Ithilien could only shake her head helplessly. She looked back at Chen Yu, her tone serious. "Just as Lady Violet said, Your Majesty, I will bring the potion back safely."
"Also, regarding the alchemical processes and catalytic Magic Arrays for cultivating the Secret Magic Ancient Tree, I have already compiled them into a complete manual and passed it on to several of the most talented and responsible young Elves in the territory. You don’t have to worry about the legion’s future expansion."
Since Ithilien had already made thorough preparations and arrangements, Chen Yu said nothing more.
Ithilien’s departure was still a few days away.
After enjoying a sumptuous open-air banquet in Root-Whisper Forest, a satisfied Chen Yu rode his Stone Sword, wobbling leisurely back to Mudu.
As for that fellow Oldes, he insisted on leaving the comfort and leisure of Root-Whisper Forest, leaning on his staff to follow Chen Yu back to Mudu.
Judging by his relaxed demeanor, as if he were strolling through his own backyard, he had clearly made up his mind to stick with him.
’But he is, after all, a genuine Forest Sage, an Extraordinary Professional who is both knowledgeable and powerful... Keeping him in Mudu would be like having another guardian for the Kingdom.’
With that thought, Chen Yu decided to let the old sage tag along. The Mudu Royal Palace was large enough anyway; one more old Elf wouldn’t make a difference.
What did surprise Chen Yu, however, was that the "mysterious companion" Violet had mentioned appeared of their own accord just one day later.
「The next morning, in the grand hall of the Mudu Royal Palace used for formal audiences and councils.」
Arthur was kneeling on one knee before Chen Yu’s oak throne.
His posture was formal and respectful, his helmet lowered, but the soul fire in his eye sockets burned with unusual resolve, as if silently declaring his determination.
"Your Majesty," Arthur’s hoarse but clear voice echoed in the empty hall. "A comfortable environment cannot forge an exceptional Knight. My path of nature requires more trials, broader experience, and more direct confrontations with evil enemies."
He raised his head, his soul fire looking directly at Chen Yu on the throne. "Please allow me to escort Miss Ithilien to the Jade Crown. This will be both a trial for me and a fulfillment of my duty as a Kingdom Knight."
Count Brand, perched on Arthur’s shoulder, surprisingly didn’t jump in to object or crack a joke this time.
As soon as Arthur finished, the crow puffed out his chest, smacked Arthur’s helmet with one wing, then grandly waved the other and squawked excitedly:
"CAW! That’s right! Calm seas don’t make skilled sailors! It seems this Count’s foolish follower has finally seen the light."
"Adventure has been the greatest bond between this Count and Arthur since we first met! CAW! Your Majesty, I want to go see it too! To see if that legendary sacred land of the Elves is truly as beautiful as the poems say."
"..."
Chen Yu’s entire Gel body squatted on the oak throne, his small eyes watching the Undead and crow pair below.
He couldn’t shake the feeling that Count Brand was treating this serious mission to the Jade Crown like a vacation.
But he also knew that although Count Brand usually seemed timid and cowardly, deep down, he truly loved adventure and yearned to see the wider world.
If that weren’t the case, he and Arthur would never have left the Dark Land in the first place, much less have met him.
Chen Yu’s entire Gel body leaned forward slightly, as if in deep thought.
Arthur’s power of judgment was indeed special. It resembled a High-Tier Undead Power, yet it also belonged to the domain of nature. This kind of power could only be grown and stabilized by judging evil, purifying filth, and upholding one’s beliefs on the border of life and death.
Arthur was right.
If he continued to stay in the peaceful and stable Kingdom, it would be difficult for his power to improve significantly.
Choosing to follow Ithilien back to the Jade Crown, a place full of unknowns and challenges, was indeed a good choice.
’But how did Violet guess that Arthur would volunteer to leave?’
He couldn’t figure it out, so he stopped trying. Violet was always so mysterious anyway.
In the end, he agreed.
"Alright. Since you’ve made up your minds, you may go."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Arthur replied solemnly, his soul fire flickering with gratitude and determination.
"CAW! Leave it to this Count!" Count Brand guaranteed, puffing out his chest.
...
「Two days later.」
「Early morning, at the edge of Root-Whisper Forest.」
A thin mist veiled the forest like gauze, and the sun had not yet fully dispelled the night’s chill. Arthur, Ithilien, and Count Brand were ready to depart.
Arthur had changed into a set of relatively light leather travel armor, covered by a cloak to conceal his figure. A Knight’s Straight Sword was the only weapon hanging at his waist.
Ithilien wore a simple Mage’s traveling robe, her satchel filled with necessary supplies and alchemical tools.
Two carefully selected plains white-hoofed horses, known for their outstanding endurance, stood quietly beside them, snorting and breathing out faint puffs of white vapor.
Count Brand stood on Arthur’s other shoulder, yawning sleepily. "This Count is dead tired. Aren’t you two sleepy?"
Ithilien simply gave Arthur a slight nod. "Mr. Arthur, I’ll be in your care for the journey ahead."
Arthur straightforwardly performed a Knight’s salute, his voice hoarse but firm. "It is my duty."
Ithilien smiled. Compared to when she first met Arthur, there was less distance in her eyes.
Chen Yu floated slowly in front of Arthur on his Stone Sword.
"Aren’t you going to say goodbye to your sister?"
Arthur hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. "No. Storm Fortress is too far, and it would be a hassle for her to make a special trip back. Besides... goodbyes are always sad."
His voice grew a little lower.
As he spoke, he turned to look at the two people who had come to see them off—Calvin and Anna.
"My friend, I’ll trouble you to look after Alice and my father."
Calvin merely glanced at him, the corner of his mouth curling into a faint arc. "So, you think I’m stronger than your father and can protect them better? Interesting."
He paused. "I hope your skills don’t get rusty while you’re away. When you return, we still have an unfinished duel."
With that, he turned crisply and strode away.
Anna looked at Arthur, then turned to look at the departing Calvin, and hurriedly gave Arthur a deep bow. "Teacher, I wish you a safe journey and a peaceful return! I... I’ll go back with Teacher Calvin now!"
After saying this, she jogged to catch up with Calvin’s retreating figure, not forgetting to turn back and wave vigorously at Arthur.
Arthur nodded and raised a hand, waving silently in their direction as a farewell.
On the other side, Ithilien had also finished saying her goodbyes to Violet, Old Bloom, Grimlin, and the other Elves.
"Your Majesty, we’re departing now," Ithilien said, giving Chen Yu a final bow.
"Wait, take this with you," Chen Yu said suddenly.
His Gel body squirmed slightly, and a lump of jade-green Gel separated from him, leaping lightly onto Arthur.
The Gel flowed rapidly, like a living liquid, seeping through the gaps in Arthur’s leather armor and covering the bones beneath it.
Then, the Gel began to rapidly mimic and transform. Arthur’s Undead body was disguised as an adult male Elf Warrior, and it even mimicked the long, pointed ears characteristic of Elves.
Chen Yu’s mimicry ability was clearly much stronger than before. As long as Arthur didn’t willingly reveal himself, it would be nearly impossible for anyone to see through his disguise from his appearance alone.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Arthur was already used to this disguise, so he wasn’t particularly curious this time and simply moved his new body around a bit.
"We’re off."
Amidst Count Brand’s farewell squawks, Arthur gave Chen Yu one last look, then led his horse alongside Ithilien out of the forest’s edge.
Their figures gradually blurred in the morning mist, eventually disappearing deep down the forest path that led west.
Violet’s Spirit Body stood at the edge of the forest, watching them go. She didn’t seem worried about the small adventuring party’s safety. Instead, she asked Chen Yu in a lighthearted tone, "Would you like to try the freshly made blueberry jam? It’s delicious for breakfast, spread on freshly baked rye bread."
Upon hearing this, Chen Yu suddenly felt his round little belly begin to rumble with hunger. The warm suggestion seemed to dispel some of the morning chill.
He readily agreed and followed Violet back into Root-Whisper Forest, ready to enjoy a delicious woodland breakfast.