Chapter 131: The Two Parties in a Rush

After that, another day passed.

On the morning of the third day after reaching the Puppeteer Forest, Miss Vilyric and her party set off once again.

Originally, in the Priestess’s plan, they were supposed to leave after just one night, but due to the events of the March Convergence Night and afterward helping Aine bury the various “remains” sealed in the box by hanging wind chimes, they ended up staying an extra day.

After all, sharing such a huge secret with someone and just running off would be a bit too inconsiderate. To compensate the Puppeteer Clan, Vilyric even proposed that if they had a reasonable request, she would fulfill it. However, Miss Aine didn’t show any immediate reaction, just smiling and nodding in understanding.

Additionally, although Princess Noviya seemed unusually interested in the Tear of the Moon Goddess, showing a strong desire and even throwing a tantrum for a while, it was evident that its usefulness and importance to the Puppeteer Forest made it impossible to just hand it over casually.

Aiste, in charge of taking care of the situation, desperately brainstormed ways to soothe this little princess.

Miss Vilyric didn’t pay much attention; even though this little wolf cub seemed to stick to her for some reason, the Priestess’s job didn’t include making Noviya happy. They had already wasted plenty of time with the Puppeteer Clan, and now they needed to hurry on to the Moonshadow Clan.

Though the few mountain wolves from before weren’t around, they weren’t dumb beasts. They only spoke the wolf language, but as magical beasts, their intelligence was quite high.

Having stayed for two days in the safe and resource-rich Puppeteer Forest, they were well taken care of, and upon reuniting, their fur seemed shinier than before.

Of course, it could also just be Miss Vilyric’s illusion.

Most of the Puppeteer Clan preferred quietness, so not many came to see off Vilyric and her group; only Chief Aine and a few other puppets who had cared for them, including Iriush, were present, while that guy seemed to have gone missing.

“Well then, goodbye, Chief Aine. This trip to the Puppeteer Forest has been quite enjoyable, and I’m glad to have met you all. Don’t worry, I’ll remind everyone to keep the secrets here close to their hearts.”

Sitting atop the back of a tall mountain wolf, Vilyric waved goodbye with a smile, and Aine nodded back with the same smile.

“That’s perfect. Although our time together has been short, you are all friends worth making. On behalf of the Puppeteer Clan, I welcome you to visit again in the future. Also, if anyone encounters Sister Iwen outside, please send word back that ‘Aine has fulfilled the promise, no need to worry.’ Thank you.”

Aiste, transformed into her original form with a little wolf cub on her back, promptly nodded in agreement.

“Don’t worry, I’ll deliver the message.”

“Then let’s head out~”

After saying their farewells, the Priestess no longer hesitated, patted the wolf’s mane beneath her, and led the way along the forest path.

The place where they said goodbye was already near the outskirts of the Puppeteer Forest, and not far along their journey, they exited the forest valley and re-entered the rolling mountains.

Just then, a sudden shout and sound of running came from behind.

“Wait! Wait for me please!! Hey!!”

“Huh?”

Everyone turned in confusion at the voice, only to see a lithe figure racing toward them through the woods at an astonishing speed.

The Priestess had excellent eyesight and immediately recognized the person, especially as she saw the short-haired girl decked out in bags and packages, prompting a few twitches at the corners of her mouth and a bad premonition in her heart.

She initially thought about just slapping the wolf’s rear and running, but considering that the person probably wouldn’t be slower than the mountain wolves, it felt too rude to just turn and leave like that… so in the end, she chose to wait with everyone.

The girl was indeed very fast. Though she carried a ton of luggage that made her look like a moving small hill, it didn’t take more than ten seconds from the moment they heard her voice to her arrival before them.

After stopping, she wiped nonexistent sweat from her forehead, temporarily set down her packages, and complained angrily.

“I mean, you guys run way too fast! I just went home to organize my luggage, and how come everyone’s already disappeared?”

“You didn’t give us a heads up to wait for you… Iriush, bringing so many things over suddenly, are you preparing to gift us souvenirs?”

To the Priestess’s knowingly rhetorical attitude, the doll girl immediately laid out her intentions clearly.

“Pfft! Souvenirs? These are all precious research materials and results I’ve accumulated over the years! You guys wouldn’t understand, there’s no use for you to take them! It’s just that I can’t fit them all in my storage tools, so I have to carry them like this.”

“Alright, let’s be direct. Vilyric, I want to travel with you guys!”

Pfft… that’s right.

Seeing Iriush standing with her hands on her hips looking like “I’ll throw a tantrum if you don’t agree,” Vilyric sighed helplessly in her heart, while outwardly pretending to be confused, still trying for one last effort.

“Traveling with us? Why? You want to go sightseeing? No need to follow us, plus Sister Iwen’s already left the Puppeteer Forest; wouldn’t that make Aine feel very lonely?”

However, Miss Iriush merely waved her hand dismissively.

“Oh, you’re overthinking it. That second child is a homebody, it’s normal for her to stay indoors for ten days or half a month without going out, especially with other clan members around. I was indeed a bit worried, so I stayed in the forest to keep her company, but since she’s now figured things out, it’s no longer a problem.”

“As to why I want to stay with you guys, do I even need to say? Vilyric, you promised Sister Aine that you would fulfill one reasonable request, she nodded, so our Puppeteer Clan’s request is—please let me stick by your side, hehe… help me a little to complete the development of [Artificial Flight Wing No. 1786]!”

“??????”

……

“Master, just ahead is Moonshadow Valley. I have already notified the current clan leader, Lady Vanessa Moonshadow; she should come personally to welcome you.”

Beyond the hills, a beautiful dark blue-haired tree spirit general, Barta Spiritwood, dressed in a battle skirt seemingly woven from leaves, pointed forward with a peculiar curved dagger pressed to her inner arm. Following her was a handsome young man in plain clothes, whose gray short hair fluttered in the wind.

His clear yet weathered gaze swept across everything in front of him, from the temple in the valley to the uniquely styled buildings, his eyes reflecting nostalgia and reminiscence.

“Things have changed a lot… so now the leader of the Moonshadow Clan is actually that girl Vanessa? I hardly noticed; I remember when she was just a little wolf cub, she used to cause quite a bit of mischief. How long has she been leading?”

Barta turned around, respectfully bowing her head slightly.

“Master, Leader Vanessa Moonshadow is the new chief, and has held the position for only 48 years.”

“Old ones leave, new ones come. Fifty years have passed; if this were placed in… heh, let’s go see her.”

“I wonder how many old acquaintances remain and what has become of my descendants now…”

As the young man walked in the wind, behind him… only a solitary, desolate silhouette remained.

   

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