Chapter 160: The Path

Chapter 160: The Path

Bran, who had been living a secluded life, walked slowly along the city’s main road. As he progressed, the ground became firm, and sections of raised flowerbeds divided the path down the center line…

Bran began shaping the road from memory, which made his mind feel somewhat dazed for a moment.

Earl followed quietly behind Bran, listening to his nearly delirious instructions: keep to the right side, the upper part is for walking, and trees and flowers should be planted in the center flowerbeds…

Although Bran still did not intend to participate in the specific construction of houses, he decided to handle infrastructure like roads and water channels himself.

With good roads, the transportation of materials during construction would become much easier. He believed this would help the city’s development.

Amid Bran’s seemingly slow movements, the city’s roads quickly took shape, gradually extending beyond the city and beginning to expand outward.

Bran’s actions caught everyone’s attention. Previously, he had always seemed very casual about the city’s construction, indifferent to the chaos and disorder it caused. So what made him unable to sit still now?

Pachu, Earl, and others felt the pressure, and soon the common people below felt it too. In the days when the ice and snow had just melted and the chill had not yet faded, people started working hard from dawn till dusk.

Bran worked methodically according to his own ideas, paying no attention to the changes around him. As the road extended, he felt as if he had returned to the Mountain Villa, only the materials he faced had changed. No longer just a piece of metal or a wall, his vision and his mind were slowly opening up. The road beneath his feet seemed to stretch to the ends of the earth.

He let out a long sigh, finally realizing—his perspective had been too small all along!

Accustomed to a single knife or a single sword, his gaze had been drawn to such things, gradually forgetting the vastness of the earth and the depth of the sky.

How long had it been since he last looked up at the sky?

…

Compared to Bran’s ease, Lily was now on a journey, constantly on the move.

Under her command, the Insect Swarm advanced quietly and orderly, unaffected by the muddy and slippery path.

Lily, with the Little Bear behind her, was positioned at the rear of the Insect Swarm, with several Insect Kings obediently following by her sides. A Little Fairy sat on her shoulder, playfully swinging a strand of hair that hung by her ear.

The Little Fairy was very unhappy that Lily had left her behind to complete the Trial on her own. Even though it was to protect her, what was a little danger compared to the chance to become famous in the Northlands? So, when Lily returned, she practically moved onto Lily’s person.

According to custom, a Little Fairy in its childhood would not yet have a name. But when Lily’s fame spread far and wide, the Old Fairies immediately gave her a name—Lijia.

As agreed, Little Fairies were not allowed to be brought along during missions. This wasn’t because the Fairies were afraid of death, but because Little Fairies were still relatively few in number, and even the Northlanders themselves couldn’t bear to risk them. However, regarding the Little Fairy Lijia’s choice this time, everyone ignored this agreement.

The Little Bear drooled as it walked. Facing the fresh and tasty Insect Swarm, being able to look but not eat was quite painful. Once Lily’s plan began, adult insects were crossed off its diet. Only when there were too many larvae hatched at the same time in the hatchery would it be sent to enjoy a meal. But as the plan progressed, everything became more strict and orderly, and such little treats gradually became unavailable.

Just as Bran became the Lion King, the Insect Swarm recognized a new ruler—Lily. However, after the insect tide, Bran’s Lion Pride had disappeared, while her Insect Swarm continued to grow stronger.

She did not tell Bran about the Lion Pride. Perhaps she was afraid it would sadden him; or perhaps because she, too, had her own concerns.

The Northlanders had completely taken control of the Swamp and had built two simple outposts within it. The people stationed here were now considered Lily’s subordinates. After Lily left with the first batch of the Insect Swarm, they were responsible for continuing to monitor the area.

Although the Swamp environment was harsh, these difficulties were temporary. If everything went smoothly, they would follow Lily’s footsteps beyond the Western Territory and establish a new home there. This place was merely their starting point.

…

Earl had been acting very cautious lately, not out of fear, but out of worry. Bran’s unusual behavior made everyone concerned.

The people in the city kept themselves busy, expressing their care in this way. Bran did not demand what they must do or how much they must accomplish. They did it voluntarily, wishing to share some of the burden.

Most of the Remnant People in this city had received formal Knight training. They understood rights, duties, and the meaning of loyalty. In their hearts, Bran was a good Lord. He had extended the Territory to the Twofold Mountain and then distributed the land to them.

Although there were no loyalty ceremonies or oaths, many believed that from the moment they accepted the land Bran gave them, they became Bran’s vassals.

They were not refugees who had fled from Sandstone City—people who did not know gratitude or repayment.