"I'm fine, just need something to eat and I'll be back on my feet, I hope you all have saved some for me," the older knight said with a light smile. He glanced at Reed's attire, recognized the medal and hanging badge on the left shoulder pauldron of the Lion Person, and nodded to acknowledge his identity. "A fellow from the Golden Land, that's rare, thanks for the concern, my friend—"

Chris interrupted the exchange between the two with a hint of surprise, "Chief Protector, have you been to Dolifen?"

"That was before I came to your father's lumberyard," the knight stroked his chin, which was flecked with gray in his beard as if in remembrance. "Back then I was adventuring around Dolifen for the Artisan Association, and once ran into trouble I couldn't handle, nearly lost my life. It was your father who saved me from the forest, which is why I stayed at the lumberyard and took the position of Chief Protector."

He looked at Chris with softened gray eyes, "Chris, I watched you grow up. You were just a child before, but after today, you'll be a true man. As your swordsmanship teacher, now as your mentor, I give you a graduation mission, to lead everyone out—There isn't much danger on the way to Elpaxin from here, and once you're on the merchant road, you'll meet many merchant groups who can take you part of the way."

"But—"

"There's no 'but', my child. I am a believer in Marlan, and I swore an oath to repay your father's kindness. Now that the lumberyard is in trouble, it is only right for me to go to Dolifen and see what has happened. The lumberyard is your father's life's work, I wouldn't have left so easily if it weren't for my promise yesterday to take you all out," the older knight said.

"But it was my father's wish for you to leave, sir."

The older knight smiled slightly. Chris was just a child, and he, weathered and wise, had seen many and of course understood the young one's intentions. But the world doesn't understand what promises and honor mean to Paladins.

"Ore V'as Thar, a noble must face death— What is there to fear in death?"

The tall Lion Person puffed out his chest and murmured in agreement, "Ore V'as Thar, a noble must face death—" He turned his head, swishing his large mane approvingly, "Mr. Diket ought to be the most suitable guide for you, little boy."

Fang Hong silently agreed, nodding his head.

After bidding farewell to the workers from the lumberyard, along with Chris, the group naturally continued onward to Dolifen. Although they decided to split up, in reality, they only planned to leave the Beast of Burden outside the city of Dolifen; the Beast of Burden wasn't suitable to maneuver through the narrow areas of the city ruins—but if outside the city, it would be convenient for Mr. Big Cat to respond to any trouble nearby.

The older knight was a qualified guide, and everyone felt he knew the forest like the back of his hand, which was hardly surprising given that he had managed to lead so many people out by himself. But considering he had lived here for over a decade, it wasn't surprising.

Around three or four in the afternoon, for the first time through the Clockwork Fairy, Fang Hong caught a glimpse of the abandoned city in the middle of the Forest—

It was perhaps the brightest moment of the day, and through the layered branches and leaves, the somewhat desolate and quiet ruins lay behind a wide river. The water was dark green and ran not too briskly against the silent backdrop of the Forest.

In the distance, the outline of the city walls was submerged beneath the Forest Sea, and cold vines covered the pale gray remnants of the buildings, lush and green. As everyone proceeded through the Forest, before long they could see a broken tower bridge stretch across the river. Due to years of neglect, one of the four towers had collapsed, and half of the bridge deck had also collapsed, sinking into the water—

Atira asked Mr. Greyrock to stop in the woods.

"Crossing that bridge leads to the West District of Dolifen, the streets there go all the way to Grey Oak Square. Lady Tengye's inn is located in one of the alleys close to this main street—Adventurers now call it Ruins Avenue," the older knight whispered to the others.

The rest nodded, and the Lion Person was the first to leap off the platform, looping a rope thick as his own arms around a nearby tree trunk three times, securing the Beast of Burden there.

Luo Yu then went over to drop down the rope ladder, and everyone else got off the back of the Beast of Burden in turn. Parker slid down the rope ladder to the ground and even bounced on his boots a bit—the soil of the Forest was soft, covered by a thick layer of moss and dead leaves.

Then he looked around and went off into the bushes alone.

The Forest was somewhat quiet. Fang Hong carefully cradled Gita, setting her down like a delicate princess. He handed the blushing girl over to Xiesta, and the maid lifted her effortlessly as if she weighed nothing.

The strength made Fang Hong feel embarrassed—

Hilveld stood by the riverside bushes, looking out over the glistening river, glancing left and right as if observing something, but she remained quiet.

At that moment, Parker returned from a round outside, biting a piece of foxtail grass, and spread his hands to everyone, "No one's on the bridge."

"I didn't see anyone either," the Noble girl added, returning to the group.

"No one?" Fang Hong was puzzled. If that mysterious organization really intended to block off the area, that bridge would be one of their best points of control, allowing the most to be done with the least manpower. "Could they be hiding?"

"No," the Papalarian shook his head. "I fired an arrow over there just now, no reaction."

"What!?" Tianlan's voice rose an octave, startling a few white-faced Dong birds from the treetops. "How could you do that, Parker? If there were people there, wouldn't that expose us?"

Well, Fang Hong thought, looking at the two, even if they hadn't noticed before, your shouting just made everyone aware.

...

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