Chapter 74: Spirit of the Wood(1)
Luke, Nash, and Liam went back to the white castle without Snow. Luke just heave a deep sigh.
"Just where did Snow ran off to?"
Luke frowned and scratched his head. He then started to imagine some scenarios where Snow was still depressed and tries to commit suicide again. This made Luke frown even more. Nash stared at Luke frowning deeply with an observing gaze.
"Dad don't worry, she is safe."
"Hmm? How did you know?"
Nash then looked down on the ground. He seem to be thinking deeply on what to say.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier. But someone picked her up earlier. It seems to be..... Her family."
Luke saw Nash's solemn face. He thought that Nash was sad because Snow disappeared without a word to him. Luke just sighed and ruffled Nash's hair which made Nash look at him.
"It's that so? That's too bad. But who knows? We might meet her again someday."
Nash's face brightened and nodded cheerfully. Luke just stared at him for a while before walking forward towards the castle. He then started to think, is the man that Nash saw was really her family? What kind of family would not give a name for their child? Luke sighed and stopped thinking about it. He did what he could by saving Snow from committing suicide. He just hoped that her 'family' is treating her well.
While walking, Luke stopped when he saw a curly black haired girl with black eyes greeting them.
"Welcome back young master Luke, his majesty and his highness the princess, is inviting you for dinner. The rest of your group is also already in there."
Luke was silent. He just kept on staring on the maid that greeted him. He never thought he would see her now, of all times that he was searching for her. He then said her name.
"Yulia."
"Huh?"
The maid looked at him with surprise. Luke just smiled at her innocently.
"Please come to my room later. I want to talk to you."
Yulia looked at Luke with shock. Luke just patted her shoulder and whispered to her ear.
"You always wanted to explore the world before right? I'll help you."
Luke then walked pass her with Liam who is looking at the two of them with confusion. Luke and Liam then walked away, leaving Yulia speechless. After a while, Yulia turned around to where Luke has just been with shaking eyes.
'Exploring... the world.... How does he know? Does he also know that I am a priestess?'
Yulia frowned. She then started question who Luke really is. It seems that he knows her more than what he just said which brings chills down to her spine.
Luke didn't noticed her confused stares and just kept on walking. He then entered the dining room, the knights opened the door for him and Luke and Liam entered. Nash already returned back to normal and is following them while being invisible. Berg then welcomed him with a smile as soon as he noticed his arrival.
"Welcome, young master Luke, please have a seat."
Luke nodded and sat on the seat reserved for him. It is the seat beside Julius. Julius then greeted him with an innocent smile.
"Hello brother, I see that you enjoyed your walk earlier?"
"Hmm, yeah. It's quite fun."
Spencer, who is sitting in front of Luke, looked at him with an observing gaze and asked a question.
"I heard that you saved a little girl earlier, and I also heard that you walk out with Liam with two children. One is a boy with black hair and light blue eyes and one is the girl you saved, the one with silver hair and light blue eyes."
Luke looked at Spencer with a weirded expression. Why does he need to carefully explain how the children looked like? Despite it being weird, Luke slowly nodded as it was nothing.
"Yes, the children seemed bored inside the castle so I decided to walk them around for a bit."
"Hmmm..."
Spencer's eyes squinted while looking at Luke who is cluelessly looking at him. Spencer then started to think while looking at Luke.
'This bastard.... Does he have secret children that he didn't tell us? I heard that the two children's eyes looked alike that they looked like siblings, and the girl also has the same silver hair like Luke.... Are they his children?'
Spencer looked at Luke like he is scanning him. Spencer still didn't know what Nash looked like in polymorph form so he just assumed that the boy that Luke was with earlier was someone else.
Luke looked at Spencer and just shrugged his shoulders and ate his steak. He thought that it was just one of those times where Spencer is acting weird and giving everyone uncomfortable stares.
The dinner was peaceful and quiet. The dinner then ended with everyone being full. Luke stood up and was about to leave but Eleanor called him.
"Luke, may I speak with you for a moment?"
Luke turned around and saw Julius and Eleanor looking at him. They looked serious, this made Luke nod without any question. Eleanor smiled at his quick response and went to an empty room with Luke and her son. They then each sat on the couches. Eleanor then spoke in a serious voice while Julius and Luke quietly listened to her.
"Luke, I need your help."
Luke looked surprised for a moment and then asked in confusion.
"Help? For what your majesty?"
Eleanor seems to be hesitating for a bit, it looked like she wasn't sure if what she's going to do is right or not which made Luke confused and somehow understood the weight of this conversation.
"Your majesty, I can't help you if you don't tell me what it is."
Eleanor sighed and then spoke in a serious voice.
"Okay... The mystical forest.... Is out of reach for a while-"
"Excuse me, just a second."
Luke then dug his finger into his ear to clear out some dirt. What he heard just now was unbelievable that he needed to clear his ears and ask again.
"Did you just said, mystical forest?"
Eleanor nodded and Luke blanked out for a second.
Mystical forest, it is a forest home for all sorts of magical creatures. It is also the home of the powerful ancient Spirit of the wood, Erdene. And the power [Will of the Wood] is also in there.
The reason why Luke can't still get the power of the wood is because he can't find where the mystical forest is located. The power [Will of the Wood] is just a passing power that the author mentioned and Noah and crew didn't really get it because the mystical forest's location is unknown. Who knew that the fairy kingdom knew where it is?
Luke calmed himself down and asked in a calm voice.
"You said that the mystical forest is out of reach for a while?"
Julius nodded and spoke.
"It's been two months since mother spoke with Sir Erdene. Usually, Sir Erdene speaks to us every month but now, he isn't answering to our calls."
Luke nodded as if he understood.
"I see... So you are asking for my help? For what? To search for Sir Erdene?"
Julius shakes his head and looked at his mother. He then spoke in a furious tone.
"We sent someone to investigate the forest and what we found is truly horrible and disgusting. The mystical forest is full of withered souls. The trees, ground, animals, and magical creatures are all dead."
Luke clicked his tongue and frowned. He then gritted his teeth.
"It must be Dark Eye, there are no other people than them that could ever cover an entire forest with withered souls."
Eleanor and Julius nodded with an extremely serious face. Luke then started to guess what is their reason for approaching him.
"You want me to get rid of the withered souls?"
Julius and Eleanor nodded hesitantly like they were embarrassed. Luke ignored their embarrassment and nodded immediately.
"Okay, we'll do it."
"B-brother, you really don't have to if you don't-"
Luke shakes his head. Letting the power [Will of the Wood] slip in front of him? Hell no, he'll take everything that could make him safe. Even if it's a worn out shield. And besides, withered souls that can cover an entire forest.... It will be useful for him, or for someone.
Eleanor saw Luke's determined face with admiration. She now felt that she had a dependable wall behind her, which is Luke. He will say yes to anything you ask him no matter how dangerous it is for nothing in return. He is truly the walking physical definition of kindness.
Luke then stood up and spoke to the mother and son duo.
"Let's go tomorrow."
Eleanor and Julius nodded. Luke then went out of the room leaving the two behind. He walked on the hallways while sighing. There is so much stuff he needed to do which made him question himself.
'The path to a peaceful life.... Am I really doing it right?'
Luke started to question his priorities but soon frowned and went to his room. He then saw Yulia standing while waiting for him inside. Luke then pointed to the couch in the room.
"Take a seat."