Chapter 315
Chapter 315: The Forest of Monsters Must Stop Us (1)
Claude nodded at the confident figure of Ghislaine.
“So, you finally plan to go again.”
“Yeah, now’s not a bad time.”
“Is it really okay to leave when the Duke Faction is likely gnashing their teeth?”
“It’s fine for now. The Crown Prince Faction is on edge, and there’s no one here in the North who can really threaten us. Even if someone raises an army, it’ll take them a while to get here.”
“There’s Raybold, though?”
At the mention of Amelia, Ghislaine chuckled.
“Not yet. She’s not that foolish.”
If Amelia truly intended to eliminate him, it would’ve been settled the last time they met. But she made a different choice.
That’s why he’s leaving the Baron Valua’s rebellion alone for now, taking care to eliminate only those lords and nobles who might be influenced by it.
She’s not the type to casually strike at me after making such choices.
“And even if they were to launch a surprise attack, I have plenty of defensive forces to hold out until we return, so I don’t need to worry right now.”
“Well, if you’re that confident…”
As Claude nodded, Ghislaine immediately summoned his retainers.
He spoke directly.
“We’re going to fetch the Runestone. I plan to collect a few other things on the way too.”
At these words, Belinda, Gillian, and Kaor stiffened. They had some unpleasant memories associated with the Runestone.
“Um, Young Master?”
“Exactly, we’re going to the Forest of Monsters.”
“Ugh…”
Belinda wanted to protest but kept her mouth shut for now. They had barged in even when they were much weaker than they were now.
She figured that now, having earned the title of strongest in the North, I wouldn’t listen to any attempts to dissuade me.
Instead, she expressed another concern.
“By the way, do you know where it is this time? You guessed it back then, but… the Forest of Monsters is vast, right?”
“Of course, I know well. Along the way, we can also gather other resources aside from the Runestone.”
“How do you know that? Are we going by just rumors again?”
It always felt mysterious to her. In the past, she considered it mere coincidence or luck. But it was clear now that it couldn’t be just that.
Ghislaine blinked for a moment before responding.
“I just know everything. I have my own sources of information.”
“…”
“I can’t tell you right now. I promise I’ll tell you later.”
Ghislaine couldn’t make jokes about getting killed and coming back like before. Back then, everyone would have laughed it off, but now it wouldn’t be taken lightly.
Even if they thought of it as a joke, curiosity would surely lead to questions.
So Ghislaine quickly changed the subject.
“Ahem, anyway, this time we need to go in a bit deeper. Let’s make thorough preparations.”
“Huh, it seems this ‘Ogre Slayer’ has to make a comeback.”
Kaor flipped his hair back with a smug expression.
Ghislaine hadn’t sent Kaor and the hunters back even after the war. Under the pretext of maintaining public order in the territory, but in truth, it felt like it was due to the Forest of Monsters.
Kaor and the hunters were undoubtedly seasoned at monster hunting.
Ghislaine unfolded the map of the Forest of Monsters. Unlike before, where it was vaguely outlined, there were now some features and paths marked on it.
“Our target is here.”
Taking out a pen, Ghislaine drew a new path connected from the end of the one they had previously made.
Finally, he drew a circle in a much deeper location than before and said.
“The Runestone is here. And it’s far more abundant than the last place we mined.”
“…”
Everyone was left speechless, swallowing hard. They were dying to know how the lord knew such things.
But that was not what mattered. If what the lord said was true, it was monumental. Everyone’s minds buzzed with the same thought.
“Much more than before?”
It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that the development backbone of this territory was the Runestones.
They could make money with the Runestones and start everything. If they could gather far more than before, they could pursue even quicker development.
“The farmland using the Runestones could expand.”
“They could arm the knights and soldiers even more powerfully.”
“It could strengthen the facilities’ power.”
The Runestones they had so far had been carefully spent on vital places to raise funds. But if they could acquire quantities greater than they’d previously obtained, the situation would change entirely.
They could even fill the entire territory with magical engineering.
When thoughts align, goals align as well. As the atmosphere grew charged, Ghislaine spoke.
“Now that everyone understands, don’t hesitate. Prepare with all your might. This time, I intend to secure the territory properly as we go.”
Having done it once before, there wouldn’t be much opposition this time. The reward would likely be unbelievable, even if it was hard to believe.
The lord’s nonsense always turned into concrete results. They’d just have to see what the outcome was this time.
Following Ghislaine’s orders, all personnel began mobilizing toward the second development of the Forest of Monsters.
And this time, it was utterly different from the time they had started with nothing.
Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!
Three thousand soldiers moved in an orderly fashion and formed ranks.
They were the elite among the elite who had participated from the Cabaldy War to this Desmond War.
They had received intense training in the territory, with good food and accommodations. On top of that, they now boasted the honor of being the strongest in the North.
With high morale, their eyes shone with pride, and their gait was filled with strength.
The knights were the same. They didn’t hide their overflowing confidence. Most hadn’t entered the Forest of Monsters, but some were mercenaries who had experienced that time.
“I once cleared out those Palor guys with the lord… They can’t be attacked from the dark, you know? So I used a Light Scroll…”
Gordon reminisced with misty eyes. His memories had become severely warped. The part of him that wet himself in fear after being captured had completely faded from his mind.
In any case, the knights were not scared of the forest’s dangerous rumors. They had done too many absurd things alongside Ghislaine.
In stark contrast to the well-ordered soldiers, there were a group of slackers dragging their weapons.
“Hey, I’ve been there once, and it’s nothing special. I’ve even caught a Blood Python before, alongside the lord.”
It was Kaor and the hunters, grinning arrogantly.
They were veterans who’d experienced all sorts of battles from the Shadow Mountain Range. They were rather curious about what the Forest of Monsters could really be like since it was full of mere rumors.
Next came the elves with bows drawn and wizards taking position.
All 200 elves participated, but for the wizards, only 50 were chosen from new recruits to mix in.
Some had to stay behind to handle territory matters. However, since Vanessa and Alfoy were on the development squad, it could be said that all the main wizards of the territory were taking part.
With all necessary personnel gathered, Gillian slightly bowed to Ghislaine.
“Preparation is complete.”
Claude, also standing nearby, looked through documents and said.
“We’ve packed all the necessary supplies. We’ll ensure ongoing provisions of food and medicine through the soldiers. Laborers participating in the development will follow behind.”
This time, the development method was different from before. They aimed to secure the existing territory properly, and each time they defeated a monster, they would immediately deploy laborers to set up barriers and build defense lines.
To this end, several dwarves and 500 laborers had also been brought along.
The terrain of the Forest of Monsters was outstanding compared to other places. The secured areas would become excellent territory.
“There’s plenty of space for the laborers to stay, so I don’t think there’s much more preparation needed. I’ll ensure the supply runs smoothly.”
Ghislaine hadn’t set up a base in front of the Forest of Monsters for no reason.
Now it was empty, allowing the garrison of Perdium to use it comfortably, but soon the laborers would take over again.
They had been ready to continuously develop the Forest of Monsters for a long time.
Ghislaine smiled as he looked at the forces before him.
“Good. Finally, we can prepare like this. It took a long time.”
Three thousand elite soldiers, 400 knights, 300 hunters, 200 elves, 50 wizards, and 500 laborers.
This was a force capable of turning any territory into chaos.
It was utterly different from the time they had challenged the Forest of Monsters with less than 200 mercenaries.
Belinda and Gillian also displayed a somewhat tearful expression.
“I truly thought it was a reckless undertaking back then.”
“Everyone was simply trying to stop the lord’s actions.”
But look now. They had achieved what everyone claimed was impossible and had brought it this far based on that success.
The sentiments of the two, who had witnessed everything from the start, were bound to be different from others.
“Belinda, you made sure to follow through on the other preparations, right?”
“Of course, don’t worry.”
At Ghislaine’s words, Belinda smiled. She was following along this time but not as an assassin.
Once the development began, the territory’s main forces would be depleted. They needed to protect the key figures remaining in the territory, as trouble could arise anytime.
After all preparations and checks were complete, Ghislaine mounted the Black King.
“Let’s go.”
Everyone was riding. Now, horsemanship had become the norm in Perdium.
They galloped toward Perdium at a rapid pace.
* * *
Chief Officer Homern of Perdium elegantly tilted his teacup.
“It’s peaceful.”
The war that nearly made their hearts drop ended in victory. It was an unbelievable achievement.
Thanks to that, Perdium was now in a festive mood, and the lord Zvalter could comfortably return to the Northern Fortress.
“I never thought the Grand Duke could pull that off.”
Penris was now called the strongest in the North. The North had stabilized. Thanks to road construction, there were plenty of jobs, and food was overflowing.
No one could now call Perdium poor as it once was.
All of this was thanks to Ghislaine. Homern’s heart felt more at peace than ever.
While enjoying his leisurely tea time, a soldier hurriedly approached and exclaimed.
“Th-the Grand Duke has arrived!”
“Oh, really? Our Grand Duke is here? What’s the occasion?”
“He’s brought a massive army with him.”
“What? How many?”
“Looks like over four thousand.”
At those words, Homern turned pale. Until now, Ghislaine had never brought that many soldiers. Even when they had stripped the timber.
Homern jumped up, nearly knocking over his teacup, and shouted.
“That brat is finally showing his rebellious intentions! Trying to take this place by force! That ungrateful child! We helped him in this war!”
“Actually, it’s not like that.”
“Then why?”
“He says he’s going to reopen the Forest of Monsters for development.”
Homern, who had awkwardly returned to his seat, cleared his throat and murmured.
“Ahem, why does he always act first and inform us later? Well, at least it’s not a problem for us.”
Even though he was the Grand Duke of the territory, he couldn’t just storm in with an army recklessly like that. In any other territory, this would have started a real revolt, sparking a war with his father.
The outcome here was surely predictable.
Homern considered it and then said.
“Since we probably can’t stop him, huh?”
“Y-yes…”
“…Fine, just let him do whatever he wants. He’s the sort who doesn’t listen to anyone anyway.”
“Y-yes…”
Homern had changed a lot after going through so many experiences. He knew well now that stopping anything related to Ghislaine was useless.
In the past, he had frequently found himself in difficult situations by trying to prevent things.
This time, he didn’t want to feel embarrassed for trying to block him again.
As Ghislaine’s army marched confidently with the flag of Penris fluttering, it passed through the territory of Perdium.
“It’s the Grand Duke!”
“The strongest in the North!”
“Look over here!”
As Ghislaine went by, the residents of the territory poured out, cheering loudly.
To them, Perdium and Penris were one. Hence, they couldn’t help but swell with pride at having become the strongest territory in the North.
Belinda’s heart swelled as she watched the countless people cheering for Ghislaine.
She’d seen this several times before, but now felt different. Their positions had changed.
“It feels like just yesterday when he was called the Northern brat…”
A person who had always been looked down upon became the savior of the territory and a great lord of the North. Belinda, who had cared for Ghislaine since he was young, felt tears brimming in her eyes.
“Please, just stop causing trouble and live peacefully. Can’t we leave everything to the Crown Prince Faction?”
With her hands clasped tightly in prayer, she knew well there would be no such chance in the near future.
Upon receiving the cheers of the people, they reached the Forest of Monsters, where the garrison was already waiting.
Ghislaine waved to the foremost figure.
“Hey, Skoban. Long time no see.”
Skoban, who had been captured at the Northern Fortress, had only just returned after the war.
He hesitated for a moment before saying.
“You’re going in, right?”
“Of course, I’m going in now.”
It felt like it did back then. The only difference was that they were openly entering, rather than doing so secretly.
Skoban simply extended his hand and bowed slightly, resembling a knight escorting a lady.
“Please, go ahead.”
Ghislaine chuckled and acknowledged Ricardo, who was behind Skoban.
“You still look handsome, I see.”
“…Thank you.”
Ricardo didn’t try to dissuade him. It was usually best to just watch what the Grand Duke was doing.
Taking a deep breath, Ghislaine looked at the entrance of the Forest of Monsters.
Seeing it again felt so nostalgic.
“Back then, we went in risking our lives.”
That didn’t mean it was easy now. The Forest of Monsters remained a dangerous place.
But he had the information from his past life. He had reliable followers, and he himself and they had now gained plenty of experience.
Things were bound to be different than when they first entered.
The only thing that stayed the same was his mindset.
“I’ll always do my best, no matter what.”
Ghislaine raised his hand high again.
“We have returned!”
The knights and soldiers puffed their chests and gripped their weapons. They weren’t intimidated at all by the various rumors surrounding the Forest of Monsters.
Their lord was flaunting an undefeated myth in the North. No matter what difficulties lay ahead, victory was certainly within reach.
Ghislaine’s voice continued softly.
“This time, we’re not challenging the Forest of Monsters.”
Looking at the dark forest before him, Ghislaine grinned.
“The Forest of Monsters must stop us.”
A red light began to emanate from his eyes.
