Chapter 59: Chapter 59: The green color meant allies
[Blackwood, Year 41, your descendant Julian broke through, entering the early stages of Emerging Ability!]
[His Psychic Constitution transformed, shedding the Earth Psychic Constitution and retaining only the Metal, Fire, and Wood Psychic Constitutions!]
Compared to Nathan and Lucas's transformations, Julian's was rather ordinary.
Nathan emerged with a four-foot aura, Lucas with an impressive eight feet, while Julian only had a mere two feet.
But in Ethan's view, that wasn't a big deal.
Julian was an ability equipment artisan, and every time he crafted ability equipment and gained insight, he would breakthrough.
That was one of the perks of his profession.
And just two months after coming out, Mary was expecting again...
[During Taylor's 200th birthday celebration in Lantian Town, Olivia was invited by Taylor to join a coalition of seven major families from various towns to campaign against the Silver Iron Forest.]
"Special event?"
Ethan furrowed his brows at the mention of this special event.
He still remembered that a demon king lived in the Silver Iron Forest. The Blackwoods had been developing the area, but the demon king had shown respect only to the Purple Lightning Python, merely warning the Blackwoods away.
If the demon king decided not to show restraint and attacked the Blackwoods directly... Ethan didn't even want to think about the disaster that could ensue.
Thus, over the years, the Blackwoods had never ventured deep into the Silver Iron Forest, only occasionally hunting on its outskirts, and even then, they did so with moderation.
As Ethan was pondering this.
Mary had already arrived at the ancestral hall.
To Ethan's surprise, Mary, a strong woman who had never cried even during childbirth, now had tears in her eyes and a choked voice.
"Forebearer, I have no other options but to turn to you."
"I really don't want Pete, the Boar Monarch, to be killed..."
The people of Blackwood gathered in the ancestral hall. Everyone looked at Mary, who for the first time showed a demure daughterly demeanor, with complex expressions.
"So you mean to say, sister-in-law, that you've been an orphan since childhood, abandoned in the Silver Iron Forest, and were raised by the Demon King of the forest until you left at 18 to live among humans?" Lucas said gravely, "No wonder you're somewhat clueless about many things. Now we understand."
Julian hugged his wife tenderly, "It's okay, honey. You didn't have to keep this a secret; none of us mind where you come from. Even if you popped out of a rock, you're still my beloved wife."
"What did you say?" Mary suddenly glared.
But Julian managed to calm Mary down. She knew well that many people harbored hostility towards mystical beasts. It was only after seeing the peaceful coexistence of mystical beasts and humans in Gratitude Village that she settled down there.
Yet, she was also afraid that her origins would prevent Blackwood from accepting her. This was actually why she had taken a liking to Julian, the brash and rough man, but had hesitated to accept his courtship.
"Hahaha, I come from a line of slaves myself," Nathan laughed heartily.
"My dear daughter-in-law, I've spent more time with mystical beasts than with the head of the household," Luna added with a laugh.
"What are you saying?" Nathan was not pleased this time.
In an instant, the people of Blackwood burst into laughter, and Mary too broke into a smile.
Seeing this heartwarming scene in the game, Ethan also felt joyful.
This was what Mary had come to the Forebearer Hall to say, and Ethan, knowing well that his descendants were not old-fashioned, had gathered everyone together.
As expected, there was no deviation from what he had in mind.
After the laughter, Nathan frowned, "So, that means the Demon King of the Silver Iron Forest is practically our in-law. We can't just ignore this. Olivia, what was the reason behind Taylor from Bluefield Town campaigning against the Demon King?"
Olivia nodded slightly and explained the situation with the Silver Iron Forest. It turned out that there were three towns near the forest, and the families in these towns were aware of the Demon King's existence.
Due to years of severe drought, these towns lacked resources, leading to increased exploitation of the Silver Iron Forest. Gradually, their actions became excessive; they hunted extensively and began to destroy the forest's environment, eventually angering the Demon King.
Last year, the Demon King killed hundreds of people from Taylor who were mining in the forest.
Bluefield Taylor took advantage of the 200th birthday of an old ancestor to invite seven major families to campaign against the Silver Iron Forest, and Blackwood was among them.
"The seven families have agreed to campaign next year," Olivia said gravely, "including our family. Sister-in-law, I hope you understand, I had to agree at the time, or our shop would have no standing in their towns."
"I understand," Mary was reasonable.
"Now, the most important thing is how to resolve this matter," Nathan shook his head, "Although our family's power has grown over the years, even if Forebearer agrees to help, we can't compete with the six major families. Daughter-in-law, you just focus on preparing for childbirth, and let us figure out a solution."
"Thank you all," Mary's eyes welled up with tears. Having married into Blackwood, she now truly felt how good her family was to her.
"This is getting tricky," Ethan muttered, rubbing his temples as he watched the dialogue unfold in the game at Blackwood.
First off, there was no way Blackwood could beat the alliance of six families. Moreover, even if Blackwood did side with the Demon King, if word got out, Blackwood would be toast. Those high and mighty major sects would definitely brand Blackwood as traitors aiding the demon race in harming humanity.
You see, the Demon King was no ordinary beast anymore!
Beasts already possessed high intelligence, but the Demon King could actually speak human language and rule over territories.
Immediately, Ethan commanded the Purple Thunder Solar Python to head towards the Silver Iron Forest. When he checked the map again, the Silver Iron Forest had turned green!
"Does this mean the Demon King of the Silver Iron Forest knows about Mary marrying into Blackwood? So, the Demon King didn't attack Blackwood before because he was prepared for Mary to enter human society."
"Blackwood's Gratitude Village is undoubtedly the best place for Mary to settle down, and the Demon King can keep an eye on her," Ethan raised an eyebrow.
Soon, the Purple Thunder Solar Python was on the move in the Silver Iron Forest, and Ethan wasn't worried about its safety—the green color meant allies!
Sure enough.