You're back already?

It turns out Avina really knew how to farm.

Of course, it wasn't that she knew how to farm herself, but rather that she knew how to teach others to farm. With her petite frame and a pair of small hands as smooth as jade, farming was out of the question, and she was even a bit delicate to be an alchemist. Landen gave up asking her after seeing those incredibly smooth, tender hands.

However, Avina proved with her actions that the King of Trash Talk was still a king.

The alchemy apprentice personally cultivated were indeed alchemy materials, what Landen called flowers and plants. But, diligent and hardworking, she had studied many books related to planting in order to obtain more materials. These books not only recorded plants from the surface world but also many from the underworld, including many food crops.

The records in the books were naturally very detailed, from selecting land and seeds to plowing and sowing, all the way to the final harvest. The entire process was documented. Avina, the "model student," not only studied these books diligently but also took copious notes.

Yes, you read that right. A mage apprentice and alchemy apprentice was reading books about farming and taking notes.

Landen didn't know whether to praise her diligence or mock her for not focusing on her actual studies...

Regardless, when Landen saw Avina choose a small plot of land, said to be the most suitable for planting, and begin directing a group of Bear Hobgoblins to work on it with a semblance of order, he nodded with great satisfaction.

These Bear Hobgoblins were still prisoners, their hands and feet bound by chains. However, Landen simply couldn't find better labor. There were still quite a few Hobgoblins, but they were the old, weak, and disabled left after selecting the warriors. Having them plow the fields would give Landen the uncomfortable feeling of being a cruel landlord.

Yet, the King of Trash Talk was still the King of Trash Talk. It was less than half an acre of land. If it were an experienced farmer with Bear Hobgoblins as strong helpers, the plowing might have been completed in a day. Avina, however, took the entire day.

Of course, this already exceeded Landen's expectations.

Without Avina, Landen would have had to wait for Hogg to return. And according to the route Vivian had chosen, they wouldn't have even reached Morata City yet; they were still on the way. By the time they reached Morata City, fought a few battles, and perhaps engaged in some deceitful tactics, they would have been gone for nearly a month upon their return.

The crops in the underworld had low yields but also short maturity times. Generally, a crop could mature in two to three months. Two to three months would be enough for these food crops to grow by a third. Landen didn't want to waste this time, especially with the Heart of the City. Using this time for the first experimental field was simply perfect.

However, in this world, not everything could be under Landen's control. For example... Vivian and the movements of her troops.

And so, the following scene unfolded.

"Viv... Sister? Why are you here?" Landen looked at the still heroic and valiant woman before him with immense surprise, his mouth agape.

Yes, the person who appeared before Landen was Vivian, the "dear" Second Sister whom Landen had deduced was near Morata City.

Perhaps due to the fatigue of a long march, Vivian appeared visibly unenthusiastic. Her pretty face was set, but not in her usual stern manner; it seemed somewhat stiff, which made Landen even more curious.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that? Why are you here? This place doesn't seem close to your lair. You sent your strongest subordinates to me, and you still have the nerve to be out here? I'm very surprised you're still alive." Despite her lack of enthusiasm, Vivian's voice was still full of vigor and power. She frowned as she looked at her brother, who resembled a farmer. She had already disliked this brother, and seeing him like this, along with thinking about other things, made her dislike him even more.

Landen didn't pay much attention to Vivian's words. This sister had wanted him dead since he was born; she had said such things hundreds of times, and he was long accustomed to it. So, he simply ignored her and asked, "You should have just reached the vicinity of Morata City by now, right? Why did you give up halfway? This isn't like you."

"Like me? Since when did you start understanding me?" Vivian sneered. "Don't think that just because you've become some inexplicable lord, you understand everything. The relationships between cities are far more complicated than you think."

"Alright." Landen shrugged. He and this "dear" Second Sister really felt like they couldn't get along for more than a few words. So, he stopped wasting his breath and even shifted his gaze, starting to look for Hogg.

Landen spotted Hogg at a glance because her position was quite conspicuous. She was behind Vivian and her three subordinates, leading the Hobgoblin Knights, but positioned in front of the Dark Elf and Dark Dwarf troops.

Landen's eyes lit up.

When they left, Hogg and the Hobgoblin Knights were at the very back of the entire formation. Now, they were so far ahead. The change in position was enough to explain a great deal.

At this moment, Hogg, who had been sitting on the Vulture Turtle's back, bored, finally spotted Landen. She leaped up with a carp flip and rushed to Landen's side at top speed.

Despite being very excited and happy, the Beast-eared Cutie forcibly suppressed herself and put on a serious expression, just like the first time she met Landen. She said solemnly, "Riverclaw Lord, reporting for duty. Lord, Hogg has not disappointed you on this journey!"

"I know. I always believed you could do a great job." Landen smiled and raised his hand. Before he could get close, Hogg consciously nuzzled her head forward, into Landen's palm. Although she still wanted to maintain a serious expression, her eyes involuntarily narrowed.

"Hmph!" A cold snort, containing Vivian's undisguised anger. The Matriarch of the city said coldly, "Alright, you can have your sweet talk later when we get back. We've been traveling for days, and my troops are tired. Hurry up and lead the way!"

So sour!

These two words naturally flashed through Landen's mind. He finally understood why Vivian was unenthusiastic. It was pure envy and jealousy, and the target was him, her brother whom she had always looked down upon.

Thinking this, Landen smiled even more heartily. He patted Hogg's head again and said, "Alright, I know you have a lot to say. We'll have a good meal when we get back and talk after you've rested."

Then, Landen waved his hand and said, "Let's go, home!"

It was obvious that not only Vivian was unenthusiastic, but all her subordinates were too. Especially the Dark Elf and Dark Dwarf troops behind them, they could all be described as dejected.

In stark contrast, all the Hobgoblins held their heads high. Even the Rock Lizards seemed to have a strange surge of strength in their steps.

Seeing this, the smile on Landen's face grew even wider.

It was good that they returned, it was really good~