Expedition to the Lizardfolk Camp

This time, Vivian left after staying just one night, just like last time, taking her troops with her.

However, before leaving, Vivian's words plunged Landen into deep thought.

"The Mara Family, the Vol Family, I don't know how many more families you've provoked, but you'd better understand one thing: you're no longer in Solennord. Mother won't be able to send people to protect you all day like before. Since you've accepted this so-called lord status yourself, you'll have to face these problems on your own from now on."

"Of course, don't think I'm saying this out of concern for you. I just don't want you to die at the hands of outsiders. Even though you've become independent, you're still Mother's child, and still my nominal brother. If you get yourself killed, it will only bring shame upon us."

"Also, don't think you can wash your hands of everything just because you've been careful. I know you're involved in the deaths of Janie and that Old Niu. Since they're already dead, you must have understood many things. I'm not afraid to tell you: yes, those were my orders. You've been lucky, but your luck can't last forever."

"Do you really think I wouldn't dare to act just because you have those Hobgoblin Knights and that Naga woman? You're still too young, my brother. Hurry up and make yourself stronger, otherwise... Hmph!"

When Landen first heard these words, he broke out in a cold sweat. Clearly, judging Vivian solely by his memories was unreliable. Vivian's courage was far greater than he remembered. Would someone who dared to admit to such things truly abide by those rules out of fear of Matriarch Isis?

As she said, if she was truly determined to make a move against Landen, would the forces under his command be enough to protect him?

Then, after Landen mulled over her words several times, he began to perceive a different meaning.

If Vivian had the courage, why didn't she act?

So, was it still because she lacked the courage? Although he had only spent less than two days with Vivian, Landen immediately dismissed this idea. If she lacked sufficient courage, could she have become a city matriarch before she was even an adult? If she lacked sufficient courage, would she have dared to lead a large force to attack a city controlled by another family?

It still came back to the same question: she had enough courage, so why didn't she act?

This was the question Landen pondered the longest. Finally, an image appeared in his mind—him running ahead, with Vivian chasing him with a knife.

This wasn't to say Vivian wanted to kill him, but rather that Vivian was pressuring him. It was somewhat like encouragement and urging, but far more brutal. Vivian was indeed using various means to force him to improve, but if he failed to meet Vivian's expectations, meaning if he was caught up by Vivian in that image, then the knife in Vivian's hand would undoubtedly be plunged in without hesitation!

But why would Vivian do this?

Landen was filled with questions about this. He searched his memories again but found nothing that could help analyze Vivian's state of mind.

Finally, Landen could only touch the pendant around his neck and murmur, "Could it be... because of you again?"

Of course, thinking was thinking, but life had to go on normally. Moreover, Vivian's pressure and Landen's goals were not in conflict.

"So, because of that one battle, the Qivita Family chickened out? And then they sent people to negotiate with Vivian?" Landen asked Hogg, who was sitting beside him.

At this moment, he wasn't sitting in that swivel chair but on the back of a Vulture Turtle. The Vulture Turtle was large enough that it not only carried Landen and Hogg but also Avina. Sitting on the giant shell, no one felt crowded.

"Yeah," Hogg nodded, still looking displeased. "They only fought that one battle, and it wasn't even as fun as fighting the Bear Hobgoblins. It wasn't satisfying at all."

Landen gave a wry smile. Only Hogg could equate war with a brawl.

"Alright, stop complaining," Landen said, reaching out to pat Hogg's head. "Do you really think you're invincible? They were just Hobgoblin Knights, and they'd only been training for a little over a month. How strong could they be? The reason you won that battle was due to surprise. If the Qivita Family had been prepared for a continued fight, it's uncertain how many of you would have returned."

Hogg pouted unhappily but didn't retort in the end. He obediently nodded.

"Besides, didn't I immediately find an opportunity for you to train? Do you really want to go fight with my sister?" Landen teased.

"Of course not! I don't like her!" Hogg exclaimed loudly, earning another gentle pat on the head.

Avina, sitting on the other side, quietly watched their interaction. At this moment, a flash of envy flickered in her bright eyes.

"Huh, as expected, having someone to chat with makes time fly by. We're here already," Landen said, standing up from the Vulture Turtle's back. He gazed into the distance, and through the scattered faint lights present throughout the Underworld, he saw his destination.

Stone outer walls exceeding ten meters in height, simple dwellings built from unworked rubble, and the slender, slightly hunched figures moving between the houses—all of this was faintly visible in those dim lights.

In the entire Yumaas Region, only the Lizardfolk, ranked first on the strength leaderboard in the Lord System, could possess a camp of this scale.

Yes, Landen, who had brought his entire family and entourage this time, had put aside his experimental fields temporarily and spent nearly three days to reach the Lizardfolk camp.

"Alright, let's stop in that small mountain hollow up ahead," Landen pointed forward. The troops, who had been marching at high speed, began to slow down. The Hobgoblin Knights had already grown accustomed to such high-speed marching during their previous training. On the other hand, the Dark Elves riding the Rock Lizards showed signs of discomfort. As soon as the troops stopped, they eagerly dismounted, their faces looking extremely pale.

"Set up camp here. Mikhail and Ibaka, go scout. Oh, and bring the little Mind Flayer along. It's familiar with this terrain."

Yes, for this operation, Landen had specifically "borrowed" a little one from the Mind Flayer family.

With Hobgoblin Knights as his main fighting force, Landen certainly couldn't have them charge the high outer walls of the Lizardfolk camp.

Landen, who had long wanted to conquer this place, had long been prepared, just like every other time.