Leilin had never forgotten his fundamental purpose!
His long-term goal in coming to the World of the
And as for coming to the North, his greatest objective was the inheritance of [
Compared to these things, fame, territory, titles, and wealth were all nothing but bullshit!
His current pursuit of these things was merely creating an illusion for outsiders — when the time came to abandon them, he could do so without the slightest hesitation.
For the sake of immortality and freedom! What did any of these things matter?
"I always feel like you're hiding something!" Lafinia muttered a couple of times with displeasure, glaring at Leilin, then sat down in a huff.
"Such keen intuition... truly excellent material..."
Leilin chuckled inwardly. Unfortunately, although this young knight possessed an extremely pure soul, she still hadn't seen through his true nature. Otherwise, she would probably be scared to death and wouldn't dare remain by his side.
"Enough! Why are you looking at the map? Are we going on a mission?"
Lafinia started nibbling on an apple from the table, propping her strong, slender legs right up on the surface.
After over a year in the army, this young knight had long since thrown aristocratic elegance and restraint out the window.
"Mm! We're in trouble!" Leilin emphasized the word "trouble."
"That Kaslai again?! I'm going to go chop him up!" the young knight shouted.
"That day won't be far off!" Leilin planted a small flag on the map and scribbled a few lines of notes beside it.
"Spit it out! How is he trying to set us up this time?"
Lafinia rolled her eyes.
"It's not exactly a setup... He needs our battalion to deploy and protect several noble territories bordering the Dark Forest, because those Beastkin are getting restless again, and there are even rumors that the Black Blood Tribe has allied with the Orc Empire..."
"Then why should we go? He's practically sending us to our deaths!"
Lafinia cried out. A single Black Blood Tribe was already more than enough to threaten Silver Moon City. If orc forces were added to the mix, it would be a situation with virtually no chance of survival.
"There's nothing to be done... The nobles whose territories are threatened are genuinely desperate. And besides, my Violet Barony is over there too..."
A mocking smile crept onto the corner of Leilin's lips.
If he really were just a minor noble, then he would indeed have no choice but to go. Otherwise, neither Silver Moon City nor Kaslai would let him off the hook.
Mundane entanglements and strict military regulations were nothing to joke about!
But for Leilin, what did any of these things matter?
Of course, he still had to go through the motions. He might even have to make a trip to the Dark Forest, but whether or not to actually engage in battle — that was entirely Leilin's own decision.
"Pass the order: all leave is canceled for all personnel! Everyone stand by! Be ready to deploy at any moment!"
With Leilin's order, the entire military camp descended into chaos. Facing such a powerful enemy, even the officers were somewhat terrified.
But Leilin couldn't be bothered with his subordinates. After giving his orders, he mounted his horse and rode alone to his residence in Silver Moon City.
"Mr. Leilin!"
The spacious apartment and laboratory were occupied by Beshani alone, giving them a desolate feel.
After word of the great battle's outbreak had spread, the Ina sisters had been recalled by their families under strict orders, leaving only Beshani behind.
"I'll go draw a bath for you, sir. Also, the payment from our last transaction has been fully deposited into your account. Here's the receipt!"
Beshani, who had been working at the alchemy bench, immediately came over to greet Leilin upon seeing him, her movements organized and efficient.
It had to be said, this young woman was quite diligent and hardworking.
"After all, she was a seedling he had cultivated himself!"
Leilin waved his hand. "Never mind all that for now! Beshani, there's something I need to ask you!"
Leilin looked at Beshani before him. She had clearly developed considerably and had reached the rank of fifth-level mage.
Unfortunately, before the orc army, this meager strength was nothing but a speck of dust.
"Sir! Please speak!" Beshani clutched the hem of her garment with both hands, looking somewhat uneasy.
After all this time, she naturally understood how unfathomable Leilin was. Questions that even [High-level Mages] at the academy couldn't necessarily answer were solved with effortless ease in his hands.
Even her advancement to fifth-level mage had only been possible under his guidance.
By comparison, the Ina sisters were still hovering at the third level!
Having gained all of this, Beshani had long been prepared to give something in return. It was just that when the moment finally arrived, she still felt somewhat uneasy.
"As the orc front advances, Silver Moon City will become increasingly dangerous. Don't you want to return to your family?"
Leilin regarded the apprentice before him with keen interest.
"Family?" A bitter smile crossed Beshani's lips. "No! I don't want to go back! I still want to continue advancing on the path of a mage, and with my current abilities, once I return, I'd surely serve the family until I die of old age..."
As a low-level mage and alchemy apprentice, Beshani's family would certainly never let this golden goose slip away. Her only fate would be to become a retainer of her family, quietly dedicating herself to their service until she died of old age.
Perhaps the family, for the sake of the mage bloodline, would also find a few men she didn't like at all to take as husbands.
Just thinking about such a life was enough to drive Beshani mad!
"Then... would you like to continue receiving my guidance?"
Leilin asked, looking into Beshani's eyes.
"If... if that's possible, I would be eternally grateful!" Hearing her deepest wish come true, Beshani felt that in that instant she was almost the happiest person in the world, so overwhelmed she was on the verge of fainting.
"Very well! I now formally invite you to become the Faolan Family's apothecary. Here is the agreement — take a look!"
Leilin handed Beshani a scroll of parchment that had been prepared well in advance.
"A contract?!" Beshani unrolled the parchment. Written upon it in black ink was a contract stipulating that she would serve the Faolan Family for fifty years in exchange for Leilin's support and mage guidance.
It was a magically binding contract, and around the edges of the parchment was a ring of elegant decorative patterns.
"No problem! I agree!"
Her eyes quickly scanned the contract, Beshani confirmed there were no issues, then steeled herself and agreed.
"Good! Sign it! With your blood!"
The request was somewhat odd, but Beshani still bit her finger and signed her name at the bottom of the parchment.
Whoosh! In an instant, the entire parchment floated into midair and burst into flames without any wind.
Beshani's vision blurred. She felt as though she had lost something, yet at the same time it seemed as if nothing had happened at all.
"The contract is sealed! On behalf of the Faolan Family, I welcome you aboard!"
A smile on his face, Leilin placed several items on the table.
"Here are a hundred gold coins, along with some scrolls and magical items. Keep them on you just in case. Head south immediately tomorrow. Go to Faolan Island and find Mage
"Scrolls? Magical items?"
Beshani's fingers traced over the spell scrolls, the powerful force within them sending a shiver through her. The magical items crafted by Leilin's own hands were also treasures beyond price. Compared to these two things, the gold coins beforehand were worth absolutely nothing.
"Why do I have to leave? Even you don't believe in Silver Moon City's prospects, sir?"
Beshani asked.
"Mm!" Leilin answered without the slightest hesitation, and this answer left Beshani swaying on her feet. "How is that possible? This city has the protection of the
"Their side has gods too. And even if our City Lord manages to survive, that doesn't mean ordinary people like you can..."
Leilin's cold voice shattered her illusions. "Of course, after Silver Moon City, it's quite unlikely the front will push any further south. So your family is in no real danger — you don't need to worry..."
After sending away the still-dazed young woman, Leilin smiled as he looked at his right hand.
A wisp of the purest soul essence had already come into his possession.
From now on, even if Beshani died, her soul would belong solely to Leilin — this was the power of a devil!
"Young girls these days! Not even bothering to read a contract carefully before signing — it's no wonder they get the short end of the stick..."
Tampering with contracts was the favorite trick of multi-dimensional devils, and the decorative border on the parchment was merely the simplest of methods.
Of course, Beshani might have heard of such things, but she never considered that Leilin could be a devil, so the thought had never even crossed her mind.
"Just an idle stone on the board — once placed, it's placed..."
An alchemy apprentice of this level was someone Leilin could produce in abundance. However, seeing that Beshani genuinely had talent and decent luck this time, he didn't mind lending her a hand.
"Silver Moon City..."
Leilin sighed softly. What he had said earlier wasn't meant to frighten her — it was something that could genuinely come to pass!
"The very existence of the Silver Moon Alliance has already begun to pose a latent threat to the human kingdoms of the central regions. Those kings have no desire to see a powerful human empire rise in the north... And even within the northern territories themselves, there is no shortage of nobles who share this sentiment... Therefore, the support that the Silver Moon Alliance can secure is exceedingly limited..."
And this was merely the mundane world. From the perspective of the gods, the deities of the human faction could not unite in solidarity.