Chapter 91 - 87: The Princess’s Gift

Chapter 91: Chapter 87: The Princess’s Gift

On a plain of meter-high wild grass, countless hidden Skeleton Monsters charged the Human Legion.

But the Southern Army, having already defeated hundreds of Skeleton Monsters in the dense forest, was not afraid. They were confident that with teamwork, these F Level skeletons could be slain with ease.

And indeed, the Skeleton Monsters that charged at Lian couldn’t withstand a single blow. They were hacked to pieces by his simple One-Sword Style, turning the battle into another round of Magic Crystal collection.

The battle lasted from noon until nightfall, by which time the F Level skeletons on the plains had been completely wiped out.

Lian didn’t even get to experience the joy of pushing past his limits. His Physical Strength saw no increase, only depletion.

Although everyone was exhausted, they had still collected 891 Magic Crystals.

Luck still seemed to be on the Southern Army’s side, but Lian was already starting to feel uneasy.

So, when Kob suggested moving the army’s main camp to Eastern District 1, Lian rejected the proposal.

He left only a small detachment to garrison Eastern District 1, while the main army retreated to the central area outside the dense forest.

This central area bordered all four cardinal directions. By temporarily establishing their main base here, they could retreat to the High Wall of the North District or advance to attack the territory controlled by the Skeleton Monsters.

It would also make it easier for the Investigation Team to rejoin the main force.

The main force returned to the Central Camp with their trove of Magic Crystals to rest and regroup.

Lian returned to the Lord’s tent and collapsed wearily onto a sofa made of animal hides.

The sofa hadn’t been brought from the Green Shade Territory; it was a gift from the Goblin Princess. Over the past while, the much-admired Lian had received all sorts of gifts from Goblin women.

Though he accepted the gifts, he gave the women no openings.

Just as Lian was resting, the Goblin Princess paid another visit.

He sat up warily from the sofa and put on his jacket.

He did his best not to display his impressive physique before the Goblin Princess, lest she start to covet it.

When it came to women he wasn’t interested in, Lian was always this guarded.

The Goblin Princess had long, curly purple hair, a pair of large, sparkling eyes, and big ears much like an Elf’s. Her features were exquisite, but her green skin single-handedly ruined the harmonious aesthetic.

’I’ll never be a fan of green skin,’ Lian thought.

Still, upon seeing Her Highness Princess, he maintained basic etiquette.

"Princess Julia, is there something I can help you with?"

"I’ve come to bid you farewell."

Julia said with a smile.

Julia’s two Goblin Maids were each holding an antique wooden chest carved with intricate patterns.

At a gesture from Julia, the Maids set down the chests.

"This is a farewell gift for you. I hope you like it."

Lian walked over to the chests. He watched as Julia opened one; it was filled with medicinal herbs.

’On a military campaign, receiving medicinal herbs is an even better surprise than receiving provisions.’

"This chest is full of basic Healing Medicine. I imagine your army will find it useful."

Julia pointed to the other chest and took out a purple glass bottle.

"This is an Essence of Life, prepared especially for you. It can strengthen one’s physique. I hope you will enjoy it."

Lian took the purple glass bottle. It contained about 5ml of a liquid potion.

"This can strengthen my physique?"

"Yes. This is the ’Essence of Life,’ personally created by our Goblin Grand Wizard. Only our bravest warriors are granted it. I hope you will always remember the friendship between us."

Julia had done her utmost to display her Charm, but Lian remained stubbornly uninterested. She knew Lian would never become her husband, so she could only settle for the next best thing: becoming his friend.

Gaining Lian’s friendship would also help to further solidify her power and status within the Goblin Clan.

Her brothers and male cousins had been killed in the war, leaving her as the sole remaining member of her direct family line. Her uncle was now eyeing her position covetously, and would likely try to bypass her and seize the leadership of their family for himself.

This was the real reason she was so desperate to marry Lian.

Lian had, of course, heard about this situation through other channels, but he truly had no interest in the Goblin Princess, nor in the Goblins’ internal power struggles.

Besides, the Goblins had already signed a 50-year peace treaty with him. The treaty would remain in effect regardless of who ultimately became the Goblins’ leader. There was even less reason for Lian to meddle in their internal affairs.

"Princess Julia, I really couldn’t."

Lian said, even as he stuffed the Essence of Life into his coat pocket, showing no intention of actually refusing.

Julia’s two Maids shot him contemptuous looks.

They had been by Her Highness Princess’s side this entire time, witnessing her try everything to please this man, showering him with countless treasures. Unfortunately, the man remained indifferent, clearly not taking Her Highness Princess seriously, and was always seen coming and going with some short-haired girl.

If this man weren’t the Lord of the Green Shade Territory, hadn’t saved the Goblin race in the Southwestern War, and hadn’t signed a 50-year peace treaty, they would have already exploded with rage.

"Since Princess Julia must leave, I will not insist you stay. A great war with the eastern Skeleton Legion is inevitable, and I fear I will be unable to guarantee your safety. It is indeed safer for you to return."

Lian’s words were noble and grand.

Julia gave an awkward smile. "Yes, we have been quite a bother. We will depart tomorrow."

"Your Highness, in that case, you must join our bonfire party tonight. We’ll have more than enough roasted meat and fine wine."

Lian said with a smile.

In reality, the army’s dry rations and fine wine had run out long ago. Their supply of meat, however, had never been depleted. After all, the Bone Forest was home to many bizarre animals, and roasting them was enough to get by for a time.

As for the fine wine, most of it had been gifts from the Goblin Tribe.

Julia and her two Maids departed from Lian’s military tent with dignity.

The two Goblin Maids asked in confusion,

"Her Highness Princess, that Human Lord clearly has no intention of helping us. Why are you still being so good to him?"

"Yes! That was a precious ’Essence of Life’! You should have bestowed it upon your most loyal Warrior."

"I only hope to trade it for Lord Lian’s friendship. In the future, when I need help, I hope he will be willing to lend a hand. Forget the ’Essence of Life’—if he had asked for a Core Magic Stone, I would have given it to him."

’So that Essence of Life really is good stuff,’ Lian thought as he listened to their discussion. ’And what’s a Core Magic Stone? The Goblin Princess is hiding that many treasures?’

Just in case, Lian asked for Sophie’s and Kob’s opinions. They confirmed that the Essence of Life was an excellent Magic Potion that could indeed improve one’s physique.

He looked at the chest of Essence of Life and fell into deep thought.

’Should I keep it all for myself, or share it with my subordinates?’

He picked up a bottle of Essence of Life and gulped it down.