Brave Soldier

Everyone looked at Lin Luo in the crowd in astonishment, their faces filled with disbelief.

No matter how they looked at him, those skinny arms and legs didn't match Nepheli's description at all... Could he be some kind of archmage? Then what was with the blade in his hand...?

Though they had their doubts, the soldiers still lowered their weapons.

"Looks like you've been doing pretty well as the city lord..."

"I can tell they're pretty convinced by you."

Nepheli rolled her eyes and explained things to Lin Luo.

As it turned out, the soldiers in the city had long been dissatisfied with Godrick. They had wanted to rise up against his grafting atrocities for a long time.

Unfortunately, they lacked the strength, which was why they had never acted.

Then Lin Luo killed Godrick, and they had a powerful female warrior to serve as their ruler.

Though Nepheli's strength had initially failed to win everyone over, her iron-fisted methods and overwhelming power after taking the throne had completely subdued the soldiers. From then on, she had rightfully become the ruler of Stormveil Castle.

Only after leaving the room did Lin Luo realize that Stormveil Castle had largely been restored. The severed grafted limbs had been cleared away, the rats beneath the castle had been exterminated, and even the Rotten Tree Spirit had been destroyed by Nepheli and her soldiers.

Stormveil Castle now had an entirely new look. Quite a few merchants from wandering peoples were even planning to settle here.

"Not bad..."

Lin Luo nodded lightly in approval.

However, Lin Luo had no intention of staying long. After telling Nepheli about Shrimp Bro, he prepared to set off for Redmane Castle.

"You're going to Redmane Castle?"

Nepheli froze for a moment, then looked shocked.

"You're going to find Starscourge? The strongest demigod?"

"Yeah. What about it?"

Lin Luo had already climbed onto Torrent's back, with the Black Sword strapped across his back. Everything was ready.

"That's Starscourge! Not Godrick!"

Nepheli was starting to panic a little.

"You're the lord of Stormveil Castle now. You're basically a minor king. Could you stop looking like you've never seen the world before...?"

Lin Luo looked somewhat helpless.

"You should learn from your foster father. He's not scared of anything."

"Of course he isn't scared. He's not the one going to fight Starscourge!"

Nepheli ranted furiously in her heart.

"..."

"Uh..."

Nepheli scratched her head.

"How about I send some troops with you? More people means more strength."

"?"

Lin Luo looked at her as though she were an idiot.

"Do you like me or something? I'd advise you to give up. I already have two wives!"

"You motherf—"

Even Nepheli, despite her good manners, could not stop herself from swearing.

Who the hell am I doing this for? And why did you look so proud when you said you had two wives?!

"You don't know about Redmane's Warrior's Festival, do you...?"

Lin Luo rubbed his forehead helplessly.

"All sorts of mages and warriors will be going with me."

"Wouldn't your soldiers just be cannon fodder?"

"Bullshit!"

A soldier captain beside them strode over angrily. He had apparently overheard something.

"Please show some respect for our soldiers' combat discipline. No matter what enemy we face, we will never retreat!"

"Oh?"

Lin Luo looked at the soldier teasingly.

"So you're saying you're pretty brave...?"

"Are you kidding? I'm super brave, okay!"

"Mm... Very good."

Lin Luo nodded and pointed at the soldier as he spoke to Nepheli.

"Then when we fight Starscourge later, let him lead the charge."

"Fine."

"???"

The soldier was dumbfounded.

Fight who? Who did he say we were fighting? Starscourge! Am I crazy, or are you crazy? What makes me qualified to fight Starscourge?!

I heard this Tarnished call us cannon fodder and came running over in a fit of rage.

So you were discussing fighting Starscourge? I'm not even qualified to be cannon fodder. Isn't this just sending me to my death?!

"Um... My King, I just remembered that my grandmother is giving birth. I might not be able to go..."

The soldier's teeth chattered as he spoke with a miserable smile.

"No, no, no! You're coming with me!"

Lin Luo spoke in a tone that allowed no refusal.

"Big bro! No, Dad!"

The soldier dropped to his knees.

"I admit I spoke a little too loudly just now. I was wrong! Don't make me fight Starscourge! I've got elders above me and children below me. My entire family depends on me..."

"Stop, stop, stop! Get out of here already!"

"I was just messing with you. Why did you take it seriously...?"

In the end, the soldier left "happily"...

"All right, enough messing around. If you want to come with me, I can bring you along. As for those soldiers... you know it too. Starscourge specializes in Gravity Magic. If a meteor comes down, those soldiers will probably be wiped out."

"Mm..."

Nepheli frowned deeply before finally shaking her head.

"I won't go with you after all. Stormveil Castle is still in need of rebuilding, and there's a lot I need to handle. I can't accompany you."

"Fair enough..."

Lin Luo shrugged.

"I'm too lazy to drag along dead weight anyway..."

"You!..."

Nepheli glared angrily at Lin Luo and pointed at him, then gave a huff and left.

Seeing Nepheli like that, Lin Luo did not keep teasing her. He straightened his clothes and left Stormveil Castle.

After they passed through the gates, Melina appeared again.

"Looks like Lin Luo's charm is quite something..."

Melina leaned against Lin Luo's shoulder with a faintly mischievous smile.

Melina's voice was lovely, like a warm spring breeze in the depths of winter.

But hearing it now, why did Lin Luo feel a little cold...?

No, he had to take the initiative!

Lin Luo pulled Melina into his arms and lightly tapped her forehead.

"What are you thinking about all day...?"

"I wasn't thinking about anything!"

Melina puffed out her cheeks.

"Ranni, Rodricka, Nepheli, Irena, Sorcerer Sellen."

Melina rattled off a whole string of names, leaving Lin Luo completely stunned.

The first few were fine, but what the hell was Sorcerer Sellen doing in there??

And Wood, I never realized this—you're so ruthless that you even get jealous of yourself!

Lin Luo stood there blankly, his eyes empty, as though he had lost all hope in the world.

Melina burst out laughing at the sight.

"I was just teasing you..."

"I don't care about that many..."

Coming back to his senses, Lin Luo grew a little annoyed. He pinched Melina's cheek, then kissed her fiercely.

"See if you dare mess around again!"