CHAPTER 991: CHAPTER 151 - THE FELIANN CLAN AND THE KINGDOM OF BEASTKIN (3)

Kirk was sitting across from me, both of us tearing into the freshly cooked meat he’d hunted earlier. The crackling fire between us filled the air with a smoky aroma, mixing with the wild scent of the forest. He looked like he was savoring every bite, jaw working rhythmically, chewing that meat as if it was the last meal he’d ever get in his life. The grease on his lips shimmered under the firelight, and the popping sound from the burning wood gave our quiet meal a strange sense of peace amidst all the madness.

"You know," he finally said, his mouth half full, "I’ve gotta say... what you’re planning is really, really, really bold. Like, I can’t even believe you had the guts to suggest something that insane." He took another bite, shaking his head like he was chewing over my sanity rather than the meat.

"You think it’s impossible too?" I asked him, leaning back a bit, poking at the fire with a stick while watching the sparks rise into the dark sky.

"Of course it’s impossible," he grunted. "Not only that—it’s damn reckless. You’re basically trying to pick a fight that has no point. There’s no way in hell you can get the other tribes to agree to something like that. Sure, maybe the Elven Kingdom’s got your back, and yeah, if you somehow convince the Chief to side with you, maybe it could work for a while... but that’s only scratching the surface. You know how it is—the races in the Great Forest might share the same air, the same trees, and the same soil, but that doesn’t mean we live in harmony."

I understood where he was coming from. Even when I accepted this path, I knew what I was stepping into. The idea was crazy, no doubt about that. But knowing all that didn’t mean I’d give up before even trying.

"You’re not saying we’re gonna go to war with you, right?" he asked, narrowing his eyes. "’Cause, look, we could maybe handle a scrap with the Centaurs if things got ugly, but the Titans? That’d be a death sentence. You know damn well how that’d end."

He wasn’t wrong. The Titans were the undisputed giants of the Great Forest—literally. They lived up on the colossal mountain to the west, and they rarely interfered with anyone unless someone trespassed or messed with their land. No one wanted to imagine what a real war involving them would look like. Even Kirk, who’d faced monsters twice his size, didn’t dare think about it for too long.

"Nah," I said, tossing a small stick into the fire and watching it vanish into the flames. "Negotiation’s the only card I can play right now. It’d be stupid to rush things and cause another pointless war. That’s not what I want. I want the Great Forest united—not divided even further."

If we managed to unite all the races here, the Great Forest would become something untouchable—strong enough to hold its ground against the Republic or the Empire. An unbreakable fortress of life and nature. Slavers, bandits, and outsiders wouldn’t stand a chance of getting in or tearing it apart.

If this dream became reality, it wouldn’t just be a win for me—it’d change everything. Trade would flourish, defenses would grow stronger, and everyone would finally have something worth protecting. This wasn’t just about peace; it was about survival, about giving the people of the forest something to believe in.

The formation of the Nation of the Great Forest... it would mark a turning point in history. Power would shift. The balance between kingdoms would crumble and rebuild. The Empire would be forced to watch, powerless to interfere—at least for a while. Unless they came up with some miraculous plan, which honestly, I doubted they could do in a heartbeat.

"You’re really serious about this, huh?" Kirk finally said after a long pause, his tone quieter now.

Before I could respond, the deep hum of blades echoed across the treetops. The familiar rhythm of rotors cutting through the wind made me look up instantly. The sky’s calm night was broken by the sight of the helicopter descending through the shadows.

I stood up, brushing the dirt from my clothes, and walked outside as the beast tribe members began gathering around, curious but unsurprised. They already knew what to expect. The strong wind whipped my hair back as the helicopter slowly landed, scattering dust and leaves in every direction.

Then the door opened—

"Leon!"

That voice—I recognized it immediately. Trill. Same as ever, full of energy and reckless affection. Before I could even brace myself, she leapt from the helicopter with the force of a missile, landing straight on me in a high-speed tackle. Her arms wrapped around me tightly, her laughter muffled against my chest.

"I missed you!" she said, her voice full of warmth.

"It’s only been a week," I replied with a soft chuckle.

"But I already missed you!" she pouted, looking up at me with her sharp, glowing eyes.

I couldn’t help but smile. A week might not sound like much, but for her, it probably felt like forever. Truth be told, I felt the same. Her scent—sweet and wild—hit me the moment she clung to me. It was familiar, calming, and for some reason, it made all the stress that had built up inside me just melt away.

"Fufufu, I did too, you know?"

Titania’s elegant voice drifted through the wind as she stepped out of the helicopter. Her silver hair shimmered faintly under the moonlight, her composure as flawless as ever. Yr wasn’t with her—she’d stayed with Su back at the Leonamon—but someone else had come instead.

"You never stop finding ways to surprise me, Leon," said Myrcella as she stepped out next, her voice trembling slightly. "I honestly thought nothing could shock me anymore, but riding something like this... gods, even I wasn’t ready for that."

Her legs wobbled as she spoke, her steps slow and cautious, like every part of her body was rebelling against the idea of being off the ground. The fear of heights was written all over her face.

I gave her a silent look, a small nod telling her it was okay. She hesitated for a second, then slowly approached me. When she was close enough, I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her into a steady embrace.

The warmth of her body, Trill’s lingering scent, Titania’s calm gaze—it all felt grounding.