The crisp sound of swords clashing came from the courtyard from time to time. After finishing the morning writing task, Jielan and the knights under his command began to practice their swords.
Because it is a practice, it does not use too many extraordinary abilities, it is more of a technical competition.
Things like combat need to be practiced or used frequently to maintain. Otherwise, if you don't come into contact with weapons for a long time, some reactions will gradually deteriorate and be forgotten.
Several great knights were also watching at the moment. Some of them were leaning against the tree trunks, some were sitting on wooden stakes nearby, and most of them were standing directly to watch.
"Linton is very good. He can actually be on par with His Highness." Several knights on the side commented on the figure who fought with Jie Lann.
The knight in the field is named Linton. He has short reddish-brown hair and wears a dark green robe with silver-white plate armor underneath. In battle, this knight is agile and has sharp eyesight, even though he is not as powerful as him.
Jie Lann, but he can always handle the opponent's offense well and counterattack from time to time to gain space and opportunities for himself.
"Hey..."
There was another clash of swords. Jie Lanen used his strength to press down the opponent's sword, then slashed back, knocking the opponent's long sword away.
At this critical moment, Linton did not panic, but decisively let go to avoid the incoming sword blade. At the same time, he rolled on the spot, pulled out the dagger at his waist, and stabbed Jie Lanen in the back.
With a clanking sound, the dagger hit the armor and then stopped.
The two stopped each other, and the people on the side also helped Linton pick up the sword.
"Your fighting style is like that of a ranger." Jie Lanen took the towel handed by the attendant and commented while wiping his forehead.
"Hahaha, your highness is indeed very discerning. He can tell the origin of this boy Linton at a glance." The knight on the side burst into laughter, and then he came forward and explained everything one by one.
It turns out that although Linton was born into a noble family, their family's tradition was rather strange. During their youth, men had to live in the mountains of the territory as rangers of the family.
During this time, an old hunter or ranger in the family will usually teach the young man some knowledge about survival in the mountains, as well as techniques for fighting wild beasts and monsters, etc.
When they grow older, they will gradually enter the small towns and villages at the foot of the mountain, handling some simple tasks, eliminating thieves and robbers, or driving away and killing monsters, etc.
Only when you reach adulthood will you be recognized by the family and officially become one of them.
Although he had a hard time in his childhood and adolescence, it is undeniable that Linton's family has always maintained a relatively good family tradition and will not fall easily.
There are disadvantages, of course, and that is such an isolated life, which keeps Linton's family outside the mainstream aristocratic circles. Some upper-class nobles don't like such rough people. This is why, although Linton is
One of Jielan's followers, but the reason is still unfamiliar to him until now.
There were too many nobles who wanted to get close to the heir of the Griffin family. He had never been able to get his turn before. It was only now that he was living in the forest that Linton gradually became prominent.
"It's very interesting. Maybe others don't understand it, but I believe this is indeed an ancient and practical tradition in the West."
Jie Lanen did not laugh like the people around him, but nodded appreciatively. He had read the books in his home and knew the origins of the nobles of the Western Region. During the disaster at the beginning of the third era, those heroes who fought bravely against Chaos
Often they are not of high origin, and many are rangers, soldiers, hunters, etc.
It was also because they preserved fire in the disaster and were later recognized by the church and the world that they became the first group of nobles. Later, the most famous hero in the Western Region founded the Griffin family.
Such a tradition should not be ridiculed, but it is a pity that the atmosphere in the empire has changed long ago, so few people understand the past knowledge anymore.
After patting Linton on the shoulder, Gerainn put away his sword and went to dine with the knights.
Although his influence in the family and the Western Territory has been greatly weakened compared to the past, as the heir who has been expected and favored by everyone since he was a child, Jielan still retains a group of loyal knights around him.
These knights are not only able to ride horses and have high combat prowess, but many of them are the successors of some noble families in the Western Region, which in itself represents a kind of political strength.
On both sides of the large long table, the knights were enjoying their lunch, some gnawing on roasted leg meat, and others munching on sweet fruits.
In the Emerald Forest, although there is not much meat, fruits and grains are extremely abundant, so there are often a variety of fresh fruits on the daily diet.
Sitting on the main seat, Gelanen was eating lunch, drinking the fruit wine at hand, and looking at the companions in front of him.
'Grace, Duncan, Commons, Trask...'
He silently recited the names of these people in his mind, recalling the origins of these companions and the time they spent together over the years.
Many knights are his companions who have grown up with him. It is actually inappropriate to describe these people as just subordinates. It is not an exaggeration to say that many of them are friends and brothers of Jie Lann.
They have trained and studied together since childhood, went to Emenas together, went to the battlefield together, etc., and have developed a solid relationship with each other. Even if Jie Lann loses power now, they will follow him to the forest without hesitation.
'I can't let these people live in darkness because of me.'
After swallowing the last piece of meatloaf on the plate, Jie Lanen wiped his mouth with a napkin and thought silently in his heart.
He knew that as long as many of these knights were willing to leave and report to the Western Legion, with their background and strength, it would be easy to obtain high-level military positions. Now, the Western Region has been expanding its troops, giving them opportunities to get rich and gain military exploits.
It's everywhere, but it can't be compared to being around you.
If in the past, he was still the heir of the family that attracted much attention, this would naturally be nothing, but now the situation is obviously different.
By following him, not only is it difficult to get ahead, but you are also more likely to be jealous and suppressed by those in power in the Western Region in the future. This is actually a danger, and it will become more and more obvious.
In the afternoon, Gelanen rode a horse and walked in the shade under the giant tree, followed by several accompanying knights and elves.
"There is a group of elves living in the oak forest in front. They like the sea of amaryllis flowers in the oak forest very much, so when entering, you need to be careful not to step on those flowers and plants." The accompanying elves reminded Jie Lann.
"I see."
After Jie Lanen moved forward for a certain distance, he glanced at the small houses scattered among the trees. He got off his horse and walked forward with the group of people beside him. At this time, several fairies were frolicking in and out of the sea of white Lycoris flowers.
Soon, these tall figures attracted the attention of the goblins. They suddenly disappeared in a blink of an eye, and then carefully poked their heads out to investigate this person.
"Who is he? It feels so fierce."
"It's a human, not an elf."
"Will they come to catch us?"
"He still has a book in his hand?"
"It's just pages, not stapled together."
Amid the whispers of the goblins, Jie Lann came under the tree and tried to say hello to the goblins, but he seemed to frighten the little guys and dispersed in the blink of an eye.
"Your Highness, please rest here for a while. It's better for us to communicate with these fairies."
A female elf knight on horseback looked at the scene and wanted to laugh, but she still held it back. She took the page of Shiyao in Jie Lanen's hand, and then flew up easily.
Elves and goblins have been allies for thousands of years. After a while, these little guys and the elf landed in front of Jie Lann and others.
"Are you the big man that Sister Aiqinweila punished?"
"We've heard of it."
"It's amazing that we found this place."
After knowing that these people would not harm them, these goblins became a lot more courageous. They circled around Jie Lanen and others, evaluating this outsider human being.
"Let me see which Yao poem you want us to sing."
""The Promised Sea of Flowers, the Words She Left", is this a song? I haven't sung it before." After saying that, several goblins gathered together, each took a piece of paper and looked at it curiously.
"Hmph, it's very simple. It's just a story about a fool falling in love with a girl." A fairy in a dark purple dress said proudly.
"It's a bit of a sad story." Another elf commented.
"Okay, it will only be sung once anyway. Don't blame us if it's not good."
After saying that, several goblins flew up in the forest. They held hands, sat on the branches, swayed on their white and slender feet, and then sang this slightly sad song.
"White Wind and Dew Garden"
"An ancient tree stands tall"
"Pluck the blooming branches"
"Gray stone revealed"
"Ah, the people passing by"
"No longer here"
"She told me that day under the tree"
"Things to come"
"Heart jumps like a snow rat"
"Looking forward to the scene where we meet again in the future"
…
"Years pass by"
"Yin Ren is not here"
"Returning alone"
"The scorching sun remains"
"The cicadas keep chirping"
"Suddenly like a dream"
…
"The words she left behind"
"Handwriting of Comfort"
"Farewell Song"
"A promise that cannot be forgotten"
"A figure we will never see again"
"The pure white skirt in the sea of flowers"
"Swaying like a dream"
The clear and tender voices of the fairies sang this melodious ballad. Although it was a bit green, it seemed to fit the scene in Shi Yao very well.
The promise I made rashly when I was young, and the hazy beauty in my memory, will always stay in time.
After the song was finished, the gentle breeze still echoed in the forest, and the sea of white flowers under the oak forest swayed slightly, making people unable to distinguish reality from the dream in poetry.
After a long time, Jie Lann slowly opened his eyes again.
This time he did not fall asleep, but he finished enjoying the song completely. Although he was not like the people in Shiyao who met the girl of his dreams when he was young and made a promise for the future, he could still appreciate the song in Shiyao.
A sad and beautiful emotion.
Perhaps the most unforgettable and beautiful thing is to ask for it but not get it.
The son of the griffon stood up with emotion, thanked the fairies, and then slowly left the sea of flowers and woods.
—
Time passed by unconsciously, and in a blink of an eye it was time for Lorraine Hill to leave.
"Are you leaving tomorrow, Luo Lan?" Aiqinweila was a little reluctant to leave this silver-haired girl.
Although she is a queen in the forest, she actually lives in the palace and has few friends with whom she can communicate and have fun freely. After Lorraine Hill leaves, it will probably take a while for her to get used to coming back.
"Yes, but don't worry, I will come often to see Aiqinweila in the future." Lorraine Hill hugged the elf queen and gently stroked the long pink hair with her hands.
After a while, the two of them separated and sat next to the small round table. This was a balcony of the Palace of the Green Moon, which was relatively quiet.
Fragments of sunlight shone on the palace under the shade of the trees, and the lake surface became a little clearer. You could see the water plants and a few swimming fish below.
"After Luo Lan returns, there will probably be a war in the empire." Aiqinweila looked at the girl.
"Although this is true, Aiqinweila said it as if I provoked the war." Lorraine Hill felt that the elf queen did not seem like the person who would ask this question.
"Vistena told me this. She asked me to be prepared. I will probably send legions to support you in the future." Aiqinweila quickly sold her friend out without any guilt at all. Perhaps in her
It seems that this is not something that needs to be concealed.
Looking at Aiqinweila's innocent look, Lorraine Hill wanted to rub this guy's head, although he had done it a lot these days.
"Well, because the time is gradually ripe now, I want to end the chaos within the empire."
"Lolan is very powerful." Aiqinweila opened her eyes slightly and expressed her thoughts.
"I'm not very good at politics, and I don't know how to persuade others, but I feel like Lorraine can do it."
"No, I can't convince you that there is someone." Lorraine Hill said with emotion, looking at the scenery outside the balcony.
After experiencing everything in the empire, she no longer has the luxury of relying solely on revolution or righteousness to solve problems gently as she did in the past.
"Aiqinweila, justice is a very violent act. Sometimes it is even inhumane and cruel. There will be countless people cursing and hating you behind your back."
"But even so, we can't stop."
"I'm ready to take on these responsibilities."
After experiencing one incident after another, witnessing and accepting the legacy of one Divine Wing Sun senior after another, Lorraine Hill is no longer as hesitant as before.
She lowered her head, looked at herself in the cup, and then slowly drank all the tea in it.
"Is Luolan going to use war to unify the empire?" Aiqinweila asked.
"Well, this is the only and inevitable choice."
"Everything old will not dissipate on its own. If you want to build a new house on it, you will have to smash it."
"But in this case, some people will say bad things about Luo Lan." Aiqinweila is not completely ignorant. As the queen of elves, she knows the consequences of this.
"Yes, then let them scold you." Lorraine Hill quietly stroked the hair in front of him with his fingers.