By the time I returned to the Forest of Dreams, I couldn't even recognize it.
The moment I disembarked, I noticed that all sorts of flags were hanging from the docks. There were flags from the Ottoman Empire, Donglan Empire, Mage Country, and so on. There were even flags from the Bardi Empire itself. It would seem that the Bardi Empire had no intention of giving up on the Forest of Dreams even after taking such a huge detour.
The docks were filled with busy people loading and unloading goods. However, the most eye-catching people were the adventurers from all over the world. Judging from their equipment, every team had at least one "Contract Hero" who wore the Armlet.
Actually, for adventurers who wanted to earn Justice Points, compared to the harsh combat environment of the Ottoman Empire, the scale of the battles here was much smaller. There was also a "safe zone" that was absolutely safe, so this place was naturally much more popular.
Although most of the adventurers were humans, there were many other species here as well. After all, adventurers had an obvious advantage over other species. Not only were there barbarians and beastmen from the Northlands, but even lizardmen from remote desert regions could be seen here.
"It would seem that this place is quite popular."
After leaving the docks and heading deeper into the Forest of Dreams, the changes were even greater. There was a flourishing market area and a busy administrative district. The wood spirits in the forest and in the air all had their own shortcuts. The shops here seemed to be doing quite well. There were busy people everywhere. This place was no longer a barren desert.
When our Ivy League airship returned here, it caused quite a commotion. While most airships were small to mid-sized wooden airships that could only carry 30 to 50 people, the huge wooden airships that were at the level of a battleship gave everyone a strong sense of awe.
The moment the large airship arrived, it immediately started doing business at the edge of the docks.
"Thorn Garden's branch in the Forest of Dreams is officially open for business! Don't miss out on this opportunity! "
The Ivy League airship was originally a huge airship to begin with, so it had plenty of space to transport goods. That was why I decided to modify it into a cargo ship that was also a traveling merchant ship. As for its main business, it was naturally Thorn Garden's various war machines.
Now that the large airship was parked horizontally at the docks, all the automatic cabin doors opened to reveal various mobile shops. The wood spirits that had returned to their homeland were in high spirits as they started doing business.
There were Iron Horses equipped with auxiliary wheels, simple mobile armors, engineering cannons, and all sorts of war machines. Of course, there were also some new weapons and equipment that were still being experimented on.
Buzzing sawtooth swords, the latest dwarven firearms, portable dwarven cannons, and mechanical shields with their own defensive force fields were all waiting to be tested on the battlefield.
Meanwhile, an excellent arms dealer would make the battlefield into a testing ground for their own weapons while earning large amounts of cash. They would then use the cash to expand their market and improve their products. The only difference between us and them was that we still had a bit of conscience and standpoint, and would only provide weapons to one side.
Judging from the first day's sales, it would take some time before the adventurers could accept these mechanical products. After all, both gnomes and dwarves didn't have a good reputation in this area. And Jinya Beyar, the demonstrator, blew himself up in front of everyone … I told you not to use the "Safety Brand" to name the rocket launcher. That name was completely cursed!
"Sure enough, these bastards aren't reliable at all. Forget it, forget it. Someone will definitely try it out. Let time and combat results prove it for us. "
There was another reason why we had returned so quickly to the Forest of Dreams. We had gone there as envoys of the wood spirits, and our alliance could be considered a success. However, when we returned, we had a new problem on our hands.
"The Mage Country sent Bardi as an envoy to negotiate a truce? How troublesome. "
I wasn't the one being asked to do this, but rather Cher. It seemed that someone had learned of our relationship, so there was obviously a problem with this assignment. Since they had sent her as an envoy, of course I couldn't possibly stay out of it. Leaving such a task to a Gold rank "novice" would be akin to tormenting her to death.
"It doesn't matter. I want to see what those fellows are up to anyways."
However, I personally felt that they probably wouldn't directly ask me to do this. They were probably afraid that I would cause some sort of trouble or something.
After all, compared to me, who was an outsider, Cher was more of a local talent. She would probably care about the Mage Country's benefits.
I had already decided on my plan. I would reorganize myself in the Forest of Dreams for a few days before heading to the Bardi Empire's capital. As for whether or not I should check out Nightrain City, which was currently at war, that would depend on my own judgment.
Yes, it was just me. The envoy went directly to the Bardi Empire's capital, but I didn't follow them. I only set a meeting point in the Bardi Empire's capital.
Rather than being a diplomatic envoy that was being watched by others, I personally felt that it would be better to act alone in the shadows. At the very least, there were many things that couldn't be seen on the surface. If it was possible, I even wanted to take a look at the eastern battlefront. Perhaps I would even be able to meet some old acquaintances there.
As I strolled by myself in the new town area of the Forest of Dreams, I was astonished by the bustling scene before me. Half a year ago, this place had been the Bardi Empire's Victoria Harbor. Two months ago, this magical forest had been completely uninhabited, yet it had become such a bustling place in such a short period of time.
"… Although there are many injured adventurers, the adventurers seem to be in good spirits. Most of them have smiles on their faces. Is that their hope for the future? It would seem that I don't need to worry about the Forest of Dreams. Or should I find a chance to take a look at the frontlines …? "
It was already noon. I casually ordered some dishes at a roadside restaurant as I watched a barbarian bragging about his adventures.
"Just as our adventuring team was in dire straits, I, as a great thief, took action. I started with a backstab, then knocked the lich unconscious with a kick. After a series of combo attacks, I single-handedly killed the lich. I, Frida …"
Wait a moment, this barbarian was actually a thief? As expected, as long as there were enough people, there would be all sorts of weirdos. But when I thought about the ogre thief I had met last time, I didn't think much of it. But a lich could actually be knocked unconscious? If that lich wasn't an undead mage wearing a skull mask, then it was probably a barbarian's additional racial talent of bragging.
"Brother Holy Knight, are you by yourself?"
A young female priestess approached me with a smile. Judging from the gold coin emblem on her chest, she was a mid-level priestess of the Goddess of Wealth.
Of course, she didn't come here for any special services. Many priestesses of the Goddess of Love had personal hobbies. The Goddess of Wealth and her worshippers would forever only pursue wealth itself.
I paused for a moment, but then came to a sudden realization.
This was the frontlines of the battlefield. Many temporary hunting teams would come here to search for adventurers. Places with high traffic like bars and restaurants would naturally be places where adventurers would search for companions. I was all by myself, so I seemed to be a lone adventurer waiting for a team. It would seem that the adventurers were lacking manpower, but the strange thing was …
"How did you know that I'm a Holy Knight?"
Since I had left the Cloud Tower, I wasn't wearing my signature mage robe. I was only wearing my usual linen robe, and I didn't bring any equipment with me. How could I have been recognized?
"My sitting posture, my smile, and the marks on my hands."
A person who had received long-term military training and Knight training would have obvious differences in their walking and sitting postures. The marks on their hands were left behind by sword practice. As for their smiles … it seemed that the fifty-nine business smiles had become a Holy Knight's trademark and instinct.
"The most important part is that you aren't dissatisfied with the cheap beer here. Even the barbarians in our hunting team complain every day that the beer tastes terrible. You don't even frown when you drink it, and you even smile. Your previous life must have been quite …"
Indeed, a noble Knight wouldn't even come to a low-level restaurant like this, let alone a cup of beer that cost two copper coins. Only a Holy Knight who was used to living a poor life would be used to cheap beer and black bread.
I nodded. Judging a person's job class based on their appearance and habits wasn't a particularly profound skill. However, it was a required course for veteran adventurers. Only now did I seriously examine the priest before me.
She appeared to be around eighteen or nineteen years old. Her short, linen-colored hair was neatly combed. She had some acne on her face, but it didn't affect her delicate and energetic face at all. She was wearing an old, half-body plate armor that still had some oil on it. It was evident that she had taken good care of herself. A small round shield and a spiked mace were a common combination for a priest. However, only the small round shield was enchanted. She didn't even have many pieces of magical equipment, so it was obvious that she wasn't rich.
"… At most, she's a Low Silver rank. If she's the team leader, then the entire team's rating is probably at the peak of Bronze."
I lightly tapped my index finger on the table, causing a golden Holy Light to flash on the table. This proved her guess that I was indeed a Holy Knight.
"Do you need something from me?"
The female priest was delighted when she saw the flash of Holy Light. However, she then began to hesitate. Originally, she had thought that I was a Holy Knight who was traveling alone, didn't have any equipment, and was so young, so she had thought that I was a newbie. However, I was able to control Holy Light so easily. If I was a Holy Knight who specialized in spiritual spells, then I was likely a high-level job class (Gold). My team wouldn't be able to afford such a powerful character.
"Our team accepted a quest with a decent reward, but our defensive warrior doesn't want to do it anymore. That's why we're lacking a melee job class."
I furrowed my eyebrows. This quest description was far too simple, and it seemed to lack sincerity.
Ordinary mercenaries and adventurers would never accept a vague quest description. The more unknown things there were, the more likely accidents would occur. Perhaps there was something wrong with the employer.
Life wasn't a game. It was impossible to start over again. Adventurers who lived on the edge of a knife's edge needed to be cautious.
The female priest seemed to notice my dissatisfaction as she hurriedly added.
"It's not that I don't want to explain in detail, but this is a major operation organized by the local fairies. We're only a part of it, so we'll only know the specific requirements when the time comes."
After a slight hesitation, I nodded and accepted her request.
"That's wonderful! Our 'Wood Spirits Are So Cute' mercenary group finally has a meat shield! We can accept quests again! "
"… What did you say? Can you say that again? "
This time, it was the female priest's turn to be embarrassed. She lowered her head and explained in a small voice.
"We temporarily formed a team here. We changed our names several times, but they were all the same names. I just randomly said one, and …"
In a way, I could understand. After all, the wood spirits were quite popular back in the Mage Country. Their female fan club would spend all their time in coffee shops, and it was impossible to chase them away even after work. The female priest and her older sister before me were probably wood spirit fans as well.
Although it wasn't rare to have wood spirit fans, especially for females, there were all sorts of wood spirit fan clubs. (Lolicon clubs for men? Those perverts will be shut down!), but wouldn't they be afraid that they would laugh their heads off when they signed up with such a name? For some reason, I recalled the name "Absolute Gentlemen Alliance." This was yet another name that I would regret for eternity. As expected, I needed to be careful when naming names. Yep, I should be the one to do it.
"In that case, why did your original warrior leave your team?"
I vaguely guessed what was going on, so I casually asked.
"… He felt that our name wasn't nice."
As expected, in such a team, the males would have to endure even more pressure and strange looks. They would either treat others as perverts or effeminate. I was about to retreat, but when I saw the female priest's pitiful, tearful expression as she looked at me expectantly, I couldn't help but sigh.
"At any rate, I'm going to check out the situation here, and I won't be staying here for long. Let's just find a random team and make do with it."
And so, I nodded. It seemed that this was a good opportunity to get some exercise.
"Alright, my lady. At least for the next few days, Holy Knight Roland is willing to serve you."
…
That lake was just as beautiful and tranquil as before. Moonlight shone on the lake's surface, and it wasn't as noisy as the other parts of the Forest of Dreams.
I walked over to the floating lotus bridge above the lake. On the floating bed in the middle of the lake, the sleeping beauty's voice and appearance were the same as before, except that her face was a bit more rosy.
As I walked closer, her long eyelashes twitched as if she sensed my arrival. She had a sweet smile on her face as if she was dreaming of something good, giving me some anticipation.
"Although you're much cuter when you don't talk … perhaps I'm still hoping that you'll wake up soon so that I won't be so annoyed."
Unfortunately, I received no response to my words. In the end, Amelia helplessly returned to her peaceful state.
"Are the sacrifices still not enough?"
I seemed to be talking to myself, but I received the answer that I expected.
"… Please don't be too worried. It's only a matter of time before Mother wakes up. "
The bright-red Samantha walked out from behind a tree. Her calm expression seemed to contain a hint of worry.
I nodded and didn't ask anything else. It was likely that these little fellows were far more worried about Amelia's deep sleep than I was.
Just as I was about to leave, I suddenly recalled the little fellows that I had just met.
"By the way, are you planning any major operations recently? The kind where you're gathering many adventurers for a joint operation? "
"… Yes. I originally wanted to inform Father that the Forest of Dreams was expanding its territory …"
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