Chapter 372

Chapter 372: 0 0

Philid recounted legends from his childhood while carefully observing Magic Rainbow’s reactions.

Yet he ultimately found himself disappointed, unable to discern anything from her impassive expression.

His wandering gaze drifted toward Lin Yu in this disappointment, but the petite girl immediately buried her face in the chest of the person behind her upon sensing his attention. The gesture made Philid’s nose flush as he hastily averted his gaze.

“…What of the other seven Lords of the Forest beyond Granville Monster Forest, along with the Mountain Lords and Sea Lords?”

Magic Rainbow inquired, crimson lips parting as her alabaster fingers combed through the girl’s hair.

“I know little of the others, my lady. Yet if you wish to hear…”

Philid paused thoughtfully before continuing. True to his word, his knowledge mainly concerned the domains of these supreme monsters – some species remained unknown even to him.

While he could describe details about the eight Lords of the Forest and three Lords of Mountains, the four Lords of the Sea proved utterly elusive. Neither their monstrous names nor their oceanic territories could he name.

“…There have been alleged sightings of the Forest and Mountain Lords, but the Sea Lords’ rumors lack even discernible origins. No living soul claims to have witnessed them. Perhaps… these Four Sea Sovereigns are mere fabrications.”

Philid concluded with evident uncertainty.

Silence descended upon the Parlor.

Magic Rainbow’s psychic message brushed against Lin Yu’s consciousness.

As their mental conversation unfolded, Philid and Simon exchanged uneasy glances. The young steward finally gathered courage to ask:

“Since your dwelling lies within Granville Monster Forest, have you beheld the Lord of the Forest yourself?”

Magic Rainbow studied them through narrowed eyes before responding:

“Not long ago, our antkind clashed with your fabled Forest Lord and its vassal horde.”

“Wh-what?!”

Both men sprang from their chairs despite prior mental preparation. Their shocked eyes met, faces paling.

They suddenly recalled recent civilian reports of thunderous roars echoing from the forest’s depths. Could this truly signify the Ant Tribe’s battle against the Forest Lord? If the Queen Ant sat here unharmed, then the outcome must have been…

This realization plunged them into fresh terror. If the Forest Lord truly possessed the rumored might, what unimaginable power must these ant beings wield to overcome such a foe?

The long-suppressed thoughts about the Ant Clan, which had faded into obscurity and been cautiously buried in their hearts, were suddenly dredged up by the two of them, twisted into a shapeless mass, and forcefully expelled from their minds!

“And… what became of the dragon…?”

Philid gulped nervously before cautiously inquiring.

“Naturally, it was vanquished by the Ant Clan.”

Magic Rainbow replied offhandedly, omitting any mention of the Lord of the Forest’s fate. With a flick of her wrist, she produced several translucent scales resembling human faces in size, which clattered onto the table with resonant weight.

“These dragon scales count among our spoils. In your estimation, could such material be forged into armor or shields?”

“D-dragon scales?!”

Philid exclaimed in astonishment, leaning forward to lift a scale for closer inspection.

“Test their resilience if you doubt their hardness.”

“Then… I’ll take you at your word.”

After brief hesitation, Philid nodded.

He carried the scale from the chamber, returning to the Parlor some time later.

“Their durability is beyond question… yet no craftsman in our township possesses skill to work such material.”

Philid shook his head with a rueful smile.

“Hmm… Let it rest then.”

Though larger cities might harbor capable artisans, Magic Rainbow ultimately dismissed the notion. The appearance of such rare dragon scales risked stirring unwanted attention. Moreover, the Ant Clan had recently acquired Snow Silkworm silk surpassing even dragon scales in quality.

Her current mission involved securing a master tailor to craft garments from this extraordinary thread – a feasible task with ant-processed materials, even for the frailest artisan. Recalling the competent construction team procured through Simon, she posed her new query.

“A tailor, you say?”

Simon blinked in surprise.

“None reside within these walls, but I know of a skilled seamstress whose hands fashioned most garments in this manor.”

“Where’s her establishment?”

“It lies…”

Simon detailed the shop’s location.

Following this exchange, their conversation turned to Nuquel Town – nearest to Aowenduo Town yet still requiring four days’ urgent horseback travel. Its greater size, population, and prosperity made secret control by the Ant Clan virtually impossible, though Magic Rainbow deemed such domination unnecessary. Aowenduo sufficed for resource needs, and maintaining secrecy there already posed sufficient challenge.

As drowsiness began claiming Lin Yu, Magic Rainbow rose from her seat with the girl in her arms.

“I’ll take my leave now. Should urgent matters arise, simply call out by any window. Our ants will swiftly find you.”

Clasping the revitalized girl’s hand, Magic Rainbow departed the castle and boarded her opulent carriage, vanishing from the lord’s estate in a cloud of dust.