Chapter 466

Chapter 466 The Path of a Hero

Lolan Hill removed the hood from her head, revealing her original appearance. Her hair changed from gold to silver, shimmering under the dim light of the two candles in the room, giving her an ethereal and beautiful aura.

Looking at this still beautiful young lady, Bard also sat down. Compared to his past feelings of inferiority and timidity, he was now much more composed and calm.

The once short and timid youth had grown taller over time, surpassing Lolan Hill’s height. His body was exceptionally strong, with muscles so robust that they could probably punch through a bull.

“You’ve grown quite a bit,” Lolan Hill remarked with a hint of emotion as she looked at the transformed Bard.

“Yes,” Bard reflected on his journey, having traveled through long distances and across half the nation, finally finding Grete’s family in this small village. He had grown significantly during this period.

His mindset was no longer narrow or immature; he had less self-doubt and more confidence.

“There are many corrupt and despicable people in this world, but there are also some simple and kind ones,” Bard shared his insights.

“Not everyone is suited for battle, but they still deserve protection. I want to contribute to the protection of this land.”

“Grete once said he wanted to be a hero.”

“Although I’m not yet powerful enough, I will strive to become the hero I aspire to be, protecting those I love. I might get hurt, face failures, and even lose my life, but I am no longer afraid.”

“I don’t understand complex principles, nor do I know what justice and right are, but seeing these people live in peace gives me a sense of tranquility and fulfillment.”

Once yearning for the wonders of the outside world and dreaming of glorious adventures, the youth who used to listen to poets sing outside taverns had slowly grown up. After traveling for a while, he realized the meaning of his life—this was his deep-seated dream.

In the flickering light of the small house, Bard spoke about his beliefs. After experiencing the chaos of Hope Lane and crossing countless mountains and rivers, he finally found his place.

“Bard is a gentle person,” Lolan Hill said with a faint smile.

“However, constant protection isn’t good either; it can make them overly dependent and weak.”

“What you need to be is not just a meticulous protector, but a lion leading the crowd, giving them the courage and strength to match yours.”

“The wilderness of Nide County is vast, and there are countless villages like this one. It’s impossible to attend to all of them, and even you need rest.”

Lolan Hill expressed her thoughts, and the young man opposite her slowly raised his head.

“Please tell me, Miss Lacy. You have given me everything. If there’s anything I can do, I will.”

“Though I have offered some help, I don’t want to use it to manipulate you. That’s not what I desire.”

“I only offer a suggestion, or rather, an invitation you can refuse.” Lolan Hill carefully chose her words.

“I hope you can lead a knightly order, training and guiding them to protect this land.”

After examining the situation in Nide County, she increasingly felt the need for a protective force. Not only to defend against demonic beasts in the wilderness, but also to guard the nation’s borders as local border troops.

Such a legion would be best trained and armed locally, becoming familiar with the area and avoiding conflicts due to regional differences. Their resolve would be especially firm when defending their homeland.

Now that Clancia has been newly established, it’s difficult to provide adequate support to remote regions. Therefore, empowering local people is a better choice.

Of course, there’s no need to worry about them breaking away from central command. With the improving transportation and talent cultivation system, the nation’s cohesion will only strengthen.

“I’m not very smart, sometimes slow to think. Perhaps it’s not a good idea for me to be a leader,” although his inner barriers were gradually fading, he was still hesitant in unfamiliar areas.

“No, Grete was younger than you when he organized so many people. I believe you can do it too.”

“But,” Bard hesitated.

Lolan Hill interrupted the young man directly.

“Bard, don’t overestimate those in high positions, intimidated by the dazzling throne. Everyone grows step by step, and even great trees start as insignificant and fragile seedlings.”

“There is no noble bloodline or irreplaceable talent. Perhaps some are smarter than you, but as a leader, what matters most is the belief and will to inspire the masses.”

“You don’t have to be the brain behind everything, but you must be the backbone of the team. Only then can you truly forge an unbreakable iron army.”

In the small house where the candle burned, it gradually became quiet. Bard looked at the rough table, with its tightly packed dark brown fibers, occasionally protruding with slight bristles.

Wood is common and fragile, far less durable than stone. Yet, even such a thing, if one fiber sticks out, can pierce unprotected flesh, drawing a drop of blood.

As the candle burned, the wax melted, and its height decreased. The range of its light also shrank, contracting from the outer rings of the tree’s growth rings toward the center.

For some reason, Bard suddenly remembered a distant afternoon when Grete took him to protest before the Nisos family.

“So wouldn’t you be in danger?”

“Haha, I have my ways. Someone always has to do these things, right?”

“Sigh, actually, everyone thinks like this, always hoping others will take the lead and avoid getting hurt themselves.”

“We all seek benefits and avoid harm, constantly conforming and never resisting. Step by step, we give everything away.”

“Individuals are isolated and weak, but together, if they trust each other and warm each other, they gain immense courage.”

“I am not fighting alone.”

“This simple and plain phrase made me feel incredibly secure. Perhaps this is the power of unity.”

After a long time, the candle had burned to the bottom, its light shrinking to the center, the heart of the tree, where the earliest growth rings are densely packed and incredibly hard.

Bard slowly raised his head, his dark face casting flickering shadows under the candlelight.

“I accept your invitation, hoping to become a part of Clancia’s strength.”

Thank you, watglthhml, Dream Butterfly Listening Rain Sleeping, Gehrman Sparrow, Devouring Eclipse, mnmwx, for your support.

End of Chapter