Chapter 150 - The Unattainable Dream

Compared to the Material Plane, many things in the Fairy Wilderness are extreme, especially the changes of the seasons.Spring, when all things revive and vitality abounds, the air misty and lush.

Summer, vitality bursts forth, flowers bloom in abundance, and the rains fall heavily.

Autumn, the trees shed their leaves, the fruits are plentiful, and the autumn breeze is refreshing.

Winter, when all is silent and grave, the trees wither, and heavy snow seals the mountains.

It’s the end of spring and the beginning of summer now, with frequent showers and even heavier fog.

Gaven and the Young Red Copper Dragon had come up empty, neither Lord Virginia nor General Stelina were at Spring Bud Fortress, and most of the Yaling Army wasn’t there either. Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by NoᴠᴇFɪre.nᴇt

By the time they returned, three days had passed.

Their weary expressions and battered gear indicated that they had just endured a fierce battle.

The Fairy Wilderness wasn’t a separate paradise from the world; there was also war here, and the enemies were even more formidable than the Jackalweres and Demon Priests.

"I apologize for the wait, Lord Gaven, there was a bit of trouble at the border," Virginia still looked pristine and ethereal, but the exhaustion in her eyes was unmistakable, no matter how much she tried to hide it.

It was unclear if the campaign had drained too much of Virginia’s energy, preventing her from maintaining that effortless ability to affect others,

or if the recent enhancements Gaven had made to himself were having an effect.

That sense of being enveloped in spring, with everything under the other’s control, did not occur this time; Gaven felt much more comfortable, at least now he felt like he was dealing with a real person, not an illusionary Fairy—though, speaking of which, she herself was indeed from the Fae Race.

This time, it was Virginia who was slightly taken aback, reassessing the young man in front of her. Not many could withstand the erosion of spring’s influence.

Just as Brolan of the Autumnbreeze had the passive skill Autumnbreeze Protection, Spring’s Erosion was a passive skill of Dawn of Spring. It wasn’t that her power had weakened because she was tired, but rather the young man in front of her had a firmer will than before.

"I’ve always thought the Fairy Wilderness was like a paradise in the Upper Planes, free from strife. I never expected that there is no such purity here either," Gaven couldn’t help but exclaim.

"Haha..." Virginia laughed as if she had heard the funniest joke in the world, her laughter growing louder, her slender waist swaying with her laughter, like branches in the spring breeze, making Gaven involuntarily worry if she might break.

This bout of laughter lasted a while, leaving Gaven somewhat baffled, unsure whether to join in the laughter or not, not knowing what was so funny.

"I apologize, I lost my composure just now," Virginia forcibly reined in her demeanor, but the mirth on her beautiful face couldn’t be concealed, "I didn’t expect, Lord Gaven, that you could have such an innocent side. Don’t say there’s no purity in the Fairy Wilderness; I’m afraid even in the paradises of the Upper Planes, there has never been a pure land. Wherever there is life, especially intelligent life, there will be strife. For survival, for benefit, for love and hatred, pure lands, I’m afraid, only exist in the unattainable dreams of good people."

Gaven fell silent for a moment.

The words spoken by the Lord of Yaling, though somewhat extreme, were imbued with insights into life.

Land without strife, merely a distant dream.

Her laughter seemed more like a mocking of shattered dreams.

"Even if it’s just a dream, we must strive for it, mustn’t we?" The smile faded from Virginia’s face, leaving only determination deep within her heart.

"Absolutely," Gaven nodded firmly, "Even if it’s just a dream, we can’t give up on it ourselves. Once we give up on dreams, what difference is there between us and the walking dead?"

"Lord Gaven, what brings you here this time?" Virginia steered the conversation back to the task at hand.

Gaven fell silent for a moment. He had thought that Spring Bud Fortress was peaceful and only occasionally harassed by troubles from the Rocklands, and that seeking the help of a few powerful Yaling warriors as bodyguards through a trade of benefits wouldn’t be difficult.

Now it seemed he had oversimplified matters.

But now that he was here, it wouldn’t do to shy away before he had even spoken. That was not his style. Bracing himself, he spoke frankly, "Just as you said, Lord, where there is intelligent life, there is conflict. The tribe I lead in the Rocklands has achieved some success, which has attracted the attention of other evil forces. An evil merchant organization called the Santarin Association has threatened me, urging me to join their ranks. Should I defy them, they will undoubtedly send assassins..."

"The Santarin Association?" Virginia couldn’t help interrupting Gaven mid-sentence.

"You’ve also heard of the Santarin Association?" This time, it was Gaven’s turn to be surprised. Although the Santarin Association was a force to be reckoned with, their main influence was still in Felen, especially around the Moon Sea, stirring up trouble. He had not heard of them extending their evil claws into the Fairy Wilderness, at least not in his previous life.

"Previously, the jackalweres attempting to breach the veil to assault the Fairy Wilderness weren’t the first wave. Before them, there was a Goblin Tribe led by a Hobgoblin." Virginia said with a cold face, "These two attacks weren’t coincidences. According to the Hobgoblin Chief we captured last time, they were employed and directed by the Santarin Association. For this jackalwere attack, although we didn’t capture any useful captives, I suspect it’s also related to this organization. How much do you know about them? Why don’t you share what you know?"

Hearing that both sides had a common enemy, Gaven’s spirits immediately lifted, and he said, "This matter is definitely the work of the Santarin Association; it is their usual tactic to hire Monster Tribes to attack enemies they want to eliminate. Our tribe has entered their list of mercenary clients.

"They’ve always wanted to expand the trade routes here. They won’t let any business opportunity pass by. In their eyes, the Fairy Wilderness is a vast treasure. Everything here is prime merchandise, including Yaling and other forest creatures."

"Are you saying that this organization is also involved in the slave trade?" Virginia’s face grew even darker. The freedom-loving Yaling detested any form of enslavement.

Due to their beauty and uniqueness, Yaling and other forest creatures often end up as playthings for other humanoid creatures. This was not uncommon in the Material Plane.

"Not only are they involved, it’s one of their main businesses. They hire monster hordes to wage wars, and the plunder, including prisoners, is handed over to their merchants for sale..." Gaven noticed Virginia’s darkening expression, his mind stirred, and he said, "Could it be, Spring Bud Fortress had Yaling tribespeople unfortunately captured?"

Virginia nodded gravely, "Not captured, but lured away. This happened half a year ago. Four Yaling went to play beyond the veil and never returned. I once sent General Stelina to pursue them, but it was a step too late. We only know they fell into the hands of Santarin Association merchants."

Having a desire was good; Gaven feared the Yaling’s previous self-sufficient demeanor with no wants or desires, which would have made it difficult for him to make a move. Now, he had finally found a breakthrough.

Last time, Lord Virginia didn’t speak out, probably because he didn’t trust Gaven’s background and feared he might be a spy for the Santarin Association.

Unexpectedly, this time, it was the Santarin Association’s affairs that led Gaven to proactively seek him out.

Gaven thumped his chest and said, "I have quite a few human merchant friends outside the Rocklands. I will ask them to keep an eye out for this type of information, especially concerning the Santarin Association. As soon as there’s news, I will notify My Lord at the first opportunity."

"Then I entrust this to you, Lord Gaven. If you can rescue my tribespeople, I will be sure to heap thanks upon you," Virginia promised earnestly.

"In my lifetime, what I hate most is the slave trade. Don’t mention that we are friends; even if there were no connection at all if I encountered it, I definitely would not stand by and do nothing," Gaven said through gritted teeth. "As long as I am here, the Santarin Association’s slave trade will not succeed on my watch."

"Based solely on that, I cannot sit idly by as My Lord’s safety is threatened. In the coming time, I will assign General Stelina to follow you and be responsible for your personal safety. She is the most suitable candidate," Virginia said with a slight frown. "However, Stelina was already dispatched on another mission by me. She should have returned to report back by now."

"Could it be that General Stelina has run into some trouble? If I may be so bold to ask, what problem did the General go to resolve?" Gaven asked proactively.

"A Pikespirit village has lost contact, Stelina went to check on it, and should have reported back by now, regardless of any trouble encountered." Lord Virginia didn’t avoid mentioning the situation.

"Is there a guide? If possible, we could go do some scouting. Maybe General Stelina is held up and can’t send word back." Gaven volunteered proactively.

His confidence, naturally, lay with Aivensa.

With a young dragon at their side, they could advance or retreat as needed, moving freely.

Such an opportunity to make a good impression was rare and needed to be seized.

Lord Virginia instinctively glanced at Aivensa, who was continuously stuffing various fruits into her mouth, and nodded, "There is a guide, but this matter carries certain risks. If Stelina with her personal guard couldn’t resolve it, it must not be simple."

"Please rest assured, Lord, I’m not one to show off frivolously. Should danger arise, I will retreat and ask for help immediately," Gaven assured, securing his retreat plan in advance, "Our main task will be aerial reconnaissance."

"Then we shall entrust this to you, Lord," said Lord Virginia, not pursuing the matter further, for Aivensa indeed possessed an aerial advantage they did not have, "Nicole."

A Pikespirit with butterfly wings fluttered in, "Lord, you called for me."

"Nicole is a resident of the village Stelina went to and is very familiar with the situation there," explained Lord Virginia for both parties, "Nicole, you will take these two lords to your village to support Stelina. Your main mission is scouting, to bring back information about the situation there."

"Greetings to both lords," the Pikespirit named Nicole flew over and greeted Gaven and his companion, "Thank you for extending your help. Regardless of the outcome, Nectar Village will remember your kindness."

"Miss Nicole, no need for formalities; we’re acquainted," Gaven recognized at a glance that this Pikespirit in front of him was the one who had brought him the Howard Convenient Bag the last time, only now her petal attire had been replaced by a fitting dress made of dazzling Radiance Cloth, which, along with her colorful butterfly wings, shone splendidly, making her beautiful like a Barbie doll.

"You can tell us apart, Lord?" Nicole asked with big, curious eyes, fluttering beautifully.

It wasn’t just ordinary people who would struggle; even forest races like the Yalings would find it difficult to distinguish between individual Pikespirits standing together without spending significant time together.

"I’m quite good at remembering people. Just one meeting and I can remember them for a long time, let alone a distinct beauty like Miss Nicole; it would be hard not to remember," Gaven replied, not merely complimenting, for Nicole was indeed much smaller than humans, but in terms of aesthetics, she fully conformed to humanoid creatures, filled with a sense of exotic charm.