This time, Vivian left with her troops after staying for only one night, just as she had the last time.
However, Vivian's words before she left sent Landen into deep thought.
"The Mara Family, the Vol Family... I don't know how many other families you've provoked. But you'd better understand one thing: you're no longer in Solennord. Mother can't have people guarding you around the clock like before. Since you've acknowledged this so-called identity as a lord, you'll have to face these problems yourself from now on."
"Of course, don't think I'm saying this because I care about 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 younger brother in name. If someone kills you, the only ones who'll lose face are us."
"And don't think that just because you've kept your hands and feet clean, you can shake off all suspicion. I know Janie's death and the death of that Old Niu were both related to you. Since they're already dead, I imagine you've figured out quite a few things. I don't mind telling you—the answer is yes. I gave the orders for all of it. You're lucky, but you can't stay this lucky forever."
"You really think that just because you have those Hobgoblin Knights and that snake-demon woman, I won't dare make a move? You're still too young, my little brother. Hurry up and make yourself stronger. Otherwise..." She gave a cold snort.
When Landen first heard those words, he broke out in a cold sweat. Clearly, judging Vivian solely by his memories had been unreliable. Vivian was far bolder than he remembered. If she dared admit to something like this, would she really obediently follow those rules out of fear of Matriarch Isis?
Just as she had said, if she truly made up her mind to attack Landen, would the forces under his command really be enough to protect him?
But after chewing over those words again and again, Landen detected another meaning in them.
If Vivian had the nerve to do it, why hadn't she acted?
Was it because she still lacked the courage? Although he had spent less than two days with Vivian, Landen immediately rejected that idea. If she lacked courage, could she have become the Matriarch of a city before reaching adulthood? If she lacked courage, would she have led a large army to attack a city controlled by another family?
That was the question again. If she had enough courage, why hadn't she acted?
This was the question Landen pondered the longest. In the end, an image appeared in his mind: he was running ahead while Vivian chased him from behind with a knife.
It wasn't that Vivian intended to hunt him down and kill him. Rather, she was forcing him forward. It was somewhat like encouragement and urging, but far more brutal. Vivian was indeed using every means at her disposal to force him to grow stronger. However, if he failed to meet Vivian's demands—if he were caught by Vivian in that image—then the knife in her hand would plunge into him without the slightest hesitation!
But why did Vivian want to do this?
Landen was filled with confusion. He searched through his memories again, but still found nothing that could help him analyze Vivian's thoughts.
In the end, Landen could only touch the pendant hanging around his neck and murmur, "Could it be because of you again?"
Of course, thinking was one thing, but life still had to go on as usual. Besides, Vivian's pressure and Landen's own goals were never in conflict.
"So the Qivita Family caved after that one battle? Then they sent someone to negotiate with Vivian?" Landen asked Hogg, who was sitting beside him.
He wasn't sitting in that rotating chair at the moment. He was on the back of a Vulture Turtle. The Vulture Turtle was large enough to carry not only Landen and Hogg but also Avina. The three of them sat on its enormous shell without feeling crowded.
"Yeah." Hogg nodded, still looking displeased. "It was just one battle, and it wasn't even as fun as fighting Bear Hobgoblins. It wasn't satisfying at all."
Landen smiled wryly. Hogg was probably the only person who could equate war with a brawl.
"Enough complaining." Landen raised a hand and patted Hogg on the head with a smile. "Do you really think you're invincible? You're only a Hobgoblin Knight, and you've trained for just over a month. How strong could you be? You won that battle because you caught them off guard. If the fight had continued and the Qivita Family had prepared themselves, there was no telling how many of you would have made it back."
Hogg still pouted unhappily, but he ultimately didn't argue and obediently nodded.
"Besides, didn't I immediately find you an opportunity for Troop Training? Or would you rather go to war with my elder sister?" Landen teased.
"Of course not! I don't like her!" Hogg shouted, earning another gentle pat on the head.
Avina sat on the other side, quietly watching the two of them interact. At that moment, a trace of envy flashed through her bright eyes.
"Ah, sure enough, time really does fly when you have someone to chat with. We've arrived before we even realized it." Landen rose from the Vulture Turtle's back and gazed into the distance. With the scattered points of light found throughout the underground world, he saw the destination of their journey.
Stone outer walls more than ten meters high, simple houses built from unprocessed rubble, and the slender, slightly hunched figures moving between them—all of it appeared and vanished amid the faint light.
Throughout the Yumaas Region, only the Lizardfolk ranked first on the Lord System's strength rankings possessed a camp of this scale.
That was right. After traveling with his entire household, temporarily setting aside that Experimental Field, and spending nearly three days on the journey, Landen had finally reached the Lizardfolk camp.
"All right, stop in that hollow ahead." Landen pointed forward. The marching troops, which had been moving at high speed, began to slow down. The Hobgoblin Knights had already grown accustomed to such rapid marches during their earlier training. Instead, the few Dark Elves riding on Rock Lizards showed clear discomfort. By the time the troops stopped, they had all eagerly leaped down from the Rock Lizards, their faces deathly pale.
"Set up camp here. Mikhail and Ibaka, go scout the area. Right, take the little Mind Flayer with you. It's more familiar with the terrain here."
That was right. For this operation, Landen had specifically "borrowed" a little one from the Mind Flayer family.
With Hobgoblin Knights as his primary fighting force, Landen naturally couldn't have them charge the Lizardfolk camp's towering outer walls.
Landen had wanted to conquer this place for a long time, and he had long since made his preparations, just as he had for every previous operation.
Before you continue