Chapter 86 - 82: What Would an Angel Do?

Chapter 86: Chapter 82: What Would an Angel Do?

Night fell, the moonlight like a silver stream.

Deep in the Bone Forest, a bonfire danced and leaped. The firelight cast mottled shadows among the trees, bathing the surroundings in an orange-red glow.

The air was filled with the charred scent of burning wood, mixed with the aroma of grass and earth, and mingled with the smell of roasting meat and wine, creating a primal, rustic fragrance.

The bonfire crackled and popped, embers occasionally leaping from the flames like falling stars in the night sky.

The Guards of the Green Shade Territory’s Southern Army were gathered around the bonfire, eating meat, drinking wine, dancing, and celebrating their great victory in the battle against the Corpse Monsters.

The sound of human song echoed through the Bone Forest, traveling a great distance.

It could even be heard in the villages outside the High Wall of Green Shade Territory.

And in stark contrast to the celebrating Guards were the grim-faced senior officers inside the Lord’s command tent.

"If your Believers were suddenly reduced by half, what would you do?"

Father Simo looked at the young Lord of Green Shade Territory, Lian.

"I would—replenish them."

Lian gave the answer that horrified them all.

If its Believers were reduced by half, what would an Angel do to maintain its Power?

The answer was obvious: it would recruit new Believers.

The Spirit of the Forest wanted to keep the Southern Army here, to replenish the Believers of the Bone Forest.

So, all the good fortune they were experiencing now was just a ploy to trap them, to assimilate them as Believers of the Spirit of the Forest.

This confirmed the ancient legend: kill a Tree Monster and you become a Tree Monster; kill a Corpse Monster and you become a Corpse Monster. And the Goblins and Skeleton Monsters could never be wiped out.

"That’s just your speculation. Maybe the Spirit of the Forest doesn’t even exist,"

Jerry said nervously. He didn’t want to be stuck in the Bone Forest for the rest of his life.

’Am I supposed to follow Robson’s example and marry four or five Goblin girls at once? Okay, that actually sounds kind of nice, but what about my wife and kids back home?’

"Yeah! We killed those Tree Monsters before and we weren’t cursed. We just got infected with Tree-man Disease, and didn’t Lord Lian save us all?"

Robson chimed in. Although he had indeed married four or five Goblin girls at once, he still preferred life in Green Shade Territory. His parents and sister were waiting for him back home.

The men looked at each other and broke into a buzz of discussion.

Some mentioned their unborn children, others their fiancées. One even mentioned that while he might be a bachelor forever, he couldn’t bear to part with Miss Jeanne from the snack shop in Green Shade Territory.

Lian waved his hand, cutting off their discussion.

"It’s too early to make a decision. What Father Simo said needs to be verified."

"That’s right," the Guard Captains said. "Father Simo is certainly knowledgeable, but that doesn’t mean he’s correct."

Kob looked at Jerry, the squad leader of the Investigation Team. "Jerry, this is a job for the Investigation Team. Take a squad of Guards, leave the Bone Forest immediately, and record everything that happens along the way. Report back to me."

Jerry swallowed hard, placed a hand over his chest, and gave a standard military salute.

"Yes, sir!"

The Investigation Team was often tasked with the most dangerous jobs, earning them the nickname of the army’s suicide squad.

When faced with situations like this, they had to be ready to sacrifice themselves at a moment’s notice.

After all, the survival of the entire army was more important than the lives of a dozen or so Guards.

The atmosphere in the tent suddenly grew heavy.

The joy of their victory was largely washed away, because everyone knew that if what Father Simo said was true, then this investigation squad would not be coming back.

"Jerry."

Lian clapped Jerry on the shoulder. "The Southern Army is proud of you. Tonight, you are the stars of the show."

Jerry nodded firmly and saluted Lian again.

"Yes, Lord Lian."

Lian led the group out of the tent, keeping his hand on Jerry’s shoulder so that everyone could see.

Within the entire military structure of Green Shade Territory, the Investigation Team was actually the least regarded corps. Most of its members came from the bottom rungs of society, the children of commoners living in the outer city.

They were assigned the hardest, most grueling tasks, yet they never received the rewards they deserved.

Both the Southern Army and the Northern Army modeled their internal structures after the Holy Empire’s King’s Army, divided into three parts: the Inspection Team, the Garrison Corps, and the Investigation Team.

The Inspection Team held the highest status. Generally, only the children of nobles were assigned to it upon joining the army. Their main duty was to maintain law and order in the inner and outer cities. Their pay and benefits were the best in the Southern Army, their status second only to the Cavalry Corps. But the main goal for most of these noble children joining the Inspection Team wasn’t to protect the residents, but to burnish their reputations and get promoted to higher-ranking officer positions.

The Commander of the Southern Army, like Kob, held the rank of a Level 6 Officer.

A squad leader, like Jerry, held the rank of a Level 4 Officer.

A regular Guard was only Level 1. The Inspection Team was also the fastest corps for promotions, as only its members could network with the influential and powerful.

Most importantly, the Inspection Team didn’t have to undertake missions outside the city or participate in external campaigns. The probability of encountering danger was extremely low, with a mortality rate of 1%.

The Garrison Corps had a medium status. Its members were generally from well-off middle-class families, the relatives of wealthy merchants, or perhaps fallen nobles. It also included Elite Guards—those who demonstrated superior physical fitness in recruit testing were all selected for the Garrison Corps.

The Garrison Corps was the main force of the Southern Army and its largest contingent. They were responsible for guarding the High Wall and served as the primary fighting force. Their benefits were second only to the Inspection Team.

The Investigation Team, with the lowest status, was responsible for external exploration and investigation, as well as gathering all sorts of intelligence. Their salary, benefits, and welfare were the worst, but their mortality rate was the highest.

Lian decided to change this twisted state of affairs.

He led Jerry to the very center of the bonfire party, stood beside the massive fire, and addressed all the Guards.

"Everyone, pause your celebration for a moment."

Hearing Lian’s voice, the Guards stopped singing and dancing. They put down their cups and all turned their gazes toward their young Lord.

Lian gave Robson a look. Robson, understanding immediately, drew his longsword, felled several large trees on the spot, and piled the logs at Lian’s feet.

’So that’s why Lian values Robson so highly,’ Kob thought. ’The guy’s reactions are just too quick.’

Lian and Jerry stood on the high pile of logs, allowing everyone to see them clearly.

Jerry was getting emotional. Just being able to stand beside Lian was already a great honor.

Especially with Lian’s hand resting on his shoulder, letting everyone see how much the Lord valued him.

"Isn’t that Jerry, the captain from the Investigation Team?"

"Yeah, why is he standing next to Lord Lian?"

"Looks like Lord Lian really appreciates him."

"Man, I’m so jealous of that guy."

The Guards murmured amongst themselves in small groups. Feeling their envious gazes, Jerry stood up even straighter.

"Quiet, everyone! The Lord has something to say!"

Kob roared at the top of his lungs, and everyone fell silent.

Robson, standing beside Kob, repeated his words.

"Quiet down, everyone. The Lord has something to say."

Kob shot him a glance. Robson turned his head away, avoiding the scarred commander’s sharp, triangular eyes.

All the Guards tilted their heads up, looking expectantly at Lian, waiting for their young Lord to speak.