Chapter 316: Chapter 315: The Forest Must Stop Us (1)


    ?


    Seeing Ghiin''s confident demeanor, ude nodded.


    "So, you''ve finally decided to return."


    "Yes, this is a good time."


    "The Duchy must be grinding their teeth. Are you sure it''s fine to leave your position?"


    "It''s fine for now. The Royalist faction is on edge, and there''s no one left in the North who can pose a threat to us. Even if someone raises an army, it would take time for them to reach us."


    "There''s still Rayfold."


    At the mention of Amelia, Ghiin chuckled.


    "Not yet. She''s not that foolish."


    If Amelia had intended to crush him, she would have settled things when they met recently. But she chose a different path.


    That''s why the rebellion of Baron Valois had been left unchecked, with Ghiin merely wiping out the lords and nobles who might be influenced by it.


    Given such choices, Amelia wouldn''t recklessly move against him.


    "Besides, even if we''re ambushed, the defensive forces here are more than sufficient to hold out until I return. There''s no need to worry."


    "Well, if you''re that confident..."


    As ude nodded, Ghiin immediately summoned his vassals.


    He spoke bluntly.


    "We''re going to retrieve runestones. While we''re at it, I n to secure a few other things."


    At these words, Belinda, Gillian, and Kaor''s expressions hardened. They had unpleasant memories associated with runestones.


    "You don''t mean...?"


    "That''s right. We''re heading to the Forest of Demonic Beasts."


    "Ugh..."


    Belinda wanted to object but held her tongue. Even back when Ghiin had far fewer resources, he had entered that forest recklessly.


    Now that he held the title of the North''s strongest, there was no way he''d listen to objections.


    Instead, she voiced a different concern.


    "Do you know where to find them this time? Last time, you managed somehow, but the Forest of Demonic Beasts is vast."


    "Of course. I know exactly where to go. Along the way, we can also gather resources other than runestones."


    "How do you always know these things? Is it another rumor?"


    She always found it baffling. In the past, she attributed his sess to sheer luck or coincidence. But now, everyone knew better.


    Ghiin blinked a few times and replied.


    "I just know. I have my own source of information."


    ||


    "I can''t exin it now. I''ll tell you someday."


    Ghiin refrained from joking about having died anding back to life, as he had done in the past. Back then, everyone hadughed it off. Now, they would likely press him with endless questions out of curiosity.


    So, he quickly changed the subject.


    "Ahem, anyway, we''ll be going deeper this time. Let''s prepare thoroughly."


    "Ha, the ''Ogre yer'' is going to have to shine again, it seems."


    Kaor arrogantlybed back his hair with a smug expression.


    Ghiin had not dismissed Kaor and the hunters after the war. While they officially handled security duties in the territory, it now seemed clear that Ghiin had kept them around for the Forest of Demonic Beasts.


    Kaor and his hunters were veterans at hunting monsters.


    Ghiin unfolded a map of the Forest of Demonic Beasts. Unlike before, the map now included a few details about terrain and paths instead of just a vague outline.


    "This is our target."


    Taking out a pen, Ghiin drew a new path extending from the end of a previously made trail.


    Finally, he circled a spot much deeper inside the forest and spoke.


    "There are runestones here. Far more than we foundst time."


    11


    Everyone swallowed hard, unable to say a word. They were dying to know how their lord could know such things.


    But that wasn''t the issue. If his words were true, this was monumental. Their minds all raced


    with the same thought.


    ''Far more than before?''


    The territory''s development was fundamentally tied to runestones.


    Runestones had brought them wealth and enabled everything else. If they could secure even more, their growth would elerate.


    ''We could expand the cultivatednds infused with runestones.''


    ''Our knights and soldiers could be armed even more powerfully.''


    ''We could amplify the power of our facilities.''


    Until now, they had rationed their runestones carefully, using them only where it was most crucial. If they obtained quantities greater than before, everything would change.


    They could even integrate magic engineering throughout the entire territory.


    When thoughts align, so do goals. As the excitement in the room reached a fever pitch, Ghiin spoke.


    "Now you understand, right? Stop debating and focus all your efforts on preparation. This time, we''ll be securing territory as we go."


    Having done this once before, there was little opposition. And while it was hard to believe, the rewards were always immense.


    Ghiin''s seemingly reckless ns always yielded results. This time would be no different.


    Following Ghiin''s orders, everyone began preparing for the second expedition into the Forest of Demonic Beasts.


    But this time was entirely different from the first attempt, where they had started with


    nothing.


    Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!


    Three thousand soldiers moved in orderly formation.


    They were the elite of the elite, veterans from the Cabaldi War to the recent Desmond War.


    These soldiers had undergone rigorous training in the territory and were provided with excellent food and amodations. Now, they carried the honor of being the strongest in the


    North.


    Their morale was sky-high, and their confident strides radiated pride.


    The knights were no different. Their overflowing confidence was evident. Most had no experience in the Forest of Demonic Beasts, but a few, who had been mercenaries during the previous expedition, remembered it well.


    "I was with the lord when we wiped out the Palors... Those creatures are impervious in the dark, you see? So, I used a light scroll..."


    Gordon reminisced with a dreamy look. His memories had been heavily distorted. He had conveniently forgotten about wetting himself in fear after being captured.


    Nevertheless, the knights were unfazed by the forest''s fearsome reputation. After all, they had aplished countless impossible feats with Ghiin.


    Contrasting the disciplined soldiers were a group dragging their weapons casually,


    swaggering.


    "Hey, I''ve been there before, and it''s no big deal. I even took down a Blood Python with the


    lord."


    These were Kaor and his hunters, grinning arrogantly.


    They were veterans who had survived the trials of the Shadow Mountains. Rather than fear, they were filled with curiosity about the Forest of Demonic Beasts, whose reputation


    preceded it. Following them were the elves equipped with bows and the mages.


    All 200 elves participated, while 50 mages were carefully selected from both neers and


    veterans.


    Some mages had to stay behind to manage the territory. But with Vanessa and Alpoi joining the expedition, the territory''s core magic team was fully present.


    Once everyone had gathered, Gillian nodded at Ghiin.


    "We''re ready."


    ude checked his documents and added.


    "All the necessary supplies have been packed. Food and medicine will be continuously


    supplied through the soldiers. Laborers for the development effort will follow shortly."


    The approach to development was entirely different this time. As they secured each area, they would immediately deployborers to build fences and defensive lines.


    To this end, a few dwarves and abor assault corps of 500 had also been brought along.


    The soil in the Forest of Demonic Beasts was unparalleled in fertility. Any securednd would be a valuable asset.


    "There are enough lodgings for theborers, so there''s no need for additional preparations.


    I''ll ensure there are no disruptions in supply."


    Ghiin had established a base near the forest long ago. Though it was currently being usedfortably by the Perdium garrison, it would now return to housing theborers.


    The preparations for this second expedition had been years in the making.


    Looking at his assembled forces, Ghiin smiled.


    "Good. We''ve finally reached the point where we can prepare like this. It took long enough."


    Three thousand elite soldiers, 400 knights, 300 hunters, 200 elves, 50 mages, and 500


    laborers.


    This was a force that couldy waste to most territories.


    It was a stark contrast to the fewer than 200 mercenaries he had taken during the first


    expedition.


    Belinda and Gillian''s eyes shone with emotion.


    ''Back then, it felt like reckless bravado.''


    ''Everyone tried to stop the lord.''


    But look now. He had aplished what everyone deemed impossible and built upon it to


    lead them here.


    Having witnessed it all from the beginning, their emotions were different from those of the


    others.


    "Belinda, everything else is in ce?"


    "Of course. Don''t worry." Belinda smiled at Ghiin''s words. Though she would apany them, her assassins would


    stay behind.


    With most of the territory''s main forces leaving, the remaining key personnel needed protection from potential incidents.


    After all preparations and inspections werepleted, Ghiin mounted his ck steed.


    "Let''s go."


    Everyone else mounted their horses. By now, horsemanship had be amon skill in


    Fenris.


    They rode swiftly toward Perdium.


    ***


    At Perdium, Head butler Homerne sipped tea gracefully.


    "Such peace."


    The war, which had nearly stopped his heart, had ended in victory. It was an unbelievable


    triumph.


    Thanks to this, Perdium was in a festive mood, and its lord, Zwalter, could return to the northern fortress without worry.


    "To think the Young Lord could aplish so much."


    Fenris was now hailed as the strongest in the North. The region was stable, the roads under


    construction provided work, and food was abundant. No one could call Perdium poor anymore.


    This was all thanks to Ghiin. Homerne''s heart was at ease.


    While he enjoyed his leisurely tea, a soldier rushed in, breathless.


    "T-the Young Lord has arrived!" "Oh, really? What brings him here?"


    "H-he''s brought arge army."


    "What? How many?" "Over 4,000."


    Homerne''s face turned pale. Ghiin had never brought such arge force before, not even


    when taking lumber.


    Homerne jumped up, spilling his tea, and shouted.


    "That ungrateful wretch has finally revealed his ambitions! He intends to seize this ce by


    force! That treacherous scoundrel! After all we did to help him in the war!"


    "That''s not it!"


    "Then why?"


    "He says he''s resuming the development of the Forest of Demonic Beasts." Embarrassed, Homerne sat back down and muttered as he cleared his throat. "Ahem, why is he always acting first, notifyter? Well, at least he''s not attacking us."


    Even as the territory''s Young Lord, Ghiin couldn''t just barge in with an army. At any other


    estate, such actions would have sparked a civil war with his father.


    Though, in this case, it was certain Perdium would lose. Smacking his lips, Homerne said.


    "You couldn''t stop him anyway, could you?"


    "No..."


    "Then just let him do whatever he wants. He never listens to anyone anyway."


    "Yes..."


    Homerne had learned through countless experiences that it was pointless to oppose anything


    involving Ghiin.


    He had once tried to stop him and ended up in countless awkward situations. He didn''t want


    to embarrass himself again.


    Flying Fenris'' g proudly, Ghiin''s army passed through Perdium''s territory.


    "It''s the Young Lord!"


    "The strongest in the North!"


    "Look this way!"


    Wherever Ghiin passed, the people poured out to cheer.


    To them, Perdium and Fenris were one. Their pride swelled at being part of the strongest


    territory in the North.


    Watching Ghiin receive such raucous cheers, Belinda felt a lump in her throat.


    She had seen this a few times before, but it hit harder now. His position had changed.


    ''It feels like just yesterday he was called the North''s scoundrel...''


    Once dismissed by everyone, he had revived the territory and be the North''s great lord. Having cared for him since childhood, Belinda''s eyes glistened with tears. ''Please, no more trouble. Can''t you just live peacefully and leave everything to the Royalists?''


    She sped her hands in prayer, though she knew well enough that such a day wouldn''te


    anytime soon.


    After basking in the people''s cheers, they arrived at the Forest of Demonic Beasts, where the garrison was already waiting.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Ghiin waved to the person at the front.


    "Hey, Skovan. Long time no see."


    Skovan, who had been held at the northern fortress during the war, had only recently


    returned.


    After a brief pause, he said.


    "You''re going in, right?"


    "Of course. Right now."


    It was just like before, except this time there was no request for secrecy-he was openly


    dering his intentions.


    Skovan extended his hand and bowed slightly, like a knight escorting ady.


    "Please proceed."


    Ghiin chuckled and acknowledged Ricardo, who stood behind Skovan.


    "You''re still as good-looking as ever."


    "...Thank you."


    Ricardo didn''t try to stop him. When it came to the Young Lord, it was best to simply watch.


    Standing at the entrance to the Forest of Demonic Beasts, Ghiin took a deep breath.


    Seeing it again brought back memories. ''Back then, I risked my life to enter.''


    But that didn''t mean it was easy now. The Forest of Demonic Beasts remained a perilous


    ce.


    However, he had the knowledge from his previous life, trusted subordinates, and a wealth of experience, both for himself and his people.


    It couldn''t be the same as the first time.


    What remained unchanged was his determination. ''Always do your best with what you can.''


    Ghiin raised his hand high once more.


    "We have returned to this ce."


    Knights and soldiers straightened their backs and gripped their weapons. Despite the forest''s


    ominous reputation, they showed no fear.


    Their lord had built an unbroken legend in the North. No matter what challengesy ahead,


    they believed they would emerge victorious.


    Ghiin''s voice rang out, calm yet firm.


    "This time, we are not challenging the Forest of Demonic Beasts."


    Looking at the dark woods before him, Ghiin smirked.


    "The Forest of Demonic Beasts must stop us."


    Red light began to radiate from his eyes.


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