Green Shade Territory from expanding. It has become a Nightmare for caravans and Adventurers alike. We can only hide behind the High Wall to survive and multiply. Against those supernatural monsters, we are so weak. The Bone Forest, the Wilderness, the Forbidden Sea—these places severely restrict our living space, making us like penned-in livestock that has lost its wings to fly."

"Today, I, Lian Moria, will lead you to attack the Bone Forest! We will kill those man-eating Tree Monsters and Corpse Monsters, so that our people can leave the High Wall, breathe the vast air outside, and expand our living space! We want freedom, we want land, and we want security!"

"Attack the Bone Forest!"

"We want freedom, we want land, and we want security!!!"

Following Lian, the Guards let out a deafening roar, the sound waves spreading across the Green Shade Territory one after another.

Those still sleeping opened their eyes and pushed open their windows.

They watched the warriors in Armor march off to war, their backs forming a river as they faced the rising sun.

The young Lord led the fired-up warriors out from the High Wall, leaving the ministers behind.

Anna and Annie did not accompany him this time. Anna had to help Lian control the Spies, and Annie needed to stay behind to protect Anna.

Karel Dennis would need to temporarily handle the territory’s internal affairs in Lian’s stead. However, Lian had instructed that for any matter requiring a choice, Karel must consult his Maid, Anna. Anna’s opinion would represent Lian’s own.

Alex Pool remained in charge of external affairs, while the Minister of Finance, Omari Hani, was tasked with the heavy responsibility of organizing the construction of the Empire State Building.

Fortunately, the bank’s affairs were already on the right track under President Emran’s leadership, so Omari Hani didn’t need to worry about it.

"I hope Lord Lian returns safely."

Karel Dennis said, watching the army gradually depart in the morning light.

"Don’t worry. With the Ice Witch around, nothing will happen to Lord Lian."

Omari Hani said, wiping the sweat from his face.

Alex Pool clenched his fists. "I really wish I could go on this expedition with Lord Lian."

With Annie’s help, Anna made her way up to the High Wall. The twin sisters stood side by side, watching Lian’s departing figure.

"Anna, if Lord Lian dies, no one will wear the clothes I make anymore."

"Annie, you’re better suited to making women’s clothes. Give up on menswear. The men’s clothes you make are always too flamboyant. They make Lord Lian look like an attention-seeking playboy."

Anna said honestly.

"No, the problem is with Lord Lian’s own disposition."

Annie would never admit that the menswear she designed might be ostentatious. In her eyes, it was fashion, it was taste.

Anna shook her head, her gaze following Lian’s horse as it entered the dense forest.

When Lian’s figure was no longer visible, Annie suddenly asked,

"Why did Lord Lian bring Father Simo? Is it because the Priest has the power of Purification, to prevent the army from being bewildered by the Tree Monsters?"

Anna shook her head. "Perhaps Lord Lian doesn’t feel at ease leaving the Priest behind in the Green Shade Territory."

Anna also didn’t quite understand why Lian always liked to make Simo work unpaid overtime.

After all, she couldn’t see the "heresy" entry above Father Simo’s head.

But she could vaguely guess that Lian didn’t fully trust the Priest.

On horseback, Lian smiled as he looked at Father Simo, who was riding a black horse not far away.

"Don’t look so down, my friend. This time, I definitely won’t force you to work overtime."