Knight and Wand

Chapter 98 By your side
Stepping onto the top floor tower platform, Leon heard the crisp sound of swift iron boots.

Under the illumination of the bright crystal wall lamp, the long sword in the blonde girl's hand was danced into flying streams of light.

The deadly yet elegant swift steps are still so pleasing to the eye.

Leon leaned against the wall, quietly admiring Olivia's sword dance.

It was not until a furious blow with a whistling wave of air came down in a spiral that the girl finally stopped her ever-changing sword moves and looked towards Leon.

She smiled apologetically and quickly sheathed her sword.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. Are you done with your work?"

Leon waved his hand indifferently at her: "It's okay, I'm not in a hurry to go back to bed, just relax, if I didn't have a practice sword on hand, I would definitely play a few rounds with you to practice."

Olivia shook her head. "That's not necessary. I'm just trying to swing the sword to stretch my body so that maybe my mind won't wander."

Seeing that the girl had calmed down, Leon walked up to her and said, "Don't worry, for now, just treat your ancestor's identity as an interesting story. Anyway, you don't plan to go to the capital to recognize your relatives."

"You're right." Olivia stared blankly at the darkness outside the tower window: "But now I understand why my father wanted to move me away from Selva."

"What, you're moving away?" Leon frowned. He had never heard of this.

Olivia nodded. "I used to think that my father was just talking casually, but this time, his attitude was very firm."

Leon put away the surprise in his heart, and asked helplessly: "What do you think?"

Olivia looked at Leon and shook her head: "My father wants to take me to the Boredon Territory to resettle my family. That's too far. If I really go to the North, I don't know if I can meet you again in the future."

Braiden, Leon recalled the location on the map. It was the northernmost territory of the Kingdom of Orland. At the normal travel speed, it would take nearly a month to travel one way along the highway.

There were no trains or airplanes in that era. If Olivia went to settle in the north, I would probably only see her a few times in my life.

Leon sighed, "Your father's thoughts are understandable. He probably feels that Selva is becoming increasingly uneasy. Haha. This is true."

However, he patted his breastplate and joked, "But I am your lord after all. Even if your family is a freeman, you still need my approval to move out of the territory. If you don't want to leave, I guarantee that your father can't force you.

If he insists on moving to the north, he can go alone. You don't have to worry about your livelihood. I'll hire you as a swordsmanship instructor and pay you. Anyway, there are so many people to support at home now, and having one more mouth to feed won't make me go bankrupt."

Olivia's lips curled up slightly at his words: "Thank you, I know you will help me."

But after laughing, she lowered her eyes and said, “But I can sense my father’s attitude in asking me to avoid those great nobles before.

Since he doesn't want my existence to be known to outsiders, I'm afraid my background may cause unexpected troubles. If I insist on staying, I'm afraid it will bring danger to you in the future."

Hearing this, Leon patted the girl on the shoulder and said, "I have been in danger every day in the past few months. Moreover, if your background really brings danger, your father is just an elderly blacksmith. If he encounters an incident of the same magnitude as Selva before, how can he guarantee your safety and his own?

Now I know a little bit about you. If you can't do it, go back and confront him and tell him that I already know your bloodline.

Just tell him that no matter what troubles your royal blood may cause, no matter who wants to hurt you in the future, as a friend I will protect you. "

Leon made a promise inexplicably eagerly. He was stunned for a moment, then gradually relaxed his expression, sighed, and spread his hands, saying, “Of course, whether to leave or stay depends on what kind of future and life you want.

You have seen from coming with me this time that the troubles and dangers I have encountered are probably no less than the hidden dangers brought about by your identity.

Although I am reluctant to see a friend like you leave, if you yearn for a peaceful and tranquil life, the increasingly turbulent Selva is definitely not suitable for you.

In fact, even if you go to the north, there is still a long time to come, and it is not impossible for us to meet again when we have time to travel far away in the future."

"My future?"

Olivia listened to this and looked at her friend who had made a promise in front of her, her eyes suddenly becoming thoughtful.

"Leon, what about you?" the girl asked for no reason.

"I?"

Leon was stunned.

"Well, have you ever thought about your future?" Olivia nodded.

Leon frowned, recalling the rush from the time he woke up to now, and couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

Your own future?
Leon realized that he really hadn't thought about this question.

Or rather, I have never had time to think about this issue.

When he opened his eyes from the cage two months ago, all he hoped for was to break free from his shackles.

When embarking on the road of escape, the hope is to find a safe place to stay.

After surviving many accidents and becoming a knight of Orland, his biggest goal is to rescue his best friend's only lost relative as soon as possible.

Now, he had to find a way to repay Laura's kindness, fulfill the agreement, and bring the wizard's spirit back to the Great Temple of Rolandar.

But what happens after that?
It is obviously hopeless to return to Earth, so when everything is settled, what kind of future do I desire in this world?
Is it to fight in the battlefield as a knight, to achieve great success, to climb up to the status of a noble and to gain power?
Or should I calm down, learn magic research knowledge, and explore the magical mysteries of this alien world?

Leon shook his head. He never thought that a "living person" like him could have any ambitions.

"I can't imagine too far ahead, and the future I hope for is not very far-reaching."

He stroked his chin, thought carefully, and answered the girl in front of him:
"I look forward to the day when I can gather with all my friends in the castle all day long, eat, drink and have fun around the long table. I can live a peaceful life day after day without having to endure the disasters and misfortunes of the past.

The people around me don’t have to worry about having enough food and clothing, or about war and looting. There are no tragedies happening around me, and people’s faces are not always filled with painful sorrow and tears.”

In a sense, living in such a scene was just like the ordinary daily life he spent in his previous life.

After hearing this, the girl smiled and tilted her head: "Then will there be a place for me in your castle in the future?"

Leon remembered the regret of not having had time to invite everyone in advance during the previous dinner party, and answered as a matter of course: "Of course there will be, don't worry, there will always be a seat for you at my table."

Olivia nodded and looked at the other party seriously: "Then I have also thought about the future I hope for."

"Oh? Tell me."

"I hope to stand by your side and help you do my best to realize such a beautiful vision"

Once again, we set out south from the deserted city.

Everyone determined the direction and successfully crossed the Nightmare Forest in one day, arriving at the other side of the forest.

Balf sent out several guards cavalry as scouts to find the nearby settlement.

They dismounted and took off their armor in a secluded place, disguised themselves as travelers and entered the village, finally confirming that this was the territory of Kantadar.

Without delay, everyone immediately returned the same way.

After resting for another night in the deserted ancient city, we quickly returned to the territory of Orland along the ancient forest path the next day.

By the time they arrived at Selva, it was already the fifth day since they set out. However, such important intelligence was confirmed, and there was an ownerless empty city waiting to be occupied. The tired Knight Balf and his elite baron guards had no intention of staying to rest.

After they replenished their supplies in the village, they immediately set out on their journey back to report the news to the baron.

After saying goodbye to Balfe, Leon and the other two returned to the townhouse.

Corvis led his mount back to the stable.

Olivia stopped at the door of her house.

The blonde girl who could cut the ferocious undead corpse into pieces without blinking now looked panicked and conflicted.

After all, it was the first time in this well-behaved girl's life that she secretly ran away from home.

In addition, Olivia was about to confront her father about her life experience that she had accidentally learned on this trip, so she instinctively felt nervous.

“How about I go with you to talk to Uncle Brian?” Leon suggested as he walked up to her.

The girl shook her head: "I'm afraid that it will upset my father. He certainly didn't expect that I would know the secret of bloodline now. So, I'll talk to him alone."

After she finished speaking, she turned around and looked at Leon: “As for you, remember to have a good rest at night. I promised to help you with special training starting tomorrow, so don’t stay in bed and can’t get up in the morning.”

After Olivia finished speaking, she took a deep breath and relaxed, thinking over the words she had thought about countless times along the way, and then she pushed the door and walked into the house.

Leon also believed that the girl could handle the matter, since he would be there to back her up anyway.

Turning back to his own house next door, he took off his armor with the help of Corvis, and asked the servants to prepare a luxurious hot water bath.

After washing off the sweat smell that had been accumulated for several days, Leon soaked in the huge wooden barrel. He put a towel on his body, leaned his head back happily on the edge of the barrel, enjoying the rare relaxation while still thinking about future changes.

The matters concerning the Nightmare Forest can be completely left to the Thorn Flower Family. All you have to do is do your part in the territory.

However, Selva's territory will definitely become lively in a while.

Baron Elliver will soon send someone to select a site for building a transit camp.

According to the conversation with Knight Balf on the way, the people sent by the Thornflower Family to occupy the empty city definitely cannot go to the Forest Castle Town along their route.

After all, that road passes through Baron Gunnar's territory.

Judging from the map, in order to safely transport supplies and personnel to the castle town for a long time without alerting the enemy, the Thorn Flower Family could only build a forest road near Selva, diagonally towards the castle town southwest, connecting it to the ancient avenue deep in the forest.

Once this route is connected and the fortress town is successfully captured, the personnel and supplies in the Thorn Flower Territory will then prepare to attack the undefended Kantadar territory in the south.

A war aimed at occupation and conquest is not like a game where you just draw a frame on the screen and then go out. The early preparations are extremely complicated, time-consuming and labor-intensive.

In the coming months, many more men will be sent to this land.

All the forces in the family's territory must be mobilized to respond to the war.

The spies disguised as Kantadars will be the first to pass through the forest to collect intelligence in the enemy's territory, find out the distribution of villages, strongholds and towns, and draw maps.

Craftsmen and laborers had to set up camps and build roads for the soldiers, and a huge transport team would gather food and fodder and transport them to designated supply nodes, which were transit camps that had not yet started construction.

Leon knew that this might also be an opportunity for Selva's development, and that he had to do more than just stay on the land and train his troops.

Once the baggage transit camp near Selva is built, soldiers and transport teams of the Thorn Flower Family will be stationed there, and the number of people traveling on this road will increase.

He had seen in the Mamor military camp how the merchants accompanying the army made profits from the war. Selva had such a geographical advantage, and he would definitely not miss this opportunity in the future.

Human board and lodging hotel tavern
As he thought about it, a discordant ancient place inevitably flashed through his mind. Leon frowned and selectively ignored it.
Considering the disasters that the land beneath his feet had experienced before, as well as the tragic memories experienced by the original owner, Lohak, and Azerien, he would not touch that dirty business.

But this also gave Leon a reminder.

Nowadays, who knows how many scums will be mixed in with the soldiers when they leave their hometown. Military discipline is like a Schrodinger state, which depends entirely on the ability of the leader. He must also make thorough preparations for the security issues in the territory.

I had a good sleep that night.

When Leon woke up the next day, he had just washed up and was eating breakfast when he saw Olivia, who was smiling, wearing armor and carrying a blunt sword for training, waiting in the backyard.

No need to ask, looking at her happy smile, the girl must have successfully convinced her father.

I just don't know if she scared the old blacksmith when she mentioned Drakmar's bloodline.

Leon didn't rush to ask.

With the help of Corvis, he put on a full set of plate armor, put on a helmet, and picked up the heaviest two-handed blunt sword.

Then he handed the Noble Phantasm card "Boiling Heart" to his attendant boy.

This would be his first attempt to train himself to sense the circulation of magic energy in his body in the way that Miss Lola had suggested.

The first step is to force yourself to exhaust your physical strength and quickly consume your life magic.

And this Neti card can obviously further accelerate the process of consuming vitality.

"My lord, please be prepared." Corvis held the treasure card, and the boy's golden eyes shone with magic.

"bring it on."

Leon took off the ferocious Kantadar mask and swung his not-so-handy heavy sword at Olivia.

At least it’s not convenient now.

"Be careful not to get hurt, Olivia. My strength will be very different from usual in a moment."

Leon reminded, recalling the night he experienced the effects of the Boiling Heart.

"Okay. I'll pay attention." The blonde girl nodded and raised her sword to prepare for battle.

Upon seeing this, Corvis focused his attention on the lord on the field and mobilized his magic power to activate the cards in his hand.

The black Neti card instantly turned into illusory energy and disappeared from the boy's hand.

Leon only felt a sharp phantom pain in his chest again.

Unable to hold back a loud roar, he gritted his teeth and felt the confidence that filled his body with amazing strength. He immediately swung the two-handed heavy sword that had become light in his hand and rushed out in an instant.

The heavy knight's plate armor seemed to be light as a feather. Leon slashed at the girl in front of him with a sword speed several times faster than before.

——Zheng!

The two swords collided, and the deafening sound of metal clashing echoed throughout the backyard.

(End of this chapter)