Chapter 146: Carry Me Like a Princess (II)
Everyone needed to know how to get around the Forgotten Forest. Without a map for the trouble areas, they would get killed. People who survived would tell horror stories about the traps that they almost fell in or the monsters they have met. If I didn't know any better, I would've thought they were making it up, but if it wasn't the mishaps I had here and there, I wouldn't have believed them.
The outsiders that either tried to raid into the Forest or attempt to cross into the Forgotten Forest to the city were 99% killed or misled somehow. It was common knowledge to hire guides nowadays.
Phil was silent for a moment, then he continued speaking. "In a way, yes."
"How...so?"
"Well, first off is this Forest. I noticed that the Forest doesn't accept anyone to just allow it to waltz through its land without any consequences, but to build on it is a completely different story. These past few years, people who attempted to move outside the walls were driven into disasters. Monsters had ravaged the lands, and even the lands had been contaminated."
"Wait, contaminated?" I didn't hear anything about this, I knew that they were planning to move out of the city to chop down the Forest five years ago and create more farmlands, but now it seemed to be an entirely different problem.
Phil nodded, "it wasn't just once or twice. They have done it on other parts of the land and got the same result. Only inside the walls of the city, the farmland seems to thrive. This means that the Forgotten Forest allows you to live on this land, while the others see itself as an invasive species and attempts to get rid of them."
Invasive species was a strong word, but I kind of understood a bit of the Forgotten Forest. This was its home, and we were the foreigners; having someone start chopping off the trees and clearing its land without permission would make the being inside the Forgotten Forest angry.
"The land that you seem to contract with and the castle itself puts out two a different energy signatures from the Forgotten Forest, it's almost overwhelming, causing the Forest to Submit."
My cheeks twitched a little, staring at him in complete disbelief. I was awed at what he said, unsure if it was all true.
"The city is your territory, Berry. Now that your mother has given you this castle. Without her powers lingering around anymore, you will take full control over it. And the Forgotten Forest knows this very well. That is why the Forgotten Forest doesn't lash out to you, knowing full well that your magic can completely eradicate it from its existence."
The thought of the brief encounter with my mother was…a bit strange, almost unexpected. For a small amount of her power to be at the dragon statue was something I never expected, and for her to come out when I was fully grown was her way of showing love. Even if I didn't talk with her for a long period, I could tell that she was worried about me long before I grew up. That small tingling feeling lingered in my heart, making me feel warm inside. Still, I wished that I could've met her and spoke with her long to experience the love that I was never given as a child, but it wasn't so, and I quickly brushed away those thoughts as I was back to my old self.
"So, with that being said, as long as you are alive, this city will thrive inside the protection of the Forgotten Forest itself," Phil concluded.
"What happens if I die?" I asked as morbid as it sounded, I was curious. If so many people counted on living inside the city, there were things that I hoped to continue for the future generation even if I died. There was no way I was just going to abandon them so quickly, especially after all that time and energy that I have spent with the people and the city itself. To see it crumble and decay was sacrilege, especially Don would be furious to see his skyscrapers toppling down and breaking.
"I believe that the city would be okay for a couple hundreds of years before the Forgotten Forest reclaims most of the land, though the castle, I'm not sure."
"Oh…" I went silent. So many things were happening around me in a short period, making me realize that I felt I was falling behind in my time.
"But don't worry, my guess is that you would live for a very long time, Berry."
We sat in silence, enjoying the weather and the Aurora that danced in the night sky. It wasn't often that something this magical and unique happened often. Yes, I get myself in difficult situations that would be considered out-of-the-ordinary, but these were the times when I appreciated the dull things in life with nothing happening.
There weren't many times when we talked endlessly with one another, mostly in short exchange. I knew the beauty of the Forgotten Forest, but the Aurora made it that much more pleasant to watch the scenery before me. I had to wonder what the world would be in three hundred years. I knew that many things would change, so I enjoyed the moment as much as I could.
As I shifted around, my hand lightly nudged against his without realizing it. Then as if Phil was responding, he shifted his hand towards me and lightly landed on mine. I felt his warm skin touch mine, causing me to feel a hot warmth that tingles up my whole arm. It was a nice pleasant feeling that was no more than comfort. His fingers entwined with mine as we sat there staring into the sky as the cricket sang it's nightly song.
Time went by, and I didn't know how long we stayed out there and stared at the night sky. The Aurora seemed to dance for a while until, eventually, it disappeared. Without realizing it, I was nodding off, gently leaning on his shoulders as I dozed off into sleep. My mind felt overworked and tired that I barely felt Phil pick me up once again and take me back inside.
Taking me into my room as he tucked me to sleep.
"Good night, Berry." Phil pulled the covers gently over me. His hand brushed my hair as he said a couple more words as I fell into a deep sleep.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone