Chapter 218


    Lucan, stepping into the mine before the others, nodded to Balder. "Elder Connas has gone. Set


    your men in motion."


    With a smile that remained both innocent and endearing, Balder instructed The Silent de beside


    him. “Escort Elder Connas. Ensure he doesn’t return to Cobalt Strike unscathed.”


    “Yes!” The two Silent de lieutenants left promptly, vanishing from the spot.


    “It’s gettingte. We should also depart,” Lucan said, looking around the mine. After eight years, it


    was time to say goodbye.


    Azure Mountain was nearly a hundred miles from the edge of Cloudveil Woods. For a Mage, it


    wasn’t too far, but for the average person, it meant a day and a night’s journey.


    To ensure safe passage, they divided the twenty thousand people into six groups, leaving the forest


    in stages, moving one group per day. Though a group of forty to fifty thousand was still immense,


    the escort could just about manage.


    The first group consisted of over forty thousand sturdy volunteers, ready to clear a suitable path on


    the road and construct shelters outside the forest, as no one was certain when they could truly


    return to the ancient city.


    “vin, surely nothing else will go wrong.”


    Helna was nervous. After eight years, they were finally leaving, and any mishap could cause


    everyone to break down.


    “Rest assured, nothing more will happen,” vinforted Helna.


    “Could Cobalt Strike send trouble our way?”


    “I’ve made arrangements. They won’t be able to reach us for quite some time.”


    Helna nodded, her smile one of relief as she straightened vin’s clothes. “My boy has grown up.”


    “I’ll apany you,” Oda said, tugging at vin’s garment.


    “You all will stay. Leave in thest group,” vin instructed, ruffling Oda’s hair.


    “I shall stay and apany you,” Balder dered with conviction.


    “My lord, all preparations areplete,” Lucan hurried over. Eight hundred of the Guard and three


    hundred of The Silent de will coborate to ensure protection, while the remaining forces will


    stay behind to safeguard the people within the mining district.


    “March!!” vin took a deep breath and strode towards the assembled host of over forty thousand


    people. As they saw vin approach, they stood tall and proud, their spirit undaunted.


    Standing before them, vin looked over the weathered faces and into the steadfast eyes of his


    warriors. His heart was a mix of emotions. Despite having thought of many rousing words the night


    before, he found himself speechless at the moment. With a soft smile and a forceful wave of his


    hand, he proimed, "We''re going home!"


    Over forty thousand souls were stirred, their eyes glistening with warmth, as if something had firmly


    grasped their hearts. Together, they bellowed, "Home!!"


    Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g


    From afar, the onlookers sped their mouths, tears brimming in their eyes.


    “Home!”


    “We''re going home...”


    Oda flung herself into Helna''s embrace, sobbing uncontrobly. The Mallister family all smiled


    through their tears. Outsiders could not fathom their emotions. At this moment, so much hope and


    feelings were invested.


    "March!" vin, holding his ancient sword aloft, led the way forward.


    Godfred spread his wings and took to the skies, a purple radiance filling the heavens as he guided


    the way. The eight hundred of the Guard were resolute, two hundred cleared the path ahead, two


    hundred guarded the rear, and four hundred patrolled the nks.


    The three hundred of The Silent de had already vanished into the dense forest.


    "Onward!" Over forty thousand townsfolk gripped their makeshift spears and cried out with fervor,


    falling into step with determined unity.