Chapter 135 : Chapter 135

Chapter 135. The Joy of Returning Home

The Western Frontier.

After several days of dull travel, Eli reined in his horse when the familiar horizon came into view once more.

Ahead, the outline of Obsidian Territory was already clearly visible.

The crude defensive works that had once stood there had now been replaced by tall, sturdy walls built from a mixture of stone and timber.

Flags bearing the ferocious black dragon emblem stood atop the walls, and the figures of patrolling soldiers could be seen clearly.

In scale and presence, it was already not much different from Lucerne City.

Looking at this land that had grown from nothing in his own hands, thriving step by step.

An indescribable sense of emotion and pride welled up in Eli’s chest.

He took a deep breath, then suddenly let his voice ring free, shouting toward the city walls with joy.

“I’m back—!”

The resonant shout cut through the silence of the wilderness and reached the top of the city walls.

The soldiers on the wall were stunned at first. Then someone looked toward the source of the sound.

When they clearly saw the striking white hair and familiar face of the man on horseback below, cries of surprise immediately exploded from the city wall.

“It’s the lord!”

“The lord has returned!”

“Quick! Open the gate! The lord has returned!”

The heavy city gates slowly opened amid the turning of the windlass.

Eli flicked the reins and led Wolfgang and several Black Crow Knights through the gate tunnel, officially stepping onto the land of Obsidian Territory.

The scene inside the city gate was even more delightful than its exterior.

The first thing that came into view was the territory’s people and soldiers, who had been drawn over by the commotion, their faces full of excitement and joy.

They gathered around Eli of their own accord, welcoming their lord’s return in the simplest way they knew.

What caught Eli’s attention even more was that, compared with when he had left, the interior of Obsidian Territory had already undergone no small number of changes.

Rows of neat wooden or stone houses had replaced the old shacks and tents, forming orderly streets.

The roads had been widened and tamped down, making them look clean and spacious.

Many places that had once been empty now had workshops that seemed to serve various functions.

The ringing clang of hammering and the busy shouts of labor intertwined, filling the place with life and vitality.

Hearing that the lord had returned, and with the tacit permission of the administrators.

Even more people who had been busy set down their work and gathered from all directions.

Before long, they had surrounded Eli and his small party at the center, with enthusiastic cheers and greetings rising one after another.

“Lord!”

“Welcome back, my lord!”

Eli sat on his horse, looking at all those faces brimming with warmth and hope, and a heartfelt smile appeared on his face.

He waved his hand and responded loudly, “Everyone! I’m back!”

At this moment, the slave administrators Ulu and Dars squeezed in from the edge of the crowd with some effort.

Both of their faces were covered with sweat and flushed with excitement.

“My lord! You have finally returned!” Ulu shouted excitedly.

Then he turned around and began dispersing the overly dense crowd together with Dars.

“All right, all right! Everyone has seen him now. The lord has returned safely!

“Disperse for now and go back to work! Do not disturb the lord’s rest!”

Although the territory’s people were reluctant to leave, they still obediently dispersed slowly.

They merely looked back from time to time, smiles still on their faces.

Only after the crowd had scattered somewhat did Ulu ask respectfully, “My lord, do you need us to immediately summon the administrators and hold a meeting?”

Eli shook his head, his gaze still lingering over the changes in the territory.

“There is no need for that yet. Let everyone attend to their duties. I will take a look around by myself first.”

After saying this, he dismounted and handed the reins to Dars at the side.

Then he looked at the Black Crow Knights and Wolfgang, who had loyally followed him to and from Thorne City all this way.

“Everyone has worked hard throughout this journey.”

Eli’s tone was sincere. “Thank you for your escort and loyalty.

“I will have Ulu register all of your contributions. Each of you will certainly receive a satisfactory reward.”

The knights and Wolfgang hurriedly waved their hands or bowed.

“You are too kind, my lord! This is our duty!”

“To serve you is our honor!”

“Thank you, my lord!”

Eli gestured to Ulu. “Ulu, take the knights to find Estor first. Have him arrange everyone’s food, lodging, and rewards properly.”

“Yes, my lord!” Ulu hurriedly answered, then called the knights away.

Dars also led Eli’s horse away and bowed before taking his leave.

Just like that, Eli began strolling through his territory alone.

He had no clear destination. He simply walked and looked around as he pleased.

One neat, well-planned field after another entered his sight, the crops growing beautifully.

Quite a few people were working hard in the fields. When they saw Eli pass by, they all stopped their work.

Then they bowed excitedly and called out, “Lord!”

When he passed by the smithy, carpentry workshop, leather workshop, and other areas, everything inside was ringing and bustling with activity.

When the craftsmen saw Eli, they all revealed expressions of surprise and respect.

He even deliberately went to take a look at the schoolhouse that had been built not long ago.

The sounds coming from inside made him stop for a moment, and a gratified smile appeared on his face.

Farther away, rhythmic chopping sounds also came from the logging camp.

Eli almost walked through every corner of the territory.

Wherever he went, a small commotion and sincere cheers arose.

He looked at this land, which in his memory had still been full of desolation and signs of struggling for survival, now becoming orderly and well-managed.

Everywhere was filled with vibrant scenes of labor and people’s hope for the future, and his mood grew better and better along with it.

“Old John and Sebastian... have indeed handled things very well.”

Eli nodded inwardly, giving high praise to the work of the two important retainers who had remained behind.

However, when he walked leisurely to the edge of the territory, near the fishery that had been opened up.

He encountered a figure he had not expected.

At the shimmering riverside, a little girl in simple but clean clothes was crouching there.

Carefully grooming the fur of a... marmot?

And that marmot was leisurely sprawled on a rock.

Its two little paws were fiddling with the water before it, looking as though it were enjoying itself immensely.

That marmot’s size and fur color... Eli widened his eyes and could not help crying out in surprise.

“Gulu?!”

“Lord!”

Sean, the person in charge of the fishery, had naturally noticed the lord’s figure and was quickly running toward Eli.

His shout also drew the attention of the others by the riverside, and of course, that included the marmot who was enjoying service.

“Gulu?” The marmot stopped fiddling with the water and turned her head.

“Ah! It’s the lord!” The little girl also raised her head and cried out in surprise.

Eli smiled and waved to the fishery workers who had looked over at the sound, signaling that there was no need for excessive courtesy.

Then he looked at Sean, the person in charge, who had already run before him, panting heavily.

“Sean, it has been a long time.” Eli gently extended his hand.

Sean was so excited that he seemed unsure what to do with his hands and feet.

He carefully wiped his water-dampened hand on his clothes before grasping Eli’s outstretched hand.

“My lord! You have finally returned! This is truly... wonderful!”

Following Eli’s gaze, he looked toward his daughter, who was running over, and the thing in her hands...

Mm, the marmot she was holding, who was wriggling excitedly. A trace of embarrassment and helplessness appeared on his face.

“My lord, this is my daughter, Lena. This... uh... this bear... is...”

Eli interrupted him with amusement. “I know. It is a bear.”

Of course he recognized this strange-tempered and gluttonous messenger of the princess.

He bent down and patted the head of Lena, the little girl who had run close.

Then he looked at the marmot in her arms, which was staring at him with beady eyes.

“Gulu? Why are you here?”

The little girl Lena seemed a little shy around strangers, but she still answered quietly on Gulu’s behalf. “Lord Gulu often comes here to play...”

But Gulu abruptly twisted her body in Lena’s arms and broke free.

She skillfully climbed up Eli’s trouser leg and finally sat steadily on his shoulder, even patting her paws proudly.

“Hmph, hmph!” Gulu raised her little head with a very impressive look.

“Ignorant human! Lord Gulu is researching how to use the fish in this water to roast the most delicious grilled fish in the world!

“What a great and difficult task this is!”

At the side, Sean wiped away cold sweat that did not actually exist on his forehead and hurriedly added an explanation.

“My lord, this was specially instructed by Steward Sebastian.

“He said that this... Lord Gulu is an honored guest of the territory.

“He asked us to... satisfy her requests as much as possible and let her do as she pleases.”

Clearly, Sean was also quite troubled over how to deal with a talking marmot that had especially many demands.

Eli nodded to show that he understood.

Seeing that Sean and the surrounding fishermen were all somewhat nervous, he said to him.

“All right, go back to your work first. I will have a few words with this Lord Gulu.”

Sean hurriedly bowed, then pulled away his daughter Lena, who still seemed somewhat reluctant to part from Gulu.

With tact, he led the other fishermen away, leaving only Eli and Gulu on his shoulder.

Eli turned his head slightly and looked at Gulu, who was sitting on his shoulder with her little legs crossed.

“I say, you have not caused too much trouble for anyone here, have you?”

“What kind of way is that to speak?” Gulu immediately bristled, putting her little paws on her waist.

“Lord Gulu is so wise, mighty, and beloved by everyone!

“Just now, I was helping that old fellow... uh, that human called Sean watch his child!

“Look how much that little human likes me!”

The corner of Eli’s mouth could not help twitching.

Watching a child? You?

“Where is Her Highness Irene?” Eli changed the subject and asked about the elf princess’s situation.

At the mention of Irene, Gulu’s lively and triumphant appearance immediately wilted, and her little head drooped.

“Her Highness the Princess... seems very tired lately. She has been sleeping in the sanctuary all this time. No matter how I call her, she will not wake up...

“Lord Gulu got a little bored, so I often come over here to play.”

Gulu suddenly raised her head again and glared at Eli. “What? You are unwilling?

“This place is under Her Highness the Princess’s protection. If you round it up, that means it is also Lord Gulu’s territory!

“Lord Gulu can come whenever I want!”

Looking at Gulu’s outwardly fierce but inwardly weak appearance, Eli could not help laughing.

But in his heart, he paid a little more attention to Irene’s condition.

Sleeping all the time? That did not seem very normal.

“All right, all right. You are amazing. Do as you please.”

Eli was too lazy to argue with this proud little marmot. He patted Gulu’s little head.

“Come on. Follow me back and eat something.”

The instant Gulu heard the word “eat,” her beady eyes lit up.

She immediately threw that tiny bit of emotion from just now beyond the ninth heaven and hopped twice on Eli’s shoulder in excitement.

“Something tasty? Where, where? Hurry, hurry!”