Chapter 88 - 84: Our Selfish Motives

Chapter 88: Chapter 84: Our Selfish Motives

The light of Chuxi, like fine threads of silk, wove gently through the gaps in the forest canopy, slowly sprinkling across the Southern Army’s gray-white tents and dyeing them a pale gold.

Outside the tents stood the Investigation Team, already assembled and ready to depart.

They were clad in iron armor, sharp blades in hand, their gazes like torches, their expressions solemn.

Though their faces were obscured by heavy armor, their upright postures and resolute gazes revealed a youthful vitality and vigor.

This was a young team, with an average age under twenty.

There were thirteen of them in total, every one a volunteer for this operation.

Before the sun had even risen in the east, they had already written their last wills under their captain’s command.

These wills, along with a hefty death benefit, would be delivered to their parents, siblings, or other relatives upon their deaths.

Fueled by alcohol, the wills were filled mostly with gallant words, devoid of sorrow.

When they sobered up, none had any desire to change what they had written. It was the best arrangement.

Lian, mounted on a snow-white warhorse, personally escorted the Guards of the Investigation Team as they left the Bone Forest’s North District encampment.

Watching these young people, he felt an inexplicable weight in his heart.

The youngest in the group was fifteen-year-old Tahid, and the oldest was forty-year-old Haburi Rom.

"Tahid, why did you volunteer for this mission too? Didn’t Jerry tell you how dangerous it is?"

Lian couldn’t help but ask.

Tahid looked up at Lian excitedly.

"Lord, you actually remember my name! I’m truly honored! Captain Jerry already told us this mission is extremely dangerous, that there’s a fifty percent chance we might not come back. But I’m not afraid. Every time we go on a field mission, there’s a high probability we’ll die out there. This is just another ordinary field mission. If my seniors can go, why can’t I?"

The young Tahid chattered on, eager to speak with his hero.

In his eyes, Lian Moria, the young new Lord of Green Shade Territory, was the territory’s greatest hero.

Like Robson, he idolized Lian and was sincerely grateful to him for raising the status of their Investigation Team.

In fact, most of the young people in the army now deeply admired Lian.

"Don’t put it in such lofty terms, Tahid. We all have our own selfish reasons."

Haburi Rom said with a smile, "Lord Lian, this mission concerns the very survival of the entire Southern Army. It’s different from the others. If we perform well, we might just save everyone and become heroes in their eyes. Our names would be remembered by all. That is our selfish reason."

Lian was slightly taken aback. The sunlight hit his face, feeling a little too warm.

Sophie rode her horse beside Lian, remaining silent the whole time.

A small, emerald-green bird circled above her head. Unlike its owner, the bird was constantly letting out clear, crisp chirps, as if responding to the Guards’ words.

With Tahid and Haburi Rom taking the lead, the other members of the Investigation Team broke their silence and began to voice their own thoughts.

"That’s right. We all have our selfish reasons."

"I was always the least favored one at home. Ever since I was little, I’ve just been trouble for my parents and relatives. My older brothers and sisters are all more outstanding than me. But this time, I want them to be proud of me. I want them to remember my name—Weber Aswede!"

"I was injured on my last mission. I’ll never be able to have children. I just hope that after I die, the army corps gives the death benefit to my younger brother. Let him marry, have children, and live a life without a care in the world. He can change the fate of the James Clan. Maybe my nephew will have a chance to be born in the inner city and receive the church’s blessing."

"My two older brothers were both Guards in the Investigation Team, but their deaths were quiet and unnoticed. This time, I have to do better than them. My name will be remembered by everyone!"

"I just want that death benefit. I hope my mom can have a good life. My gambling-addict father already owes a lot of money. Life is too hard for her."

Listening to them, Lian knew that most of them had already resolved to die.

Some of them were desperately in need of money, hoping to trade their lives for the death benefit.

Lian didn’t want them to willingly march to their deaths.

"If you can make it back alive this time, I promise you, I will solve one problem for each of you, no matter what kind of problem it is."

Hearing Lian say this, all the Guards were stunned.

They couldn’t believe their ears. Besides a promotion, Lian was also promising to help them solve their problems.

"Are you telling the truth?"

Weber Aswede asked.

Lian nodded. "Yes. I will personally take you, Weber Aswede, to the Aswede home and tell your parents and siblings that you are the finest Guard in the Investigation Team. And you, Vic James, if you come back alive, I will personally choose a fiancée for your younger brother and attend his wedding. Bobby, I will have your gambler father thrown in prison and help your mother remarry so she can live a carefree life from now on."

Lian reached out and caught the chattering little green bird nearby. Under Sophie’s watchful eye, he gently stroked its feathers and continued,

"So, this time, I don’t want you going on this mission with the resolve to die. I want you to go with the resolve to survive. You will leave from here, and you will return here. I want to see you all again."

The soldiers of the Investigation Team looked at each other, then raised their weapons in unison and shouted,

"Long live Lord Lian! Long live the Investigation Team! Long live the Southern Army!"

Lian had ignited the hope in their eyes.

A smile had appeared on Kob’s lips at some point. He felt more and more certain that Lord Moria’s choice had been the right one.

This Illegitimate Child of his possessed a character, a strategic mind, and a breadth of spirit all worthy of praise.

Robson also gazed at Lian with admiration. ’I hope that one day, I too can become an outstanding military leader.’

The army escorted the thirteen members of the investigation team to the border of the Bone Forest. Ahead of them lay a small village inhabited by humans.

Lian had once offended a blacksmith in this village, but it was nothing serious.

"Do you remember your mission?"

Jerry looked sternly at Haburi Rom, the deputy captain among the thirteen.

Haburi Rom placed his hand over his chest in a standard military salute and repeated the mission objectives.

"First, leave the Bone Forest."

"Second, request provisions and fodder from Lord Alex."

"Third, strictly record everything that happens after leaving the forest."

"Fourth, return to the Bone Forest alive!"