"Although I wanted to say 'long time no see,' not much time has actually passed..."
When the marching forest reached the lava lake, Gorth also encountered Patriot and others.
"Did you run out of medication this time... Buldrokkas'tee?"
"Uncle Gorth!"
Before Patriot could reply, FrostNova ran over, waving.
Unlike her relationship with her own father, the Yeti princess was very close to this uncle who was not related to her by blood.
The most obvious manifestation is--
"My dad always refuses to take his medicine, even though his voice is hoarse from shouting all day. You really need to get him treated!"
"I don't!"
Patriot, who was about to explain his purpose, was suddenly startled. Facing the gaze that Gorth was casting, he spoke much more rapidly.
"My health has improved; I'll save the medication for those who need it more..."
"That means you didn't eat."
"..."
"Will you drink it yourself, or should I feed you?"
"Pfft--"
Patriot's gaze shifted slightly, and the Shieldguards took a step back in unison, revealing the still-unresponsive Big Bear.
"Yelena..."
"I know, extra practice, right?"
With a pained expression, the Big Bear was dragged aside by the ear by FrostNova. Looking at the potion handed to him by Gorth, Patriot took it and drank it all in one gulp.
Feeling the warmth within his body, the Patriot also remembered his original intention of returning.
"Are our compatriots injured?"
"As you can see, there is no serious problem."
He spread his arms to show his body, Gorth suddenly realized something was wrong and gestured between the two of them with his hand.
"You've grown taller?"
"A gift from the tribe, my body is recovering."
Patriot's voice became much more solemn as he subconsciously touched his armor.
"Ursus has taken notice of the Black Forest, my fellow countrymen, we must be careful..."
"I understand the logic, but they've already come knocking on our door."
Looking at the serious Patriot, Gorth hesitated for a moment before saying:
"We can talk about this in the forest, and... how long are you going to keep him under control?"
The gaze shifts downwards, where the former Internal Guard are now pinned to the ground by the Patriot.
The vines on the armor enveloped the Internal Guard, who remained motionless; only the constantly overflowing black mist proved that he was still alive.
"He has gone mad; I must see him off."
After Patriot's explanation, Gorth also understood that the death of Internal Guard would create a forbidden zone called the Kingdom.
So, was this the reason for the sense of crisis at the time?
Recalling the unusual circumstances surrounding the death of another Internal Guard, Gorth turned his gaze to his right shoulder, where he Zekrom.
Was it its flames that burned the kingdom?
"Huh?"
Noticing his father's gaze, Zekrom instinctively responded, drawing everyone's attention.
"Huh? This thing is actually alive?"
The Yeti Squadron surrounded them, and the Shieldguards who had been watching from the sidelines also peered out curiously.
Sensing the fiery aura emanating from the young dragon, Patriot began to speculate about the creator of that lava lake.
"They are..."
"Alright, stop standing here like an idiot."
Manipulating the vines to wrap around the Internal Guard, Gorth turned and walked towards the forest.
"Come in and we can talk. You should all get some rest."
"Really? That's great! At least I don't have to sleep in the snow anymore."
The Yeti Squadron took the lead, followed closely by the Patriot, which eased the tense atmosphere among the Shieldguards considerably.
Because a number of Infected had been sent to the forest, the Guerrilla guessed that there were probably many camps in the forest.
But when they actually entered, everyone was still surprised by how conservative their guesses had been.
"So many houses? Are they really temporary structures?"
"Of course! These are all gifts from the Lord of the Forest!"
"Hey? Who are you?"
The movement of the forest did not affect the houses, and the Infected in the camp gathered in the church to pray after a brief period of panic.
After Talulah and the other two were brought back by Gorth, the Infected learned the whole story immediately began to prepare a welcome party.
The Guerrilla were well-known, Infected enthusiasm reached its peak upon learning that their leader was a fellow countryman of the Lord of the Forest.
"Wait! The captain hasn't given the order, we can't..."
"Oh, we're all family, no need to worry about so much."
Before they could even grasp the situation, the Yetis and the Shieldguards had already been dragged into a banquet by the enthusiastic Infected.
A warm fire, plenty of meat, and even the newly Infected found alcohol in the Infection Patrol's vehicle.
With the Patriot issuing the order to move freely, the Shieldguards, who had been suppressed for so long, were finally able to unleash their true nature.
Unlike the jubilation in the camp, the atmosphere in the wooden cabin in Gorth was somewhat somber.
Awakened Eno and her companion were sent away to a banquet, where the room was now filled with Reunion Movement "cadres".
"So... those two Internal Guard weren't heading for the forest?"
After Talulah's explanation, Gorth understood the two Internal Guard's purpose, but what surprised him even more was...
"Were you originally a member of the royal family?"
"Um, I don't quite understand that either."
Talulah scratched her face awkwardly and explained her background to everyone.
As their blood ties became clearer, everyone fell silent.
"So, you're not only a princess of the Great Yan and the heir to the Duke of Ursus, but you also have a claim to the throne of Victoria?"
FrostNova stared at Talulah with disbelief on her face.
Does it... count?
"You're asking me about your own identity?"
FrostNova's eyes widened as if she had seen some rare species.
Talulah felt a little uncomfortable under her gaze and shrank back.
"It's nothing, is it..."
"It's nothing... Is any of your three identities easy to deal with?"
FrostNova scrutinized Talulah, trying to connect her with the nobles she remembered.
"Eh..."
A sigh drew FrostNova's attention back. Meeting everyone's gazes, Alina nodded helplessly.
"Indeed, looking at Little Tal, it shatters all my illusions about princesses in stories."
"I was never a princess."
Talulah sighed helplessly, then suddenly realized what was happening.
"Wait, what do you mean by 'I look like this'?"
"Hey? But Little Tal, you sometimes wear your clothes inside out, and last time you almost made a mess of the kitchen while cooking..."
"Ahhh! I know! Stop talking!"
Watching the two of them playfully bicker as if no one else was around, FrostNova twitched her eye, and finally couldn't help but laugh.
To be honest, she did feel a little unhappy when she heard about Talulah's background.
Nobility, and the kind of nobility that can crush you.
She certainly disliked those hypocritical nobles, but this one in front of her...
"Haha, I was wrong, Little Tal, stop scratching me!"
"You're lying! You were clearly smiling the whole time!"
She doesn't dislike him.
"Speaking of which... since she is a princess of the Great Yan, why did she become the heir to the Duke of Ursus?"
The grudges had long since vanished, and now FrostNova was more Talulah's origins.
"..."
The two who had been playfully fighting stopped. Talulah remained silent for a long time, and FrostNova also stopped smiling.
"If it's a bad memory, then forget it."
Even without Talulah explanation, everyone could understand from her expression what a painful memory it was.
"No, we're all comrades, and I never intended to hide it."
Shaking her head, Talulah took the initiative to tell everyone about her past.
That rainy night she didn't want to recall, that home she both missed and found painful...
"That Wei Yenwu went too far!"
FrostNova stood up angrily.
"Killing his own brother, forcing his own sister to marry someone he didn't love, and even abandoning his own family... he's a complete scumbag!"
Talulah a mix of emotions as she listened to FrostNova scorn her uncle.
Although she hasn't completely let go of the past, she can now somewhat understand Wei Yenwu's decision.
But understanding doesn't mean forgiveness, Talulah naturally didn't bother to defend her.
The Patriot standing to the side seemed quite moved.
He also knew of Wei Yenwu's name, after all, he was the man who almost became the emperor of the Great Yan Dynasty.
He could understand the other party's choice to some extent.
Family versus country— Buldrokkas'tee also faced this choice.
Unfortunately, like Wei Yenwu, he also made the wrong choice.
The towering Wendigo lowered his head, once again being chased by the past.
[Father... Enough, enough! You are Buldrokkas'tee! Oripathy won't afflict a strong soldier like you, so it will only climb onto my body!]
[You'll only realize your mistake when it's coiled around my body and laughing at you!]
Don't let yourself regret it, Father!
I regret it... Grovazil.
"Dad..."
A familiar call came, along with her daughter's tightly clenched hand.
The room had fallen silent, and everyone sensed the father's grief.
"Do you need a rest, Buldrokkas'tee?"
Gorth brought him a cup of hot water.
"If you encounter difficulties, don't hesitate to ask others for help."
Taking the water glass and gazing at its reflection, the Patriot's eyes gradually hardened.
He won't make the wrong choice again.
"My fellow countrymen, there are more important things to do."
After a brief silence, Patriot turned to Gorth.
"The Emperor of Ursus has taken notice of the Black Forest."
The atmosphere in the room immediately tensed up upon hearing this.
Gorth subconsciously sat up straight, and Patriot continued:
"He intends to cooperate with the forest."
"Cooperate?"
Gorth chewed on the word, his tone devoid of emotion.
"What kind of cooperation is it?"
"Unknown." Patriot shook his head.
"The nobles are at odds with the emperor. Koschei is just one of them."
"Many more people hope to awaken Ursus through war."
What do they see the forest for?
"Threat, or... weapon."
Talulah couldn't help but speak up:
Will those nobles attack the forest?
"Meeting."
The Patriot answered without hesitation.
"They are not here now because they don't know the details of the forest."
"But the death of the Internal Guard cannot be concealed. Sooner or later, they will come."
"I'll handle it."
Patriot gripped his halberd tightly, his voice low but firm.
"During this time, I will lead Guerrilla to operate around the forest. If they come, they will have to get past me."
"Thank you for your kindness, Buldrokkas'tee..."
The silent Gorth finally spoke, and everyone instantly fell silent, waiting for his answer.
"But I don't need your protection."
"I know." Patriot bowed slightly.
"But you don't need to bear everything alone."
"I should be saying that."
Gorth stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the campfire and the jubilant crowd in the distance.
"Buldrokkas'tee, you're used to being the protector."
"You stand in front of everyone, thinking it's your duty, your mission, your... atonement."
"But I don't need your protection."
Gorth looked at Patriot, whose massive body appeared somewhat small under the shadow.
"You have never owed me anything, and there is no sin here for you to repay."
The Wendigo stood facing each other from afar, while the Patriot expressed their resistance through silence.
"... never mind."
As if he had found the answer in the silence, Gorth sighed, turned around, and opened the door.
You have plenty of time to think. As for now—
He turned to the side, letting the faint sounds of laughter coming from outside the door flow into the room.
"Take a break and relax."
After he finished speaking, his figure sank into the shadows beneath his feet, disappearing silently like a pebble falling into water.
The door was wide open, and the night breeze carried in the warmth of the campfire and the aroma of roasted meat.
"Huh? The professor left already?"
Talulah didn't react, staring wide-eyed at the receding shadow.
She clearly had many questions and things she wanted to say—about the Internal Guard, about the two members of her clan, and about what to do next.
"Ask again tomorrow, Little Tal."
Alina shook her head and gently pressed her friend's shoulder.
Her gaze passed over Talulah and landed on the father and daughter who remained inside the house.
"Mr. Patriot, Miss FrostNova, let's go to the banquet together."
Just call me Yelena.
FrostNova snapped out of her Gorth's sudden departure, pursed her lips, and then looked at her father beside her.
The Patriot remained silent for a long time.
So long that the laughter outside rose in intensity once more, so long that FrostNova's gaze gradually shifted from anticipation to habitual disappointment.
"... Let's go."
He reached out and took his daughter's hand.
The movement was light, yet very steady.
FrostNova paused for a moment, then smiled and gripped the handle tightly.
The group left the wooden hut and headed towards the campfire.
After everyone disappeared into the woods, Gorth emerged from the shadows.
He stood by the window, quietly watching the campfire in the distance, its light turning the snow a warm orange.
Singing, laughter, and the occasional cheers drifted faintly through the trees.
"That's good..."
Just watch quietly.
You don't need to get involved.
Gorth leaned against the window frame, watching the crowd in the distance grow increasingly lively.
Some people started dancing around the campfire, their clumsy steps eliciting good-natured laughter.
Gorth watched, watching the flames.
They are all good people.
Talulah is, Alina is, FrostNova is, Patriot is, and all the Infected gathered around the campfire—they are all.
Because they are good people, he couldn't help but get close to them...
But there are more and more people.
They called him "mentor," relied on him, and took him for granted as part of the group.
We can't continue.
Gorth said to himself.
Know when to stop, keep your distance, and don't let them get used to your presence. Don't let yourself get used to their presence either.
Otherwise--
I can't help it...
[Gregor: Third brother, are you done over there?]
[Vera: What's holding you up?]
[Gorth: No, it's already resolved.]
[Vane: Come back quickly when you're done, I haven't had enough fun yet!]
[Gorth: Understood.]
"..."
Let's wait... until those guys come to us.
That way, there's no need to hesitate.
Gorth stood by the window, looking at the distant campfire, at the laughing figures, and at the story he had impulsively joined into.
In the distance, Alina suddenly looked up and glanced in the direction of the wooden house.
Through the darkness, Gorth wasn't sure if she could see him.
But he still instinctively turned to the side, disappearing deeper into the shadows.
Alina watched for a moment, then was Talulah and turned around to rejoin the jubilation.
Gorth stood in the shadows and suddenly remembered a topic he had once seen.
As your game progresses and all the NPCs can engage in further dialogue, offering you various different responses, how will you approach this game?
"It's so spicy! Yelena, what did you feed me?!"
"It's just a special candy, would you like another one?"
"..."
"Aww~"
Zekrom rubbed against the bone, as if he were being affectionate or comforting.
After gently patting the young dragon's head, Gorth returned home in the light.
[Topic Reply]
[Anonymous: They'd probably treasure it, since such NPCs are practically indistinguishable from real people.]
[Netizen A: What if an NPC gets killed by a monster in the game?]
[Anonymous: Just kill all the enemies.]
[Netizen A: This is the talk of a tyrant...]
[Anonymous: That's normal, right? After all, it's a character I like--]
Not a single one can die.