The Wizarding World's Forbidden Book Administrator

Chapter 55 Donning Armor

Wooden stakes, fences, arrow towers, traps...

These things definitely didn't exist in the village before Natalie came here.

But they gradually rose from the ground over a period of more than a month.

As Natalie gazed at the dilapidated mill before her, the events of that day would haunt her like a nightmare.

That night, Natalie led the villagers to squeeze onto the upper level of the mill, while a dozen or so demon wolves gathered on the ground.

The evil monsters gazed greedily at the crowd with their dark eyes.

They won't give up easily... Natalie immediately concluded... they must fight back!

Natalie then began directing the panicked villagers to retaliate by throwing hard objects.

The barrels, boxes, and tools were quickly lost, so they dismantled the roof and walls.

The pack only retreated reluctantly after they smashed one of the demon wolves to death.

Clearly, it was Natalie's composure in the face of danger that saved everyone.

Following Natalie's advice, the villagers then began constructing temporary city defenses.

Although rudimentary, the village will at least not be as helpless as it was last time when the demon wolves return.

"You're here again, little girl."

Natalie turned around; she was pregnant.

“I’m not a little girl, and besides, you’re here too,” Natalie said. “I heard from the midwife that you’re about to give birth, so you should stay where someone is looking after you.”

"There's no one here who cares about me or is willing to look after me anymore," the pregnant woman said sadly. "Maybe there never was, but it's the same everywhere."

Natalie wanted to say "I care about you," but she didn't.

Because she knew she would leave sooner or later.

To form a bond when there is no destiny to be together only adds to sorrow.

"How much longer until the baby is born?" Natalie asked.

"It seems to have been half a month."

"I hope it's a healthy child," Natalie wished with a smile.

"It must be," the pregnant woman stepped forward and gently placed her hand on Natalie's shoulder. "By the way, it seems your father has returned."

Natalie followed the pregnant woman back and successfully met Byrne.

After Byrne and Natalie had gotten away from everyone else, Byrne excitedly grabbed Natalie's shoulder:

"Good news, my lady, I have found a trustworthy vassal!"

Natalie remained silent, and a fleeting, almost imperceptible look of disappointment even crossed her eyes.

Bourne continued:

"It's the Davis family of Whitewood City. This castle is located on the edge of a cliff in the southwest corner of the plateau, and is also covered by a dense white fir forest. Miss, your safety will be guaranteed if you go there."

"The Davis family is absolutely trustworthy. The city lord is named Harvey, and he has a quarter of the blood of the Lyons in his veins. He also had a very good personal relationship with the Duke. He must be looking forward to the return of the highlands to the rule of the Lyons family."

After a long silence, Natalie finally managed to squeeze out a question:

"What do you want me to do?"

"We should set off immediately for Highwood. Every day we stay outside increases our risk of being discovered," Byrne said.

In that case, Natalie thought, why have you left me here alone for almost two months?

But these complaints were to no avail for Byrne; Natalie simply said:

"I'd like to wait another two weeks."

"Miss, why do you need to linger?"

"A woman was about to give birth, and she protected me while you were away. I want to see her baby."

Natalie thought Bourne would refuse, but Bourne agreed.

Byrne said he witnessed the changes in the village and heard about what happened that night.

The cold, rocky plains still hold warmth; this is the true nature of the Lines family.

Bernquanatalie, truly worthy of being the Duke's daughter.

The two decided to stay for a while.

During this period, Bourne oversaw the village's defensive construction and weapons training.

Natalie, as usual, strolled around the village.

She didn't particularly like this place; she just didn't want to venture further into the highlands.

One day, a soldier came to the village.

Natalie was sitting outside the mill when she suddenly saw the village chief leading the fully armed soldier to the foot of the stone mortar.

She wasn't trying to hide, but they didn't notice her.

The village chief said, "Right under these stone bricks, I'm afraid the demon wolf is an immortal being, so I dare not ask anyone to move it."

"Although monsters are terrifying and powerful, they can still die."

As the soldier spoke, he began to move and swing the bricks.

Seeing this, the village chief also stepped forward to help.

Soon after, they dug up the wolf's carcass.

Perhaps because the weather was too cold, there were no signs of decomposition on the body.

The soldier hoisted the corpse onto his shoulder: "Alright, I'll take this corpse to the lord."

The village chief was taken aback: "But the villagers worked together to kill it. You can't take it away. I heard the monster's corpse is very valuable, and I'm counting on it to help the village recover!"

"The lord's support is not free; this is a reward," the soldier said, taking a step forward.

"But it's all over now, and you're the only one who came, and you did almost nothing!" the village chief protested.

"The lord suffered heavy losses in the war, but upon his return, he immediately sent me to investigate the case. You should be grateful!"

The soldiers ignored the village chief, leaving him standing helplessly in the wind.

Natalie quietly followed and came all the way to the outside of the fence.

The soldier placed the monster's corpse on the horse's back and was about to mount when Natalie appeared behind him.

She shouted, "There's one more!"

The soldier was startled by the sudden noise, turned around in a panic, and relaxed slightly after seeing that it was a little girl.

"What did you say?"

"There's another wolf's corpse. I know where it is. Follow me!"

After saying that, Natalie led the soldiers toward the pine forest.

It was there that Natalie first encountered the demon wolf.

The soldiers, leading their horses, slowly followed Natalie.

Once inside the woods, the soldiers seemed to lose patience:

"Haven't we arrived yet? You're not lying to me, are you?"

Natalie stopped and pointed in one direction, saying:

"Look, it's right there."

The soldier glanced at Natalie with some skepticism, then walked in the direction she pointed.

However, after taking only two steps, a rope suddenly snagged the soldier's right leg, pulling him up and suspending him upside down in mid-air.

The soldier's sword also slipped from its scabbard and fell to the ground.

He cursed, "Hey! You bitch! Did you do this?! Damn it! I'm going to fuck you! Put me down!"

The soldier was right.

The villagers had set many traps in this forest, and the one in front of them was one that Natalie had set herself.

But Natalie couldn't possibly let the soldiers go.

She picked up the sword and went around to the soldier's back.

"Hey! What are you doing! No! Fuck you..."

The soldier began to twist and struggle, trying to bend down and untie the rope around his ankles.

However, the heavy armor that protected him at this moment became a cumbersome shackle binding him.

"Please! I was wrong! No! Please! I'll do anything..."

Without any hesitation, Natalie forcefully thrust her sword into the gap in the soldier's armor from behind.

The soldiers then became docile and quiet.

That's the village's spoils, Natalie thought, I can't let you take it away.

Although Natalie disliked most of the villagers, she didn't care; mermaids don't hold grudges.

But as long as her sister is still in the village, she wants to repay her kindness.

Now, the debt of gratitude has been repaid.

"Oh God, bless..."

Suddenly, Natalie heard a sound.

She turned around hurriedly; it was Bourne.

Natalie breathed a sigh of relief, guessing that Byrne must have seen her and therefore followed her.

She walked to the tree trunk, swung her sword and cut the ropes of the mechanism, and the body fell to the ground.

Bourne stepped forward, checked the soldier's pulse, and then closed his eyes heavily.

After a long while, he asked Natalie, puzzled:

"Miss, why are you doing this?"

“He’s going to steal the village’s spoils,” Natalie said. “I don’t want him to succeed.”

"This isn't helping, miss; it will only harm the village!"

Bourne said earnestly,

"You think the lord here will let the soldiers you sent out be killed so easily?"

"I was the one who killed people, it has nothing to do with the village," Natalie said. "I will take full responsibility for my actions."

"Should one person do the work and bear the consequences alone?"

Bourne sneered and shook his head.

"You may leave, but the village cannot. The soldiers' deaths are inextricably linked to the village. If the lord wishes to vent his anger, he must direct it at them!"

"Unless the soldier's body is found, no one can prove how he died. He might have been killed by bandits, or he might have been carried off by a monster. It's a fact that monsters roam this area!"

Upon hearing this, Bourne seemed somewhat speechless.

A hint of surprise appeared on his face:

"Miss, did you think this through carefully before deciding to do this?"

Natalie nodded.

Their eyes met, and they remained silent for a long time, with only the howling cold wind stirring up mud and sand.

Finally, Bourne spoke:

"I still can't understand you, miss, but since things have come to this, I can only help you. Come on, bury him quickly so he won't be discovered."

Then, Bourne began digging a pit, while Natalie removed the soldiers' armor.

As darkness fell, the ground was finally leveled.

Bourne suddenly noticed the armor beside him and said to Natalie:

"Miss, these suits of armor could be used as evidence; we should have buried them along with the armor."

Natalie shook her head:

"I took it off on purpose, Byrne. Do you remember how I caused you to lose your weapon?"

Bourne laughed:

"Of course I remember, miss, you used to run away at the drop of a hat!"

"Hmm," Natalie nodded, "Bourne, do you think these can make up for your losses?"

"So it was all for me..." Bourne's face showed an expression of disbelief.

"Hmm... I've heard that knights all have a sense of attachment and emotion towards their armor."

"Indeed, miss."

Byrne smiled and placed his hands on Natalie's shoulders.

"But this is armor that you specially prepared for me, Miss, so it is far more valuable than the one I had before!"

Then Bourne put on his armor and hung his sword at his waist.

"Does it fit?" Natalie asked.

"Perfectly suited, miss."

"Then, we're even from now on."

Bourne remained frozen in place, maintaining his curtsy.

After a long daze, he finally raised his head:

"Miss, what do you mean?"

Natalie took a deep breath and said solemnly:

"I will not go to Whitewood City with you, Byrne. I am going to the Royal City to find my mother."

"Miss, I told you long ago that you are the Duke's only bloodline and the rightful heir to the Highlands. You should take back control of Goringburg and the Highlands as soon as possible and allow the Lyons family to rise from the ashes."

“But that’s just your own idea, Byrne,” Natalie said. “It’s wishful thinking on your part.”

"It is your father's, the Duke's, will."

"Father only asked you to find and protect me and my mother, but you abandoned my mother without my consent!"

"When I received the order, the two young masters were still alive," Bourne said. "Miss, if the Lord's spirit could see this, he would surely approve of my actions!"

"But I'm just a girl, Bourne!"

Natalie's voice became excited.

"My father only taught me embroidery and etiquette, but not leadership or strategy. No one expected me to become a lord! I never had such expectations!"

"Women are not without the right to inherit, my lady. Besides, you are not the first woman to become a lord. The Duke of Lorraine Plains is a woman. My lady, we have heard the stories of that duchess together!"

"The plateau is not a plain! You should know better than I, Bourne, that the knights of the plateau are all arrogant, and few are willing to kneel before a woman's long dress!"

Bourne stepped forward and tried to grab Natalie's shoulder:

"Miss, rest assured, I will assist you. I will definitely find a way to make those lords willingly submit to you!"

"Let me go!"

Natalie shook off Byrne's hand, tears streaming down her face.

"Give it to someone else? Willingly? Ha! Bourne, even you yourself wouldn't want to!"

Bourne's voice trembled, and he said anxiously:

"How can you say that, Miss? My loyalty is as clear as day!"

"But you still call me 'Miss'! The only person you've ever submitted to has always been my father!"

"That's because you're still young..."

"I'm an adult now, Byrne," Natalie roared. "I'm a grown woman!"

Byrne's expression was full of confusion. His face, though weathered by time, was incredibly resolute, but now it looked somewhat haggard.

Natalie turned her head away.

Then she heard a hoarse voice:

"Miss, what do you want me to do?"

Let's go our separate ways.

"Miss, you know I can't do it."

"In that case, you have two choices."

Natalie looked at Bourne again, her eyes resolute.

"Either tie me up and take me as your prisoner, then you can decide where you want to take me."

"Oh Lord, how could I possibly..."

"Either, Bourne, submit, or if you truly consider me your master, then kneel before me!"

"bass!"

The iron sword was drawn from its sheath.

Bourne knelt on one knee and plunged his sword into the soil half an arm's length in front of him.

He gripped the sword with one hand and lowered his head deeply, the top of his head resting beneath the cross-shaped hilt of the iron sword.

"Your subordinate, Pegasus Byrne, swears allegiance to you, until death do us part, my master..."

Bourne swore an oath, each word deliberate and resounding.

"Duke Natalie Lines!"