Chapter 1994 - 539: The Hyena Follows Along_6

"I think your father has lost his mind! Take him to the doctor quickly!"

The cries of the crowd drifted into Erin's ears, and she too wore an expression of disbelief, staring intently at the black beast revealing its true form.

She swore she had never witnessed such an astonishing scene: the factory chimney was running, dragging behind it dozens of cars filled with goods!

"Clang—clang—"

The oppressive rhythm beat against everyone's eardrums.

It disregarded the terrain's undulations and ignored the horses' fears, rudely and proudly tearing through the air around the knights.

The crowd watched in shock as it approached and then watched as it departed.

Until an ethereal whistle sounded, the train, like a ship approaching port, slowed down towards the end of the tracks.

"Toot—!"

The Lizardmen seemed to have heard a signal and climbed onto the cars using both hands and feet, quickly unloading the steel rails and loading them onto trailers to push to the construction site.

Everything was so natural, including the Dragon Descendant standing by the tracks, commanding these Lizardmen with a loudspeaker.

It wasn't until the train finally came to a halt that Erin realized she had almost forgotten to breathe.

"Saint Sis above..."

She softly murmured a phrase to herself.

Is this really still Campbell?

She found it somewhat unrecognizable as her hometown.

...

The triumphant procession continued southward, and the closer they got to Glanton Castle, the more this bizarre unfamiliarity made approaching one's home daunting.

Riding on horseback, Erin discovered that this place was not only untouched by the scourge of war, but surprisingly bustling.

Near a newly constructed platform, a sprawling market was thriving. Nearby villagers brought cattle and sheep here, picking industrial goods from the stalls.

Not just industrial goods.

Flour from South Stream Valley, minerals from Spinor, and timber from Twilight Province all converged here.

Peddlers shouted loudly, workers carried tools weaving through, and well-dressed gentlemen scouted for business opportunities.

Everyone here seemed so busy, like a clock wound tightly, rushing to catch the next event, afraid of missing this feast.

It was a scene absolutely unseen in Twilight Province, even Erin's horse couldn't help slowing its pace.

"The changes here... are truly too great."

Looking at a child by the roadside exchanging candy with a peddler using copper pounds, Erin couldn't help but murmur.

It had only been a year.

"This is just the beginning, Your Highness."

Theresa gazed southward with a gentle smile on her face.

"I've heard Thunder City's changes are even more astonishing. They say Prince Colin has built a clock everyone can see just by looking up, to welcome your triumphant return."

Thinking of that gentle face, Erin's heart involuntarily beat faster, and she also couldn't help but tighten her grip on the reins.

"If I take this... can I return in just a few hours?"

Seeing Erin staring intently at the nearby station, Theresa was momentarily stunned, then smiled and said.

"Of course... but our destination isn't Thunder City, it's the estate near Glanton Castle."

...

Glanton Castle City Hall, once Earl Derek's estate.

Now the elaborate crest has been erased from the iron gate and walls, the newly painted gate opens to the new order.

The setting sun's afterglow cast on the marble fountain square, lengthening two figures.

One was the Duchy's Monarch, and the other was the Prince from the Imperial.

The sound of hoofbeats stopped in the square.

Silver-haired Erin dismounted, her boots making a crisp sound upon hitting the stone slabs.

Seeing the two familiar figures at the door, she felt a slight sting in her nose, the fatigue and suppression of days almost left her eyes.

"Erin!"

Edward opened his arms, his eyes slightly red too.

It was the first time Luo Yan saw such an expression on his face; even when his son was spinning on the chandelier by Vivian, his eyes hadn't been this red.

"Brother!"

Erin threw herself into her brother's arms, giving him a firm hug, tears ultimately spilling from her eyes.

Frankly, Luo Yan was envious of that healthy sibling bond; he wished Vivian could be like Erin.

Just as he was thinking this, a milky white "nuisance" suddenly floated out from beside him, saying lightly.

"But Lord Demon King, if Vivian had feelings for you like Erin's, wouldn't that be quite unfavorable—"

"Alright, Youyou can close its mouth now."

"Ooh..."

The aggrieved voice turned into a plume of white smoke, dissipating in that touching reunion.

The two soon parted.

Edward patted Erin's shoulder, looking at that familiar and lean face; his emotions were momentarily hard to suppress, speaking hoarsely.

"You've lost weight..."

Erin forced out a bright smile, trying to appear as spirited as possible.

"I'm actually fine, Theresa never let me go hungry, and Sarah occasionally brought me unexpected surprises... "

Luo Yan looked unexpectedly at Sarah standing behind Erin; unexpectedly, she seemed a bit embarrassed, scratching her face with her index finger.

He remembered previously Sarah said she wanted to eat fruit, asking him to bring some. Seems the real greedy one was another "glutton."