Chapter 243: Chapter 243: Druid Slayer
Seven days had passed.
Inside the Blackwood residence, the people of Gratitude Village were ecstatic in the streets. They had heard rumors that the Blackwoods were still the same as before. Not only had they slain the cursed Druids of Gratitude Village after thirty years, but they had even ventured to the Clark territory and achieved glorious battle honors!
Even throughout the entire Cloudview County.
All the forces emerged from hiding, seeking revenge after thirty years of concealment. They struck swiftly at the Clark, Harris, and White tribes, which had once suffocated Cloudview County, forcing them into a desperate retreat. Their main forces had fled back to the Endless Forest.
The remaining Druids in Cloudview County could only struggle to survive under the relentless pursuit of the major powers.
The situation had reversed so quickly.
They could even foresee that, in the near future, no one would call the people of Cloudview County spineless. No one would call the people of Gratitude Village cowards; they would only praise the Blackwoods for leading the entire Azure Cloud to a commendable victory for humanity!
But they didn't know.
At this moment, deep in the Silver Iron Forest, not far from Boar Monarch Pete, a statue had been erected.
It was the statue of a young man riding a donkey, laughing heartily. The youth's spirited demeanor was unaffected by the donkey, instead, he appeared utterly carefree, and anyone could see his ease and comfort.
He was poised to charge forward, holding a silver spear and a map, his eyes fierce, as if no one could block his path.
A...
Warrior without burdens, acting on his whims.
Behind the statue was a coffin, which held no body, only blood-stained clothes, a magical spear, the Great River Dragon Map, and a set of heavy armor. This was the armor Nicholas had worn in the Thunderfire Demon Cave, where he had grown stronger step by step.
A light rain began to fall from the sky.
The people of Blackwood stood before Nicholas's grave, gazing long at his statue and his tombstone.
The tombstone was empty.
Dennis sighed deeply, tears mingling with the rain, "Do not record everything Nicholas went through. When you handed him over to me, I watched him grow up bit by bit. He used to be carefree, saying he wanted to be a great hero like you all, to live freely, but he chose a different path."
"Let him... walk away from all this, freely."
Hearing this, the people of Blackwood bowed their heads.
Nathan stepped forward to Nicholas's tombstone, his hand caressing it. He still remembered the day Nicholas knelt before him on the city walls. He had reached out his hand, but ultimately, he did not strike Nicholas.
That day, Nicholas had knelt before Luke, struck his face, and said little. He was even prepared to face the entire Emerald Empire and all the Druids.
Until now...
Nathan realized that whether in life or death, Nicholas was no longer a child, nor a coward. He had carried a great mountain forward. It was they, the elders, who were the real cowards, hiding in the deepest parts of the family, cultivating psychic powers, and enjoying the happiest and most peaceful thirty years.
As Nathan's psychic powers emerged.
The tombstone recorded Nicholas's life, but not the burdens he had borne.
[Nicholas, the most respected member of the Blackwoods. He grew up in the Cloudrise Oceanview Pavilion during difficult times and became a hero there. As an adult, he followed in the footsteps of his elders, living freely. In the Thunderfire Demon Cave, he faced countless demonic cultivators, never showing fear, and even drinking and reveling with them.]
[He participated in battle after battle for the Blackwoods, never showing fear. At the Azure Cloud Martial Pavilion, he faced the strongest talents of Cloudview County, charging forward with a laugh, becoming the pride of the entire county.]
[He made the entire Druid Clark tribe submit to him, making the high priest Luke kneel before him.]
[He is...]
[The proudest, fearless warrior of the Blackwoods!]
Nathan slowly turned his head, looking at Luke kneeling before Nicholas's grave, and asked, "Lord Luke, take a look, isn't the life of my Nicholas spectacular?"
Larry stared blankly at Nicholas's tombstone.
After a long silence, he suddenly smiled, "I pay my respects to him. I didn't lose to the Blackwoods, I lost to him."
"Thank you."
As Nathan's words fell, Luke closed his eyes, his wish also fulfilled. His people were fleeing, his defeat inevitable, and he wanted to honor his opponent in his final moments, a pride of his status as high priest.
Luke's head fell, and his blood flowed towards Nicholas's grave.
The soil of the grave closed, and the people of Blackwood lingered for a long time.
In the misty rain, the statue seemed to come to life, Nicholas, just as he had wished, laughing heartily as he roamed the world.
[Congratulations, your descendants have, with the strength of their clan and the will of Nicholas, slain a million Druids, earning the trait: Druid Slayer]
[Damage against Druids increased by 30%]
Seven days passed in the game world, and the people of Blackwood gradually moved away from Nicholas's grave. Ethan's screen still lingered there, his eyes closed in the room.
From the start of this game until now, the children of the family had grown up, and unknowingly, all of them had entered the most important place in his heart.
He glanced at the skill item, looking at the astronomical number of Spiritual Tribute points, Ethan shook his head.
They still had much to do, they had to follow the path Nicholas had left for the family, to build the strongest Blackwood, ensuring this land would never again be troubled by Druids, or... by anyone!
...
In just half a month, Gratitude Village had regained order and was now more prosperous than it was thirty years ago, despite being occupied by Druids for many years. The infrastructure had been improving every day. Now, the people of Gratitude Village could instantly enjoy a better life than they did thirty years ago, truly a case of hardship followed by relief.
During the war, the people of Gratitude Village had spread out to various places, each household displaying white silk ribbons. Despite the pain of losing family members, they took pride in those who had died in battle, defending their land. Their loved ones had once fought against the Druids!
This land was built over generations with the blood and flesh of their ancestors. They had no other way to repay but to live and thrive on this land, to grow stronger, and to continue the will of their forebears and family members, protecting their homeland at all costs.
Fortunately, they had the support of the Blackwoods behind them.
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