Territory (End of This Volume)

"Is this... the calamity brought by the 'Old King'?"

The earth, torn apart by the weight of the old king, has 'healed itself'.

But a "Apocalyptic Plague" spread through Gayn Forest.

The plague originated from the Giant Footprint, the footprint left by the Ghoul King, and began to erode and pollute the entire forest.

An apocalyptic plague has formed an "Overlapping Space" in the area covered by the footprints, and the plague inside has even developed self-awareness, forming a Plague Progenitor.

To eradicate the plague in this area, it is necessary to go deep inside and completely kill the Plague Progenitor.

There are thirty-nine 'giant footprints' throughout the entire Gayn Forest.

The Holy City has dispatched the Plague Knights, who are most skilled at handling such incidents.

The order demanded that the plague be completely eradicated within ten days, and that the Holy Knight Order assist in thoroughly dispelling the contamination of the surrounding area with sacred essence after the plague was eliminated.

Han Dong, riding in the [Crow Messenger Carriage], naturally saw the Plague Knights, who were 'fully armed'.

The knights all wore bizarre "Anti-poison Clothing," including gas masks designed according to personal preferences and dark robes adorned with different shoulder ornaments.

Even the horses they rode were wearing Gas Mask.

The horses' bodies have also been artificially modified, with numerous flexible tubes attached, seemingly to aid in the transport of substances within the body... enabling the horses to gallop through plague-stricken areas unaffected.

Seeing such a unit marching through the forest gives one a real sense of 'apocalypse'.

"Sir, do you not need to assist the Knight Order in dealing with the plague?"

"This level of plague disaster can only barely rank tenth since the founding of the Holy City... This old king did not actively release the plague, but only unintentionally left it behind while chasing you."

Led by the Great Plague Lord, the plague in Gayn Forest can be completely eradicated within a week.

"Um..."

Han Dong was shocked when he heard this.

It seems that in the early days of establishing the Holy City, humanity suffered unimaginable horrific invasions and apocalyptic disasters.

The carriage sped along.

Han Dong carefully observed the situation inside the forest.

The cracks in the earth have healed, leaving only a scar-like stripe on the surface of the land.

In addition, trees contaminated by the plague are also trying to expel the plague that has invaded their trunks as slowly as possible through their own "Miniature-suckers" in order to survive.

"Strange... It feels like the land and forests themselves have a strong self-healing ability, resisting external plagues to the greatest extent possible, although they can only delay death."

Mr. Black and White explained simply, "That's right, the world ruled by the 'Old King' has changed... Even forests, mountains, and rivers without 'land deeds' have a certain regenerative capacity."

As long as the damage is within their tolerance range, the land will repair itself.

Otherwise, if the world were still the same as it was two hundred years ago, it simply couldn't support all those 'higher' beings... As life evolves, the world must evolve along with it.

"I see."

Listening to Mr. Black and White's explanation, Han Dong became even more interested in this world.

"Then, wouldn't areas managed with 'land deeds' have even stronger self-healing capabilities?"

As the carriage drove out of the forest.

What Han Dong saw was a perfectly intact "Stuart Grand Manor".

The wheat fields, town, cemetery, and castle have all been restored to their original state, as if nothing had ever happened.

certainly.

Self-recovery is limited to the most basic elements: earth, wood, stone, and water.

Dr. Swollen's factory won't be repaired.

When Han Dong stepped onto this land, he felt as if the entire area was one with him, and he could monitor the detailed situation of every inch of the land at any time.

Almost at the same time.

Dr. Swollen rode his favorite tin Ghoul mount through the nearest underground passage to the surface and rushed to Han Dong's side.

"Your Lord Emissary!!"

As Dr. Swollen knelt, he glanced warily at the Crow Carriage to the side.

"Doctor, don't worry... This is my mentor in the Holy City – Mr. Black and White. Without his help, my identity would probably have been exposed."

"Greetings, mentor of the envoy!!"

When Mr. Black and White stepped off the carriage.

A thick, sweat-like substance continuously oozed from the gaps in the doctor's large head.

Due to his extraordinary brain abilities, the doctor has a stronger sense of perception than other superhumans of the same level, and can directly sense the power of Mr. Black and White.

With a wave of his hand, the other party could easily behead him.

"Your Lord Emissary, what are your thoughts on the 'defense issue' that I discussed with you last time?"

Apart from me, all the family cadres are dead, and the [Mother Body] was also taken away by the former king.

We need to quickly replenish the manor with sufficient personnel for defense, as the residents... I'm afraid I alone cannot protect this area.

Just after the doctor asked that question.

Gaa gaa gaa!

The cawing of numerous crows came from the forest area.

Led by four "Crow Person Elder," the entire tribe, numbering tens of thousands of Arak-men, arrived at the Great Manor from the forest area, just like the previous escort convoy.

"Doctor, are there enough new residents?"

As Dr. Swollen stared at the four Crow Person Elder who had reached the "Otherworldly Demon" level, he was so frightened that sweat kept pouring from his head.

"Enough! Enough... By the way, if you're not here, who will manage the estate for you?"

The Doctor himself is still some distance away from reaching the level of "Otherworldly Demon".

Therefore, the doctor was very worried that his future status in the manor might become that of a researcher who could only do manual labor.

"Same... Doctor, you are the [supervisor] of the Underground Area."

As for the crow people who have fully settled in the manor, the four elders are jointly responsible for the management and security of the ground area.

The elder's status is the same as yours, Doctor.

Gaa gaa gaa~~

Han Dong's willingness to provide the Crowman Tribe with such a sanctuary is already the greatest favor... As for this arrangement, the elders have no objections.

Moreover, everyone has their own area of expertise.

In some respects, Dr. Swollen is far more powerful than Crow Person Elder.

The doctor will also launch the "Reinforce Crow Person Project" to conduct experiments and modifications to address the physical deficiencies of the Crow People once the underground Experiment Zone is completed.

A mutually beneficial relationship has been formed between the two.

"Thank you... thank you, Your Lord Emissary! I will... I will definitely fulfill all your requests."

To be so highly valued, to be able to sit on the same platform as the Raven People who have reached the level of [Otherworldly Demons].

Overwhelmed with emotion, the doctor's eyes welled up with a torrent of foul tears.

"You first try to rebuild the laboratory with the help of the crow people using the existing resources... I will gradually establish channels for Material Supply later."

"Good!"

At this point, Han Dong turned to the four Crow Person Elder at the head of the row.

"Everyone, this will be your new home from now on."

These words were spoken.

Tens of thousands of crow people knelt down together, covering their bodies with black wings to express their sincerest gratitude.

At the same time, Han Dong took out five almost identical "land deeds" from his backpack.

They were given to the four elders and Dr. Swollen, respectively.

"You don't need to know which 'land deed' is real. Just keep it in the most secret place you can, making sure no one can steal it."

I may not have many opportunities to leave the city in the future, so I'll leave the entire estate to you to manage.

"Rest assured, we will protect this land for you, sir." The elders exuded a menacing aura, demonstrating their loyalty and determination.

certainly.

The Crow Person Elder would occasionally glance at Mr. Black and White through their eyes hidden beneath their feathers.

They could sense a shared aura emanating from this gentleman, but his level was far above theirs... Just staring at the Black Mask was enough to make their feathers tremble with tension.

As Mr. Black and White gazed at the magnificent scene of tens of thousands of Crow people kneeling in worship, a smile involuntarily appeared beneath his mask. He then transmitted his thoughts to another person in his mind:

"White, this is my choice."